From Biochemistry with Love

Chapters

Chapter 2: Oh, you poor little thing.
Chapter 3: What's your name again?
Chapter 4: Studying you, studying me.
Chapter 5: A Prelude... to Disaster.
Chapter 6: A Wit(less) Trial
Chapter 7: Science will solve everything.
Chapter 8: Requiem of Science.
Chapter 9: Beware of Pink
Chapter 10: The Good Old Doctor.
Chapter 11: On the Road To Manehatten
Chapter 12: Queen Chrysalis.
Chapter 13: Changeling Does What Changelings Do.
Chapter 1: To wake up in a dungeon:

Chapter 2: Oh, you poor little thing.

“So many injuries, so little time.”

Who said that?

Wait, I must be waking up. Odd, I should be in more pain than this. Looking to my sides, I peered a cask on one of my hooves, and a fusion in the other.

Guess I was treated while being unconscious, that’s good.

“Ah, you’re awake,” the voice sounded, I turned my head toward it only to be blinded by a strong light.

I grumbled in irritation, whomever was talking immediately took the light away, “Apologies for that champ, needed to see your reflexes, which seem fine to me.”

Am I in the presence of someone from the medical field? I can’t tell, the light left a lot of shadows in my vision, “No, it’s fine,” I said while standing up.

“Oh, you can speak!” the medic exclaimed. Is that something truly surprising? I guess I should have expected it; I mean, I am still a talking black, carnivorous, chitin covered war horse apparently; even I’d be surprised if I can talk as well. “That would make things much easier,” he resumed.

However, I should be surprised by the fact that he didn’t send me to the dissection table yet, I mean it’s not every day a talking wing horse appeared out of nowhere; unless he is a UFO cultist, veterinarian, person that will worship me; but I don’t want to be worshiped, I want to prove something to be scientifically valid.

…

What the hell am I thinking? Most likely I am still hallucinating, and everything will be cleared the moment I get my vision back together.

I addressed the healer, “Thank you for the treatment,” Not good, trying to stand shouldn't be this hard, what the hell happened for me to feel so weak? “Might I ask your … name…?”

What on earth, heaven, and hell is happening here?

“You can call me doctor Loveheart, mister purple changeling,” the talking horse spoke with a Scottish accent, not that I can distinguish, I’m not even an English speaker myself.

“Uhhhhh,” I think being aghast is an appropriate response in this situation; anyone would brain freeze in my situation, would they?

“Looks like you know the medical drill too, how fortunate!” He cheered as he grabbed a spatula with his mouth then placed it in mine.

Shifting the light on his head, he focused on my mouth, “No signs of blood or trauma in there, mouth and upper respiratory system are fully functional,” returning the spatula to his coat, he took out he stethoscope and placed it on my heart,"Lets check the old drumroll shall we?"

That... was impossible, “How did you do that?”

I need to know.

“How do I do what?”

“Grab things with your hoof,” I mean it’s just not physically possible to use a hoof in such a manner, neither the bone structure of the hoof nor the friction of fur can replace the fully evolved hand with opposable thumbs.

“Oh that?” he gave me a hearty laugh, “You just grab it like this,” he lifted the stethoscope and rotated it his grip for me to fully explore it’s functioning.

Fascinating to say the least.

No matter how I look at it, it is still impossible for the stethoscope to be held like that. Yet it is held there with the same firmness of a hand grip.

I stretch my hand, hoof instinctively, but a sharp pain stopped it near my chest.

The doctor shook his head, “You were already injured enough as it is, whatever possessed you to throw a bed over it?”

“I thought I was under a hallucinogen,” well, no need to hide the truth is there?

“I gave you a few pain relievers, but nothing that strong, could it be that they did not mix well with your anatomy?” The doctor muse brought something to my attention, “perhaps I should revise your medication.”

“I highly doubt that normal medication would cause such severe adverse effect doctor,” I stated blandly, “I simply overreacted to an unfamiliar situation, nothing major.”

“You overreacted by smashing your hoof with a bed?” The doctor deadpanned. Okay, that definitely wasn't my brightest plan, “What are you? A masochist?”

I gave the good doctor a nervous laugh, “No,” I answered with a headshake, “No, just randomly prone to do the extremes,” the doctor shared my chuckles. I decided to pressure him on the notion I picked up on, “Though, if I may ask, what do you mean ‘did not mix well with my anatomy? Have you ever treated one of my kind before?”

“Oh, I have,” his reply was self-assured enough, “It’s just that, I... never really treated your type before,” why the sudden apprehension though? “All the other changelings had bluish carapace, with blue to green eyes, they were smaller though not by much, and they had a different set of wings and a different horn, nothing like yours… before they broke.”

Hm, well I think I kinda figured out that my wings and horn were broken, though that confirmed it, I have wings and a horn, not sure what to make of that.

“So this variety you described, does it represent the majority of the changeling population that lives here?”

“No,” huh, the doctor seems to be fidgeting a lot, wonder what’s putting him on edge, “Actually they are the majority of changeling that invaded this city not three days ago,” Okay, this has just complicated things further than expected, “And all the changelings I treated are actually prisoners from this invasion,” That makes sense, “And unfortunately, you are one of them.”

I am what now?

“I fear they are going to take you back to the dungeon after this checkup.”

Bummer.

“Won’t there be amnesty to someone who lost his memory?” I asked sheepishly.

“Really?” The doctor looked surprised at first, but then he changed into a more sympathetic gaze, “I should expect no less, since you were found smashed head first into one of the city’s walls.”

Wow, how is that even possible?

“I fear you just have to make your case when your trial comes in,” the doctor continued.

A trial huh, I never trusted the judiciary system before, although it’s not like it had failed me or not, but it had always been a gut feeling; I definitely need to probe the doctor for more information on the matter.

“So how many trials have the system conducted since the invasion began?”

“Oh tons, after we defeated your queen with the might of our captain of the royal guard and the love princess, a lot of the changelings were captured alive trying to scurry through the mega spell of their love. No offence.”

…

Okay, he mentioned captain of the royal guard and a princess, so I am most likely in a monarchy system where apparently the princess defeated the invasion with a love spell? That also means that the invasion is over and they are cleaning up afterward.

“None taken, though it must have been hard on the local changelings to be forced into choosing sides between their invading brethren and the local populace.”

“What local changeling?” the doctor added bombastically, “For most of our history we didn’t know the changelings even existed, but we showed those little buggers what true Equestrian might looks like.”

Let’s see, the lack of local changelings indicates a lack of perspective, which means those who will trial me lack the requirements of empathy; in other words, I won’t be able to appeal to their emotions for long, I’ll have to rely on logic this time.

From his boasting, and the lack of personal impute, I can tell that he is echoing the mood of his people, which from the looks of it, isn’t on my side.

If I am going to take everything I have learned from this short conversation, I should conclude that the trial I am facing will most likely be a mock trial, biased, and probably breaks every international law there is; in other words, I am most likely to receive the same judgment as the rest of my kin.

“So I’m guessing that a lot of the mines are now filled with workers, huh?”

“More like unmarked graves on the outskirt of Canterlot,” the doctor jested with a broad smile that immediately vanished the moment he saw my expression, “Is something the matter?” he asked out of concern, immediately putting his hoof on my head to gauge my temperature.

Only one thought kept running through my head, I should not overreact; if I am to get out of this alive, I should remain calm and assess my situation correctly.

And to do that I must absolutely, imperatively, NOT overreact.

Chapter 3: What's your name again?

Wow, I never struck someone without a probable cause before, perhaps I really need to step back and take a deep breath.

“Nurse! Send for the royal guard! No, the captain of the guard! Hurry!” I heard the doctor yell from behind. I couldn't actually blame him, though I don't think I actually care.

“Come now doctor Lovegood, you are talking as if I am a danger to everyone around here,” I replied nonchalantly, honestly I am nothing but an innocent injured dark horse who is looking for his medication.

“It’s Loveheart, and yes, you are!” The doctor replied hysterically, “You just punched me for trying to stop you before you poisoned yourself!"

“Please doctor, don’t belittle my intellect,” I don’t know why he thinks I’m an idiot, I know my medicine, I specialized in creating one after all, “I am simply searching for something that would remove the hallucinogen from my system,” Really a pharmacy needs to be more organized than this, “Now where is the active charcoal?” I ended mumbling to myself.

“For the last time you are not under any hallucinogen, your blood results are as clear as Celestia’s sun!” Oh again with the lies, when is he going to understand that I am not falling for it.

“Oh pish posh, if I am not under any hallucinogen then how can you explain how I came to be a black horse…”

“…Changeling!”

“Right, Changeling; I don’t even know how I came to horse Cambridge…”

“…Canterlot!”

“Fine, Canterlot; and now I am being informed that I am to be beheaded for a crime I don’t even know if it was possible for me to commit.” Really, news like that can destroy a person’s mood, and why is there so many aphrodisiac around here?

“I never said beheaded,” Oh, give it a rest, doctor; I uncovered your entire ploy against me, “What do you mean how you came to be a changeling? I thought you lost your memory.”

I froze for a moment, then turned slowly with my most disappointed scowl yet, “You disappoint me doctor,” I stated and the doctor winced, “if my instincts tell me that I had thumbs on my forelimbs, wouldn’t I conclude that I wasn’t a changeling before all this happened?”

“You had thumbs before you lost your memory?” Now he pays my rambling any attention, “What were you before becoming a changeling? A diamond dog?”

“No.”

“A Gryphon?”

“No.”

“A dragon?”

…

Okay that might have been awesome, “No, I used to be a human before turning to a changeling.”

I watched in horror as the doctor laughed so hysterically that he literally fell on his back chocking. Now, I’m mad. A vial of Epinephrine danced at the corner of my eyes, I grabbed it with my functional hoof and…

So that’s how you grab stuff with your hoof! It’s still physically impossible now that I think about it, but at least I learned something new today. Now, to get back to business. Where is the needle?

“What are you doing?” The doctor managed to calm his laughter long enough to see me filling the needle with epinephrine, with my mouth and my only functioning hoof might I add.

“How do I put this?” I am honestly tired of being coy, I want answers now, “Tell me everything you know or I will drug them out of you.”

“You wouldn’t!” The doctor gave me a horrorstruck expression.

“Try me!” I said while pointing the needle to his face.

The second moment I looked up, I saw myself on the ground with something heavy lying on top of me, the needle now out of my reach, “Nice tackle, Twinkle Toes!” I heard a voice coming toward me but without any footsteps.

“Thanks Rotten Breath, I’ve been practicing,” the one above me answered.

I looked up to where the first voice came from and instantly I’m flabbergasted.

That horse have wings! And he’s flying! That’s actually pretty cool, even if it is, again, a physics defying feat.

“What are you doing you brutes?! That is my patient you are tackling,” I turned toward the doctor in surprise as he lurched toward the guard on top of me and shoved him off, “Get off,” he ordered forcefully.

“What gives doc.? We thought he was threatening you; ain’t that why you called us in here?” That flying pony is right, doctor, what is your angle here?

“The only threat that changeling poses is to himself, without any memory, forced into a dungeon, and awaiting execution would make anypony suicidal,” ignoring the blatant disregard of the English language, why would he cover for me? I was planning on torturing him just a mere moments ago.

“Then leaving him like this just won’t do,” I heard a third voice from behind the door.

I turned to see who is it this time, but then something even more miraculous caught my eye. The needle that I dropped was casually floating next to my head.

I stare agape at it as it flew toward the doctor. “How?” but my question was cut off as I felt my entire being was being lifted from the ground by some unseen force; I look with further astonishment as my hoof was shrouded by a purple aura. I fidgeted as my body was being lifted above ground, but somehow the purple aura seemed to have restricted all my movement.

“That should keep you from being a danger to anyone else,” The third voice announced, I stared wide eyed as a white horse with blue mane and golden armor waltzed in, his horn glowing with the same aura as the one I’m shrouded in.

“Ah captain Armor, thank you for coming here,” The doctor addressed the newcomer warmly, “I was fearing of having to patch him again after what these brutes did to him.”

“It’s alright doctor, I am fully aware that our royal guards aren’t known for their finesse,” then the captain addressed me, “Are you alright?”

I just stare.

“Does it hurt anywhere?”

I blink.

“Do you even understand what I am saying?”

I blink again, “How did you do that?”

“Do what?”

I gesture to all of me, “How did you do this?”

“Oh this?” he flicked his horn at me and a swing that way, then flicked his horn again and I swing the other way, “That is just simple telekinesis spell every unicorn can do.”

I gave him the stink eye, “Pardon my skepticism but I don’t believe you.”

The captain looks at me mouth hanging, “But I just levitated you.”

“Yes and I believe you,” He now gives me a perplexed, “All the more reason why I believe there is a hallucinogen in my blood stream. Would you mind to test my blood again and this time include the illegal ones as well as the rare ones?” I asked the doctor who simply let out a chuckle.

The doctor then turned toward the captain, “His memory loss is extremely severe my lord, he thought he was from a mythical race called humans before being turned to a changeling,” Mythical?! Well at least that explains his reaction, “I fear he may have some issues that needs to be addressed if he is to be trialed fairly.”

Now I just want to punch the doctor in the face, to state a trial that needs to be fair means that someone had been declared innocent.

“So basically he’s a blockhead?”

Plop

“Call me blockhead one more time,” I said with the guard’s neck squeezed in my hoof.

I feel the warp field wrapping around me again and pulling me away from the guard who weezed the moment I let him go. Pulled again toward the captain I saw a stunned face mixed with a lot of apprehension, guess my outburst was truly unwarranted, “I don’t know how you managed to escape my telekinetic field, but would you please don’t do that ever again. Unless you want a more lethal measurement to be taken against you.”

I gulped, “Okay sir,” I replied with a salute.

“But that is fascinating,” the doctor intervened, “Looks like being called a blockhead was significant enough to have you attack another without reservation, do you think you can tell us why?”

I looked at the doctor in surprise, but there is no doubt about it. Being called a blockhead irked me to no end, and I don’t think I know why… or maybe I do? I need to think about it a bit.

Think calmly about it.

“What the fuck does that mean?” the bully asked when I gave him my name.

“So you got your memory back?” The doctor asked with hopefulness in his eyes.

“Just bits and pieces,” That memory though placed me in a rather foul mood.

“Can you tell us what exactly do you remember now?” The captain asked.

Well, for starters I have now confirmation that I was indeed human and am not losing my sanity; I definitely got transported somehow into this changeling body and am waiting execution. “I think I remember my name,” I said to the waiting crowd, but I can’t give them my real name, especially if I suffered because of it.

I take a look at my entourage, the doctor was called Loveheart, or was it Love Heart? Not sure. The captain was Shining Armor I think, and if I recall correctly, the guards called each other Twinkle Toes and Rotten Breath? Okay, not the most aesthetical names thus far. Maybe my name wouldn’t be that bad after all.

“Well?” The captain tapped his hoof.

I smile, I think I have the best idea as of yet, “Just call me… Support Pillar.”

Author's Note

No I don't think I will give you the character's real name in the foreseeable future because I'm a pain like that :P

Chapter 4: Studying you, studying me.

“But his name really means blockhead!” Is that guy serious? Does he truly wants me to break his face?

The field suddenly grew tighter, can't even wiggle free anymore, guess the captain was true to his words about using lethal force.

“Twinkle Toes, another outburst like that and you’ll be scrubbing the toilets for an year, is that understood?”

“But…” but before Twinkle Toes could defend himself a glare from the captain sent him shuddering.

“Is that understood?” Shining Armor repeated with all the authority that entails his position… I like.

“Understood, captain,” Twinkle Toes said with a salute.

“I’m impressed,” Shining Armor glares at me, “I am giving you a lot of leniency there Support Pillar, I truly hope you live up to them.”

Really? Does he take me for an idiot or something? “And pray tell, how exactly is any part of my treatment do you consider as lenient?”

“For starters, I allowed your healing, haven’t I?” Oh right, there is that. “I think you and I need to talk, is it alright for me to take him back to the dungeon doctor Loveheart?”

“Of course, as long as you keep him away from any medication I think he’ll be fine,” Now that I think about it, the doctor have the most suspicious behavior between all of them, “I’ll see you at the trial mister Pillar, please don’t disappoint,” See? That screams suspicion.

I simply nod, I most definitely need to keep an eye out on him now. But the sudden flying toward the door kept me from actually replying.

The captain of the guards walked through the stony hallway, trailing me behind, well above him, while being shadowed by the two guards that accompanied him.

Every guard, maid or normal horse that passed him saluted him, then eyed me with either suspicion, fear, or disgust. Whispers of hate filled the halls over my presence, I wonder why I can taste it?

“You seem to be gaining popularity already,” Shining Armor jested.

I scoffed, “More like gaining a witnesses over my execution.”

“You are too pessimistic about things Support Pillar, you are in a far better position than a lot of your brethren, if you can call them that.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Shining Armor turned toward one of the wooden doors, he opened the uncharacteristically large gate not by using his hoof, or his mouth, he simply swung his head and the door opened.

“Nice trick,” I called, “Hidden wires or magnetic traps?”

“You still don’t believe that I’m using magic?” He looked at me with disbelief.

“You will have to understand my skepticism toward the unknown… umpf,” okay being dropped on the ground like that hurts a ton.

“You do realize that you can cast the same if your horn wasn’t broken, right?”

Oh please, I am a man, well black war horse changeling thing, of Science; magic mumbo jumbo are wasted upon me.

Shining Armor then turned toward one of the winged guards that are flanking me from both sides, “Rotten Breath, if our guest tries to do anything funny, you know what to do.”

I look at the horse Shining was addressing and he smiled at me displaying his… Oh God, are those his teeth? Why are they purple? And is that a centipede running in there?

I am most definitely going to be an angel today, “So, would you be as kind as to explain what exactly I am doing here?”

“I’m afraid to say this Support, can I call you Support?” I shrugged, “But, your race invaded Canterlot during my wedding , Kidnapped my princess, and my baby sister, threw them both in the caves beneath the city then took over the entire city. They even brainwashed me into thinking that I loved your queen. Do you know how disgusting that is?”

“I can only imagine,” From the look on his face, I most definitely want to be the supportive type, unless I get the teeth, I mean whatever Rotten Breath knows what to do.

“So you can imagine my surprise when the moment an officer in your changeling army saw you, he immediately called you 'Nirvana’s spawn' and wanted to kill you.”

Oh great, so it’s not just the ponies who wanted to kill me, it’s my own race as well.

The captain continued, “That made us somewhat curious, so we started investigating your whereabouts during the invasion, and something truly surprising came up: no one ever remembered seeing you until the last moment when the spell struck you and planted you on the wall.”

Okay, that was a bust. It really looks like I came out of nowhere.

“So what are you saying? You aren’t going to trial me?” Happy day!

“Tartaros no, whatever made you think that?” Why did you have to bring my hopes up? “But it does mean that you are most likely to be the only one to walk out alive.”

I don’t buy that.

“Pardon my skepticism again, but I doubt if the court would let me free, the rest of the populace would be as forgiving.”

“Don’t worry, if the princesses find you not guilty, the rest of ponykind will be just as forgiving.”

“So you’re saying that as long as the monarchy says it’s okay the people will blindly follow without a single thought over the subject at hoof?”

“… When you put it like this, you make ponykind look like idiots. Which isn’t something that helps your overall survival tomorrow.”

…

The trial is tomorrow? But I am not prepared! Who will be my lawyer? Will I even have a lawyer? What will my opening statement be? Am I going to be executed in a public square or in a gas chamber?

What is that putrid smell?

“Okay Rotten Breath,” Okay, I’m going to gag now, “I’m… calm now. Please move away.”

With a single shoo from Shining Armor, Rotten Breath backed off.

“Should you need it, I will provide you with the Equestrian constitution for you to prepare for tomorrow.”

“Forget it!” I snapped, “Those trials are fixed, there is no way you can condemn an entire army to death otherwise.”

“I can assure you, those trials are not fixed,” Shining remained surprisingly calm, “There are an adequate number of witnesses who testified of the atrocities your race committed during the invasion. It was based on those trials that we based our verdicts, and you lack both witnesses and a reasonable cause for such harsh punishment,” is that suppose to put me at ease? "Besides, I am not about to kill an innocent creature if I can help it, regardless of which race he is from."

Okay, now that’s just not right, “I’m not buying it,” The captain is too nice to me, “Why do you, of all the horses in Canterlot, want to keep me alive.”

Shining looked at me a bit miffed for some reason, “First of all, call me a horse one more time and I’ll pluck your broken wings off your back and feed them to you on a silver platter,” Note to self: never call ponies horses. Ever, “And yes, I do have a reason why I want you alive Support. Of all the creatures alive, you are the first one to ever break my telekinetic field.”

Shining Armor stood up then closed in on me. “My field,” he affirmed, “The one hailed as the strongest of all the unicorns.”

“In my defense, I don’t think I can replicate that.”

“Do I look like I care?” Shining Armor then slumped back to his seat, “You are unique Support, and not just as a changeling; from the first day I laid my eyes on you and you are an enigma wrapped in mystery, and you need to understand, I really hate mysteries.”

I gulped, I don't know why but that sounded a lot more ominous than it out to be.

"You'll have to excuse us, but we are putting you with another changeling tonight," Shining Armor then suddenly announced while opening one of the cell doors, "We need to fix the bed in your original cell so... you know where I'm going with this right?"

"Is that a challenge for me to survive till tomorrow?" I simply voiced my inner dialogue.

"Absolutely!" Shining beamed at me as I was shoved into the cell, "Good night and good luck."

The cell door closed. I sat there, in the dark, trying to digest what just happened.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted movement. Must be the changeling Shining talked about, "If you want to kill me, skipper, you would loose your only chance of getting out of here alive."

The changeling walked into my line of sight, and like the doctor described; she was of black and blue color, she has Diptera type wings. Why did I thought of her as a she though?

"What's a skipper?" definitely a she then.

"Your nickname?" okay, what's with her?

"My name?" Now she's messing with me.

"If you want it to be?" Okay, this is officially the weirdest conversation I have had, ever.

"Skipper," she repeated almost mindlessly then smiled the most sincerer smile I have seen since I woke up in this place, before suddenly turning towards me, "You said that you are my chance of getting me out of here alive?"

Finally, some coherency, "Yes, I think I can."

With a single nod she returned to her corner of the cell, repeating her new name over and over again; okay what's with that?

I simply shake my head then walk toward the bed, another memory resurfacing.

"You know," I address the bully, "I was okay if you kept annoying me in school, but following me home is crossing the line," He gulp audibly, "Would you please never do that again?"

"Okay, okay, I'll never follow you home," He pleaded, "Now would you please put down the axe?"

Looks like, I'll be alright after all.

Chapter 5: A Prelude... to Disaster.

“You’re still alive?” Was my rude awakening from the captain of the royal guard, simply put, he looked amused by my survival.

“How rude of me,” I jested, he snickered, “I guess making friends was out of your challenge?”

“You made a friend?”

“Of course I did,” I mean it’s not hard to befriend a cellmate, is it? “Skipper! Say high to the captain of the royal guard,” Skipper peaked her head from the ‘Equestrian constitutional bylaws and regulations’ and almost immediately she ran and hid behind me.

Shining Armor gave me a wry look, "You gave a drone a name? How did you do that?"

“She’s kind of shy at first, but she is very helpful in memorizing details,” Skipper peaked her head from behind me and looked at Armor, then hid back behind me, “Come now Skipper, what was that law we made fun of all last night?”

“Article 1, section 10: If stuck on any law please refer to the highest authority in Equestria Princess Celestia or any other alicorn in the seat of power at any given moment.” Skipper replied sheepishly before returning to her hiding spot.

Now I am not much of a law person I admit, I barely understand any mumbo jumbo that are laws and regulations or anything related to them, to the frustration of my previous roommate, now a prominent lawyer, which I remembered him last night yelling at me for not understand what’s the definition of law is.

But I know a fluke when I see one.

“Tell me, sir Armor, is Celestia a god? I'm just curious here.”

With that same smile that challenged me yesterday, Armor replied, “Now that is an interesting turn of event. You really are something else entirely, do you know that?”

"Is that suppose to mean something?"

Armor looked at me like I have three heads, “You really don’t know? Normal drones don’t have names and it’s impossible for us ponies to name them.”

Is that a fact now? “Guess changelings only accept names from other changelings?” I asked the one behind me, who bit her lower lip in return. Guess she doesn’t want to tell.

Moving on.

“So, you’re here to take us to the trial or for something else?”

“Oh right, forgot about that,” is that even possible? “I’ll be seeing you to the holding cage in the courtroom before returning to my duties in taking over princess Celestia’s duties for the day with my wife, while the princess herself takes the role of judge.”

“So I’m being judged by a goddess?”

“So it would seem, don’t embarrass yourself too much, you hear?”

“Since when did I embarrass myself in the first place?”

“Well, you punched the doctor who was trying to help you, you tried to drug yourself at least twice as far as I heard, and you thought you were under some form of hallucinogenic influence.”

Oh, oops. “I-I’ll do my best then.” I never thought I’d stutter in a situation like this.

The next thing I knew shackles appeared on my three remaining hooves. “Oh neat!” I turned around and skipper also had her hooves shackled. “But is that really necessary?”

“Standard procedure I’m afraid,” He answered with an apologetic smile.

I sighed, “Let’s go Skipper; wouldn’t want to be late for her majesty plot handing.”

“Nice choice of words, won’t help you in court though,” he answered immediately.

“Witless comments are left among acquaintances.”

“So you understand that it was witless?” I glare at him, he answered with laughter, “You know, I really want to watch your trial, but I guess it’ll have to wait, so don’t die on me, alright?”

“Not planning on it.”

“Alright then!”

And with that we started walking the same corridor that lead me here yesterday. However, instead of the normal servants and regulars I saw yesterday, there was an endless stream of guards; each of them having a look that ranges from insignificance to hatred, leaving a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

Such tense atmospheres really doesn’t help one to relax, I turned to Skipper who was still shivering in the same manner as since she met Shining Armor.

“You really should smile more,” I addressed her in an upbeat voice, “It will hurt them more if you look like you don’t care.”

“But they scoff, they pity, they hate,” she answered me, “Their emotions taste so bad, it's making me sick.”

“That is why; you should smile at them, hatred cannot be answered with submission, nor can it be answered with anger,” I waved at one who seemed particularly nasty, “That will infuriate them even more, and will give you an unprecedented advantage.”

“Is that why you’re grinning like an idiot?”

Ouch, where did that come from? “Then that is a good thing. When we show our real side, they won’t know what hit them,” and there is that smile from yesterday.

Skipper isn’t the brightest pea in the bunch; I became painfully aware of that when I started talking to her about our defense in court, simple concepts like where to stand or how to speak usually fell on deft ears with her, but no sooner that we started our research into the ‘Equestrian constitutional bylaws and regulations,’ if one wishes to call it that, I realized that she can retain information faster than any computer I have seen; her eidetic memory truly helped in the analysis and we managed to finish preparing our defense in time because of it. Every time I complemented her on something so banal her work, she would sit upright, fold her wings completely backwards, fidget with the holes in her hooves, tilt her head down while looking at me and smile awkwardly as if the creature of her dreams just told her that she is the most beautiful changeling in the universe.

“What are you two planning there?” Shining Armor’s voice immediately broke her smile, adding a shiver to her composure, “Hope it’s not an escape plan,” he jested, his laughter was surprisingly warmer than what I expected, but she immediately broke into a panic. “What’s wrong with her?” The sudden iciness of his voice was chill inducing.

“Pre-murder frights?” I jested. He scoffed. Guess I am the only one with the preferential treatment around here, better be careful if I wish to get her out of here alive at least.

“Here we are,” he exclaimed suddenly while opening a door, the sudden stream of light emanating from that room was blinding to say the least, I was shoved into a bigger cage with Skipper right behind me, only to gawk, “Good luck,” I think he said before closing the door behind him.

Architecturally, the room’s architecture is reminiscent to Greek times with pillars that look straight out of the Acropolis itself, it was semi-circular with a theater in the middle, guards with horns on their heads flanking each of the pillars surrounding the stage. At the center is a large dais with a seat high enough to loom over whomever will be seated in the cage bellow, like a mountain over a hut. The cage itself appears of miniaturized proportions, humble and feeble, degrading in comparison to the splendor surrounding it; I think this is the convict stand, and like all theaters, this one was surrounded with stairs filled to the brim with a crowd of cheering ponies. To say the least, I am in awe.

“Uh, Support Pillar?” Skipper tapped my shoulder.

“What?” I looked at her and she pointed to the little crowd of six changelings that are sharing the cage we were in, all of them staring blankly at me.

I smile back at them, “Greetings everyone, how is your day?”

“HISSSS!”

“Tough crowd,” Well, that could have went better, “Hey Skipper, can you talk to them to see what information we can gather from them?”

Skipper took a step forward, then waved to her fellow changelings who seemed fascinated by her, but just as she was about to speak, "Traitor!” A seventh changeling jumped into view, if I judge by looks alone, she was no different from Skipper or any of the other changeling in the same cage. Looks alone however were rarely my first choice for judgment. Her body language was however on a different plane than the rest of them, and the authority she carried herself with truly set her apart, even from Skipper.

"Lovecraft, please!" Skipper pleaded, "Listen to him, he can get us out."

The changeling known as Lovecraft looked at Skipper with surprise, "Wow drone, rude much? Where is the honorific for addressing a named changeling?"

I blinked, Shining Armor said something about naming changelings, is a changeling's name really that important? I wonder.

"B-but I have a name too!" Skipper defended herself rather weakly I must confess. Maybe I should help her out.

"If it is alright," I stepped in quickly, suddenly all the disapproving eyes were on me, "I wish to help all of you out of this little conundrum."

Lovecraft looked at me as if I was a dirty tablecloth, then scoffed, "As if I will take the help of a Nirvana spawn." She then turned her back and swooshed her tail in my face, "My trial yesterday went perfectly and all that is left is the hearing, I'll be leaving here without your help regardless," Well that was a bust, if Skipper watched her trial yesterday I could benefit from what happened and make a few adjustments. Lovecraft then turned angrily toward Skipper, "Keep your name to yourself, treacherous spawn, if you ever get out of here alive, I'll be sure to torture it out of you then." Yish, talk about hatred.

I wanted to reply to her so dearly, but just then, a guard taped his spear on the ground three times, causing us to stand in attention, “All rise for the honorable head judge Princess Princess Celestia.”

I stared intently at the front door at the end of the stadium, and the moment they opened, my jaw dropped. A very tall, very white, extremely regal pony with both horn and wings entered the court room; she shinned so bright, it was bedazzling to stare at her for too long, and she wasn’t alone, following her was a dark blue pony with the exact same features, although she is smaller than the white one, she is still nonetheless tall.

The white one strode in her imperially refined black judge robe, taking each step as if she was walking on water, and the moment she reached the end of those stairs, she spread her wings and flew toward the dais, landing like a descending archangel from heaven on her seat. The dark blue one wasn't as attracting as her predecessor with her black tailored suit with a cravat of night sky black embroiled with sparkling stars on it, and even though her strides were less mesmerizing than her peer, however, she carried herself with just as much self-worth, taking the prosecutor stand with as much affirmation as a king on his throne.

And in that moment, I was struck with a sense of familiarity that I was not expecting to feel. I know these two ponies, I saw them somewhere, but I can’t put my non existing finger on it.

“Bailiff, please send in Lovecraft to resume her trial,” the highly magnificent judge said breaking my musing. The guard at our little cage nodded, opened the first door, and then shoved the convict out.

And the booing started.

Give the girl some slack would you?

Nonchalantly, Lovecraft took the stance. The judge barely, though assertively, lifted her hoof and the room went eerily silent, “Lovecraft, after considering your defense yesterday, we have reached a conclusion,” she said in an angelic voice. No wonder the ponies' worship her like this, her presence alone can bring a commoner to his knees.

The dark blue one gave a playful smile to the judge, then turned toward the changeling.

The judge took a deep breath, the air suddenly felt like it weighed a ton.

Then suddenly, she screamed with enough passion to melt an iceberg, “Guilty as charged.”

What happened next could only be described in split seconds, each of the guards that shadowed the pillars took a step forward, then they all fired instantaneously blinding beams of light, vaporizing the changeling on the stand before she could even scream.

…

Well.

…

That just happened.

“Is that a good thing?” I heard Skipper asking casually while shacking my shoulder.

I turned around and sneered at her, “What do you think?”

Author's Note

Just as promise, the cover art with the updated chapter, hope you enjoy.

P.S. I wrote this chapter 5 times before publishing it, and somehow I am not entirely convinced, though I gave up before yelling in frustration as to why everything isn't fitting in place a 100%, so went with the less than stellar 90% fit.

Chapter 6: A Wit(less) Trial

Author's Note

Considering that chapter 6 and 7 are the last of the 2014 chapters, I feel the need to address your concerns regarding the dates of the chapters and how they are updated.

When I get an idea for a story I create the story here on Fimfiction, with that said, I actually write a draft of several chapters as to how the story will turn out. these chapters are then marked by the date of creation of the chapters, I leave the story to rest until if fully fermented in my head, then when I feel my skills are sufficient enough I submit the story for publishing and to be viewed by the populace.

Because of this some chapters have a date going back to 2014, as it coincide with the time I created that particular page, not the time I worked on the chapter itself.

This particular story I started working on it in July this year, and the initial drafts were completely rewritten from the ground up.

With that being said, I have a bit of bad news regarding the updates, you see, my life is extremely sporadic, one day I have nothing better to do, the next I barely have time to scratch my head. because of this, chapter updates are also extremely sporadic and often coincide with the free time I have left.

you can have multiple chapters updated in a span of a single week, while other times entire month goes by without an update. That doesn't mean I will never update, it just means I didn't have time to update.

For now at least, I can work on this story continuously until hopefully three more chapters have been published.

Chapter 6: A Wit(less) Trial

What the hell?

H-he then t-turned into me and made a very scary f-face, a-and I was so horrified, I nearly blacked out.

Just what exactly is going on around here?

He had the gall to shapeshift into me~! But that’s not all, after he did, he hissed at me! With my own face! Talk about vulgarity.

What are these?

Of course I remember her! She the one I blasted with my Party Cannon, and the one after her, I used TWILI-GUN.

These aren’t trials!

I am only seventy eight percent certain that she is the one Pinkie Pie *ahem* used me to blast her, honestly, I wasn’t exactly keeping score, I was more focused on reaching the elements if anything else.

This is a farce!

Ah didn’t care who it was, Ah kept buckin’ until there were none of them left to buck.

I can almost see Shining Armor sneering at me from behind, ‘not fixed’ he said, Bah! These trials are as fixed as a pole in a gentlemen's club.

And this one is the worst of the bunch.

“How should I know which flank I kicked? They all look the same to me.”

That was the last straw, “How, in all that is heaven and holy, is that an admissible witness in this trial?” I yelled at the top of my voice, I stared in anger as every creature in that room was glaring daggers at me with all their might.

The now irksome judge slammed with her hammer dully, then pointed her hoof at me and said, “Another outburst like that and I’ll have you executed without a trial.”

“Just one question,” I didn’t give her a chance to deny it for me, “Can she not be a witness in my trial? I doubt she’ll add anything of substance to it.”

“Hey!” protested the cyan pegasus with rainbow colored hair, only to be silenced with another loud tap from the judge.

“That is up for the prosecution to decide, and you,” She glared at me with her ‘this is your last warning’ stare. "wait your turn."

I nodded fervently, before slumping back into a corner, a mixture of nervousness and irritation plastered all over my face.

“Support, are you okay?” Skipper asked tentatively.

“I’m fine,” she reeled from my reply, guess that came out a bit more forceful than expected, “a bit annoyed, that’s all.”

“Uhm, if it’s alright, there is something I want to do before you go on trial,” She sais more sheepishly than usual.

I looked at her and she turned away, blushing excessively. One might wonder how is it possible to see a blush underneath her black coat, well it's hard to explain, it's more like I can taste it, a mixture of something spicy and sugary at the same time. Whatever she has on her mind must be something quite shameful, “If it involve anything sexual, then no. I’m irked, not horny.”

“What? NO! Nothing like that.” She yelled, her blush intensifying with the taste of spiciness while the sugary taste subsided.

“Guilty as charged!” I hear Celestia calling, the now routinely sound of a step forward, followed by a blast. I watched as the ashes danced lazily on the prosecution stand where the changeling once stood. At the beginning of the day there were nine of us, now there is only Skipper and I, and if I don’t do something about it… No, I don’t want to think about it. Thinking about it will only lead me to be more nervous and that is the last thing I want to be.

“Five minute recess,” The Bailiff bellowed.

There are a lot of shuffling around. I look at Skipper who was still spicy tasting, but looked rather crestfallen.

I rolled my eyes then rubbed my template, me and my sympathetic heart, “Tell me what is it you want to do, and if I like it, we’ll do it.”

Almost instantly, Skipper cheered up, her blush intensifying with a less spicy, more sugary taste, “Well, you know I was a drone, right? And drones have no name, so there are a lot of things drones aren’t allowed to do like share their energy between each other. I never did that and I was hoping to do it in case, you know…” She gave me a dejected look, good to know I’m not the only one struggling with my mortality.

“Alright, sounds like a good idea,” Immediately, she cheered up, “And how do we transfer energy from one to ….”

Something squashed my lips shut.

Skipper just kissed me.

Oh my god, Skipper is kissing me!!

What the hell? What is she thinking? We are in the middle of the courtroom, theater, thingy! Ponies are watching us! What will they think of us?

...

Who cares what they think! They are going to kill me anyway, might as well enjoy it. Now if I can stop thinking, and actually enjoy the kiss.

…

Tastes like baklava for some reason, no, it's more than that, the taste is less milky more fruity, cheese cake perhaps? Still not right, it's less creamy more crunchy, like a fruit, what was it's name again?

...

What's up with my taste buds? I need to...

Suddenly, Skipper broke the kiss and scolded, “You’re thinking too much!”

“How would you know? This was your first kiss!”

“Every time I tap into your dormant energy reserve, you dim the flow!”

What the hell does that mean? But before I could voice my question, “The court will now resume the trials,” God, can her voice be more irksome? “Bailiff send in the next defendant.”

“That’s my cue,” I said disappointingly, “Don’t go anywhere, I have tons of questions for you to answer.”

I turned around and walked toward the prosecution stance. The first thing I noticed was the level of chatter and giggles in the court was several levels higher than usual, I’m guessing our little stunt didn’t go unnoticed.

The second thing I noticed is how unusually calm I am, I may as well be walking to my death, yet I feel rejuvenated somehow. I didn’t give it much thought, but everything is so light and clear. At least I don’t have to worry about that pit in my stomach.

I took the stand, chains warped around my three hooves, the cage closes and a white shield suddenly flared around me. I stood up straight, cleared my throat, and made my introduction:

“Greetings and Good morrow to every pony, Judges, Princesses, and all; Support Pillar is my name, changeling oddity is my game. How can I help you today?” Okay, that came out too bright, but I can’t seem to be able to darken my mood; not that I am complaining, the judge seemed to have turned whiter while hiding a mirth, the prosecutor have turned darker with her scowl now showing, and the audience fell into a cacophony of laughter.

A new memory floated from my thesis proposal, I stood in front of six highly decorated and self-absorbed professor trying to explain to them that all my hard work for the past 8 month was correct and fruitful; to say that it was the longest hour of my entire life is an understatement; their eyes ever judging, their face unyielding, their frown horrifying.

So the fact that I broke nearly everyone with a simple greeting tells me a lot about this world.

“Well first it’s half past two in the afternoon…” The dark one spat poisonously.

I interrupted her just for the spite, “Noon? Shouldn’t we take a recess for lunch?”

“You let us worry about our stomachs, because you are here on trial for your actions during the invasion of Canterlot during my niece’s wedding.”

“And pray tell,” I answered her smugly, “what were my actions during your wedding? Congratulations on the wedding by the way, hope she lives happily ever after,” dear lord, I think her eyes are glowing red with rage, so cute. “As far as I remember I was smashed to the city’s front gate, if I didn’t have a thick skull, my doctor says I could have died.”

I turned to the witness stand, “And besides, none of the witnesses here ever saw me during the invasion, and I’d be sure if someone did, I mean I am the most recognizable changeling out there, am I not?”

The cyan one tsked while the others nodded in agreement, then something that I did not expect to happen, happened.

The pink mare with the crazy hair and the crazier speech stood up and said, “Of course I know you didn’t have anything to do with the invasion, silly Pillar,” she said with a broad smile that sent shivers down my back, “I know but you came into existence just as Princess Cadence and Captain Shining touched horns and made the big woosh that defeated queen meanie pants Chrysalis.”

I stare at her for a bit, “Really? How?”

“My pinkie sense told me!” I raised an eye brown, “When Twilight helped Cadence out of the goo, I got am itchy back, tickly stomach and numb hoofsies, that means an interdimensional portal have opened and something came through from it.”

... Eh? This is my defense?

“And now that I take a closer look at you, I get all the hibbi jibbies, which means you are the one who came out of it!”

What the..? What is wrong with that witness? Is divination a thing that is admissible in court? Will my life end because of the words of a fortuneteller?

“Makes sense." Did the judge just...?

...

Nope, don't think about it. I will not invite criticism or doubt upon someone who have just saved my life. I ought to be thankful for the opportunity instead.

The prosecutor walked toward me, her smugness still high “What do you say to this, mister Support?”

“As far as I know, I am innocent of such crime,” Take the high road, swallow my pride and my curiosity. Should be simple enough. I must take advantage of every opportunity I have if I am to get out of here alive, “I am a drone with a name that has not been tarnished with blood of this invasion.”

Doubt started to spread like a sweet nectar smell, guess the rambling of that fortuneteller did work in my favor after all. Now to see how the rest of this will go, from the judge’s glaring I think not well apparently, she most likely did not expect one of her subjects to speak up against her prejudice, or over her plan for eradicating us all? Not sure, but I certainly don't like that look

This was further affirmed, when the cyan pegasus struck the pink mare from behind while saying, "Why did you do that for? This wasn't what we planned to do!" Could there have been dissent, or possibly traitors, among the original architects of this trial?

"But Dashie~! He's the one that's been giving me all the hibbie jibbies!" Or it could possibly the rambling a mad mare.

"It doesn't matter," Interfered a purple unicorn, "Even if he managed to defend himself well, the princesses will end this exactly how they ended Lovecraft trial."

Now this is interesting, so they are going to use the same argument that was used against that first changeling. Now if only I knew what it was.

"Uh girls? H-he's l-looking at us!" One of the witnesses, the highly frightened one, pointed at me as if I am Satan incarnate. I smile back and wave. as the rest of the six glared daggers at me.

“Order, order in the court,” The judge called while tapping her hammer, “This court will take ten minute recess.”

The bailiff came and took me to my cage. Upon entering Skipper lifted her hoof for a high five, “Keep it up and you just might get your freedom back,” she said jovially, however upon noticing my spacing she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“These trials are more fixed than I thought, the moment the judge will return will probably the start of my actual trial,” I answer her gravely.

“How do you know that?”

“Let’s say intuition.” I thought for a moment, “Celestia is not done with me that’s certain, but I am not about to let her take my life so easily, I have an idea and if it succeed, I want you to either follow my lead or follow in my footsteps, either way, if you play your cards right, you might escape with your head on your shoulders.”

Chapter 7: Science will solve everything.

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 8: Requiem of Science.

“Hey, Skipper?”

“Yeah?”

“Why are we in a haunted castle?”

“What do you mean?” Skipper seemed too relaxed over this.

“Well, for starters, I don’t see anyone.”

Under any other circumstances, I’d consider that to be a good thing. But in this case, I find this eerie.

This castle is frighteningly deserted. Halls polluted with filth and debris. Broken windows allowed a hot, suffocating air to howl like a midnight wolf. Shredded curtains do nothing but add to the tattered scenery. And whatever these paintings were, well they are nothing but torn pieces of cloth now. And is that someone’s blood on the wall?

Had I known any better, I'd say this place was ransacked thoroughly and completely.

I don't like this at all.

“Well, if I am to speculate, that has something to do with the fact that it's nearly three in the morning.”

Shut up, really? "That isn't possible Skipper, the Sun has been up all this time."

"Well what did you expect would happen if you put the Sun Bringer and the Moon Bringer to sleep."

...

“Who?”

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

....

“Seriously, who again?”

Skipper heaved, “The judge and the prosecutor.”

Oh~! That makes no sense.

“How does putting them to sleep dictates the movement of not one but two celestial bodies?”

“Did I not explain it to you already?” Okay, where on earth is that smug attitude coming from? “The judge and the prosecutor brings out the sun and the moon every day and night," Okay, that is the biggest load of baloney I have ever heard of, "You placed them to sleep, ergo the Sun is still up in the middle of the night.”

I gave her a questioning look, "Are you telling me, that the ponies I spend countless hours explaining everything from anatomy to quantum physics to abstract mathematics have the capacity to rotate an entire planet around itself as well as the satellite that orbits it?" And I'm not even that good at math! I definitely need to rethink my conclusion back there.

Skipper seemed unsure of herself, "I don't know," her skittish voice cracked, "I guess," she scratched behind her head, "I mean that's what everyone believes, isn't it?"

I close my eyes then shake my head; conspiracy, after conspiracy, after conspiracy are hitting me in the face. This place believes more in magic and wizardry than a tribal village in the middle of Africa. I don't think I have the energy to argue anymore, "Just forget it," was my simple exasperated answer.

"Are you okay?" Skipper suddenly asked with concern in her voice, "You look really tired."

"I'll be fine when we get out of this castle," and of course I can do without the truth bending, fluffy magic explanation of every day occurrences, "So, what's our escape plan?"

“I don’t know, I thought you had one.”

…

Say what now? “No, I thought you had one, since You dragged Me out of the courtroom without any warning.”

"No, You told me to either follow in your lead or follow in your hoofsteps," Oh wait, I did say that didn't I? "But, ever since you were ogling possibly the most dangerous mare in Equestria. I guess the plan went out of the window."

How dare she?! "I was improvising, I didn't have a plan to escape plan nor did I expect that these ponies to be so ignorant over their simple anatomy!"

And I was not ogling the love of my life, I was simply admiring her butt tattoo and how it blended perfectly with her curves.

...

Hope I did not say that out loud.

"Okay, okay!" Skipper jumped the gun, "so what do we do now?" She asked.

"Well, we can't stay out in the open, someone might find us."

“Hey, did you hear something?” Just great! Speak of the devil.

“Yeah, it’s coming from over there!” darn it, we’ve been spotted, need to hide quick. Now I simply need to get Skipper…

Where did Skipper go?

“Skipper!” I whispered as loud as possible while turning left and right.

I spot no one. Great.

Yet another thing I need to worry about. My accomplice bailing out on me. If this is going to be the case, then I need to…

“Psst!” A voice called me, I looked down and a pink filly with froufrou blue hair greeted me rather harshly, “What are you doing? Change into something!”

I blinked.

“Oh wait, your horn is broken,” her whisper had a sudden realization tone to it.

I blinked again. Where the hell did she come from?

“Looky who we have here!” the sudden bombastic third voice declared, I turned slowly to see two rather familiar faces, “How in Equestria did you escape?” Rotten Breath said with his familiar nonexistent suave.

I am in big trouble, “Good behavior?” I gave them a wide, idiotic smile.

“Right, and who in their right mind would give you a pass on good behavior?” Twinkle Toes interrogated.

I wore an even bigger smile, “Princess Celestia?” No harm in invoking her name, right?

“Very funny,” Twinkle Toes continued, then pulled a pair of chains from his saddle, “Now come on. Let’s get you back in your dungeon where you belong.”

I sighed, this escape was a fool’s escapade from the beginning. First, Skipper disappeared from view, then a filly appeared out of nowhere, bossing me around as if she's all that, and now the guards caught up to me.

This has got to be the stu…

“Wait, stop!” Suddenly exclaimed the little filly. She then ran in front of the guards, lifted her body, then spread her hooves trying to block them from reaching me. I just stared in shock at this developing situation.

And I am not alone, the guards suddenly stood still, unsure what to do. Rotten Breath however took the lead, “Hey there, little filly, would you mind stepping away from the very dangerous creature? I’ll give you some ice cream if you do.”

He’s right little one. Shoo! Go to him, I’d rather deal with the murdering princess judge than to deal with a child.

Crap, what did I do for her to turn and hug my only decent fore hoof? “But mister changeling has been nice to me!”

“Uh no I haven’t, and we just met!” I interfered, but just looking at the shocked face of the two guards, my words are definitely falling on deaf ears. The filly continued unfazed.

“He promised to take me to a special place…” wait, what she is saying? “… Where we can have loads of fun…” Stop, please stop speaking, “… And he promised to show me all sorts of fun.” She ended her sentence with a wink.

It’s official now.

I am doomed.

“Wait, this isn’t what you think!!” I reacted defensively, but the damage has been done. I am now facing two guards with blood in their eyes.

“You Monster!” Exclaimed Rotten Breath, his stench almost knocked me out, “How dare you steal from such innocence!”

“I didn’t, I don’t!” Curses, has Rotten Breath ever washed his teeth? Every time I speak, his stench keeps getting in my mouth causing me to nauseate, even though I'm several meters away.

“I will not allow you to feed love from a foal!” Twinkle Toes suddenly screamed, what the hell? Why so many ponies believe that feeding on love is possible? “AHHHH” he roared, picking up his spear and charging straight at me

“Oh, no!” The filly gasped as I shoved her away.

Twinkle Toes then swung the spear far behind his head. Is he trying to get a momentum? That makes his attack way too obvious? I quickly dashed to my left as the strike hit the floor with a clung.

“Please stop, this is a misunderstanding!” I said but before I could even finish, Twinkle Toes threw the spear to his left. Again with the big swings, I quickly dashed backwards as the swing went inches to my face.

“I don’t even know her!” But my words didn't do anything seeing as Twinkle Toes continued his attack with a quicker swing. Okay, this one's fast. Evade! Evade... Curses I hit a wall, dig deep!

Gah!

Too close, the spear passed above me.

But that wasn’t the end of it, Twinkle Toes threw the spear above his head again and roared, “You will not escape!”

Another big attack? I can dodge it! I blinked, the spear veered toward me and I dashed to my right, rolling on the ground.

I stood up. Something's not right, I sense movement behind me. I did a quick sidestepped... only to find Rotten Breath loosing his footing after he failed to grab onto me. He regained his composure just as quickly and looked at me dumbfounded, "How did he?"

"Wow," the filly admired.

Twinkle Toe tsked. "He's good," he confessed.

“Will you please stop this?! I have done nothing wrong!” I screamed at them.

“Oh, you done plenty,” Twinkle Toe growled, “Evasion of court, resisting arrest, feeding on love,” ugh, that again, why can't they drop the superstitions already? “And mind controlling a minor,” wait what now? “You are going down hard for this,” He then leveled his spear in front of me.

“For pity's sake, not only have you accused of impossibilities, now you accuse me of something I don't even...?” I let out an frustrated sigh, "Just forget it, and let's get this over with," I sneered.

“It’s entirely possible to hypnotize someone you know!” Yes, I know it's possible, but then again I doubt anyone will believe me if I said I don't know how. Thanks child, you have just signed my death warrant. But then, Rotten Breath's eyes lit with a sudden realization, “But your horn is broken, you couldn’t possibly have hypnotized anyone with it.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” I gave him a quizzical look.

Rotten Breath looked at Twinkle Toes a bit uncertain, “It’s like a unicorn thing, right?” Twinkle Toes answered with even more uncertainty, “They light up their horns and bam the colt out cold and he’s like under their spell or something. That’s how Princess Cadence been doing it lately.”

“No, no, no,” interfered Rotten Breath, “That’s how their Queen does it, remember? She’s been pretending to be the princess Cadence until the attack. The princess does it with a more zing to it.”

What the hell? “You two clearly have no idea what hypnosis is,” I deadpanned.

“Oh yea?” Rotten Breath jeered, “Well, what do you know about hypnosis mister know-it-all?”

“Not much, I don’t think I know how to hypnotize,” or do I? No, I don’t think so. Though I seem to remember watching something about it at my younger years, or was it something I learned lately? “But I read something about it. And I can assure you, it doesn’t even need a horn.”

The two looked at me dubiously, before snickering in disbelief, “Oh yeah? Prove it!”

Do they really think I’m joking? “And how do you suggest I do that?”

“Why don’t you hypnotize us?” To my disbelief, Twinkle Toe actually suggested that, “And when you can’t, I’ll cut you three ways fold and give you as a gift to the princesses.”

I gulped, this feels more like a trap than anything else, “Fine, I accept.” Okay, new plan; I need to buy enough time and look for an opening so that I can hightail out of here. If that is even possible in my state.

I walked toward the two guards, their sniveling smiles gave me chills but I shrugged them off. “Okay, for starters, I want you two to relax,” I say in my most calming voice, “Listen to my soothing voice, imagine flowing high above the clouds.”

“We’re pegasi Support, we can fly there whenever we want,” Rotten Breath rudely interrupted.

“I don’t hear relaxing!” I tapped my hoof on the ground, he shrugged, “Now just relax, focus on the sound of my voice, you are now falling into a deep sleep,” Heh, I sound like in a Scooby Doo episode…

I used to watch Scooby Doo when I was little! Wow that came out of nowhere

“So what are we supposed to do?” Twinkle Toe asked, his voice clearly free of tension.

“Look into my eyes,” I scrambled, “Look deep into my eyes,” I opened my eyes widely, “You are now falling into a deep sleep.”

I watched in horror as Twinkle Toes poked Rotten Breath before sneering, they are definitely going to fake it for sure, "Oh no, I think I'm getting sleepy," Rotten Breath said with an automated voice.

"Yes, let me just lean on my spear to take a nap," Twinkle Toes replied with an equally emotionless voice. I'm not sure if they consider me an idiot, but they can't fool a child with this act.

Well, it doesn't really matter, I'll run like a maniac the moment they close their eyes. Not the best plan, but it'll have to do.

"That's right," I answered in an accidentally sneaky voice, "Just close those eyes," I was about to sprint for it when suddenly a green light hit Twinkle Toes from the back, knocking him unconscious.

"What the?" Exclaimed Rotten Breath.

I was about to run for my life when I noticed a sudden motion; Skipper jumped from behind the fallen Twinkle Toes, her horn suddenly light up in a green hue with a small ball of fire created at it's tip.

Rotten Breath looked at it in horror. But before he could escape, Skipper blasted the ball of flame into his face, hitting him between the eyes. Rotten Breath reeled his head backwards, before falling unconscious.

I blinked.

What just happened?

"We did it!" Skipper exclaimed while jumping up and down, "but nymph, you are awesome! When Twinkle Toes was attacking you, you were like, Swoosh! Whoosh! And Bam!" She was jumping all over the place while trying to mimic me, "And when Rotten Breath was about to tackle you but you somehow disappeared and he was about to ahh!" she lost her footing while twirling and fell on the ground, "That was awesome," she finished while panting before looking at me, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

I felt my mouth dry up, had my mouth been open all this time? "What?" No, not that, prioritize your thoughts first, she bailed on you god dammit! focus on that! "Where have you been?"

"I hid as the little filly who was trying to cover for you," Skipper's smile turned sly, "Wasn't I convincing?"

I frown, "I don't believe you," the acidity in my voice caused Skipper's ears to flop.

"But I really did turn into that filly," she answered me with a saddened voice. Suddenly, green flames erupted from her horn, but before I could speak they engulfed her completely.

"Skipper No!" I need water, where the hell is a fire hydrant when you need one?

Why do I hear giggles? "Calm down Support," Skipper answered me with her usual voice, "I'm alright," her voice suddenly turned into that of that blasted filly.

And soon enough, the flames died down, and the same pink filly that nearly caused me my life was standing in from of me.

I blinked.

The filly giggled, "See? it's just a random transformation," she said before flames engulfed her once more, but this time it was more rapid than the last time. Skipped reappeared from the ashes, "Every changeling can do... Support, what's wrong?"

I took a step forward. These flames, I need to know. What is it's density? their spectral emission and absorption? Molecular consistency? Energy output? the type of reaction that causes them? The reactant and the end products?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Skipper dropped her ears, her tail between her legs and hunched her body as I approached her.

More question swam into my mind as I regained more focus. The flames came from her horn; what type of organ is it? how can it catalyze such reaction? what type of cells is it composed of? How do they function? what is their structure? what type of enzymes do they use? Can they be cloned? What is their genetic sequences? What type of switches do they use? What type of extracellular matrix did they develop? What's their inner anatomy? How much blood do they receive? How about lymphatic vessels? Do changelings even have Lymphatic vessels?

"Support, please stop! You're scaring me!" Skipper tripped on the ground and fell on her back. I jump above her.

More question popped into my mind, but I no longer have the urge to ask. I need need to satisfy my curiosity, I need answers, "I need to know!"

"Support! Please! Stop! AHHHHH!"

Chapter 9: Beware of Pink

Author's Note

Warning! There are some colored text in this paragraph, including some light colored text.

Now to leave the codes where I can find them later if need be:

hex code for Support Pillar: #8E388E
hex code for Mi Amore Cadenza: #4876FF
hex code for mysterious entity: #EEE0E5

Sorry for the late update, hope you all enjoy it

Chapter 9: Beware of Pink

I double checked my surroundings as the halls were clear for at least three minutes of wandering. I then returned to the janitor’s room we found, and carefully closed the doors behind me.

The interior of the room smelled like a sewer, but somehow tasted like ginger; and over-salted pretzels.

“Do you think your plan will work?” Skipper gave me a questioning look.

“Depends, how reliable are your illusions?” I need to double check, otherwise we’ll be in big trouble.

“Pretty reliable, I managed a week of undercover work in the castle and no one noticed of me,” she puffed out her chest.

"But this time, you are going as someone they might know," I pointed out, "Are you sure you can pull it off?"

Skipper frowned at first, but then smiled slyly at me, "I fooled you," she gave me a nudge, "didn't I?"

My glare intensified. Skipper giggled in response and wrapping her hoof around me, idling at the black eye she gave me earlier, "You're cute with a black eye."

"If you mess this up, I will make you the scapegoat to everything," I spat icily.

"Relax," She threw her hoof nonchalantly at my face, "What could possibly go wrong?"

"A lot when utilizing an untested survival strategy with unknown pros and cons," I stated, "For one, the strategy can backfire and cause us a lot more trouble than it needs to."

"You're just angry because you didn't get to lick my horn, aren't you," Skipper deadpanned. And my blood pressure just skyrocketed.

My blood pressure skyrocketed as I flared my nostrils at her, "For the last time, I wasn't trying to lick your horn! I simply wanted to carry some tests!"

Skipper simply turned her back to me with a humph and a "pervert..." remark that made me pop a vein, if that is even possible of course. Honestly I only wanted to take a closer look and maybe test its function somehow. But no~, Skipper had to punch me in the face the moment I tried to take a whiff.

I shook my head; dwelling on the past will do me no good. I need to get into the spirit of a jailer here.

“Alright then,” I turned toward our prisoners, “Twinkle Toes, Rotten Breath, I urge you to make this easier on all of us with your cooperation. What were you two doing out in the halls?”

I signal Skipper and she removed the gags from both of them. Rotten Breath was the first to yell, “We will never squeal you dirty little bug!”

“Yeah, you'll not break us!” Twinkle Toes answered with confidence.

I shook my head with disappointment, “Guess we’ll have to do it the hard way.”

“Oh, so you're going to torture us now?” Rotten Breath spat, “You monster.”

“Or maybe he's going to hypnotize us, right?” Twinkle Toes sneered.

“Not really a fan of either of those two options,” I deadpanned, “Though, I do think a little persuasion is needed.”

I pick up a nearby copper wire, “I will tie one of Rotten Breath’s most rotten tooth, tie to the door and slam it as hard as I can. " Rotten Breath gasped then crunched his lips under his teeth.

I turned to Twinkle Toe, "Then I will stuff the peculiar tooth in Twinkle Toes’ gag before putting both of you inside that box.” Twinkle Toes turned paler than white.

I smiled wholeheartedly at their horror-struck faces. Rotten Breath however regained his composure.

“I will never break! No matter how painful it will be, I will endure it, I will…”

“We were out patrolling the halls, following a routine schedule!” Wow, that was fast.

Rotten Breath looked at his partner with betrayal in his expression and said, “Twinkle Toes! How could you!?”

“I’d rather have all the love sucked out of me than to have your breath in my mouth.”

Ouch; for someone whose name is Rotten Breath I’m guessing that got to hurt.

“Would it kill you to wash your mouth every once in a while?” Twinkle Toes asked disgusted.

“But my breath is my strongest weapon,” Okay, I’ve had enough of this, I gave Skipper the signal and she nodded in agreement.

“Without it we would have…”

With a flash of green, Rotten Breath was hit in the back of the head by Skipper and he fell to the floor asleep.

“You didn’t have to do that!” Protested Twinkle Toes.

“Your bickering would have wasted a lot of my precious time,” he gulped in fear. I guess that turned out a lot darker than I would have intended. Oh well, moving on.

“Now tell me everything I need to know.”

“Alright, just please, could you turn Rotten Breath’s mouth away, it’s making me sick,” He gagged when his unconscious partner slumped toward him.

I had to agree with him there. In this confined space, Rotten Breath’s stench was getting really bad.

"Okay, let's review the plan one more time," Skipper fidgeted within her borrowed armor, clearly uncomfortable with it, "You go there, identify yourself, tell Captain Armor that some ponies tried to break into the castle but we apprehended them, and that he needs to sign a few forms in his office."

When she didn't look me in the eye, I asked, "Skipper, are we clear on the plan?"

Skipper mumbled to herself while trying to fix the position of her legs, "How did Twinkle Toes wear this? The leather inside has worn off and needs changing."

"Skipper. Are we clear on the plan?" I barked.

She finally looked up to me. "Yeah, yeah," She casually waved her hoof in front of my face, "Get Shining Armor into his office. Not hard at all."

I sighed. "Here," I passed to her a small, seashell like piece of metal attached to a near invisible string when she finished adjusting her armor, "Put this in your ear."

"What is it?"

"It'll help us stay in touch during the operation," I lifted the thin string attached to it, then the can attached at the other end of the string, "If I am going to give you any additional instruction, it should be done discreetly. That's where this comes in."

Skipper inspected the gadget with suspicion, "And this is suppose to work?"

I took the device from her and stuffed it in her ear, then took the can and yelled, "It does work!"

Skipper yelped in surprise and pulled it out, then looked at me flabbergasted, "How... ?" she asked.

"It's in the shape," I answered while picking the earpiece up and fixing the dent caused by throwing it down, "It should come in handy in case you're in trouble."

Suddenly, an explosion rippled through the halls. I looked at Skipper, handed her the earpiece, then went into hiding, "You know what to do."

Skipper donned a serious expression, wore the earpiece, then her helmet; "Ready," she affirmed.

We walked slowly toward the explosion. I quickly realized that this was the hall that leads to the courtroom. The plan was simple; tail Skipper to make sure that she isn’t going to get us killed. To do that I need to remain invisible. So when i heard hoofsteps other than our own, I quickly dashed toward the shadows of the wall I quickly dashed toward the shadows of the wall to hide while Skipper remained in the middle of the hallway.

Skipper looked at me a bit unsure of herself. "Just keep going,"I whispered in the can. She nodded and continued her march with stoic steps.

I kept following her from the shadows of the decorations. A vase here, a suit of armor there, and whatever fabric I can hide under. Noticing the movements in the front, I raced toward a nearby bust that somehow remained mostly intact and hid behind. I watched calmly as the pair of guards passed by my hiding place without noticing my presence.

I scanned the hall for my accomplice and caught her around the corner. Skipper had walked further than I would have liked. I tried to hide myself by using the dim light and the overcast of armors as cover while I moved down the hallway. I finally caught up with her at the looming door of the courtroom, where I chose a nearby set of decorative armor to hide underneath.

The first thing I did was make sure that no one noticed me. When I realized that everyone was busy with the door and no one even gave me a shrug, I turned my attention toward a rather unexpected and unpleasant sight.

“Why can't this thing open!?” She was pink, kicking at the giant steel door of the courtroom.

“Well, Princess,” the guard stuttered, “This room was originally designed by Princess Luna as her personal theater. She wanted it to open from the inside so that no one would disturb her when viewing a performance.”

“But we bombed it three freaking times already!” She screamed, her pinkness showed with every motion she made. And it wasn’t the frou-frou type of pink for little girls like the one inside either. This was the back allay pink of crushed dreams and hopelessness.

“Well, your highness,” the guard cowered, “She also wanted it break proof.”

“Then why hasn’t anyone opened it from the inside already!? Does it turn everyone deaf as well?” She let out a scream of frustration, I really hate that kind of pink.

“That might be because we inadvertently made it sound and vibration proof in the process.”

She turned toward the guard and almost immediately he was on all four apologizing, “I’m sorry princess Cadenza, didn’t mean for sarcasm. I was simply pointing the facts.”

I turned toward Skipper, she was standing there, rather transfixed at the scenery. "What are you doing?" I whispered into the can, "Get in there and get going!"

"I can't," she whispered back, "She'll kill me!"

Oh for the love of... "You are Twinkle Toes! She will not recognize you," I snarled in a hushed voice, "Now either get in there or I will dissect you before the day's end!"

She gulped loudly as she followed my instructions. But the moment she took a step forward, she realized something rather terrifying. Every eye in that tiny corridor was staring at her. To say that she froze would be an understatement.

"Hey Toes, can I help you with anything?" Shining waved his hoof. Skipper visibly stiffened at his approached while I felt the urge to facepalm.

"I, uh...I..."

Crap, stage fright. I did not see that coming.

"I..."

"Tell him the passcode!" I whispered into the can.

"Oh! Love will conquer all. Sir!!"

Yes, saved the day.

Part of the tension around us was lifted, Shining Armor let out a hearty laugh. “You were supposed to wait until I ask 'To whom we fight?' Twinkle," Skipper mouthed 'sorry' in response while he winked a smile, "It's alright; anything new to report?"

“A bunch of ponies broke in,” Skipper answered as Twinkle Toes. “We apprehended them of course, but not without a light scuffle. I left Rotten Breath with them in the dungeon.” Her tone was so automated, it sounded like she was trying to recite an assay in literature class. "I require you to come to your office and sign the necessary papers. Sir!"

Captain Armor and the pink with a crown both looked at Skipper with an incredulous look on their face, “Is that so?” Shining asked.

“Yes sir,” Skipper said, “Is there anything else you would like us to do?”

“No,” Shining stated blandly, “Carry on with your patrol.”

Skipper nodded, then marched her way back. I followed, trailing behind in the shadows to our predesignated rendezvous point. Once we reached the second floor decorative corridor, Skipper turned toward me excitedly. “That was awesome!" She cheered, "Do you think it worked?"

I look at her flabbergasted. "That was awful!" Her initial cheer turning into sadness, "I'm surprised they believed it."

"I'm surprised you thought we did."

Gah! When did Armor get behind me? With so many soldiers behind him.

Okay this plan is falling apart.

Seeing my reaction, He rolled his eyes at me, "Apprehend?" he retorted mockingly, "Light scuffle? Sir!!? You do realize that lieutenant Twinkle Toe and the oaf with him sergeant Rotten Breath never ever used words higher than elementary school level, right?"

"I figured that out early," I deadpanned. Considering that I talked with the most educated of them for about an hour, I wasn't impressed to say the least, "She, on the other hoof," I rolled my eyes at Skipper, "Did not."

"Hey!" Skipper protested, "Anyone would get nervous if everyone was looking at them weirdly. Besides, you don't know how scary it is to be next to... to..." It's odd that Skipper would trail off like that. I looked at her, and realized that she was horror-struck by something.

"Next to whom? If I may ask," The pink pony princess asked as she came into view. I stared between the pink princess and Skipper for a moment before realizing what she was doing.

"Please ignore her," I poked Skipper, and noticed her swaying. Immediately, I grabbed the spear from her as she fell on the ground unflinching, "She's just playing dead."

"I see." She lowered her raised eyebrow and, with a small gesture of her hoof, she ordered the soldiers to part ways as she walked toward us, “Had you not come to us, you could have escaped you know.”

“That wasn’t my intentions,” I stated with confidence while playing around with the spear to show an air of aloofness.

“Oh?” she seemed surprised by this, “And what were your intentions?” That came more like a threat than a question.

“I needed answers,” I stated with calmed assertion. She just raised an eyebrow again at me, “You see, it seems my own race hates my guts. So I can’t just go out there and search for a changeling to get my answers. That would probably be more dangerous than having an already asserted rational pony to ask.”

“I see,” she said with her voice showing off her guard toward me though she had yet to show outright hostility, “Unfortunately, I have yet to decide to trust one of your kind with my husband alone after what happened last time.”

“In my defense, I only wanted to use the first floor because it has a greater escape openings.” My heart started racing. I have yet to gauge whether she is openly hostile or simply cautious. Her puffed chest and stiff wings are a sign of someone on their guard and ready to attack, but somehow she maintains a neutral voice and a calm demeanor. Although, Skipper’s reaction to her presence is also disconcerting; dealing with her could be tricky.

It's a given then, I need to change the subject if I ever want her to relax. “A proper introduction is in order I suppose,” I took a curt bow, “my name is Support Pillar. I woke up yesterday in your dungeon with no memories of who I am, or what I am for that matter, and I simply wish for some answers to my more pressing concerns so that I can figure out what to do from here.” right now, my best course of action is a declaration of intentions.

The pink one thought for a bit, “Alright, I’ll play along with your little charade,” she said with a daring attitude, “My name is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, third princess to the throne of Equestria. But everyone call me Princess Cadence.”

“Alright, Princess Cadenza," Now we're getting somewhere, "May I start by asking why are these trials taking place in the first place?”

“Well, I’m sure you know the gist of it. Changelings kidnapped me and tried to take over the Kingdom.” the iciness of her speech turned the room into a freezer. I should have guessed she would be this uncooperative. Her stare shifted toward me like a hawk in search of his prey, "And may I ask about your story?"

“From what I have gathered, , I dropped into existence sometime after the fight and ended up being struck on the wall,” I replied casually while she just nodded along, “But I’m sure a high ranking politician such as yourself would probably have at least some common knowledge of my own happenstance; especially since your own husband seemed to have taken interest in me.”

“You’re not too keen on opening up,” she concluded.

“Right back at you.” that elicited a smile; not a malicious smile I think, but far from a warm one. "You see princess, I prefer a relationship of give and take," I elaborated, "You'll take from me exactly what you give me."

“I admire your honesty mister Support, but you don’t have a choice in the matter,” her smile grew confident, ““you see, you are surrounded. I can give a signal and you’ll be captured in mere moments." Now that is a big mistake, showing me her play like that. She’s definitely a rookie politician that one.

I faked a laugh and her smile faltered. “You seem pretty confident for someone who doesn’t know much about what is happening,” Of course, I have nothing in my hooves to pressure her with, so I’m going to bluff, “I bested both soldiers that my partner paraded in as one of them. And trust me, those ponies inside that court thought I’d be dead before the trial was over. They had no idea what I had in store…”

It took all my might to remain composed as she thrust her horn in my face. Her hate filled eyes were like daggers thrown at me, the air suddenly had the taste of a hot, boiling broth to it. “If anyone’s hurt, I will skin you alive.” I suddenly felt a burning sensation, akin to acid being dropped on me, but I stayed firm.

“Nothing major,” My answer sounded like I was referring to a very normal occurrence. I twirled the spear in my hoof and calmly pushed her horn out of my face with it. “We tied the guards up in a janitor’s closet, and I bored the court to sleep with a lecture. They should be fine by the morning.”

"You're lying!"

Tsk, she's going to be difficult, "Why would I lie? I have nothing to lose," For some reason that made her roll her eyes at me, "Just check the janitor's closet at the third floor. They're probably knocked off and snoozing calmly inside the large brown box with holes on the side."

With a swift motion from Shining Armor, two of the guards were sent off to the third floor.

With a single nod from her husband, Princess Cadenza returned her attention to me, "Now, about what happened in that courtroom."

I sighed, "I told you already, they are asleep."

“And I'm saying that's impossible. My aunts should have lower the sun and raise the moon already, so the fact that they didn't do it means that something apocalyptic happened." ... Really, that again? I really need to debunk this myth once and for all, or… "Stop that; why are you looking at me like that?” She responded to my stink eye.

“Because being able to raise the sun and the moon is as bogus as it sounds.” Enough is enough. I will not stand for Galileo’s work to be tarnished by talking Equines, no matter which universe I am in. “Have any of you ever looked through a telescope? Studied the movement of the stars and the planets? Realized that the world is round by crossing the globe? Honestly, every time you speak it makes me think you are from the middle ages.”

This time, she raised her brow in shock, “But we did study the sun and the moon and their non-ιππάριο trajectories! The movement of the stars that drift with the mental fortitude of their harbinger. And we know for a fact that the end of the world begins somewhere near the Eldritch sea off of the coast of the merfolk isles, about an ocean from here; but we are not stupid enough to go where even the sea dragons of Azure sea fear to tread!”

What?

But I…

That’s not…

WHAAAAA????

Not knowing the names was the least of my problems. Why the hell would someone be named a pony in Greek? What would that astronomical trajectory even be like? Why didn’t any one of them go and explore the edge of the world? And where the hell do I find those sea dragons?

One of the guards that Shining Armor sent returned and he whispered something into the captain's ear before returning to his position. "Good news honey," Shining interrupted, "Twinkle Toes and Rotten Breath are sleeping safely where he said they would be."

"If he wasn't lying about this, then..." Princess Cadenza looked up but instead of seeing the 'I told you so' expression she was expecting, she saw me still trying to wrap my head around the info dump I just received; which is something akin to being punched in the middle one's face while maintaining a lucid frown pointed toward nothing. “You don’t seem right in the head, are you?” Oh hush princess, your softening expression is meaningless to me.

A chuckle was heard from my side. I flipped the spear on its head then struck the ground with its butt. Only to hit the rock so hard they cracked. My intended target glared at me angrily, “You could have hit me with that!” Skipper protested.

“If you ever play dead in my presence again, I will strike you with the sharp edge of the spear,” I threatened while she gulped.

I sighed deeply as I faced the nobles again. I wished I wasn't forced into admitting it, but I see no alternative to gaining an ally in my situation. I turned toward the Princess Cadenza, “Unfortunately I have amnesia, and as reality crashed with my personality, my memories seemed to lean toward a… shall I say, otherworldly knowledge uncommon to this world.”

“Is that a fact now?” Cadenza asked, “You know, by our laws, we can’t trial someone suffering from memory loss or memory manipulation until said memory is restored to its fullest capacity.”

“Where does it say that?”

“Article 5 section 18, and again in article 7 section 25,” Skipper was the one to provide me with the answer. I remember that bit last night, or the night before if these equines are telling the truth. How could I have missed that? “Should I also provide you with a quotation?”

I turned toward Skipper, “No Thank you,” I said in my most hate filled voice ever.

Cadenza seemed to have an idea, “You know, if you used that in court, it might have saved your hide.”

…

Is that a fact now? “But I am a changeling, your laws don’t apply on me!” That’s right, they are ponies, I am from a different race entirely.

“No, our law is applied on all sentient species of Equestria, changelings included,” Cadenza stated calmly, “During the first day of the trials, the trial was for a changeling called Lovecraft used it as a defense. She claimed it to be a hive mind effect on them, but after an in-depth screening of her mind, which took all night by the way, showed little to no residual effect of said control over her mind.”

...

Boy, the ceiling sure looks great from this angle.

“Actually, my aunts were so incensed by the trials of yesterday that they decided to go the route of mercilessness rather than continue with the actual trial.”

What was that now? “Can you explain to me what exactly happened yesterday? I was out cold the entire day.”

Cadenza looked at me with disgust. I could tell it wasn’t aimed at me but the air suddenly became nauseating, “It was a farce,” She said with the utmost revolt and I began feeling queasy, “The prisoners boasted their actions like it was a contest, the nameless ones where lifeless on the dais while the one with names were indifferent to the suffering they caused, indifferent to the death and destruction in their wake.”

That… suddenly makes a lot of sense, “For what is worth, I apologies on behalf of any action I may or may not have taken during the invasion.”

Cadenza suddenly turned toward me, her expression softening a bit. “I think this might be the first time I ever heard those words from one of your kind,” she said, “I thank you for that.”

“No need,” I blush.

Skipper gave me a nudge, when I looked at her she gave me a wink.

I turned the other way rolling my eyes.

“Still, this doesn’t solve your problem,” the princess returned to her regal form, “your charges will probably now include tampering with the raising of the sun and the moon. This is a much serious charge than let’s say, being a changeling.”

“I can lecture them as to how that isn’t possible,” I deadpanned.

“They’ll bring scholars and evidence to prove you wrong,” I guess I shouldn’t expect the same thing to work twice in a row, “You can still use articles 5 and 7.”

“Yes, but my biggest problem would be that I’d be entering the trials with already everyone wanting me guilty,” That can seriously hamper the seeking of justice, and the end of my life.

“May I offer a suggestion?”

“And what would that be?” I asked.

“How would you like if I screened your mind?”

Did I just hear her correctly? “Weren’t you threatening me with capture a little while ago?”

“I changed my mind,” she seemed too nonchalant when saying that, “You interest me.”

“Where is the catch?”

“No catch, just an honest attempt at understanding the most peculiar changeling around.”

“Will it hurt?”

That elicited a laugh from her, “It shouldn’t.”

That isn’t convincing, “Do I have any other choice?”

“Not if you want one of the judges to do it.”

Skipper took a step between us, “You aren’t seriously considering yourself doing this, are you?”

I pat her on her head, “Of course I am! Now please Skipper, step aside.”

“Are you sure you want to trust her? As a changeling, you don’t have the greatest history; especially with her.”

“I am well aware that she wants something else from me other than what we agreed upon.” That seemed to have miffed the princess. Honestly, I wasn’t born yesterday; though technically I was. Still what did she expect? That I’d be unaware of the gains and the risks? “But I don’t have anything else to lose. Even if the price is steep, I want to know exactly what’s going on in my head.”

Reluctantly, Skipper stepped out of my way, “Besides,” I exclaimed with a smile on my face, “if things go south, I’ll have you.” That brought her smile back.

“Are you ready?” Cadenza asked while taking a step forward.

“What should I do?”

“First close your eyes,” I closed them, “Relax,” I took a deep breath, “And embrace eternity!” Her voice suddenly echoed.

I felt a hit on my forehead. I tried to open my eyes to see what happened but I couldn’t, then suddenly I felt myself falling.

Ouch, my head.

I raised my hand to see if there is a bump… MY HAND!!!

Oh sweet opposable thumbs, I am happy that you are back!

Why can I hear my own thoughts like echoes?

Wait, where am I anyway?

Everything is so white.

And is that Krebs cycle floating around?

“Princess Cadenza!!”

This place is weird.

What are you?

Who said that?

Wow!

That blue heart just appeared from nowhere.

Is that Princess Cadenza?

Yes, that’s me Support. The real question is what are you?

Support Pillar? Oh wait that’s the name I go by.

What do you mean?

Support Pillar is the meaning of my name, my real name is…

Don’t say your name!

Who said that?

What’s going on?

You need to leave. NOW!

No you can’t!

Stop!

Get Out of my HEAD!!

I can’t breathe!

Help!

Someone caught me from falling, “Breathe!” She ordered.

I grabbed onto her, then started to wheeze. As air filled my lungs, I started to get a hold of my surroundings. And it seemed we are surrounded by… ten guards with their spears pointed at us.

“What happened?” I asked

“You fell on the ground shaking with the spell backfiring on the princess,” Skipper said without looking at me, “Then these guys came,” she kept monitoring her their spears that were trained at us.

I tried to get myself up on my feet. I wobbled at first, but then found my balance again. “Princess Cadenza! What happened?” I yelled.

“Capture him!” Was her response, “But no harm is to come to him! As of now, Support Pillar is an important asset of ours.”

Important asset? Like hell I am! After everything I went through and she still thinks she can put a leash on me?

“What about the other one?” One of the guards asked.

“Same treatment.”

Well, that was unexpected. “Just hold it!” I yelled, “What the hell is going on here?”

“If I may,” It took Cadenza one word for the guards to part ways, “While under my spell, something unexpected came up. There is a powerful entity inside your head that threw me out!” She clarified without clarifying anything to me, “Which is why I think you need more help than what I can give you in a corridor,” She took a step back, and the guards assumed their advance, “Don’t make this more difficult than it should be.”

“And you’re expecting me to just trust you after everything that happened?”

A moment of silence reigned.

“Yes?” Cadenza said in presuming voice.

“I have had far too many close encounters with ponies for a twenty-four hour period to never trust another one of you in my life!” I leaned over to Skipper and whispered, “Do you still remember plan C?”

“We’re not leaving you with a lot of choice, Support,” said a stern male’s voice. When did Captain Armor came here? “Either surrender now or I’ll force you to it.”

"Is that the one where you fly away from here?” Skipper whispered back.

I buzzed my wings angrily at her. Her face turned into realization, “Sorry, forgot you can’t fly either.”

The guards formed a semi-circle around us.

“I can probably carry both of us though.”

I quickly grabbed onto her then jumped toward the window.

Broken glass shattered all around us. I took a peek down below me… Oh my God that’s a long way down.

…

Why am I still in place? I looked at Skipper. She was buzzing her wings as fast as she could, but that only made her hover in place.

“You’re heavy,” she concluded out of breath.

“So,” Shining Armor said yelled a sneer on his face, “Ready to talk things over?”

“Sure,” I answered, “Just one thing, HELP ME ALREADY!”

Chapter 10: The Good Old Doctor.

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 11: On the Road To Manehatten

“As you can see, with these results I can conclude that the drug doesn’t work.”

As I finished the speech I gave an anxious sigh, “Are there any questions?” With a final mouse click I went to the end slide.

One of the professors raised his hand, “So basically you wasted your funding on nothing?”

“Not nothing!” I hurried desperately, “By disproving something that doesn’t work I saved countless of hours and more funding on something that is basically useless.”

“But that doesn’t live up to our expectations of you,” A second doctor said, “We wanted results, you gave us none.”

“You are a disappointment to our group.” suddenly my doctor sounded a lot like the prosecutor.

Sweat started dripping on my forehead, and I suddenly felt my mouth go dry, “But I…”

“Silence!” the white alicorn sitting on the judging stand stood, “Your presence is a disgrace of our time, even the air you’re breathing is insulting!”

“But…” I tried to stand, but my hooves were chained; my voice barely registered at the clamor of the courtroom.

“Because of the countless crimes you have committed, I hereby find you guilty!” The judge slammed the hammer once with enough force that the ceiling shattered above her, revealing nothing but darkness. “Guards!” She screamed.

I looked around and the guards shadowing the pillars step forth, their horns ablaze.

“This is a mistake!” I pleaded, “I am not who you think I am!” But my plea fell on deaf ears.

The last thing I felt was the scorching heat of the spells cast upon me.

And then I woke up.

Breathing heavily, I sat up and looked for the nearest water bottle. I grabbed onto the first cup of water that was given to me and gulped it in one go. I sighed in relief. Just as I was about to place the cup of water, I noticed it; I still had hooves. I immediately searched around scanning the dimly light train cabinet I was in. A pony was sitting in front of my looking at me anxiously.

“Quite a nightmare you had,” Doctor Loveheart remarked, “I was about to wake you when you suddenly sat up.”

“I’m alright,” I sighed.

A train passing my window caused me to jump. That’s when I realized that I was still on a train heading from Canterlot to Manehatten. It was a small cabinet room out of several in the car with two seats on each side of the cabinet wall, a window to my left, the cabinet’s door to my right, and a small table in the middle. The entire thing had a nineteenth century feel to it, and when one added the smell of its cherry wood, the entire thing was a deliberate trap to cause nostalgia.

I noticed something amiss, “Where is Skipper?”

“Toilet,” The doctor said, “She ate too many sweets.”

I nodded, then slumped my head backwards in my seat. Somehow, we had made it out of the city in one piece; to say the city was well guarded was an understatement. Sentries and patrols searched the city with a fine comb for a whole week, it felt insane how much horse power was used just to find us.

Thankfully, we had a surprisingly good cover story. Skipper was taking the role of the lovely earth pony mare with pink frou-frou mane named Passionate Jewel, while I was taking the role of the rather skittish scholar named Book Smart who was mutilated by the menacing changelings so badly he wears bandages like a mummy all the time.

Personally, I would have called foul the first time I heard my cover story. But the success of the sob story was undeniable. The drama of the poor nerd who sacrificed himself to save his loved one was such a hit that before we left Canterlot, we were invited to an audience with Princess Cadence herself!

Needless to say, we refused the invite.

The doctor regarded me for a moment, “Is it the same nightmare as last time?”

“Yes,” I said solemnly.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.

I shook my head in response.

“You are going to have to talk about it eventually,” He said while rolling his eyes at me. I silently turned my head to the window.

l had been having the same nightmare for a week, and this wasn’t the first time I even talked about it with him. Loveheart is a nice guy and talking to him always felt like talking to a therapist, but talking without reaching the desired effect had become tiring.

The doctor sighed, “Okay, forget about that dream; let’s talk about something else.”

“There is nothing to talk about,” I replied with a disgruntled heave.

“That’s not the sound of someone who have nothing to talk about,” The doctor suddenly exclaimed, “You came into an entirely new existence not so long ago. You must have at least something exciting to tell me.”

I turned toward the doctor. He just beamed a sincere smile at me. I sighed.

“I don’t think I understand things well enough to be of any assistance,” I let out. Sure, it wasn’t the entire truth, but it was still the truth.

“What is it that you don’t understand?” The doctor straightened his back, then placed his hooves on the table in a manner reminiscent to when he was listening to a patient in need.

“What was the meaning behind those trials?” Was my first question.

“I don’t know,” He replied.

I slammed the table with my hoof, “That’s not an answer.”

“The only thing I can offer you are speculations,” He crossed his hooves on the table, “If I knew anything with certainty I would have already told you by now.”

“Speculations are better than nothing,” I said with open hooves, “Anything is better than nothing!” I suddenly realized I was raising my voice.

“Alright,” The doctor replied calmly, “But first, can you tell me what you think you know? I’ll fill in the gaps as we go along.”

I hate his roundabout ways.

“Fine, not like we have anything else to do.” I sat back, relaxed my shoulders then started my recollection, “I came into this world as this black-horse-bug thing and the moment I wake up, I learned that I am under trials. What trials you might ask? It’s the trials of every changeling in the dungeon of horse Cambridge apparently. Where they all got murdered by the end.”

“You know, we could do without the sarcasm,” The doctor pointed.

Uh no, this isn’t a two way conversation right now, Doctor.

“I’m sorry. Was it your life on the line back then?” He shook his head, “Then I’m allowed a bit of sarcasm.”

“Alright,” The doctor took out a small notebook, then scribbled something while saying it out loud, “Gets cranky after having a nightmare.”

Is-Is he studying me?

“Please, continue.” he resumed without missing a beat.

I look at him in shock, “You’re unbelievable!”

“I try my best.” He said with a coy smile.

“All I know of this situation is that there are a lot of angry ponies who are angry at the changelings who somehow treated the ponies the same way one treats the defeated in a war. Barbarically, might I add. But at the same time, there is no reason for the changeling to act the way they did which begs the question, why was there an invasion in the first place?”

“You just provided an ample summary over what happened,” The doctor noted, “What else did you learn?”

“I learned that all my science based knowledge is useless,” Something which I am still bitter at even a week later, “And I learned that there is such a thing as magic that can defies the laws of nature,” Which is a thing that I need to be wary of, “I also learned that I am the most wanted criminal in the history because of something I did not intended on doing.”

“What about the creatures you befriended?” The doctor asked to my astonishment.

“Now wait just a moment,” I pointed my hoof at him, “Are you trying to dodge my question or something?”

“No,” The doctor shrugged, “I am, however, trying to lighten your mood, though. As a changeling, being in a continual state of bad mood and having too many bad thoughts might lead to some adverse effects on your health.”

Well, that can be said for any race.

“Let’s see, you have Princess Celestia who wants to kill me because I bored her to sleep and missed her raising the sun, there’s Princess Luna who wants to kill me out of spite, there is princess Cadence who, according to your conclusion, was trying to indoctrinate me to become her agent, and finally there is Shining Armor who I think has a man crush on me.”

Loveheart raised an eyebrow, “Man crush?”

“As in he’s interested in my manliness,” I said while stroking my hair to show my profile which only added to Loveheart’s confusion.

“I meant it as sarcasm,” I deadpanned.

“I don’t get it.”

I hoofpalmed, “Just forget it.”

Taking advantage of my sudden break from counting those who are wishing me harm, the doctor used his secret weapon, “What about Twilight Sparkle?” The doctor asked, and a memory of a certain purple pony appeared in front of me.

I felt myself grinning like an idiot, “She’s an angel sent from heaven.” As the image of her petite figure danced in my imagination, I felt butterflies in my stomach.

“Even though she is the most determined in crushing you where you stand?” The doctor inquired as if trying to pry me from my dream.

“She can crush me whenever she wants to.”

Wait, what? Damnit heart, this no time for being smitten! Even though she listened to my entire lecture… and took notes… and had questions… and possibly might have figured out my mistake before I found it…

Damn it mind, not you too!

The doctor laughed, “Then what about me, huh?”

“Oh you have been a blessing,” I never thought I’d smile so much, “I know for certain that I would have been killed without your help.”

“And Skipper?” He finally asked.

As if on cue, Skipper opened the door with a loud Bang, followed by a deep, rumbling belch before I could have answered. “I am never eating that many sweets ever again,” She said while rubbing her stomach.

“She’s Skipper. How else can anyone describe her?” I replied, and the doctor chuckled.

“Support! You’re awake!” She cheered.

“You’re forgetting our codenames, Passionate Jewel,” I enunciated every word of her name.

Skipper pouted. “Well, I’m sorry, Book Worm, for not being a worry wart all the time.” She then crossed her front-hooves and turned her face away.

I growled at her, “It’s Book Smart, and I am not a worry wart. I am reasonably cautious from being found,” I pointed at the picture of me adorning the cabinet wall with a bounty of several thousands of bits.

Skipper suddenly turned toward me with a big smile, “Well don’t you worry!” She said, then jumped at me smothering me with a big hug, “If any of the baddies come for you, I’ll protect you!”

I wanted to retort, but a clerk came into view. He looked at us spooning, smiled, and continued his way.

“I should say,” The doctor remarked with a mischievous smile on his face, “the only reason why this cover is such a success is because you two make an adorable couple.”

“Why does the cabinet taste of cinnamon, ginger, and cocoa tea all of a sudden?” I asked while pulling Skipper off of me.

“It does?” The doctor asked while closing the cabinet door. Then a realization hit him, “Wait, you’re a Nirvana spawn!”

“Again, I don’t know what that mean,” I stated.

“Well, I told you that there is more than one hive in Equestria, right?” He asked and I nodded. “Well, Queen Nirvana’s hive doesn’t feed on love, rather it feeds on excitement. And depending on the emotion behind that excitement, the taste differs.”

“So, I was feeding on the clerk's emotions just now?” I noted and he nodded in return. “But you guys never tasted anything.”

“Normally we don’t,” The doctor said, “unless we’re making out that is.” He continued with a wink and a nudge.

I felt my face burning, “That was only once on the dining table!” He gave me a look, “And on the clinic bed...” He raised an eyebrow, “And on your desk…..” he peered over his nonexistent glasses, “Several times, each……..” I finally said with a muted voice.

The doctor finally broke in a laugh, “It’s quite alright,” He assured me, “Changelings are very open about their sexuality between themselves. Even I made out with her a while back.” Okay, Skipper need to get off me right now. She protested with an ‘aww’ when I pushed her away.

“What’s surprising though, is that you never wanted to make out with me.” He then pouted.

I felt my cheeks blaze with fiery heat. How on earth would I respond to that?

“I, didn’t know it was a thing...” Yes, that’s right! He can’t fault me if I didn’t know anything.

I turned to Skipper, “Is it?” I asked her just to be sure.

She simply shrugged.

The doctor chortled, “Don’t worry, I forgive you for not knowing.”

Wait, what? How is that an apology?

“Ponies have the same reaction for same sex couples, I thought that you might be the same.”

“Oh good,” I exhaled relief, “I thought you might pressure me to make out with you or something.”

“Well…” The doctor wanted to say something, then gave a dejected sigh, “Never mind.”

“What?” I asked.

“Changeling society is a bit more liberal to most; friendship and courtship are often blurred,” The doctor said, “I was a bit hoping that you might ease up on being, well, human, and gave in a bit.”

“So you want to kiss me.” That came out more of a statement than a question.

“The short answer is yes,” He said, “The long answer is that kissing is a form of social greeting; it’s how we get to know each other on an emotional level.”

Here we go again…

“When we kiss, we share more than simple saliva; feelings, thoughts, devotions, and even level of trust are all there, inside that simple kiss. By not accepting a kiss, you are rejecting me as your hive mate...”

For someone who has supposedly been alive for hundreds of years, one would think he would be less obvious about it. But no, Loveheart just adored sending me signals regarding kissing me. It’s not like I don’t understand where he’s coming from; I mean, if one’s race have evolved into feeding off of an emotions for sustenance, it would be hard to be choosy about where it came from.

And now that I am a changeling, I think I need to consider approaching it the same way. What if I might end up one day feeding off a male instead of a female? Would I be willing to perform? Just thinking about it gives me chills, but also intrigues me.

Loveheart once argued that changeling society is ridiculously pansexual, and that the only reason why a changeling guy and a changeling girl would ever get together is to have nymphs. Would the same behavior be expected of me in the near future? I sure hope not... But what if...?

Only one way to find out.

“Fine, fine,” I interjected, “You don’t need to turn this into a sob story in order to get a kiss out of me.”

“Wait? So, you want me to kiss you?” The doctor asked, but when I didn’t provide a quick answer he continued, “You do know I was simply messing around, right? I’d rather not kiss someone who doesn’t want to; you have no idea how bad it will taste.”

I exhaled. I think too much blood is running in my head, “You said that changelings don’t like being shunned by other changelings; it’s their culture to do so. As it stands, I am a changeling, there is no doubt about it, and if that means entertaining some homosexual tendencies, then so be it.”

Doctor Loveheart smiled, but somehow it wasn’t that predatory smile; it was like a teacher whose student finally understood a difficult lesson.

I gulped, “Just give me a moment; to be ready, alright?”

“You’re going to kiss Loveheart?!!” Skipper suddenly exclaimed, glee dazzling in her eyes.

“I’ll punish any remark coming from you,” I told her acridly.

Skipper lifted her hoof, made a zipping motion over her mouth, then unzipped her mouth, “I’ll say nothing of the sort,” Then zipped her mouth again.

My mind suddenly screamed at me, 'I am about to kiss a century old creature just to keep up social standards!', but my body was telling me another story; every time I kissed Skipper, there was a different flavor in my mouth; the sugary candy like taste came when we were exploring, a thick honey taste came when she was feeling promiscuous, and a fruity taste came depending on the level of excitement. If changelings feed off of emotions, then what would an elder taste like? Would a male taste different than a female? And why is it important for me to find that out?

…

Am I normal for thinking such?

I sighed, there is no point in wasting further time then. I closed my eyes scrunched my face and puckered my lips while waiting for the kiss. And waited, and waited.

And waited…

Okay, what gives?

I opened my eyes slightly to see Loveheart trying his best to suppress his laughter, only to fail the moment I eased my expression.

I turned to Skipper who looked perplexed, “What?” I asked.

Loveheart managed to catch a breath before Skipper could answer and said, “You looked adorable! Like someone who just ate a sour lemon!”

I looked at Loveheart in disbelief. Adorable?!! How dare he! I put on my best experimental face and the only thing he could come up with was adorable?

That’s it, no more Mr. Nice-Guy! I jumped from my seat, grabbed Loveheart by the neck, then plunged my mouth straight into his

Oh my God! What the hell am I doing??!!

Wait.

Something’s not right.

It feels hot.

Am I getting kissed or am I drinking soup?

No, soup is an underestimation of the taste. It’s more like a thick broth than simple soup. I can taste a myriad of herbs as well; parsley leaves, rosemary, and thyme just to name a few. Somehow, the thickness now tastes like that of mashed potato with garlic. All with a hint of the taste of medium rare steak in the midst of it all.

And the taste is gone.

Why is the taste gone?

“You can stop drooling now,” Loveheart stated, and I opened my eyes.

Loveheart was idling me with casual curiosity, while Skipper had her hooves on her mouth. I can even see the shape of her camouflage fading as her black skin was turning very red.

“That was hot!” She said the moment she noticed me looking at her.

That might have ruined my mood, but I can still taste that steak in my mouth. So I simply scoffed.

“So, how did I taste?” Loveheart asked.

“That was, surprisingly delicious,” I begrudgingly admitted barely containing my fawning over the plethora of mouth-watering tastes.

“You’re not bad yourself,” He said with a dignifying smile, “Chicken cutlets with honey mustard sauce. I’d say you wanted more; a lot more.”

“Why do you assume that?” I asked.

“Because of how you taste,” The doctor said, returning to his demeanor, “Usually we trade emotions like a full course meal. First you have the appetizer which could be anything from soup to cheese to crude meat. then, there are the starches such as fries or pasta and then the main dish which is normally meat. And finally, you have desert.

“A changeling without a name would probably have a poor taste and you would not recognize the taste of any of the dishes. A newly named changeling, or an inexperienced one would only allow you to taste one dish; in Skipper’s case, only sweets. You on the other hoof, started with a meaty taste almost like bare cutlets, but instead of digressing into a lighter meal, you offered a greater dish based on the same taste. the cutlets turned into a sandwich with a crispy breading before ending it with cutlets on fried rice.”

Loveheart burped, “you made me full for the next three days just because you were trying to taste more.”

“And is that a bad thing?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” He replied, “I never tasted something like you before. You taste like a changeling, but at the same time, you don’t taste like one. I think your human nature is stronger than what it seems.”

“The next time you two kiss, can I join in?” Skipper suddenly interjected.

But before I could retort, a whistle blew loudly outside as the train’s wheels squealed to a halt.

“That’s our stop,” Loveheart stated while standing up to pick his bag from the compartment overhead.

As I reached for mine, I realized something, “You never told me what were your speculations regarding our predicament.”

Loveheart looked at me, then at the cabinet door which was abuzz with passing ponies. “Not within an earshot of others,” He stated to my ire, “Though, I can tell you one thing; we are about to find out.”

Chapter 12: Queen Chrysalis.

I stepped off the train with luggage in hoof into the crowded station that was known as Mane station central Manehatten and froze. There were so many ponies gathered in one place, it felt like I just walked into a sea of Equines. A plethora of tastes assaulted my senses; from sweet and salty to zany sour and even downright disgusting, all gathered in the same place.

“Just focus your taste buds on one of us,” Doctor Loveheart said from behind, “You should be able to do so with your horn.”

I looked at him confused and kind of green. “What horn?” I asked.

The sudden realization flashed across his face. He turned toward Skipper. “Passion!” He called, “Go help your lover; he doesn’t look well!”

Skipper, aka Passion jewel, came rushing toward me with a hug. “Aww, you poor baby,” She cooed, “Let me make you feel all better.” She immediately started snuggling at my sides.

How the hell is cuddling suppose to help? I was about to turn toward to the doctor when I realized something: a lot of the tastes have gotten masked! How the hell did that happen?! Wait, no; better not dwell on it. Questioning things like that will only give me a bigger headache.

The doctor tapped my shoulder, “Come now, we need to take a cab to Elm and Crook street.”

“A cab?” I asked dubiously. Beside the train, I had yet to see any other form of automation.

“It’s a cart pulled by an earth pony,” The doctor answered, already anticipating what I am going to say.

When we first got on the train, I had Loveheart give a lengthy explanation with excruciating detail on how the train worked without the use of compressible gases. It turns out that magic does play the role of physics in this universe in more ways than one. The gist of it is, instead of burning fuel, the pistons work by charging a magical gem set at the top of its cylinder. When the piston strikes the gem, it turns the magical energy into mechanical and pushes the piston down and does an entire cycle which in turn charges the gem with magical energy until the piston strikes the gem again and repeats the cycle. Perpetual motion at its finest; something that only seems achievable with magic.

The only problem is that the design has yet to be miniaturized so automobiles had yet to be invented.The next thing I know I am standing in front of the station. I looked at Doctor Loveheart perplexedly. He shrugged, “You were zoning out so we guided you outside.”

“Silly Support, getting distracted by a choo-choo,” Skipper joked.

“Oh,” I realized, “Then what are we still doing?”

“Waiting for a cab to come pick us up,” The doctor stated.

“And is it that hard to find a cab around here?” I asked.

“Very,” The doctor replied, irritation in his tone.

And he was right. Five minutes into waiting and not a single one of those taxi cabs stopped in front of us or even gave us the time to ask them. While waiting, I started looking around trying to acclimatize myself to these new surroundings. What was the gorgeous neoclassical architecture of Canterlot and the unique style of the buildings that gave one an aristocratic feel has been replaced by skyscrapers of steel and glass. Manehatten was a tall city with buildings that literally reach to the sky. It was one of those places that makes one feel small just by existing, despite feeling lifeless for the most part.

Don’t get me wrong, the city was abuzz with ponies; mainly earth ponies, though one could find a unicorn here and the odd pegasi flying there. Unlike Canterlot however, even with a bit more diverse populous and the fact that it never suffered a crippling invasion, the city had an odd grey hue to it and the ponies didn’t seem as cheerful as in Canterlot. I have been sitting here for nearly ten minutes now and have yet to see someone smile.

But maybe that’s just big city blues. I mean, I barely just walked outside the station and know next to nothing of this place in order to like it. A cart being pulled by a bulky stallion stopped in front of us.

“Finally!” Exclaimed Loveheart as he went to talk to the driver.

At that moment, the cart door swung open and a casual green unicorn mare wearing a white feathered hat stepped out of it. She looked at me and smiled; I greeted her back by nodding my head.

“Book! Passion!” Loveheart yelled our aliases, “We have our…” However his expression turned into shock when he saw the mare, “…Chrysie?” He suddenly exclaimed.

“Heart?” The mare turned around, surprise on her face as well.

BOOOOOM!!!

An explosion sounded and I turned to see all hell breaking loose. Ponies were running around for their lives, cracked windows now littered the tall buildings, and fires were spreading from multiple sources.

And in the middle of it all, changelings fighting each other.

“Well isn’t this peachy,” I moaned. And here I thought this was going to be a normal day.

A changeling landed in front of me and hissed. I gave him a perplexed look, “Uhhh,” I pointed at a random pony, “that guy insulted your mother.” The changeling turned toward the pony who screamed in fright and scampered from view. The changeling turned back at me and hissed.

“Okay, that didn't work as well as I hoped,” I mused out loud, “How about we negotiate?” The changeling took a threatening step toward me when a massive green bolt of energy struck him on his head and he fell... lifeless.

“Hey!” I protested, “What did you do that for?” I turned to where the green mare used to be standing.

Wow, where did that changeling came from? Beside the fact that she is as tall as Celestia, her color scheme was the same as Loveheart; perhaps too much so.

The changeling looked at me agape. “Would you rather be dead instead?”

“Just ignore him Chrysie,” Loveheart had shed his earth pony disguise for his more combat ready changeling form, “And tell me what is going on around here?”

The changeling named Chrysie turned toward Loveheart, “Not here; there is a barricade up ahead where we can talk safely there!” With a single leap she started running, “Over here!”

Loveheart chased after her leaving me behind. I turned around in search of Skipper, but I couldn’t find her. “Skipper!” I yelled, but my voice was drowned with all the hubbub that was going on around me. I walked around a bit until I spotted a changeling's tail hiding behind a lamppost.

I went to the lamppost and tugged at the tail only to have Skipper jump at me. “Support!” She exclaimed in fits of tears and relieve.

“Are you done?” I took her head and turned it toward Loveheart, “Then follow him.”

In a single heartbeat, Skipper scurried toward Loveheart who was urging us to follow him to what appeared to be an opening in a carapace semi dome. When did that appear there? I was sure there was no such structure mere moments ago before the explosion.

Another explosion ripped at the other end of the street. I sighed; running is going to be a drag. I distinctly remember being a bad runner on two legs, and I have never tried running on four yet.

As I walked after Skipper, two scuffling changelings landed on the spot where I found her, an energy beam passed overhead and exploded on a nearby wall, glass shards fell onto the street to my side, and a wall fell in front of me just as I was about to reach the barricade.

Just as I was climbing over the wall of debris in front of me, Loveheart flew up to me, anger in his eyes. “What the hell are you doing?!” He asked with panic.

“I will not waste any physical activity unless I have a probable cause,” I replied with indifference. Another explosion ripped the street behind us sending a hot, sharp glass fragment flying just a hair’s width from cutting Loveheart, steering him into a panic mode. He grabbed me by the shoulder and ran as fast as he could toward the barricade.The moment we were in, the barricade’s door closed after us.

Loveheart looked at me dumbfounded. “Have you no sense of self-preservation, man!?”

“Not sure, might have left that when I became a changeling,” I jested.

Loveheart mouth fell open. “You’re unbelievable!”

“Heart!” The tall changeling named Chrysie returned, “What in Tartarus are you doing with a Nirvana spawn and a discorded ‘ling?”

A discorded what now?

“I came here to help you sort this mess out; it turns out you are only making it worse!” Loveheart scolded her, and she looked ashamed.

“I am not making it worse!” Chrysie reacted defensively, “I made an agreement with the mayor to clear the city from the discorded changelings because of the trouble they caused.”

“The mayor knows you are a changeling?” I asked.

“Oh, he knows,” Chrysie replied with a naughty smile, “He is one of our favorite customers.”

Uugh, sorry I asked...

Chrysie turned to Loveheart a bit puzzled. “Um, Heart? Who is he?”

“Oh right, I think an introduction is in order,” Loveheart waved a hoof toward me, “Chrysie, I’d like you to meet Support Pillar,” He then did the same gesture to Chrysie, who's expression changed from suspicion to interest, “Support, I’d like you to meet Queen Chrysalis, whom I sure you don’t need further introduction.”

“Charmed,” The Queen said giving me her hoof, a predatory smile on her face, “I’ve heard so much about you, Support.”

“Oh?” I took her hoof in mine and gave it a small peck, “And what, may I inquire, have you heard?”

“Just that you managed to make Celestia and Luna miss out on their precious night without lifting a hoof and mocked the entire Equestrian science society with a ludicrous theory, and even ended up distorting a mistake to make it so that you would be correct.”

…

Distorted a Mistake?!?! How dare they!! None of those idiots were even awake when I made that mistake! and had they asked me about it, I would have owned my mistake as a mistake instead of hiding behind the shadow of a cute, purple unicorn with sexy smarts who was accidentally knocked unconscious by…

BOOOM!!

“Well, I do aim to please,” I forced out. Personally I want nothing more than to give it to those snooty uptight idiots who questioned my credibility; with exception of Loveheart, of course.

“What about me?” Skipper raised her hoof high.

For a moment there, I thought Queen Chrysalis was going to slaughter Skipper on sight, “A defective ‘ling is of no concern to me,” She answered venomously making Skipper visibly shake, “Heart, why did you bring her here?”

“I thought you liked using ‘defective ‘lings’ to your own purpose,” Loveheart sneered by imitating her tone, “Or are they only defective when they don’t obey your command?”

If the flames raging inside Queen Chrysalis’s eyes weren’t enough of an indication of her intent...

“If I may interject,” I walked in front of the Queen and Loveheart who seemed mildly disappointed by my action of saving his butt, “Loveheart has yet to tell me anything that happened. may I ask, why did you call Skipper over there a defective changeling?”

Queen Chrysalis barely shifted her glance at Skipper who smiled with all her innocence and waved all naive-like at her. “She is a by-product of the destructive artifact that Discord gave me; an unnatural abomination that caused grave illnesses during the invasion.”

“Abomination?” I asked, “Never mind, who is Discord?”

Queen Chrysalis looked at me astonished, then turned toward Loveheart, “I thought you brought him to help!” she yelled with a crack in her voice.

“I did,” Loveheart replied calmly, “I thought it would be wiser to have you explain things. He’s good at picking hidden emotions apart, and I doubt I would have conveyed the stupidity of your decision as well you could.”

With a frustrated shrill, Queen Chrysalis turned toward me, “Okay, tell me what you do know.”

I shrugged, “Let’s start with nothing and go from there.”

Queen Chrysalis twitched, her shocked expression speaking volumes. Suddenly a wide smile adorned her lips. “Loveheart, my dear,” She spoke with a unique flavor of acidity and empathy, like someone plotting revenge, “Would you be a dear and take over the battlefield for me? All the preparations are done and all you need to do is give the signal to our ‘special’ forces to move when all the discorded changelings have shown all their cards. Is that understood?”

“Yes, yes,” Loveheart waved his queen away and went to talk to the changelings behind him.

“Is that a wise idea?” I asked, “To leave everything to him?”

“My brother is a good commander and all of my changelings respect him more than they respect me,” Wait, Loveheart is the Queen’s brother?! No, I will interrogate him about that afterward. “If you’d follow me. This place is too noisy for an interesting conversation.”

I nodded and followed her. Skipper flew next to me. “Is there anything I should do?” She asked.

“Keep an eye out on Loveheart,” I told her in a somewhat hushed voice, “he’s been keeping too many secrets from me and I want to know why.”

With a nod, Skipper went after Loveheart while I went along with Queen Chrysalis. Just as we walked into yet another trap door that lead to the underground sewers, I decided to open the conversation.

“Sooo your highness, any ideas why Loveheart has yet to tell me anything?”

“He probably doesn’t trust you enough or he most likely believes that he can’t convince you of anything,” The queen rubbed her forehead, her expression turning from anger to frustration, “Who knows? Who cares? You are in the middle of this mess whether you like it or not.”

“I’m in the middle of what exactly?” Hopefully, this is the last time I will have to ask this question.

“You are in the middle of a war between me on one hoof,” With a burst of her flames, an abstract image of her appeared, “my sisters on the other hoof,” Two more images of two changeling appeared, however they looked a lot different than Chrysalis. one had a better build with sharper edges and wings resembling that of a hornet. The other was a lot more petite and had had beautiful butterfly wings.

“And the entire Pony kind on the third hoof.” The third image was of princess Celestia.

“That is quite the mess we got there,” I remarked, “How did you get yourself into all..." I gestured to the floating images, "this, if I may ask?”

“The war between my sisters and I is nothing new,” The three images of the three queens formed a circle and brandished childish weapons against each other, “It started after the death of our mother,” An image of her mother appeared. From the image alone I could tell that the mother was big; probably bigger than Celestia. her horn wasn’t as twisted as that of the sisters, and her wings didn’t even look insect like; in fact they looked bat-like to me. Despite her impressiveness however, the changeling was trapped inside a crystal.

“So, it’s a battle over resources,” I mused approaching the flickering lights of the images.

“Close, but no.” A bright light emanated from her horn blinded me for a moment. After a few blinks, my eyes adjusted to the light spell. “We are constantly fighting over these babies.”

A movement caught my eye; it felt like that of an insect.

“What was that?” I asked, a creepy crawling feeling running under my skin. My eyes darted left and right at the multitude of chirping and clicking sounds.

Chrysalis giggled, I turned to her and…

OH MY GOD, What in the hell is that?!?

The centipede was huge! Bigger than Chrysalis even! It crawled from behind her and into the focus of the light spell, before standing like a snake and rearing it’s… Why does it have a pony head??!!

“My mother specialized in living transmutations allowing her to create a wide range of defensive and offensive creatures,” With a small pat on one of its legs, the centipede-pony-thing turned back and returned to the shadows.

“What,” I asked, my breath finally catching itself, “In all that is heaven and holy! Do You Need That For?!”

“Why, for protection of course,” Chrysalis cheered, “With these creatures here, none would dare to mess with our hives and has allowed us to grow in peace. But after the war, each and every queen had monopolized one type of these creatures, so we can only thrive in only one type of environment.

“My centipedes allow us to live on flat surfaces, but the badlands are infested with Nirvana’s spawn who outnumber my hive ten to one, the woodlands are Zephyre’s domain with her Arachna-lings utilizing the deep tree cover to lay their traps, and the north is too cold and dangerous; my youngest sister Vedalia is barely scraping by as it is.”

“So you guys moved to the city?”

“The cities have proved useful and can be easily protected, but there is a big problem. we can’t expand as easily as we would like,” With a burst from her horn, a map of Equestria rose. With it, there were cities with pins over them and cities without. All in all, there were only three major groups of pins. “Moving a large number of changelings from one city to the next proved challenging; ponies would get suspicious very quickly, so we managed with each hive fending off its own without any help.”

“Must have been tough,” I remarked. It was easy to see the troubles she could go into; each hive needed to be highly independent and capable militaristically in a society that seemed too centralized. A paradox that can bring down such style of governance.

“It was,” Chrysalis agreed, “With transportation so difficult, each hive needed to control its population more so than usual. Because of that, we were always short on changelings. Despite that, we managed things; peacefully, might I add. The real problem began when Discord broke out the first time. He gave one of my most vulnerable hives in Fillidelphia a weapon, a mirror to be precise. Should they ever be in trouble, one of my ‘lings would walk into the mirror and would clone himself without the trouble of having to raise an army.”

That… doesn’t make any sense; it breaks the law of conservation of energy. Where would the mass of these new changeling come from? How was it possible to replicate internal organs without any means of seeing them? Why am I still questioning things based off of my knowledge? I thought I stopped doing that. Okay, let’s look at this from a strategic point of view.

“so basically, you can have an army ready on the get-go."

“Exactly, a very useful tool indeed,” The map then zoomed in on one city in particular, “After Discord was trapped in stone again, Zephyre decided to move in and take the mirror for herself. In a panic the overseer of the hive decided to use it. It was a disaster.”

The image showed a changeling using the mirror, and when he got out there was two of him, “We won the battle, but the mirror kept creating more clones,” Suddenly, another changeling came out, and another, and another, “In a panic, the overseer tried to smash the mirror with an axe,” The image of a changeling with an axe appeared near the mirror. He threw the axe which struck the mirror then ricocheted back at the changeling, hitting him squarely in the face. “As you can see, it didn’t go so well.”

“Then what happened?”

“I went there two days later and used some heavy magic and a lot of resources to blow it up.” The mirror was then buried under a pile of dynamite and blew up in what could only be described as nuclear fashion.

“Wait, so the mirror kept making changelings for two days straight?” That can’t be good.

“Yes,” With a wave of her hoof the images disappeared, leaving me with the queen under her light spell, and whatever was crawling in the back of those sewers, “What was once a hive of five hundred became a hive of fifty thousand.”

So that’s where their numbers came from. “One thing I’m not sure though, how did the ponies get involved and why did you invaded them?”

“Oh, that is easy. When fifty thousand changeling came into existence practically overnight, the ponies noticed. So they sent Princess Cadence to Fillydelphia to negotiate; needless to say the negotiation didn’t go as planned.” Chrysalis was rubbing the back of her neck as well as avoiding eye contact.

“What did you do...?” I asked, suspicion in my tone.

“I accidentally, without any thought or previous planning, totally running on intuition then, I…”

“You kidnapped her and took her place in Canterlot?” I interrupted, annoyed at this turn of event.

“It’s all that little pink abomination’s fault!” Chrysalis snapped, “She wanted to integrate them into their perfect pony society; give them jobs, homes for themselves, names, even have them go to school! Can you imagine the horrors they planned to subjugate my changeling to?!”

“Yes,” I deadpanned, “ The horror of higher education, how dreadful...”

“I just couldn’t accept it,” Chrysalis waved dismissively, “So I decided to use force, and the rest is history.”

The more time I spend with this short-sighted tyrant, the lower my IQ will get; I need to wrap this up quickly.

“You mentioned something about some changelings being discorded, may I ask what those are?”

“Oh, you mean like your friend?” She pointed above; I nodded, “These are the changelings that came out of the mirror.”

“And why is there so much hate toward them?”

The moment I asked this question, Chrysalis’s expression changed, “Every hive have a preferred emotion to feed upon. Mine is love, Nirvana is excitement, Zephyre is wanderlust, Vedalia is warmth. These changelings, the discorded ones like you companion, feed off of pain.”

“My queen!” A changeling suddenly interrupted us, “Loveheart gave the signal and the centipede-lings are destroying whatever remains of the discorded changeling out there!”

“A queen’s job is never done,” Chrysalis muttered, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to corral the centipede-lings before they go loose on the city.”

“Thank you for your time, your highness,” I said with a courteous bow. What the hell have I gotten myself into? A war this complicated is not something I am willing to either commit to or be part of.

“And Support?” I looked at Chrysalis who was halfway out of the sewers, “I know my brother is secretive and kind of manipulative, but he has good intentions. He wouldn’t drag you into this if he didn’t take your best interest at heart.”

“Thank you for your concern, my liege,” I replied to her, “But that does not alleviate my worries one bit.”

Author's Note

A bit exposition heavy, hopefully the others wont be as much.

Chapter 13: Changeling Does What Changelings Do.

“You know, it’s not like I intended things to be like that. I simply acted on self-defense,” I point out to my current centipede companion who replied to me with a set of clicks and grunts as it gorged itself on something I was too squeamish to peek at.

“I’m sure there are some things that I could have done better in hindsight. I could have been a better diplomat, presented my case better; but it irks me when something is so illogical, it’s like, how do I wrap my head around two gods that can move celestial bodies? You get me?” My friend let out a low vibration that shook the ground underneath him.

Did it just purr at me?

“If only you could talk,” I wished aloud. The centipede-ling curled around its food in an effort to hide… whatever it was.

“Mrrawr,” It concluded.

“Or maybe not.” I doubt such a carnivore would have anything nice to say anyways.

“Are you done talking to it?” I turned my head to face the female voice that decided to break my contemplation. Another changeling (well they all were) stood there with an angsty air to her like she was having a bad day. “Cause I need to corral the bugs into their den.”

I pointed at the centipede-ling who seemed to be settling to sleep and she nodded. “By all means; I was simply taking expert advice on things like life and such.”

The changeling raised an eyebrow, “Oh yeah? And what did the expert say?”

“That I’m screwed either way.”

A laugh escaped her lips, “Doesn’t take an expert to know that.”

With a zap of her horn the centipede-ling growled in protest. “Come on you big dummy! Move!” The bug growl more in protest but did as it was told.

“Impressive,” I flattered.

“Not really, but thanks,” She smiled with a wink then moved on with the centipede-ling to a nearby sewer hatch.

I sighed. This was developing into a rather boring day. After the battle was over, the rest of the hive decided to clean up the war torn street they made; a decision which I suspect was brought by a threat from the mayor.

I shivered; someone must be watching me. But since he or she is nowhere in sight, there is little I can do about it. With nothing else left to do, I decided to take another walk around; again.

The smell of dust was lingering in my nostrils as i kicked through the rocks littering the road. The sounds of sweeping and moving more boulders came from a couple of changelings with brooms just a few yards away. I tried waving, but they didn’t bother turning their head. I shrugged and moved on.

“I wonder what Skipper is up to?” I wondered while trying to pass the time, “She’s supposed to be keeping an eye on Loveheart, spying on him. I should check up on her and see how she’s doing.”

I headed toward the main camp that we took refuge yesterday to see if anything interesting was happening there. At the front gate, an armored ‘ling stood menacingly at the door glaring over everything. I walked up and greeted him. “Hello, I’m looking for a newly named changeling called Skipper. Have you seen her around?”

The guard lifted his hoof and pointed as if he was punching something. He pointed sternly at a peculiar rump sticking out of a mail box. I glared at the bottom as the tail on top swished jovially left and right. “Thank you kindly for your help,” I said to the guard who simply nodded and went on glaring at something else.

I grumbled angry thoughts out loud as i made my way to the mailbox with a butt stuffed in it. As I stood before it, the box spoke, “Is anyone there!? Can somepony please help me out? I seem to be stuck!” she sounded like she was trying to speak with her muzzle stuck inside of a tin can or something.

For a moment there, I debated with myself whether I should leave her there for another hour or so. I sighed as I ultimately decided that would be too mean. “Skipper, what are you doing?”

“Support!” She exclaimed, “I didn't know you would be the one out there! H-ooh, I didn’t want you to see me like this...”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I did what you asked of me!” She answered defensively, “I was conspicuously spying on Loveheart but he somehow kept running away from me and I ended up trying too hard to follow him; then one thing led to another and-”

“I said be inconspicuous when spying on him!” I interrupted her by smacking the mail box causing it to fall.

“Ouch! What did you do that for!?” Skipper objected.

“Do you even know what being conspicuous means?” I asked the talking mailbox.

“No! I don’t know!” she answered, “Is that a secret code that only spies use?”

I yelled; who knew a changeling could be so blonde in a world full of multicolored ponies! For a moment, I wanted to hit that box hard but that would be too cruel even for my standards.

“Support? Are you mad at me?” Skipper asked upon realizing my anger.

“I should be!” I scolded, “I’m angrier at myself for expecting a different outcome!”

The mailbox shuffled out what I could have been interpreted as ‘sorry’.

“Ugh, come on, let’s go,” I said, then pushed the box toward the barricade. as I passed by the gates, the guard gave me a quizzical look. “Unless you have a better idea, I don’t want to hear it.”

In a gesture that surprised me, he went and opened the door for us. I stopped in my tracks; why did I not expect some kindness from him in the first place? Has this place turned me so cynical that I expected a sneer instead of a helping hoof?

“Um, thank you!” I scrambled out, “I didn’t get your name.”

“Number 34 under Commander Loveguard, Sir!” He bellowed out.

Okay, that was not something I expected. I thanked him again then went inside, mailbox in tow.

The main camp’s entrance was the barricade that we had entered yesterday during the fight between changelings. The barricade was made of many changeling carapaces stacked together that had the same texture and appearance as scales on a lizard or maybe a dragon.

I wonder if I will ever get to meet a dragon? Hopefully they aren’t wild beasts or anything cause that would make questioning them a bit more difficult…

Once inside the bug shell made of bug shells, things got a lot more interesting. The shell expanded into a central hub with several large holes open. I found, or rather smelled the hole that lead to the sewers, a few others I’m not sure where they went, and two other major holes in opposite walls that headed towards the buildings on either side of the street. The clicks of teeth and the clops of hooves rattled off the walls as changelings went about their business. I went through the left hole which led down a long hallway. at the end of the hallway was an office that was being “rented” as a base of command.

There was a lot of whispers floating inside the command room as the meeting seem to drag on for no good reason. Chrysalis and Loveheart were probably bickering over another small detail or something again; better go see what it is this time.

“Queen Nirvana is still our best bet,” Loveheart argued, “She has the soldiers and the equipment stored in the badlands that are necessary for such a large-scale operation!”

“But Zephyr is the closest with her arachna-lings in the forests!” Chrysalis countered, “She can provide the quickest reinforcements of them all!”

“And here I thought I was suppose to take part in these conversations,” I interrupted. Everyone looked at me with mild annoyance.

“I sent Skipper to get you since morning,” Loveheart said irritatedly.

“You mean this Skipper?” I pushed the mail box with the swishing tail.

Giggles erupted from the attendees standing around the room. I feel like I’m dealing with children instead of leaders right now.

“A newly named ass?” One of the changelings said, “Can’t blame her ass, can you?”

“Yes, I can,” I retorted dryly, bring the bemused atmosphere to a grinding halt.

“Just leave her there,” Loveheart gestured at the corner, “I’ll get her out as soon as we are done.”

As I pushed the mail-butt-box to the corner, Chrysalis called my name. “Support, What do you think? Should we asked help from Nirvana and her changelings in the badlands or call Zephyr from the nearby forests?”

I stared at her blankly. “Who are they again?”

She sighed exasperatedly. “My insufferable sisters; Nirvana, Your Queen, commands the wasp-lings in the badlands. she has the numbers and the magical power to completely destroy the discord-lings, but it will take days to reach her and even longer to mobilize her hive.”

“Queen Zephyr on the other hoof, is an hour by train and can be ready within a day,” Loveheart continued, “However, the Butterfly Queen lacks both the numbers and the firepower to carry a large scale operation, which will means we will have more losses than is really necessary.”

“The Butterfly Queen?” I asked.

Chrysalis jumped from her seat with a single leap and was above me with blood in her eyes. “She calls herself that because she has actual Blue Butterfly Wings! And I want to rip them apart and stuff my face in them while she watches despair!!” She spat.

Uh-oh, I just stepped on a landmine. “Then Queen Nirvana it is!”

“HA,” she jeered, “And give that self-righteous, arrogant, moronic, self-proclaimed queen of the changeling race the satisfaction of proving she is superior to me!? Are you crazy?!?”

I really, really hope that is the smell of my own fear and not something else.

I knew she wasn’t the sanest of the bunch (I mean she refused free education to her subjects), but this is beyond ridiculous. “Is neither an option?”

“No,” Loveheart stood, causing the Queen to turn her attention to him, “We are fighting a war on two fronts, so unless Chrysalis wants to give ponies everything, we need an ally to cover our backs.” With a humph, Chrysalis returned to her seat.

I waited until everyone got edgy. Edgy is good, it means I can take control of the debate if I broke the silence first. Loveheart was about to say something when I took the opportunity to ask, “Why do you wish for Zephyr for help though?”

“Didn’t you hear? Her territory is a mere hour by train away,” Chrysalis restated.

“Yes, but why do you want the quick one instead of the stronger one? You seem to hate them both equally, Your Highness,” I noted.

Chrysalis sat there uncomfortable, fidgeting left and right without saying a single word. Loveheart and the other changeling eyed her with trepidity.

“What did you do...?” Loveheart asked.

“I promised the mayor that we’ll be done by this weekend...” She quickly said before shrinking into her chair.

The level of disgust I saw from everyone present was surprisingly high.

“The air is thick all of a sudden,” Skipper noted.

“I can’t believe you made that promise to that… that…” Was Loveheart stuttering? This ought to be good.

“Psychopath!”

Oh, an antagonist? How peculiar.

“And who is this fellow?” I asked.

“Just an unpleasant individual...” Queen Chrysalis nonchalantly downplayed him.

“Mayor Good Wink is the scumbag of Manehatten who we bribed to keep his mouth shut on the changeling activities in the city.” Loveheart’s tone was dripping with acidity.

“Bribed?” I asked, but no one responded.

“I know that name,” The mailbox spoke, “He is usually registered in the books as Princess’s regular client. Also the very first night since his name appeared, another name started appearing in the medical logs the very next day. It’s freaky.”

“Skipper, where do you know that?” I asked.

“I kind of memorized all the books and the logs since coming here,” the tail said jovially.

I couldn’t help but smile; Skipper has to be the most annoying, clumsy, half witted creature I have ever dealt with and yet, that memory of hers is by far my greatest asset. I turned to the crowd who were trying to cut me with their glares.

“Well, that was enlightening,” I said and the glares intensified, “However, we should probably return to our original topic.”

“You are right!” Loveheart said, “I say we go to Nirvana, Who’s with me?”

“AYE!!” Came the resonating response from everyone.

I looked at Queen Chrysalis fuming but unable to refuse. It appears the mayor’s wishes weren’t really respected around here. But that isn’t the only problem the hive was facing; something was nagging at me. The way she described her sisters seemed... off.

She wanted to do horrifying and violent things to Zephyr, but she only insulted Nirvana. Is it possible that Nirvana may have so much control over her sisters that they can’t speak ill of her even in her absence? Is it really wise to ask for help from such a strong creature especially when the balance of power is in such a disarray? And then there is Zephyr. The need for such violence against her makes me think that she might have done something in the past that would elicit such mistrust. Is it truly wise to go with someone who might try to stab us in the back later?

Ugh, so many different things to consider I don't even know where to start. We need to jump on this as soon as possible so it doesn't get too far out out hand. But we need the forces to make sure that it is stopped once and for all. Then we still have to look at how big of an enemy we are dealing with. Is it a massive enemy with armies ready for combat or are they small resistance groups employing guerrilla tactics? If its guerrilla warfare, then we need to figure out where they might try to strike next. After that, then we can-...

Wait a moment…

why am I even analyzing all of this? Shouldn’t the answer be obvious to them? I am the foreigner here; I should look for my own interest instead.

“We should go to both,” I concluded with a shrug.

“Because we need quick actions?” Queen Chrysalis asked smiling as if she just overruled Loveheart’s vote.

“No,” I replied.

“Is it because we need a complete action plan for all contingencies?” Loveheart asked.

“No; well, yes,” I responded, “but mainly because I want to get this over with as soon as possible so that I can start finding a way to get back to my world.”

“That... doesn’t make any sense,” Chrysalis noted with confusion.

“It doesn’t need to right now. However, you guys are desperate for any kind of help,” I stated and everyone suddenly seemed to agree with me, “In fact, I thought you had three sisters? Why not ask her as well?” the overall response from everyone was mixed at best.

“Eh, Vedalia is too weak to help,” Chrysalis noted with a shrug, “But I understand your sentiment.”

Loveheart huffed, “Fine; I guess this will have to do for now. Let’s take a quick lunch break, we need to talk logistics and who will do what next afterwards.”

“Agreed,” Chrysalis said while standing up, “Support, would you like to dine with us?”

“Nah, I’ll have to pass,” I told her, “There is something I need to do first.” I walked over to Skipper still stuck in the mailbox, “How are you holding out?”

“Getting numb everywhere,” She answered, “But I’m fine.”

I sighed. I placed my hoof underneath the mailbox in an attempt to pick her up. But Loveheart stopped me with a gentle poke.

“As I said, I’ll take care of her,” He said.

I tentatively let go of the mailbox. “Did you know?” I asked.

“That she was spying on me? Yes, she kind of yelled it in my face when I asked her to fetch you.”

I knew it; Skipper really can’t be trusted with delicate stuff.

“And I don’t blame you for it.”

“Huh?”

“I have spent centuries avoiding being close to people, Support,” He said apologetically, “And that makes it a bit hard for me to trust you, or anypony, with important details.”

“You mean all the details,” I corrected and he laughed.

“Yes, all the details,” he said. He seemed kind of sad today for some reason. I was going to point that out when he spoke again.

“I understand that your heart's not into it,” he rested a hoof on my shoulder, “But I am asking you to participate in what I believe might develop into a massacre of both changelings and ponies alike. I apologize for dragging you into this, but we need someone who might be able to see through old grudges and stubborn prides to bring the changelings back to peace.”

I stared at him unable to utter a single word. What should I say? Should I tell him that I didn’t want in? Should I not tell him? Should I leave things as they are? For a while, I have been unsure of anything.

“I am not going to lie to you, I am not invested in either working with you, against you, or just going on my own,” I finally choked out.

“I understand,” He nodded dejectedly, “Why don’t you skip the logistics meeting and do something fun instead?”

I looked at him incredulously. “Why?”

“Well, the meeting itself is going to be about how are we going to work out our supply lines to benefit our troops in case something like yesterday happens again,” he explained in a rather monotone voice. his voice suddenly turned upbeat though; “Also, a lot of the changelings have been asking me about you. Right now you are the most hotly debated new guy in the hive that everyone wants to meet… and make out with,” he added with a teasing smile.

“Let me guess,” I crossed my hooves and raised one eyebrow. “You want me to go out and socialize?”

“Yes.”

“Do I look like the sort?”

“Isn’t it better than wandering around aimlessly in the city?”

I thought for a moment. On the one hand, I have zero changeling etiquette. If someone tried to make unwanted advancement, I just might give them a black eye. On the other hand, I have nothing else better to do, so it might be a good idea to just go out there and meet others.

...

There is no way I am going to give Loveheart the satisfaction of winning this argument. “I’ll think about it,” I answered before leaving.

Author's Note

Long hiatus. Real life. Don't ask.

Chapter 1: To wake up in a dungeon:

Ouch my head.

Darn, the same nightmare over and over again.

I look at the screen and my heart grips as I waited for the liquid to reach the detection device. After a long day of waiting the line starts to shifts upward, is this it? is this the peak that I have been waiting for?

The peak keeps rising, and rising, and rising... this does look good; then it starts to fall again. I overlay the peak with the previous blank, and the shape turns out to be exactly the same.

My experiment was a bust, I look up at the heavens and scream in horror.

And I wake up, shuddering; a cold sweat ran down my forehead. Negative results are a scientist’s worst nightmare.

Where am I anyway? It looks like a dungeon of sort… That can’t be right, why would I be in a dungeon? Unless I was kidnapped? Well, this sucks, guess I have to do something about it. Hmm I can’t seem to remember. Oh I know, mental checklist of things to remember, GO:

…

Well, that’s a bust.

The only thing I keep remembering is my experiments and my publication.

…

Okay, clearly my long term memory is damaged, let me try something else, what the hell is my name?

…

Alright, not working. Should I panic because of this? Maybe not yet, I still have my short term memory after all. Let’s see, what do I remember last?

My thesis!

Of course, I’m a master student after all. How can I forget my thesis’ defense?

I was presenting it to a bunch of professors in a jury. I had two impressed faces, one scowling face, who I think I might have cost him some funding with my findings. My professor was smiling slyly, as always, and the last professor had quite a bored look on his face.

So that is three out of five, not bad.

I finished the presentation, then answered all the questions. My professor congratulated me on a job well done. I invited him to a fruit cocktail from a near-by restaurant…

And that’s it.

Why can’t I remember more than this though? I should be able to remember more than that. My hand feels weird, like I’m lacking my fingers or something, and so is my chin. I don’t remember having a long chin, this feels like a muzzle…

Wait why do I have a muzzle? I looked down on my hooves…

Wait, why do I have hooves? And why is there holes in them?

“AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.”

Why am I suddenly hyperventilating?

Oh, wait. I just had a panic attack… Understandable, I think.

I simply need to breathe in.

And breathe out.

In.

And out.

Okay, back to the topic at hand…hoof. Where am I anyway? I’m sitting on a bunk bed, dull grey. The walls surrounding me are made of limestone, the bars, iron. There is a hole to my left, which, now that I think about it, looks suspiciously like a toilet. I hoisted myself on my feet, hooves, and walked closer, I took a small whiff…

Ouch.

I think I’m tearing up.

Definitely a toilet then… blarg.

I need to wash up. Stat. Looking further around I found a sink to my right.

Wait, why would there be a sink in a prison cell holding a horse with holes in his hooves?

I sigh, which had the unfortunate effect of stirring the smell further. Not good, it’s getting deeper. Smell removal now, curiosity, later.

I race toward the sink. Why my body feels stiff? Or should I say, stiffer than it should be? Let’s put a pin on that for now.

Reaching the sink, I realize that my misfortunes are not over yet. it’s made of those rotating gears instead of the lift-me-up faucets. How the hell do they think I’ll be able to use this? God, it's times like these that I wish for the ones at the mall. You know, where you pass your hand underneath them and the water starts running?

Speaking of which, when was the last time I went to the mall?

…

Stupid thesis, taking over all my time.

Back to the problem at han… hoof. How do I open the faucet? For something that uses opposable thumbs to exist indicates there are humans around. But what doesn’t make sense is why would I be placed in an unsuitable holding cell? And why am I alone?

I’m being too sidetracked with unnecessary questions. If I can’t open something with my fingers, I should use the only other anatomy in which I can grab stuff with: My mouth.

Taking the gear in my mouth I grab it and rotate, tastes a bit metallic, not bad, though I could do without rust in my mouth. Which now that I think about it, should be impossible to because an equine’s mouth should not open that much.

Thankfully, the water looks clear. I take a sip and it tastes kind of refreshing. Clean water is a good sign, but the smell of the toilet is still in my nose. So I plunge underneath.

After a few puffs I placed my full head under it, letting the water run down my head. I could feel myself thinking clearer.

Perhaps this is all a dream? Maybe I am imagining things. Perhaps my hands are still normal, but I thought they were hooves because of some form of trauma, or stress. Or maybe the kidnappers gave me some form of hallucinogen to subdue me for transport.

That seems to be the most logical explanation there is.

Makes a lot more sense now.

I lift my head up. Oh, there is a mirror in front of me.

“JESUS CHRIST IN HEAVEN!”

What in all that is heaven, earth and hell am I? Why would a black horse need sharp canine teeth? Why are my eyes so blank and pupil-less? Why are my mane and eyes colored purple? Shouldn’t purple be, I don’t know, the rarest color in nature or something? What the hell is that stump on top of my head and why does is look broken off?

Why am I even asking myself these self-rhetoric questions? I should be hallucinating damn it.

Though, for a hallucination it looks kind of complete. In particular the broken Hymenoptera wings on my back are a nice touch. I always thought if something need a touch of creepiness to it, it requires insect elements to it.

Way to go brain, mental high five.

…

That was lame.

But this form is so composite, wouldn't help me to survive for long in the wilds that's certain; I need to change it. I could wait until my body gets rid of the hallucinogen, but that might take a while. Perhaps if I can shock myself, it might reset my brain? No, that would be too impractical.

What do I know of hallucinogens? They interfere with normal brain function which induces visual hallucinations. Unless they are the more potent dissociatives and deliriants. They don’t interfere with the autonomic nervous system… That’s it!

I need to test my fight or flight response. I should react either slowly, or not at all.

Now how to elicit such response here?

There are no knives, or anything sharp for that matter. So I can’t cut myself, not that my Swiss cheese for hooves requires any more cutting. I didn’t see any electrical plugs, so shocking myself is out of the question as well. The bunk bed seem to be hanging by two chains on the wall. Perhaps I can use that.

I walked toward my bed for a closer look. Yes, it seems that the bed closes downward. It is only held vertically because of the chains hooking it to the wall. Which means if I remove the chains, I can close it on my hand. That will cause enough pain to reset my mind back into its original state.

Or so I hope.

I lifted the chain on one end, then went to the other side. I placed my right hoof strategically under the bed. With great effort I removed the hook of the bed from the wall with my mouth.

And release…

“OUCH ”

That hurt.

Not going to lie about it.

Crap, my hand is stuck under the bed. Leaning toward the wall, I place my other hand on the bunk then using my full weight I push as hard as possible.

Stupid metallic bed weighs a ton. Just a few centimeters. Come On.

Clank.

Finally, my arm was free, boy does it hurt. I carefully placed it on the ground and the pain flared up to my elbow. But at least I’m free; I walked toward the mirror, now that I think about it, why am I still walking on all fours? Still, there was too much pain in my hand, so much so that I no longer feel my fingers.

I glared into the mirror, what greeted me was the same black horse with purple mane and canine teeth.

Crap.

I took a long look at my… hoof? How odd, why is the place where the skin is scraped the muscles look green? Speaking of skin, why is it rough, chitin like in texture? And why is the injury oozing greenish liquid?

Most importantly, why is the room spinning?

Author's Note

For those of you who are wandering about the experiment, I was talking about High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

To make matters simple, what HPLC does is tell you what you have in a given solution in the form of peaks in a given spectrum such as the following example:

What I explained was a simple analysis where the scientist is trying to find a given product in a given solution, blank products means a solution like the one we have but where we purposefully don't have the product in question.
By overlaying the peaks, in other words, by comparing the peaks of our solution to our blank we can deduce the presence or absence of the product in our solution, if both the ones from the blank and the ones from the solution turn out to be the same, then the product isn't there.

This is the best explanation I can provide without turning this into a course on HPLC, you can find further information about it in the link above, and I'm open to any questions should you have any.