The Misadventures of the Renegadesby vincemanners12ChaptersI: Getting To Know The Mighty RenegadesII: Nightmare Night FunIII: Trust IssuesIV: The Princess's ApprenticeV: Cantering in CanterlotVI: Outta Nowhere!VII: The Magical EncounterVIII: No Place Like...IX: What Are We Talking About?X: The Last RideEpilogueThe Gallery of the RenegadesEXTRA: Under The Violet HoodWords from the Author (Trivias and Acknowledgements)The Renegades TimelineI: Getting To Know The Mighty RenegadesA changeling and a breezie. It was an unlikely pair that had been outcasts for as long as they can remember. They rebel against the oppressing beliefs of their respective clan until they were ultimately banished away from their lands. They now travel the lands and exploring not only that but also their new-found freedom from the shackles of their former homes. Their kind were despised by the dominating races of Equestria. He was Frost Bite; she was Sing Song. A changeling and breezie together and united, they brave on through danger and wonder of the unknown lands that awaited them. They are The Renegades. Sing Song hovered over Frost Bite, looking at what kind of things he had written down on the newly-picked up journal. Frost Bite levitated the leather-bound journal with his magic. They found it a while back on the road, caked in mud. Must had been dropped by a pony a long time ago. Frost Bite had torn off the pages with writings—not even bothering to see what may be in it—and when he did, the journal was left with half of its pages. As the pink breezie read the paragraphs he had written, she couldn’t help but gag so loudly, which made Frost Bite jolt. “What in Celestia’s butt are you writing!?” Sing Song asked. “This our adventure journal!” the changeling answered as he closed the journal then waved it in front of Sing Song. “We can record everything about our journey.” When Frost Bite opened the journal again, Sing Song read the paragraphs again. Okay, first off, she thought, we left our homes on our own accord. With blessings and whatnot. Sing Song can’t imagine where Frost Bite was getting the idea that being an outlaw was cool. In her mind, it sounded terrible and miserable. Secondly, they were just going to Ponyville; there were no plans of going to farther lands together, because she knew travelling with a weirdo like him would be tiring. Also, new found freedom? They weren’t slaves, for crying out loud! Third point; despised? Maybe for him, at least. Frost Bite’s kind did attack the Royal Wedding somewhere Sing Song didn’t know. Her kind, however, wasn’t that relevant. Most ponies don’t even know what a breezie was. And lastly; The Renegades. Really? Really!? Not only it sounded lame, to think her own changeling companion would label themselves as criminals was beyond mental. Obviously, Frost Bite thought otherwise. “You and me, going off on adventures! Fighting evil, finding treasures, and even save the world!” Frost Bite opened his hooves wide. “Maybe. Then we can sell our story!” They walked along the dirt road—the smaller one floating—next to a railroad in the middle of nowhere. The duo hadn’t got a clue where to go, but they knew Ponyville had a train station there, so it’s pretty much their lead. Sing Song thought of reasons why she agreed to travel with a pony, er, changeling who seemed to be, if anything, childish. How did we even meet…? Frost Bite was actually one of the few intelligent changelings of the Hive. The Queen liked the smart ones from the drones, for obvious reasons. You want to talk to people who actually talk back, right? Right. Despite that, the Queen never liked Frost Bite. One of the reasons was that he was inquisitive. Always asking questions to whatever order the Queen barked at them. It made him different from the other intelligible ones. Anothing thing that made him different was that he had taste buds. You know, for real food. He had a particular liking for hay burgers and fries. During the invasion, he was assigned to infiltrate a family. Instead of doing that, he just ate at a fast food joint. It was so crushing for him that he didn’t get to finish his meal as he sailed through the air due to a force of unknown magic. Luckily, nobody knew about him eating out during the large-scale operation. As for the other smart changelings, they were much older compared to Frost Bite. Most of them preferred sucking up to the Queen, so Frost Bite never really talked much to them which made him lonely in the Hive. After two years since the failed invasion, he gathered the courage to talk to Her Majesty. He got an audience with the Queen and asked for his freedom; the Queen gladly granted his request and was even given supplies from the Hive. Frost Bite even was given a send-off party, where they sent him off. Literally using a catapult. It became a problem that Frost Bite never really flown much. In fact, it was a miracle that he survived Sing Song was an ordinary breezie who left her home. That’s pretty much it. She asked her parents if she could go out on her own, to see the world. Her parents were nice, so of course, they let her go and bid her all the good luck and things she needed. While she did felt great at home, Sing Song had always the dream of exploring, seeing new things as she did—unlike when they migrated from one place to another. While her parents did find Sing Song brash and a bit rude, they loved her all the same. How did the two meet? Well, as Frost Bite was about to land, the little breezie was already traveling on her own. Still, being the breezie she was, she often got blown away by winds and eventually was whisked away from familiar roads and into a land in the middle of nowhere. When Frost Bite landed in front of her, Sing Song popped an idea. Sing Song needed help for her journey since there was always the risk getting blown away. While he was still recovering from his landing, Frost Bite saw Sing Song. Thinking that she was some sort of butterfly, Frost Bite took a glass jar from his saddlebag, and before Sing Song could even say hello, Frost Bite caught Sing Song in a jar in a single swipe. After a few apologies, they talked and eventually agreed to be a party of two. It’s almost bizarre and ridiculous to Sing Song that she agreed to travel with Frost Bite. After all, she had no choice in the matter; it was either get blown away or take anyone as a travel partner. It was like circumstance had cuffed their destinies together, and then probably tossed the key into a bottomless well. For Sing Song, that was the case. For Frost Bite, it was fate giving him a pat on the back and an ally to his treacherous journey, a journey he had no idea how to even manage. He knew he should have studied, but the lack of any educational material back at the Hive wasn’t helping. Changelings didn’t own books, and the only one who did was the Queen. He thought of asking Her, but that would only make her irritated. After around thirty minutes of walking beside the railroad, Frost Bite sat down on his haunches. “I’m tired,” Frost Bite said then breathed in and exhaled loudly. “Whoa whoa whoa! Where the hay is your adventure spirit? It’s only been thirty minutes!” She floated above his face and stared into his large, green slit pupils. “Maybe I’m not cut out for walking.” He tossed his head to the ground to rest, only for his head to land on the iron rail. BANG! “Ouch!” He rebounded and sat up straight again. “You’re not cut out for anything,” Sing Song said weakly as she placed her hoof on her face. “What was that?” Frost Bite asked. “Nothing!” “Really?” Frost Bite wondered. “Because I think that’s a hot air balloon.” Sing Song looked where Frost Bite was pointing in the sky. Indeed, there was a bright yellow balloon with a rectangular basket thing that held its passengers. It was up high and was large too. The balloon’s bright yellow color blinded any pony that seemed to gaze upon it. Its brightness made it look like the sun was attached to the basket. “We can hitch a ride!” Frost Bite exclaimed as he stood up. “Like they will!” Sing Song rolled her eyes. “Besides, I bet they can’t hear you—” “Hey! Over here! HEY!” Frost Bite waved his hooves in the air, hoping to catch the attention of the balloon rider. Sing Song can only think that he looked idiotic by doing so. Surprisingly, the balloon started to lower down to their location. “Okay, smarty pants, how are you going to explain to the PONY who owns the balloon why he should help a CHANGELING?” “I don’t!” Frost Bite answered. A ring of green electricity appeared at the bottom of his hooves and slowly it rose to the top of his head. A unicorn pony with pale blue coat and white curly mane and tail took the place of the once insectoid pony hybrid. On his flank was an image of a snowflake. “That’s called lying.” Sing Song looked unimpressed. “And it’s a white lie,” Frost Bite responded as he pointed his new white mane. “Uh huh. And who are you supposed to be?” “Frost Bite!” he answered with much enthusiasm. “No, I mean who’s the pony you’re copying?” “Frost Bite!” he answered with much enthusiasm once again. “I will poke your eyes if you answer ‘Frost Bite’ one more time! Who are—” “This is my original form! I thought if I ever want to be a pony, this would be my desired look, please don’t hit me!” Frost Bite covered his eyes with his hooves. There was a pause. “You think you’re a girl if you were a pony?” “What? No!” Frost Bite said, looking shocked as ever. “You do look like one.” Frost Bite knew about ponies; how they looked like, how they dressed, what they ate, and how they talked. One thing he could never get was their genders. To him, they practically looked all the same. Colors really helped Frost Bite identify them, but never the gender. “I swear to the Queen they all look alike,” Frost Bite whispered, loud enough for Sing Song to hear. A soft thud made the duo turn around. The balloon had landed; up close, the basket had ‘Mango Mango Mango’ written on the side of the basket and the whole thing just looked bigger. A pale yellow pony tied a rope to the railroad, anchoring the balloon. The pony then walked towards them. The pony was an earth pony mare. Her dark green mane looked like a clump of leaves which made her body look like a weird brightly-colored fruit. “Hi there!” Frost Bite said. He raised his hoof for a shake. “I’m Frost Bite, and this is my friend Sing Song.” Sing Song waved with a forced smile at the pony. The yellow pony had a constant small smile ever since she landed. It looked creepy, and the way she never blinked and only stared didn’t help at all. “Sure,” the pony said. Frost Bite and Sing Song looked at each other, then back at the balloon owner. “You see, we we’re on our way to Ponyville,” Frost Bite said. “Uh huh.” The yellow pony nodded. “And we were hoping if you could give us a lift! That is, if you’re headed that way too?” “Uh huh.” The yellow pony’s short answers, and constant stare and smile made the duo uncomfortable. The pony’s answers were void of emotion, as if she was only stating facts. For once, Sing Song thought of Frost Bite as a more normal pony than the one before them. “So...” Sing Song said. “Yeah, sure,” the pony said. “I’m on my way there. Hop on in.” The pony turned back and went to her ride, probably cleaning up for the unexpected guests. “Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?” Frost Bite asked, keeping pony in his sights. Sing Song did the same. “It’s your bad idea.” Sing Song said without moving her head. “You know, she might be crazy. She hasn't blinked as much as a pony would.” “You think we can outrun her?” “Earth ponies own the ground. They run really fast.” “Well, we can’t fly away either, she has a balloon.” “Balloons can’t be that fast, right?” “Flying isn’t really my forte.” “And we’re in the middle of nowhere.” They both began to think. She can’t be that crazy, right? I mean what kind of pony would own a balloon and travel in the middle of nowhere? A psychopath, and possibly, a loose murderer. They came to the same conclusion, and they looked at each other, silently confirming they both had the same suspicions. “On second thought, we’ll just walk,” Frost Bite said. “Ponyville’s not that far from here, and we don’t want to bother you.” “Oh, I insist,” the pony said. “It’s still half a day before you can reach Ponyville by walking.” She jumps off the basket and approached them with her unchanging smile. “I really insist.” Sing Song can feel her sweat on her neck. “You know, that’s why we need to start walking! Half a day’s worth of walking ahead of us!” Sing Song urged Frost Bite to start walking in the opposite direction from the yellow stranger. Frost Bite followed and started to pick up his pace. “You’re going the wrong way, you know,” the pony behind them reminded. They froze on the spot. Their backs felt exposed to the menace behind them. Slowly, Frost Bite turned his head and saw that the pony still had her smile. In Frost Bite’s mind, her smile became more disturbing and twisted. “How silly of us!” Frost Bite laughed nervously, and turned around to face the pony. “Come on now,” the pony said. “Get in the balloon.” “Y-yeah! Sure! If you really insist,” Sing Song stuttered. The stranger jumped into her balloon, and disappeared inside. “Should we?” Frost Bite asked in a whisper. “We’ll die either way, right?” Sing Song replied. “But we’ll die fighting! I won’t let some crazy mare kill me that easily!” “Yeah!” The pair gulped and then approached the balloon with tons of hesitation. They started to sweat and their heartbeat became faster as they got closer. In Frost Bite’s mind, he imagined there would be dead bodies of ponies inside the ride. He steeled himself for the incoming possibility. In Sing Song’s mind, she considered abandoning her companion but she knew she couldn’t live with the guilt of letting somepony die. She decided to die with him, for better or for worse. Frost Bite climbed the basket with Sing Song on his head. As they got themselves in, they shut their eyes closed, then slowly opened them; they saw the pony holding a knife with her left hoof. As to how they really held things without fingers, don’t ask me; I am merely the narrator and I don’t get paid for this. Really, just stop thinking about it. You’ve seen them hold sandwiches. With the pony’s smile and stare, Frost Bite and Sing Song let out a scream of harmonic terror. Sing Song flew off Frost Bite’s head and hugged his face instead. “Please don’t kill us! Oh my Queen, I’m so sorry!” “Mommy, I’m scared!” “I didn’t mean to question you, I’m so sorry!” “I wanna go home!” They screamed some more, then Frost Bite pulled Sing Song off his face and held her. “Sing Song, it was nice knowing you. I really like your company even if it was short.” “Same here. I’ll be honest—I thought you’re kind of an idiot—but nevertheless, same thoughts.” “What? Hey, that’s not nice,” Frost Bite frowned. “I’m being honest here.” “Fair enough.” Frost Bite embraced Sing Song awkwardly, which made him look like he was hugging a tiny action figure of a pony, which was surprisingly accurate. “So, are you guys hungry?” the pony asked them. Right next to the pony were stacks of crates. The pair synchronously thought of what the contents of the crates; perhaps it contained slaughters the pony had done before. Their fear increased and their intelligence took a drop as they assumed the mare before them was a cannibal. They watched the mare as she opened the crate and picked up a yellow object. Hang on, pony flesh is not yellow, they thought. And the thought solidified in their brains. The pony had already peeled two of the yellow object that seemed to be fruits, both already on a plate. “Go on, take one. These mangoes are fresh and ripe.” The pony started to peel another one. It took almost a minute before they started to move again. Frost Bite and Sing Song looked at each other, then at the fruit before them, and then approached the plate. The duo had never heard of mangoes before. Frost Bite pulled the plate to him and stared at the naked fruit again. Sing Song perched on Frost Bite’s head, and stared too. “What if it’s poisoned?” Sing Song asked, rubbing her chin with her hoof. “Don’t worry; my fruits are all natural, no artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and the like,” the pony said to them and then took a bite of her own share. Frost Bite gulped. He slowly picked up the food with his right hoof. “Here goes nothing.” The changeling took a huge bite. At this point, Sing Song thought that Frost Bite had done a brave thing. If he dies through poisoning, then Sing Song would had to take that compliment back. Frost Bite felt something hard in the middle of the fruit, but he managed to bite off the flesh around it. Slowly, he chewed the yellow matter inside his mouth and Sing Song observed with much worry. Frost Bite’s face lit up, as if from divine intervention—a revelation from the stars—or maybe as if he had sprouted wings from his sides. Something Frost Bite can actually do. “Frost Bite? You okay?” Sing Song asked, looking at Frost Bite with much concern. “Sing Song! You have got to try this! This is the best thing ever!” And with that, Frost Bite stuffed the whole fruit into his mouth, slurping and chewing it with much gusto. Well, too much gusto, since he accidentally swallowed the hard middle. “Agh! WA—TER!” Frost Bite managed to say. “Hold still,” the pony said as she went behind Frost Bite and then performed a Heimlich maneuver. Frost Bite spat out the hard middle and it was sent flying off the balloon. It hit a flying bird, sending it downwards. “Thanks,” Frost Bite said as he coughed a little. “No problem,” the pony said and went back to her spot, checking the balloon’s machinery and panels while whistling a tune alluding to drunken sailors. “So...” Sing Song said. “I guess we were wrong about her?” “I guess so?” Frost Bite looked at Sing Song with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah.” “Yeah.” Silence became the company of the two, as the balloon moved to the direction of Ponyville; only the pony’s whistling tune was heard. It was then that Sing Song realized that they were a pair of judgmental jerks, and pondered on that thought. Frost Bite looked at the plate where there was another peeled fruit waiting to be eaten. “So, are you gonna eat that?” Frost Bite asked, but then got his answer; Sing Song was already on top of the mango, eating delightfully. II: Nightmare Night Fun‘The Renegades, travelling on the lifeless road, met a travelling merchant who attempted to take their lands. The assassin was sent by their former homelands, hoping to put an end to their adventure. ‘Fear not! The renegades had bravely faced the assassin and had convinced him to join their side.’ ‘As a sign of the assassin’s support, she had agreed to take them to the nearest village.’ “That sounds about right,” said Frost Bite, floating a quill with the magic of his horn. During their trip, the so-called Renegades remained silent and just sat while the yellow merchant whistled different tunes, most of them sounding familiar to them. Frost Bite swore in his mind that he heard the pony whistle a tune similar to the Queen’s song that she sang during the invasion. Maybe she was there when it happened? Out of nowhere, the mare introduced herself. “I’m Mango Jill, just in case you two were wondering.” The pony named Mango Jill didn’t even looked back, only to the direction they were headed as she held the helm. When Mango introduced herself, Frost Bite was playing with mangoes that had poorly drawn faces on them, treating them like action figures. Frost Bite had Sing Song join the game, though it only annoyed the breezie. After a minute of Mango’s introduction, she started singing. Whatever she was singing, the two didn’t had any idea. Mango noticed this and gave them a sheet of paper that contained the lyrics to the song she was singing. From what they read, the song was about being a mango pony to the core, and sticking together as a family as they venture around Equestria. Somehow, the song didn’t feel that original… So yes, they sang the mango family travelling song for hours until the sun was gone and the moon shone bright in the sky, much to Frost Bite’s dismay. Frost Bite felt like his (fake) cutie mark changed into a mango from all the singing. While Sing Song didn’t mind at first as she liked singing, she got bored and tired from the song itself. The song became a part of their very souls. Before Mango Jill could say ‘One more time!’, Frost Bite managed to ask for a break. Sing Song was so relieved to hear him say the words. “Well, alright,” Mango Jill said and returned to whistling a melody. Tired and exhausted, Sing Song rested in Frost Bite’s mane. Carefully, Frost Bite laid down on the floor and wrote in the journal more exaggeration, boosting the idea of an epic rather than a journal. After writing a bit, Frost Bite observed Mango Jill. Nope, still can’t differentiate genders. He only knew she was a she because of her voice, which meant he still sounded like a stallion even if he looked like a mare. At that realization, Frost Bite felt stupid. Maybe I should’ve done more duties outside the Hive, maybe even talk to some ponies, learn about them, then maybe even ask for a bit of food… Why did I only think of this now? All the days of being hungry… Mango Jill started to sing another song, this time something about her going to the gala. Her lyrics started with being happy to be invited to the gala and soon trailed off to making every pony there to buy mangoes. Frost Bite knew that’s not what you do to a gala. “Uh, Mango?” he called out. “Uh huh?” “How long have you been going to Ponyville?” “Never. Just today.” Frost Bite tilted his head to her answer, making Sing Song shift her position on his mane. “So, I’m guessing these are called mangoes?” Frost Bite asked as he picked one up that he drawn onto. The mango had a toothy grin and wall eyes. “Uh huh. My sister and I own a farm.” “Do you live far from here?” “Uh huh. Been travelling for three days now.” “Wow. Sounds really far.” “Uh huh. We live around south eastern parts of Equestria.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” As Frost Bite was about to say another ‘Uh huh’, he bit his tongue lightly. He just realized how her tone and how she answered could be infectious. “So what about you, Frosty? Where are you from?” “Oh, I came from the Badlands,” Frost Bite answered. “Uh huh...” Mango Jill said. “I thought no pony lives there. Well, almost no pony.” “R-really?” What did she mean almost? “Uh huh. Been there myself. Worst sale of my life. I only managed to sell to some weird ponies with bug eyes. I think they might be sick; they even got holes in their legs and all.” Frost Bite’s eyes widened at what Mango Jill just said. Because of that, Frost Bite can’t help but imagine Mango Jill in the middle of the wasteland in a stall, trying to sell mangoes to tumbleweeds and cactus. The Hive was underground, so there was no way any pony can know about it, but the fact that some changelings went outside and bought food made him a bit angry. After all, he thought he was the only one who ate food for nourishment. Before Frost Bite could ask another question, Mango Jill pointed north. “You can see Ponyville from here.” Mango said. True enough, Frost Bite saw the funny-looking houses that almost were together. Further from the small town was the mountains. Atop the mountains was the Canterlot Castle; the very place Her Majesty had tried to take, and failed miserably. Soon, their yellow aircraft floated above the town. Frost Bite looked down and saw many ponies outside their homes, decorating the streets with pumpkins and candles. Tubs of water filled with floating apples and catapults littered the clearings, and little foals ran from one house to another as they carried bags of nightmare to dentists. Most of the ponies were dressed up in costumes and one of them wore some sort of a ninja costume that was yellow. The said yellow ninja tossed a lasso to another pony and entangled him. Then, the ninja pulled with sudden force and yelled, “GET OVER HERE!” Nightmare Night. Frost Bite beamed at the holiday taking place right under him. He had heard of it, but he had never seen it in person (pony?). Stories of ponies dressing up, giving candy to children, playing games, and offering candy to a statue of Nightmare Moon made him excited. What’s the most important part of the holiday for him was, of course, the free food. Sing Song woke up, since Frost Bite had been turning his head alot from looking around. “What the hay…?” Sing Song muttered as she rubbed her eyes. “Are we there yet?” “We are! Look, it’s Ponyville!” Sing Song squinted her eyes as she observed the costumed civilization beneath them. “What a tacky little town.” The balloon moved to the center clearing, where there was another balloon parked in it. As the balloon began to descend and Frost Bite looking down, Mango Jill began to sing ‘My Little Pony, My Little Pony’, followed by a rhythmic ‘ah’. As they land, Mango Jill stopped singing. “Why is every pony dressed like idiots? Is there some sort of holiday?” Sing Song asked as she looked around the new environment to her. “It’s Nightmare Night, Singy,” Mango Jill said as she got off the balloon and tied a rope to a pole, serving as its anchor. “Ponies dress up as anything, usually scary, to fend off Nightmare Moon. Well, according to the tradition. Nowadays, it's just another happy holiday. Oh, I need you guys to get off.” “Huh?” The renegades said together. “Get off,” Mango said with her usual tone. Frost Bite climbed the ledge of the ride and jumped off. Mango Jill went to the left side of the ride, opened a panel, and pulled a bunch of levers. Whirring sounds came out of the balloon base, the balloon deflates, and poles shot out of each corner of the base. The deflated balloon attached itself to the poles, creating a new roof for the basket. The ride had transformed into a shop. “Done.” Mango Jill entered the newly formed shop from its right, where a three steps stairs had appeared. “Wow,” Sing Song said while Frost Bite only had his dropped. “Yeah. I get that a lot.” Mango Jill said as she looked at the duo from the store. “You guys still here?” “Huh?” Frost Bite snapped out of his awe. “Why don’t you two look around? I still have to set up shop here.” “You sure you don’t need the help?” Sing Song asked. “I’m good.” The pair looked at each other, then nodded. They knew what Mango Jill was capable of, even with the weirdness that surrounded her. Sing Song shuffled in Frost Bite’s mane, and Frost Bite turned around only to face a bright pink pony who had even pink messy and curly mane. The pink pony looked at Frost Bite with intense curiosity as the pony’s eyes squinted, head forward, and hooves firm on ground. Frost Bite only then noticed the pink stranger was dressed up as a chicken. “Have we met before? You feel kind of familiar, and I remember every pony I meet,” the pony said, still holding the stare and awkward pose. “Uh, I don’t think so?” Frost Bite answered. “This is my first time around here.” For a few more seconds, the stare held and then, an explosion of confetti from Frost Bite’s sides came out of nowhere. The pony’s stare shifted to a smile. “New pony! I have to throw you a party! I’m Pinkie Pie and welcome to Ponyville,” the pony said she shook Frost Bite’s hoof. “Thanks, I guess?” Frost Bite replied. “I’m Frost Bite, and this is Sing Song,” he said then pointed to his head. Sing Song waved at the pink smiley chicken pony. “A breezie! It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you guys! Hope you guys get a lot of candy. Don’t worry; I’ll throw your a party just for you two after all this! Pinkie promise you’ll stay for the party? “Uh sure?” “Awesome! Now repeat after me; cross my heart, hope to fly; stick a cupcake in my eye!” Pinkie said as she did motions. Frost Bite repeated her words and motions, but then ended up sticking his hoof into his eye. “AH!” Pinkie snorted a laughter. “Well, still got some candy to collect! Have fun fun fun! Nice meeting you two!” With that, Pinkie Pie gave them a salute and dashed past them, leaving a blur of pink, leaving a confused Frost Bite. “You’ve been here before?” Frost Bite asked, massaging his eye with his hoof. “Some of us did, but not me,” Sing Song answered. Frost Bite, with Sing Song on his head, walked around the festive little town, passing by many ponies in costumes both familiar and unfamiliar to him. There was a knight, a pony wearing a heavy metal diver helmet, a mummy, and lots of others that seemed endless as they walked through the street. Reaching the center of town, Frost Bite saw catapults were set before a distance from the target boards. Some ponies were using them, loading pumpkins and shooting them and aiming for the target. Most of pumpkins missed, and only few barely hit the target. On the other side, wooden tubs filled with water scattered the ground. Frost bite went one of the tubs, and saw some apples floating on the water. Ponies by the other tubs were dunking their heads in the water, and pulled out with something in their mouth. The pony with an hourglass cutie mark had a pear in his mouth. He spat it out and put a scowl on his face. Obviously he hated pears. “Howdy!” A pony called out, walking to Frost Bite’s direction. The pony wore a tattered dress shirt with straws coming out of its sleeves and also wore a hat made of straw. It made Frost Bite thought that maybe he should get a costume too. “Hi?” Frost Bite said to the Southern accent. “You must be new ‘round here. I’m Applejack.” “I’m Frost Bite, and this is Sing Song,” he said then pointed his head where Sing Song was. Song Song waved at the pseudo scarecrow. “Ah thought ya’ll went back home?” Applejack wondered loudly, tilting her head. “I’m old enough to go out on my own, thank you,” Sing Song snapped. “Whoa there, nelly. Ah didn’t mean to offend ya. Anyways, it's Nightmare Night, you two could use a little fun!” Applejack pushed Frost Bite in front of the tub. “Go on then!” Sing Song got off Frost Bite’s head. Face to face with the pool of water, Frost Bite decided to try whatever this game was. He dunked his head, blindly bit something under the water, then pulled his head out. “Ta-da,” Frost Bite said nonchalantly. He took the object from his mouth and saw a colorful apple, covered in patterns of lightning. Whoever painted this was really good, Frost Bite thought. “Ya got the zap apple!? Shucks, no pony ever got in two years!” Feeling proud, Frost Bite raised his prize. “Wow, that’s great! What do I win?” “Nothin’!” “What? But you said this thing is special?” Frost Bite pointed to the apple. “If anythin’, that is the prize, sugar cube. Might tasty zap apples only comes once a year, ya know? Aren’t ya gonna eat it?” Frost Bite looked at the apple again. No matter how he stared at it, the apple still looked like an art piece than anything. For a moment, he imagined a pony carefully painting the apple with precision, making sure each detail was perfect. Maybe that’s why it’s so special? “If you’re not going to eat it, I will!” And with that, Sing Song flew to the oddly colored apple, and took a huge bite. After that, she stayed still. “uh, Sing Song?” Frost Bite shook his hoof a bit, moving the apple. Sing Song moved a bit, then started biting furiously around the fruit, like a lawn mower on an untended front lawn. The fruit was devoured after she moved seamlessly around the apple, and Frost Bite was left with an apple core and a breezie with a full belly. “Oh, it’s that good.” Frost Bite commented. “Well, ain’t that somethin’,” Applejack said. Frost Bite placed Sing Song back to his mane, letting her rest. “I guess that’s that. I’ll go look around, maybe play a few games.” “Sure, hope ya’ll enjoy yerselves!” Frost Bite walked away from Applejack and the tubs, and approached the pumpkin catapults. Ponies were already playing, sending the orange fruits into targets. Laughter and cheers permeated every time a pumpkin smashed into the targets. Frost Bite approached a pony playing one. “Hey, can I try?” he asked the pony covered in what seemed to be tissue paper. Frost Bite thought she might had a problem at a restroom and left with the tissue rolls. “Huh?” The pony turned around. “Sure, let me just send this one.” The mummy pony released the pumpkin, the fruit sailed the air, and it crashed in the ground, missing the target by only half a meter. “Aw, shucks,” said the mummy. “Maybe you’ll have a better chance.” With that, the pony stepped aside for for Frost Bite. Frost bite stepped before the catapult. He suddenly remembered: back in the Hive, they used a bigger version of the contraption. At least this time, it was not him who would be flying through the cold night air; it would be a pumpkin. The mummy pony pulled the catapult and loaded the pumpkin. Frost Bite remembered how the pony launched the pumpkin, so he stepped forward and aimed the catapult. With a bit of moving left and right, Frost Bite then checked the pumpkin if it was sitting nicely by looking down. He saw the pumpkin was nestled just fine, waiting to be launched. He pushed down a pedal, and launched the pumpkin. The fruit flew higher than it should had, and strangely, the pumpkin seemed to be screaming, and the scream became weaker as it sailed farther away from him. Oh well, he thought. Maybe I’m not cut out for it. “Wow, you’re terrible at this,” the mummy commented. “Tell me about it,” Frost Bite replied. “Right, Sing Song?” Frost Bite didn’t hear any reply. Maybe she’s too tired? Frost Bite thought that was the case and thanked the mare for letting him try. Off to explore! Walking around town made Frost Bite feel happy; no doubt the joy of festivities was very infectious. However, he did felt left out since he was the only one not wearing a costume. Fillies and adults alike wore them in spirit of the holiday. A light bulb popped out of his head and not literally because that would have been truly scary. He went to an alley, hidden from the rest, then undid his disguise. His true form emerged. “Hey, Sing Song, you don’t think they’ll know that I’m actually a changeling, right?” No response came from his head. Oh well, it’s not like they will know, he thought. He went out of the alley and approached a clearing where there was a stage in front. Ponies were dancing and singing at the stage, probably related to the holiday. The audience was cheering and also danced to the rhythmic performance. “Whoa, your costume looks so real!” a voice boomed from Frost Bite’s right. He turned and saw a small orange pony in a wolf costume. Truly adorable. “Uh, thanks kid. It’s personally made and stuff.” “Even the holes are real!” the wolf kid said as she poked Frost Bite’s hooves. “Ahahaha, yeah, just some accessories to make it look real!” Frost Bite pulled away from the kid’s poking. “Are you a dressmaker or something?” “No, I mean yes! Yeah, I do like making costumes.” “That’s awesome!” said the filly. “My friends and I tried making some, but it didn’t end well so we had to get Rarity to make them. I know my costume is pretty awesome and all, but yours just takes the cake! Even the wings look real!” “Your costume looks fantastic, don’t sell yourself short. Changelings aren’t that awesome.” Frost Bite scratched his head. “I bet you and Rarity can make the best Nightmare Night costume ever! You should meet her!” The little pony pulled Frost Bite into a small run. They zipped through the crowds and into a clearing before the town hall. Other little ponies gathered there, carrying small bags and comparing loot to each other, while others were eating theirs. “Hey, girls!” the orange pony called out. “Check out his costume!” Two ponies turned their gaze upon Frost Bite and their faces became plastered with wows. “That’s some costume!” the white unicorn pipped, wearing a cape and fake fang, and her mane slicked back. “For a second there, Ah thought we were under attack!” the yellow pony exclaimed. She had a ridiculous hairdo and some stitches around her body, drawn with markers. One can only hope they were not permanent. Frost Bite realized he heard of the kid’s accent before. “Nice to meet you, uh, kids,” Frost Bite said as he scratched his head. “Oh. yeah, I forgot to ask for your name! I’m Scootaloo!” “I’m Sweetie Belle,” said the vampire. “Ah’m Applebloom!” said the pony covered in marker writing. “And we are,” the trio said then paused. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Their little announcement made Frost Bite’s ears twitch in agony since their combined volume was something not to be trifled with. Frost Bite felt like they caused trouble as they had fun. “I’m Frost Bite.” “We should go get more candy from the houses!” Scootaloo said. “But we already did that,” Sweetie Belle stated. “They’re not gonna give us candy again, dodo.” “Yeah, kinda rude to keep askin’ for more,” Applebloom said as she took a chocolate bar from her pumpkin bucket and peeled it. “Fine. Let’s just introduce her to Rarity! I bet they can make something awesome together!” “Yeah!” the trio screeched together. The Crusaders dragged Frost Bite throughout the crowds, and this time faster than when Scootaloo did so. They arrived at a booth, where a white unicorn sat before it. The said unicorn wore layers of clothing embedded with gems and a veil covered her face. On the booth, tarot cards were scattered. “Rarity!” Sweetie Belle called. “Rarity, look what we found!” Don’t they mean ‘who they found’? “Darling, you do know I’m pretty busy at the moment—”The one named Rarity stared at the pony the Crusaders dragged. “My that is one well-made costume! Quite the craftsmanship, I must say.” “Uh, yeah, thanks.” “Hey girls!” a new voice said. Frost Bite saw a purple unicorn, no, pegasus approached them. “Oooh, that is one detailed changeling costume!” “Indeed!” Rarity replied. “I must say this pony sure know her ways in costume design. What is your name, dear?” “I’m Frost Bite, and this is Sing Song!” He pointed to his head. The ponies only stared at his head. “Darling, you gave your horn a name?” Rarity asked. “What, no. Sing Song is a breezie; she’s resting on my head.” Scootaloo tapped Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. “Looks like we snatched up a loony,” she whispered to them, though it was loud enough for others to hear. “I’m not crazy! Come on, Sing Song, wake up!” Frost Bite started to fumble through his mane, looking for his tiny companion. His hooves failed to find any signs of life. “Where did she go?” “You have a breezie friend?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Yes, and she was just sleeping on my head a while ago! Did she fall somewhere?” Frost Bite started to look under the booths. “You know, you do look like a real changeling,” the purple pony said. “Twilight, accusing ponies isn’t going to help find his lost friend,” Rarity said as she raised an eyebrow at her friend. “Not to worry, I’m pretty sure he’s not a changeling; still won’t hurt to check, right?” As Frost Bite checked every nook and cranny of booths, Twilight the unicorn/pegasus casted an aura around him. Frost Bite noticed the magic and turned to Twilight. “Uh, what are you doing?” A look of horror registered on Twilight’s face as she dispersed the spell. “Twilight? You alright?” Sweetie Belle tapped Twilight. “He’s a changeling,” Twilight said. “Very funny, Twilight,” Rarity said as she rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure Frost Bite appreciates that.” “GIRLS! I AM NOT KIDDING THIS PONY IS A CHANGELING NOT A PONY IN COSTUME!” Twilight exploded as she pointed a serious pointing hoof at the intruder. With that, ponies stopped and started to stare at the changeling Twilight called out and pointed at. Apparently, Twilight’s screaming made all the ponies celebrating pause and join the staring contest as well. “Oh, where are you… Uh, why are you all looking at me like that?” III: Trust IssuesAlarmed by Twilight’s sudden announcement, Ponyville became silent as its residents stopped to stare at the changeling. Their faces showed surprise, horror, and confusion. How can anyone blame them; the changelings did try conquering Canterlot. Meanwhile, Twilight still had her hoof pointed at Frost Bite. “Uh, I mean no harm?” Frost Bite said aloud. For a second, nobody responded, and then some pony screamed, “RUN!” Panicking ponies ran in all directions, rushing to get inside their homes, abandoning stalls, and hiding underneath tables and barrels as they screamed. For a short time, every pony was gone and surprisingly, nothing was damaged from the sudden stampede. “Wow, that’s something,” Frost Bite commented, knowing that even changelings don’t move that fast and carefully. “GET ‘IM!” Applejack announced, carrying a lasso ready to capture Frost Bite. Twilight pointed her horn at Frost Bite, which made him run. He ran as if a bear was going to maul him. “I’m sorry! I don’t know what I did, but I’m sorry!” Frost Bite screamed as he ran. “You ruined my brother’s wedding!” “But they still got married right!?” No wonder she’s angry; it was her brother’s wedding. Maybe she was the maiden of honor? “Enough!” Applejack jumped in front of Frost Bite and Twilight covered his back. He glanced left and right, seeing an alleyway in the former and a giant gingerbread house on the latter. While the house did look delectable and interesting, he knew his life was on the line so he ran to his left. He kept going then turned left and then another left. Finding a dead end, he looked around for something usable. He found a barrel and stuffed himself inside. Oh, sheesh, they're gonna kill me! Probably torture me, or worse, send me to the moon! What’s worse, Sing Song’s gone missing! This can’t get any worse. The thoughts swirled in his head. For that moment, he changed to his pony form. Hopefully, the one called Twilight wouldn’t use her spells on him if he was ever found. And then, he heard hoof steps. “Ah think he was ‘round here.” “Check everything, Applejack. We can’t let one changeling ruin our home. I’m pretty sure Chrysalis is up to no good.” Hearing the Queen’s name made his ear twitch. Frost Bite realized that they were thinking that Her Majesty sent him here. He thought of talking to them, but then he shook his head. It wasn’t going to work. Especially when he ruined a little mare’s brother’s wedding. The barrel’s lid he was hiding in got lifted by Applejack and she looked down on Frost Bite. “Yer safe now, come on,” Applejack said as she reached for what she assumed to be an innocent pony. Which he was. “Ah! No! Get away from me!” Frost Bite flailed his hooves at Applejack. “Simmer down, sugarcube. It’s me, Applejack. When ya got the zap apple, remember?” Of course, Frost Bite didn’t simmer down. How could he, knowing that Twilight Sparkle could bring down the hammer of justice on him at the moment she pointed her horn at him? “Who’s that?” the purple winged unicorn asked. “Some pony new ‘round here. Probably passin’ by. She played a bit of boppin’ apples.” Twilight then walked to them. “Let me check her, just to be sure.” Oh, good hives, here it comes! Frost Bite closed his eyes for the incoming magic, as if expecting it to hurt. “Twilight, there’s no need for that. Ah look in her eyes and ah know it’s her. This ain’t no changeling.” Twilight observed the pony in question. She then became worried for the blue unicorn who was obviously scared as she hid her face with her hooves and her teeth jittered. “Alright,” Twilight said as she powered down her magic. “Miss, you’re safe now. We won’t let anything harm you.” “Really?” Frost Bite asked as he felt Twilight’s words were genuine concern. “Yes, I assure you. Now we have to get you to safety; there’s a changeling on the loose.” Sing Song woke up to the question of ‘Who?’ that was repeated too many times. Who? Who? Who? “SHUT UP! Sing Song looked around and found she was in a branch of a tree and that she was covered in pumpkin flesh. She shook off the fruit remains. She realized she had been thrown away. “Who.” “I told you to shut—” Sing Song turned around and found an owl, just looking at her. “Oh.” Sing Song placed her hoof on her face. Sing Song realized the who’s weren’t questions; it was an owl hooting. She moved to see outside the tree and saw an empty town. Wait, what? The festival’s over? “Who.” “You’re annoying, you know that?” “Who?” “You.” “Who.” “Stop asking!” Sing Song heard a door opening and closing along with a set of hooves. She moved towards the tree and saw a window on the bark. It’s literally a tree house. Peering inside, Sing Song found three ponies; a purple alicorn, a light blue unicorn, and an orange earth pony. Frost Bite! The sight of her comrade filled her with relief and anger. He did made her flung all the way here. “Alright, there could be more of them outside, or maybe they have already replaced some of them,” the purple one said. “The changelings just won’t give up.” “Darn toothin’. Every pony’s in danger if we don’t do somethin’ ‘bout that.” The orange pony replied as she moved Frost Bite to sit in a cushion. “You alright, hun?” “I’m okay,” Frost Bite answered weakly. Sing Song can see Frost Bite’s nervousness being around them. Great, somehow every pony knows he’s a changeling! No wonder the town’s deserted. At least they know it’s not him. “Right. I have to write to Princess Celestia about this. That changeling queen is back; I’m pretty sure the first one we saw is just a scout.” Twilight went upstairs. Frost Bite, a scout? That’s a joke I’m pretty sure the queen of changelings will find so funny that she’ll be rolling on the ground like she’s on fire. “You do that; Ah’ll take care of her. Poor lil’ mare, scared like ah lil’ kitty.” Sing Song flew down from the window and landed on the table in front of the poneis. “Sing Song! You’re okay!” Frost Bite happily said. “You threw me into this tree!” “Right, sorry.” And he did look sorry. “Glad ya found your friend there,” Applejack said. Before Frost Bite could even say thanks, the library’s door was slammed open, revealing a pink hyper pony in a chicken costume. On her back were a pair of buckets filled to the brim with candy. “Twilight! Emergency! Every pony started hiding, and I can’t get candy anymore!” Pinkie Pie boomed. “Pinkie, calm down. Twilight’s already onto it, and ya already got too much candy,” Applejack said. “Was Nightmare Night over!? Did I do something? Did Princess Luna have gotten angry again?” Twilight came back to the room. “Alright, I have sent a letter to the Princess, we just have to wait.” “Twilight!” Pinkie immediately grabs the purple pony’s hoof. “Was Nightmare Night over again!?” “Pinkie, no, it’s not. It’s fine, don’t worry,” Twilight reassured Pinkie. “Actually no, there’s a changeling spotted.” Pinkie Pie’s face changed from worry and panic to a guerrilla soldier’s—stoic and serious and somehow, face painted with green camouflage. “Let’s get him.” Frost Bite began to tremble at the sight of the happy-go-lucky pony into a serious hunter. Oh my Queen, they want my dead body! He turned to Sing Song. “We have to get out of here! They’ll put my head on a stick and dance around it!” He muttered to his little friend, shaking his front hooves in the air. “First of, that’s a disgusting thought. Secondly, you’re overreacting! These ponies won’t harm a single fly. They’ll probably capture you alive, and negotiate with you.” “You don’t know what ponies are capable of!” Frost Bite grabbed Sing Song and brought her up to his face. “How did you think we got kicked out of that wedding? Not voluntary, that’s for sure!” Ponies were interesting and scary at the same time for Frost Bite. They dominated most of Equestria and even outnumbered the griffins or any other major species and for Frost Bite, their history was much more interesting than his own kind. Still, remembering the day they got blown away from Canterlot was a day he would never forget. Only ponies were capable of such magic, and not even Her Majesty could do such. “What’cha girls talking about?” Pinkie suddenly appeared on Frost Bite’s right. “WAH!” The pair screamed. The face-painted pony smiled at them. Well, she won’t be smiling for long once she knew I’m the one they’re looking for. “Nothing! We were just, uh… Talking about…” Sing Song struggled to find the word. “Mangoes!” Frost Bite exclaimed, while at the same time, Sing Song said “Apples!” They look at each other. Sing Song began to signal Frost Bite using her eyes. With that, Frost Bite nods with a look of absolute cooperation. “Mangoes!” Sing Song exclaimed, while at the same time, Frost Bite said “Apples!” For the unknownth time, Sing Song wanted to smack Frost Bite in his eyes, that way it could lead to permanent pain. She tried her best not to plant her hoof into her face and just sigh. Instead, she glared at the pseudo pony. “You guys must be hungry! Have some candy!” Pinkie Pie held out her bucket of sugar rush. “No thanks,” Sing Song answered, while Frost Bite took a candy cane and said, “Thanks!” “I’m kinda having a déjà vu here. Felt like it happened before, I can’t quite place it.” Pinkie rubbed her chin, trying to remember. “Alright, girls.” Twilight moved in between all of them. “We’ll split up and look for this changeling. Now, I will give each of you one of these.” She started giving out white gems. “Oooooh! Shiny!” Pinkie took hers from Twilight’s magic. “What’re these for, Twilight?” Applejack took hers as well. “These gems are enchanted so that they turn black whenever it is pointed at a changeling, whether in disguise or not. Since not all of us can cast the spell I’m using, this is the best tool for you so all of us can search. I’m going to find Rainbow so she can help us.” Help them search and destroy me. “You can stay here, uh…” Twilight said as she tried to remember Frost Bite’s name. “Frost Bite,” Applejack finished her sentence. “You’ll be safe here, sugarcube.” For a moment, Frost Bite wanted to believe in Applejack’s words but he knew she was also hunting for him. That wasn’t reassuring. “Let’s go!” Twilight announced. The three ran and left the library, leaving the wanted changeling and a breezie. “We have to get outta here!” Frost Bite bellowed. “Those ponies want me dead or alive and I think they’re more inclined to the former!” Sing Song hovered over Frost Bite’s face. “Chill out, you bugger. Look, I’ve seen ponies and they’re not as brutal as you think they are.” She then floated over the table. “They even left us one of those magic gems they’re using. I wonder if it actually works.” “No! It might disable my changeling abilities!” “Yeah right.” “You could care less since you’re not the one being hunted; I am! I am the changeling!” Frost Bite thundered. At the same time he did, the library’s door hanged open and in the door frame was a purple-scaled, wingless baby dragon whose jaw dropped at Frost Bite’s word. “Oh boy,” Sing Song muttered. “Oh boy what?” Frost Bite asked, to which Sing Song pointed at the door. “Oh.” Frost Bite began to stare at the dragon and the dragon did the same. They held gaze at each other, and Frost Bite slammed the door shut with his magic, which made the dragon jolt at the sudden movement. “Now what genius?” Sing Song inquired. “Stay back, Sing Song. This might get ugly.” From what Frost Bite knew, dragons were one of the most dangerous species he had heard back at the hive. He heard of tales where dragons stole treasures worth more than castles and kept them for collection and in most of the stories he heard, towns ended in mayhem and destruction. If that dragon was here, then they are in danger. Or at least that’s what was going on in Frost Bite’s mind. Frost Bite glared at the enemy and began to walk sideways, as if to engage combat. The dragon returned his glare, and followed suit, as if to accept the challenge. “You won’t get away with this,” the dragon said. Frost Bite then realized that the dragon was male from his voice. “Of course I won’t; I already have,” Frost Bite snapped back. Oh gosh, that’s such a cool comeback! “Yeah? I bet you can’t get through me!” The dragon hissed as he bared his claws. “I, uh, know martial arts!” Frost Bite answered and then made sounds of martial artists, such a wooooooooooo, and wachaa. I know, it sounds ridiculous. “Oh yeah!? I got, uh, really sharp claws!” The dragon announced as he swiped the air with slashes from his claws. That does sound painful. “Is that all? ‘Cause I got , um… magic! Magic that can, uh, break your bones!” Frost Bite continued to make ridiculous martial artist sounds and now, adding his horn to his arsenal, shook his head as if it was a weapon. “I can breathe fire, ha!” The dragon puffed out his chest, feeling confident. “Is that so? Well, I can—” “ENOUGH!” The dueling rivals stopped walking in circles, and faced the source of the sound. Sing Song was floating above them and then descended to Frost Bite’s face. “What were you thinking, picking a fight with a BABY dragon?!” Sing Song bellowed as she waved she waved her hooves frantically. “B-Baby?” Frost Bite muttered. “And to think you threatened to break his bones! Just-Just think about what you just said!” “I just thought dragons are dangerous...” “‘I just thought dragons are dangerous’,” Sing Song mockingly quoted. “Well, now you’re just being judgmental! Don’t you wanted the ponies to think otherwise for you? And yet just now you were doing the opposite of that!” With those words, Frost Bite fell on his haunches and looked at the floor, ashamed of what he had done. “And you!” Sing Song flew over to the dragon’s face. “Just because he’s a changeling, doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy!” “But the changelings attacked Cadence’s wedding...” “‘But the changelings attacked Cadence’s wedding’, whatever! They have a queen and they were probably following orders! That doesn’t make all of them bad!” It was the dragon’s turn to look down and feel bad for what he had just done. “There’s a reason the word ‘negotiation’ was made, and you two need to do that! But first, I think you owe each other an apology,” Sing Song said as she folded her hooves. The changeling and the dragon looked at each other, both hearts crushed at the realizations the breezie just gave them. After a few apologetic peeks at each other, the two muttered in unison, “I’m sorry.” “Look, I’m really sorry. I don’t really know martial arts,” Frost Bite said. “Me too. I never really used my claws other than holding stuff,” the dragon replied. “I don’t even know magic that much; I can barely lift stuff!” “I can breathe fire, but not much that can harm any pony!” And so the two laughed and soon, both of them were on the floor as they laughed. It took a full minute before their laughter subsided and turned to smiles. “So, you’re not a bad changeling?” the dragon asked. “Yeah. So you’re not a bad dragon?” “Yup.” They stood up and walked closer to each other. “Well thank goodness that was over,” Sing Song said, floating above them. “I’m Spike,” the dragon said as he stretched his claw. “I’m Frost Bite,” the changeling placed his hoof, and shaked. He then pointed up. “And that’s Sing Song!” Sing Song then landed on Frost Bite’s head. “It’s kinda weird, you know,” Spike said. “What is?” Sing Song asked. “You two!” Spike exclaimed. “You’re the oddest pairing I’ve ever seen; I mean a changeling and a breezie, that coupling is weird. No offense.” “None taken,” Frost Bite replied. “We’re actually travel buddies; we plan to go all over Equestria!” “That’s awesome!” “I know right?” “So, uh,” Spike stammered. “Can I see your real look? What you really look like?” The question took Frost Bite by surprise and even Sing Song too. Heck, me too. “Um, why?” “I don’t know. I’m just curious.” “Well,” Frost Bite said. He paused for a while, and thought about if it was a good idea or not. “Okay, I trust you, and I think I can prove that by showing you. Just don’t panic when you see, okay?” Spike nodded. Frost Bite undid his disguise; his white made was replaced with short, spiky, dark cerulean mane, his blue coat turned to black and clear insect wings appeared on his sides that spreaded wide open. “Whoa, dude that’s creepy,” Spike commented as he pointed at him. “Hence, my original form,” Frost Bite said as he reverted back to his pony version. “Wait, original?” “It’s my own look! It’s what I think I’d look like if I was a pony.” “So you want to be a girl? I mean, from your changeling form, you do look like a dude...” Spike tilted his head. “No!” Frost Bite screeched. “Why does every pony think of that?” “That you’re a changeling?” “No, that I’m female!” “Then why do you even change into a mare?” “Because I look good! I feel cool and awesome.” A knock came from the door. Spike went and opened the door, only to be greeted by three little fillies, whom Frost Bite recognized as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Hey girls!” Spike said. “Oh, hey Spike!” the yellow one named Applebloom replied “We’re looking for a changeling!” the orange Scootaloo said as she looked around, scanning for their prey. “Cutie Mark Crusaders Hunters!” Sweetie Belle hollered. Frost Bite’s face contorted into fear. If they find out that I’m the one, they’ll tell Twilight then she’ll take me to the authorities then capital punishment! Spike looked at Frost Bite and gave him a reassuring nod. Frost Bite felt a bit better, knowing that some pony was on his side, but it felt odd for him to gain comfort from a baby. “Nope, no changeling here! Just me and uh, Frost Bite here.” Spike gave the fillies a smile that Frost Bite hoped would make the fillies leave. “Frost Bite?” Sweetie Belle wondered loudly. “Isn’t he the one dressed-up as a changeling earlier?” “Yeah, then Twilight said he’s the real deal! We found him!” Scootaloo said. All of a sudden, the Crusaders took out tools; Sweetie Belle held a net, Scootaloo, held a baseball bat, and Applebloom held a pair of hoof cuffs. Frost Bite held a face of fear. “Wait a minute!” Spike said as he jumped in front of Frost Bite. “Just wait!” Scootaloo ignored Spike and tackled Frost Bite, knocking him down as he yelped. “Why?” Scootaloo questioned. “He’s right here, tricking you into something evil and diabolical!” Diabolical? Frost Bite knew he wouldn’t dare to do something like that; that’s the Queen’s job. “He’s not a bad changeling!” Spike exclaimed as he waved his claws toward Frost Bite. “He might be one of those who ruined the wedding, but he’s a nice guy; give him a chance.” The Crusaders looked baffled at what Spike had to say. They looked at each other and whispered. Mumblings and hushes emitted from the small gathering, and after a few seconds, they faced Spike again. “Okay, we’ll give him a chance,” Sweetie Belle announced. “What?” Spike and Frost Bite said. “Well, that was easy,” Sing Song smirked. “Wait wait wait...” Frost Bite scratched his head. “Aren’t you girls there at the wedding we trashed? We ruined a wedding of some pony you know!” “Of course we were there!” Applebloom proudly answered. “But it’s not like we got harmed or anything.” “We could’ve done something, but Sweetie Belle insisted that we hid right after we tossed the petals around,” Scootaloo remarked. “That changeling queen did look creepy, but I sure could have helped Rainbow Dash kicking her royal butt!” Scootaloo bucked the air with her hind hooves. “More like end up in green icky goo,” Sweetie Belle commented. “What did you say?!” “Nothing.” “I dare you to say that again!” “You’ll just have to clean your ears more often if you want to hear properly.” “Why you—” The two started to fight, waving their hooves at each other from a safe distance. To others, the fight looked more like foals trying to play with each other. “So, do they always fight like this?” Frost Bite inquired, scratching his head probably too many times by then. “Well, they were arguing about who gets to name the changeling when we capture it before we got here, but I guess we won’t be doing that.” Applebloom watched her friends with little interest. Frost Bite shuddered at Applebloom’s sentence, but also relieved knowing that won’t be the case anymore. To named like a pet, ugh… The fight ended with zero casualties. With new friendships formed, they all waited for Twilight and gang to return and explain to them what had just happened. As they wait, Spike pulled out a board game of Monopoly, and invited the others to play. Spike set up the game on the floor and took a silver horseshoe as his piece. For Frost Bite, he picked the breezie piece, which was almost the same size as Sing Song; Scootaloo picked a small bike, Sweetie Belle a thimble, and Applebloom,—guess what it is—an apple. Since Frost Bite didn’t know how to play, Spike teached him the rules, and minute, they started to play the board game known to drive families and friends alike apart. Sing Song decided to be the banker. After ten minutes, Spike was leading the highest earner, Applebloom second, Sweetie Belle going third, Scootaloo grumpily taking fourth, and Frost Bite ended last. Frost Bite landed too much on ‘Go To Jail’, and every time he took a community chest, he would go to jail or pay random bills. Since then, he feared the chests and chances; they were cursed to him. Much later in the game, Frost Bite undid his pony form. The Crusaders were persistent, so he reluctantly agreed to show them. The amazement on the kids didn’t last a minute and soon they were back in the game. It made Frost Bite disappointed; he thought his form could distract them from the game and he could take a bit from the back, but then Sing Song was the banker; he might get a penalty from her. Staying in his true form, Frost Bite stashed his money on his hoof’s holes. It was an odd sight, but it’s pretty handy for him. “Do not pass go...” Frost Bite mumbled as he read the chance card. He hated that set of orange cards that seemed bent on making him lose all of his money. It made him wonder if he was bad at gambling as well (He was terrible). The library opened, revealing Twilight Sparkle and her friends behind her. When Twilight saw the crusaders and her baby dragon playing Monopoly with a changeling, her mind immediately tried to reason with the scene. The reason that won in her head was that the changeling was controlling their minds, forcing them to play the very board game her friends refused to play. Twilight liked that board game, but her friends didn’t seem to share the excitement and enthusiasm of buying and trading properties, and making your rivals bankrupt. What’s not so fun about that, she thought to herself. “Spike?” Twilight called out. Spike contemplated whether he should buy Canterlot with his hard-earned money or not. Leaving it for auction might make it cheaper for others, and he did not want to give the others the satisfaction. “Spike!” “Okay! I’m buying it!” Spike exclaimed. Suddenly, the board game flew away from the players, and drew their attention to the newcomers. “Oh.” The Crusaders and Spike became enveloped in Twilight’s magic and got pulled away from the changeling. “You’re not tricking any other ponies anymore, mister!” Applejack stomped in front. Frost Bite swore he saw fire blowing out of Applejack’s nose, but it was most likely just in his head. “Not this again,” Sing Song said as she dropped a green plastic house she was playing with. Frost Bite flinched at Applejack’s statement, and suddenly he was encased in magic and levitated towards Twilight. “Twilight, stop! He’s a good guy!” Spike grabbed Twilight’s leg. “That’s what he wanted you guys to believe. Now get behind us!” Twilight exclaimed as Applejack took out a rope. Twilight then pointed her horn at Frost Bite. “Yeah, out of the way Spike. Just let me at him!” the rainbow-maned pegasus said as she stretched her wings, preparing to take Frost Bite down. “Of course that’s what he wanted us to believe! He IS a good guy!” Spike ran in front of the mares. “Just give him a chance! Look what happened with Zecora; you can’t judge him because of what his kind did. He is his own pony!” Twilight paused as did the magic from her horn. The iridescent, however, had other plans. Fast as a bolt of lightning, she tackled the changeling, and pinned him to the ground. “Now Pinkie!” Out of nowhere, a pink blob jumped out behind them, and the rainbow pony tossed Frost Bite inside a barrel. “Do the honors, Pinkie!” “Aye aye, captain!” Pinkie saluted, wearing a pirate cap and an eye patch. Cramped inside the barrel, Frost Bite could smell the sweet scent within it, mostly like cake and frosting. “Frost Bite!” Sing Song jumped inside the barrel, and faced Frost Bite’s rear. “Get out of there!” “I’m afraid that’s not an option I can make!” Unbeknownst to the duo, Pinkie Pie turned the barrel around and then lit a matchstick. She then lit the barrel. “Do you smell that?” Frost Bite tried to move, but the space just didn’t allow it. “Smells like a burning matchstick...” A barrel AND a matchstick… It clicked together to the minds of the duo inside. It wasn’t a barrel, it was a— “A CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON?!” The Renegades blasted out of the library’s window, and as soon they were out of sight, a star twinkled in their place. Pinkie Pie went outside the library and drew a big breath. “IT’S A PARTY CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!” Author's Note If you want to see old version, go HERE! Also, do comment any errors and I'll fix 'em up! IV: The Princess's ApprenticeScream. It was to suddenly cry out in a loud and high voice because of pain, surprise, or in this case, fear. As the renegades’ velocity increased with each second passing, Frost Bite’s screams became louder than ever. And it certainly was hurting Sing Song’s ears. By the time they crashed, she would be deaf. That was, if they even manage to survive. Flying at a speed only Wonderbolts would know, Sing Song gripped hard at Frost Bite’s horn. It amazed her how she could hold on for long. “Frost Bite!” Sing Song called out “AHHHHHHHH!” was the only sound that registered as a reply from her cowardly friend. “FROST BITE!” Frost Bite stopped screaming, leaving her mouth open. “Do something!” “Like what!?” “I don’t know, turn into a pony!” So Frost Bite did. After a flash of green, he turned into his pony self. “Not a unicorn, you raisin brain! Pegasus!” “Right!” Another zap of green light, and Frost Bite looked the same as ever. “What the hay, Frost Bite!?” “I’m a Pegasus! No problem!” Frost Bite said as he flapped his new wings. “Glide! Control the fall!” Even though Frost Bite knew she can’t even fly properly, he extended his wings against the punishing winds which only proved to be futile. “I can’t!” “Just try!” And try as he might, their speed made it impossible to actually gain control of their flight. “The wind is too strong! I can’t control it!” “So you’re just going to let us die!?” Before Frost Bite could even reply, he saw the quickly approaching tower in front of them. He knew they will crash into it, like a bug squashed into a speeding carriage. As a parent and child walk down the road in Canterlot, the child looked up to the sky out of boredom and lo, he saw what seems to be a miracle. “Look, ma! A shooting star!” A little colt tugged his parent. “Son, there are no stars in the day. It’s early morning.” The mother patted her child in the head. “But ma! Look!” “Oh child, this is-” And so her jaw dropped as she saw the sailing shining sparkle across the sky. “Dear Princesses! It’s a shooting star!” “Told you, ma!” “Princess Luna has blessed our day!” The mother picked up her child and hugged him. Though the child was happy to see the star, he couldn’t seem to shake off the thought that he heard the said star to be screaming… Princess Luna just woke up—still feeling a bit sleepy and wanting to go back to slumber—but decided against it. She's a princess after all; she should spend time wisely and be an example, like her sister. Princess Luna stood up and went through the balcony doors. The sun was rising and Princess Luna gazed upon her sister's work as she placed her hoof on the balcony railing. She couldn’t help but feel a bit useless. Then, she let out a big sigh. Her sister Celestia raised the sun and Luna herself raised the moon. And Luna's responsibilities ended there. Her sister, however, had seemingly endless list of them. Politics, leader, counsel, prime representation of Equestria itself and more, etcetera etcetera... Princess Luna knew that can't be helped; she did just have gotten free from her dark past. Or one could say, she just got out of jail, and just like any other prisoners, time moved on even while she was in captivity. There was no escaping time, and while she was gone, Princess Celestia became what Equestria needed and wanted. And Princess Luna? She was just an extra. Or so she so thought herself. At least in politics. So much of the laws have changed, and there were simply too much new ones to learn. While it would take a lifetime of studying to master them, she'd rather do something in the present. Other than politics, there wasn’t much. She did went on the Nightmare Night at Ponyville; it was her chance to actually learn about her ponies and the norms they have. While it was weird for her to celebrate a holiday about herself eating children and only appeased when given candy, her attendance was still a success. With the help of her saviors Twilight Sparkle and her friends, she gained the heart and trust of the little Ponyville. Without them, ponies would have been kneeling whenever she passed through. With her success at Ponyville, she thought she could recreate her success at other places. Needless to say, it was hard for her to actually do it herself; convincing ponies she's not Nightmare Moon was no easy task. So while the world still feared her (which in contrary, she was actually popular, and had fans all over), it made her think what she can actually do. Her sister had done a number of feats; first and foremost, running a nation. Second was raising her own student and even bring the said student to princess hood. Who could beat that!? Also, she brought sun AND moon in the sky during her absence. Raising the moon was already tiring, but both sun and the moon? When does Celestia ever get her sleep...? Princess Luna's body slumped into the railing and her muzzle laid flat on it. She let out another sigh. What must I do? And then, a star twinkled in the middle of the morning sky. Was it a sign? A guide from the heavens? It was very unusual to see such a star shine so bright under sunlight. So rare that the star seems to be coming closer... Wait, what? And as the star comes closer, a sound emanated, and as it came closer, the more it sounded like screams. What is going on? Princess Luna took a step back and observed the oncoming object. It seemed to have specifically targeted her. Perhaps it was an attack? A threat? Whatever it was, she must capture the projectile; she could learn more that way. She lit up her horn and created a special barrier around her. The magic was a field of suspension aura, stopping anything caught in it like they have been paused in time. The only thing left to do for the princess of the night was to brace for impact. And… silence. The barrier was made to make no sounds, so no booms or whatever there. Thought you’d hear a weird beam sound or some sort of magic funky tune? Ha, no. You get nothing. Princess Luna looked at her newly caught thing. Oh, it’s a pony…. Unicorn? No, pegasus? No… An alicorn. An alicorn!? The princess observed the caught pony even more carefully, and to her relief, the pony was a unicorn. But for a second back there, she saw an alicorn. It was clear, and her eyes weren’t lying to her. Then where were her wings just now? This blue pony obviously had them, but looking at her now, she was just an ordinary unicorn. What did that mean? What if it’s a sign? A sign for what, she asked herself. What if this pony… was to be her apprentice?! Yes, her sister did have a student, but this one was too old for the task. Could this pony be actually…? Frost Bite felt a weird sensation around her. To him, it felt like being in midair, but he was not flapping his wings, so he knew he was sort of floating or levitating. Of course, the answer was obviously Princess Luna's magic, but his eyes were shut tight, waiting for the indescribable pain that was supposed to come. Am I dead? Was that it? Well, that was painless. Frost Bite slowly opened one of his eyes, curious to how afterlife finally looked like. He was expecting all white place with a booming voice that probably represented an almighty being, but instead he was greeted by a dark-blue winged unicorn, grinning at him. Frost Bite wasn't sure which one was more surprising; his expectation or reality. Well, what better way to know than to actually ask. “Am I dead?” was the simple question Frost Bite asked.. The azure unicorn/pegasus seemed unfazed at her statement and gave instead rather an over enthusiastic response. “Fear not! Thou art safe in our care. Oh, thou art the one!” The pony lowered him from her magic barrier. Frost Bite observed the pony before him. She was a tall unicorn with wings and had wavy mane, like really wavy and sparkled like the night sky. Her smile so bright that it made Frost Bite feel a bit unsafe. After all, who said this pony isn't insane? Sing Song wasn’t moving from his head, which worried him. "Ah yes! Thou- I mean, you must be a student of magical arts, right?" Frost Bite was forced to smile, still not sure who was the pony before her, uh him. Better not disappoint the loony. "Yes, ma'am. I, uh, came from a school from, uh, Badlands. I am the top student there!" Frost Bite can only chuckle forcefully after that sentence. "The Badlands? I have not heard of an academy in such a place," the azure unicorn/pegasus said, raising her eyebrows. Then she returned to her happy face. "Oh, that does not matter! I haven't even heard of Ponyville when I came back." "So, ma'am-" "Please, call me Luna!" "Luna, what-" "Oh yes, you must tell me! What are you currently studying? Is it a specialized magic? Like friendship?" Frost Bite scrambled his head for an answer. What magic? I can barely lift a barrel! Wait, what kind of magic is friendship? The thought gave him an idea... "The theory of... Happiness...?" "Oh, what wonderful subject! I am sure that my sister will be delighted that I have found you! Why, you came right to me! Surely you are looking for my guidance?" One thing's for sure; this pony Luna was very excited. Way too excited, maybe, but she seemed nice, so Frost Bite thought he might as well go along with it. "Why yes, Luna. I am pretty sure you will guide me to the best of my studies," Frost Bite said with utmost perfect. Might as well act the part. "Then it is decided! Starting today, you shall be under my apprenticeship!" She turned around and started to walk toward the door but then stopped and turned around again. "I am terribly sorry, but I have not asked thy name." "You may call me Frost Bite," he said in a way royalty does. Maybe I'm overdoing it? "Well then Frost Bite, we must get things settled before we officially begin your apprenticeship. Come along, my faithful student." Frost Bite knew he might get busted for not actually being a student of magic, but he knew he cannot exactly back out now, so he bowed to Luna. "Yes, ma'am," he replied. For the next hours, Frost Bite had to fill up a bunch of papers he didn't know were needed for such apprenticeship. He could not even fill up some of the items on the papers, like who his parents were. He couldn't just write Her Majesty's name on the paper; that's asking for punishment. So had to guess false names. For his dad, Freeze Blast was what he wrote—which sounded a bit like a superhero name. For his mom, he wrote Ice Heart. Close enough to his true parent, he thought. But of course, how could he forget about Sing Song. She was still passed out, and when he checked again, she still was asleep. He decided to leave her in his mane for a while. And so he finished the papers. He never thought he would come to hate writing, but at that moment, he didn't want to write anything else. This reminded him of his journal that left it at Mango Jill's balloon along with his other stuff. He missed his journal, but he didn't want to write on it for now. "Excellent!" said Luna, seeing her new protégé was done. "Now we can test your magic capabilities! Come now." After a few minutes of walking, they enter a wide and tall room, which was like, every room there. This room however had a square platform that occupied the middle of the room. While Frost Bite was really impressed by the interior decor of the building, he could not appreciate it enough since he had to keep up with his new mentor’s fast pace. "Well then, we will begin with the basics! I know, for veteran magic users such as us would have no need for it, but I do believe in warming up for the main objective." "Of course, Luna." Frost Bite spoke like he knew whatever she was saying, but if their magic session was more than levitation, he knew he will probably be busted. For that reason, he was really, really sweating a lot. "We will start with levitation!" Frost Bite sighed in great relief. Okay, I can do this. Luna levitated a pair of mannequins out of a cabinet on the very right of the room and placed them in the platform on the middle. "The main objective is to levitate the manikins without faltering for two minutes. I know, this must be boring, but we must do so! Begin whenever you’re ready.” Luna went to the side of the square and sat down. And Frost Bite stepped onto the platform. Two minutes? While it sounded simple enough, he was worried the manikins might weigh heavier that they look. Well, I got myself into this mess. Frost Bite levitated the pair of mannequins with ease. They were light, much to his relief. Levitation was a breeze for him since he had done it with a pair of sandwiches. To actually think that that weird act could be useful in this… Two minutes later, Frost Bite lowered the manikins. Luna clapped her hooves joyfully. “Excellent, my little pony! Onto the next test!” Luna returned the manikins to the cabinet. “Now, we shall review… teleporting!” Oh dear. He knew this is going to be a problem; no one in their Hive could teleport, not even the Queen. It was weird for him that the Queen could not even do it, though she did have great magical prowess. Maybe the Her Highness never found it useful? “Are you alright, my little pony?” Luna asked. “You seem to be sweaty.” Of course he was. This was impossible for him. How could I get through this? There’s no denying that unicorns use this magic pretty often. How? How!? “I, uh, don’t know.” “I’m sorry?” “I don’t know how to teleport.” “Nonsense! An overachiever such as you should not be intimidated by a simple task. Perhaps you hit your head as you sailed your way into my balcony?” Luna teleported in front of Frost Bite, and he was really impressed by that. “Alright, perhaps I should remind you how.” Luna’s horn glowed in blue hue and she approached Frost Bite. She then tapped her horn into his. Frost Bite then felt something entering his mind. No, it was like an old memory resurfacing from being forgotten. Luna released her horn from his. Frost Bite remembered something. In his mind, the steps of teleportation floated. It was a bizarre experience, to remember something he was not familiar with; the instructions of teleport became etched on his mind. “I do believe this should suffice?” Before he even realized, Luna had teleported back to her seat. “Now make me proud!” Frost Bite wasn’t sure what had just happened. His mind suddenly had information on how to teleport! It was exciting for him since he had never tried this before, but also scared since he had never tried this before. Failing would disappoint Luna and she might suspect him, so he could not screw this one up. According to the instructions given to him, he should look to the target location, and imagine himself placing his hooves on that location. Sounds simple enough. Well, here goes nothing. Frost Bite closed his eyes and imagined stepping on the farther part of the platform. With that, he activated his horn. Did it work? Frost Bite slowly opened his eyes. Oh dear Hives, I did it! He managed to go from the center to the edge of the platform. He did little jumps over his new found ability. Wow, I know something that the Queen doesn’t! “I knew you could do it! Now do it five times in a row, and we’ll call it a day.” Frost Bite froze. Five times? In a row? Oh dear. Can I do it? His mind began to panic and he started to sweat. He gulped and looked at the platform. According to his handy instructions, it was the same as single teleport. He just had to do it while remember all locations. Frost Bite looked at different points in the platform, closed his eyes again and started to imagine his hooves touching each location. Frost Bite opened his eyes. He was in the same location as he was. Oh no, I failed. His mind panicked and began planning for escape routes, though there is only one escape route which was the door they entered from. “Bravo! Bravo!” Luna clapped her hooves louder than before. “Spectacular, Frost Bite! Not many ponies can actually teleport several times.” Wait, I actually did teleport? So I just returned to his position? A smile formed on his face. Frost Bite realized he could actually teleport not only once, but five times in a row. It was a feat only he had done, a feat that no other changeling can! The thought filled him with excitement. “Ah yes, it is lunch already,” Luna said, observing the clock above the room. “Come now, Frost Bite. We must attend to our daily nutrition.” Frost Bite decided to redirect his excitement to food. After all, both things were worth getting excited for. Ah, lunch. Now that was something Frost Bite looked forward to for today. He didn’t even notice that he had skipped breakfast doing paperwork and basic magic. At least he could eat to his heart’s content. He noticed Luna was pretty wealthy, having guards in uniform at almost every door they passed by in the hallways and not to mention, the place was huge. Each room had a chandelier, fancy wall décor and other stuff that Her Highness would had liked. This place kind of looked like Canterlot Castle. Frost Bite had never been to the castle though, just pictures from a magazine he found when he visited Canterlot during the invasion. Luna seemed to be very happy, as she always was since he met her. Maybe she really wanted a student? Few minutes later, they arrived at a dining room that had a really long fancy table with fancy cushions. This feels like royalty. The guards opened the doors for them. “Come, let us sit,” Luna said as she sat down. Frost Bite sat down next to her without hesitation. He felt the cushions were so comfy he could sleep on them; it made him wonder if he could take them. “Frost Bite, you are absolutely fantastic! I mean, we haven’t done anything else than the basics, but I’m very certain you will astound me even more with your academics.” “Uh, of course, Luna. Academics.” Oh boy. “Or perhaps you prefer practical magic? I do prefer activities done by our horns rather than paper.” Their conversation was interrupted by sound of opening doors. A white unicorn/pegasus entered the room, her mane flowing like water with iridescent colors. Much like Luna, she was very tall and had longer snout. She was breathtaking for Frost Bite. “Hello, my dear sister,” the white one said. Even her voice sounded majestic to Frost Bite. “Oh? I didn’t know we had a guest.” “Celly, you will not believe what had happened this morning!” Luna surely was very excited. “Perhaps you can start by telling me who is your friend here?” The tall pony named Celly sat down across them. “Celly, this is my personal student, my protégé, my apprentice, Frost Bite!” Frost Bite can only bow his head, blushing. “Your student? My, I didn’t know you took students, sister.” Celly’s face was of wonder. “Yes, even I thought so. But Frost Bite, she is a very promising unicorn, I must say.” Frost Bite zoned out on their conversation. He just stared at Luna’s sister. She was just so graceful, so caring, and so… majestic. Her voice was like music to him that he could listen to all day. Is this what they call a crush? He never had a crush, since he had always confused the genders of ponies whenever he saw them, but Celly was different. She just radiated kindness and beauty. “Frost Bite, are you listening?” Luna asked. “What? Oh, yes, I mean, yes.” “My sister was just wondering about your research on happiness. Perhaps you can tell us something about it?” Happiness? What are they talking about? Oh right. He did mention the theory of happiness; His little lie to convince Luna earlier. What was he supposed to say? What is Happiness? How do you even research happiness? Come on, think. Before Luna could even press him further, ponies entered the room, carrying silver trays. The ponies placed the food before each pony on the table and left the room. “We can talk about it later,” Celly said. “I am pretty famished from doing all my work since morning.” “Very well.” It was a close call for Frost Bite. He silently thanked the ponies who brought food to their table and looked at the grub served before him; it was salad of many varieties of vegetables. He had never seen this many vegetables in one bowl. It made his stomach growl, and his head down onto the food. Frost Bite relished every single bite. As he was munching loudly, Luna only stared at her student. Celly only giggled at the sight. Frost Bite looked up, chewing his last bite and noticed the sisters staring. “What?” he asked. "Oh, it is nothing," said Celly. Lunch proceeded without any sound while Frost Bite's munched noisily. The sisters were done, but Frost Bite still wanted more. "Will there be dessert?" he asked. "Of course," Celly said. "Just ring for the waiter and tell him what you want." Anything? Frost Bite's mind began exploring for dessert that he wanted, but was simply too many to choose from. Ice cream? Fruit salad? Oh! How about cake? But what kind of cake? Maybe simple chocolate cake? But what about Black Forest cake? Seeing that Frost Bite was distracted with dessert, Princess Celestia smiled. "Luna," she called. "What is it?" she replied with a joyful face. "May I speak with you for a moment?" "But of course." They left the room, telling Frost Bite they'll be back. "Well Luna," Princess Celestia said. "I did not know you wished to be a teacher yourself. Where did you find this little pony?" "Ah, I'm glad you asked!" Princess Luna exclaimed. "You see, she directly went to me at my balcony this morning. I am not sure how she managed to propel herself into the balcony, but I saw a sign, sister. A sign that she may be the next one!" "Pardon me, but the next what exactly?" "The next princess!" If Princess Celestia was drinking tea, she would have spit it on Luna's face. "Sister, what exactly did you see back then?" "An image of what she will become! She was sailing through the skies. When I caught her this morning, I saw Frost Bite, I saw her with wings! But then when I looked again, she is but a unicorn." Princess Celestia can't help but ponder at her statement. She 'caught' her? Princess Celestia was pretty sure visions important as a new princess didn’t come like this. They came in dreams and prophecies. And then, she remembered Twilight's letter this morning. It was about a changeling in Ponyville that Twilight's friend, Pinkie Pie sent flying away through a cannon. Soon, the dots connected in her mind, and then, a smile formed on her face. V: Cantering in CanterlotSing Song woke up. She was pretty sure she had died from that crash, so it would make sense to her if she could go through walls and haunt every pony. But first, she had to look around and confirm where she was. Wait, this is Frost Bite’s mane! Sing Song poked her head out of Frost Bite’s mane and realized they were probably pretty much dead, seeing the place looked immaculate with fancy décor on the walls worthy only by royalty. She looked down and saw a bunch of empty plates that once held food, food that were now in Frost Bite’s belly. "Frost Bite?" Sing Song asked. "Sing Song! You're awake! You got to try these uh, what are they called... Macaroons!" Frost Bite held one up into Sing Song's face. "Put that thing away from me, or so help me." "Geez, no need to be sour there." Frost Bite then ate the macaroon in one bite. Sing Song—looking at the room they were in—thought the place had to be really expensive. It was like a princess's dining room, which begged the question; whose place was this? "Hey, where are we?" Sing Song asked. "We're in my mentor's house! Or mansion? I'm really sure, this place is huge but I really think this place is Celly's property." Sing Song flew down from Frost Bite's mane and landed on the table. "Who's Celly?" she asked. "She's a really nice pony." Frost Bite stared into space, almost like daydreaming. "Like really nice. I like being around her." Frost Bite had a crush? It was a thought Sing Song found funny, but she had to think about that later. There were pressing matters she had to check. "Frost Bite, how did we get here and how did you get them to feed you?" Frost Bite ate the last of macaroons. "Remember we were crashing to a pillar?" He licked his hooves and lips. "Luna caught me before I crashed into her. I really thought I was dead when I opened my eyes, but Luna did this shield magic thing and saved us." Ah yes. She just remembered their moments of flight and terror. Who knew a cannon could actually send a pony to the next town? At least now she knew, which was useless information to her was. Sing Song realized she must have passed out before they were saved. Wait, Luna? That name seems familiar. Isn't she the princess of...? "We're in Canterlot Castle!?" "I didn't even know we are in Canterlot! This is great, we don't even have to travel by hoof or even by train." Frost Bite clapped his hooves in delight. "Anyways, aren't you hungry?" "Huh?" "Come on, you got to eat! They have everything, and I mean literally everything." While Sing Song was still skeptical about where they were, she was pretty hungry. Literally everything, huh. "Okay, could you get me chocolate marble brownie?" Frost Bite levitated the bell in the middle of the table and rang it three times. In a few seconds, a pony dressed in white dress shirt with a bow tie came into the room and went to Frost Bite’s side. “Yes, ma’am?” “Right, uh,” Frost Bite said, rolling his eyes at the waiter’s words. “Can you get me chocolate marble brownies?” “Certainly. Will that be all?” “Yes, thank you Kindred.” The pony waiter then went away to get their order. “That’s so amazing! I feel like a princess.” Frost Bite giggled at the thought. Sing Song was reminded upon hearing princess. They probably were in Canterlot, but Sing Song was worried if they are in Canterlot Castle. If Frost Bite got caught by the princesses’ themselves, she couldn’t imagine what could happen to her bug friend. “Frost Bite, do they know about your true form?” “No, they think I’m some student looking for an apprenticeship. By the way, being Luna's apprentice is pretty sweet! I learned how to teleport, you know?” “Okay, isn’t that basic magic?” “Not for us! It’s amazing when Luna gave me the instructions just by touching her horn with mine and bam! I got it so easy.” It seemed Luna didn’t know about Frost Bite’s true form yet. Sing Song could only hope it stayed that way, however her sister Celly—who was probably Celestia—might be a different case. Before Sing Song could ask another question, the Royal Sisters entered the room. “Luna!” Frost Bite called. “Wait, should I call you master or Master Luna?” “Please, Luna is just fine, Frost Bite,” Luna answered as she and Celly sat down on their designated seats. Forget the name Celly. This is Princess Celestia! The presence of the Royalty made Sing Song nervous, not only because of Frost Bite’s secret but also because she had never met them before—perhaps it was more of Frost Bite that was making her heart jump repeatedly. “Oh? I did not know you brought a friend with you, Frost Bite,” Princess Celestia said as she looked at the breezie atop their table. “Oooh, such a wondrous creature!” Princess Luna said excitedly. “I have never seen such beauty before.” Luna moved closer to Sing Song, which surprised her. Sing Song was about to thanks Princess Luna for compliment but then she said “Where did you capture this one?” Princess Celestia cleared her throat, calling Princess Luna’s attention. “Luna, breezies aren’t creatures to be caught. They are sentient beings, like us.” Sing Song was thankful for Princess Celestia’s words. Princess Luna could only blush in embarrassment. Sing Song could only think that Princess Luna hasn’t seen a breezie, or maybe their kind wasn’t big back then a thousand years ago. “I apologize for my rudeness, little one,” Luna said. “It’s alright, Princess,” Sing Song replied, in which Luna smiled at. “Frost Bite, I was wondering if you can tell us about your studies about happiness,” Princess Celestia said. “Oh, right, the theory of happiness. Yeah, big theory that is,” Frost Bite replied nervously. Sing Song noticed Princess Celestia eyeing Frost Bite. While the princess was smiling, there was something behind it. She wasn’t sure if it was sinister or not, but knowing that Frost Bite’s identity was on the line, she was sure Princess Celestia might had suspicions about Frost Bite. “Oh yes,” Princess Luna said. “This theory does sound like quite a story!” Sing Song looked at Frost Bite and knew he was in trouble. His sweat and darting eyes obviously told Sing Song he didn’t know what to say. She had to save him. “Princess Celestia!” Sing Song called out. “Yes?” “I really want to thank you sisters for treating my friend Frost Bite here so well. I expected no less from royalty such as you.” “Of course. I always give my best to every pony, especially to Luna’s student,” Princess Celestia said, looking at Frost Bite. There was no doubt; she was onto him. Then, Luna giggled rather loudly. “Is there something wrong, dear sister?” “What’s wrong, Luna?” Frost Bite asked. “’Princess Luna? Did I say something wrong?” Sing Song inquired. And then, Princess Luna let loose. Howling laughter came out of Princess Luna. It was quite a sight, seeing a dignified deity-like being going on about like a maniac. Princess Luna even slammed her hooves on the table, unable to control her excitement from laughing. Princess Celestia can only look in confusion at her sister. Frost Bite just stared at his mentor, thinking if she had always had fits of insanity like this. Sing Song only furrowed her eyebrows at the sight before her. “Oh my goodness! I-HAHAHAHA!” So Princess Luna went for another straight minute before she calmed down. “So, do you mind telling us what it is you find amusing?” Princess Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. “Okay, okay,” Princess Luna wiped her tears as she answered. “The breezie’s voice! I have never heard of such accent before! Forgive me little one, but I just can’t help but laugh. I am so sorry.” Unbeknownst to Luna, breezies have different accent from normal ponies. In the years Princess Luna lived even a thousand years back, she had never heard a breezie speak. Sure, there are thousands of accents she had heard over the years being a princess of Equestria, but nothing was more bizarre to Princess Luna than the breezies’ accent. I find it weird, but to Princess Luna? It was hysterical. Nothing could ever prepare her for that, not even Nightmare Moon’s emergence. In fact, Nightmare Moon would have laughed hysterically too. Sing Song wanted to poke Princess Luna’s eye so much, she’d be blind, but there were more important things to mind, like Frost Bite’s life. “Luna, I can’t believe you just did that,” Frost Bite said. “And so am I, sister,” Princess Celestia said. “Though it is understandable you have never met breezies, but that behavior is unacceptable.” Princess Luna looked like a child who got scold for breaking a plate; her eyes looked down and her head down. “It’s alright, Princess Celestia,” Sing Song said, twitching her eye. “We do sound different from other creatures.” "How mature of you. I am grateful for- pfft, HAHAHAHA!!!" Princess Luna fell to floor and laughed some more. "Oh my stars! I can't! My stomach!" Princess Celestia, however did not find that amusing. She just glared at Princess Luna. Frost Bite just sat there, watching, unsure of what to do. "I am very sorry for my sister's behaviour. I'll be sure that she will be taught her lesson," Princess Celestia said. "Maybe it is time to finish lunch." Princess Celestia took Princess Luna somewhere, probably to lecture her. Sing Song thought it was weird to see Frost Bite's mentor to be towed away by her tail lifted by magic. Frost Bite and Sing Song was led out of the dining room and was brought outside, with instructions from Princess Celestia that they are free for the afternoon. Sing Song was perching on Frost Bite's mane when her stomach growled. She was also upset she didn't get her order back in the dining room all because of Princess Luna. Sing Song knew she had to save Frost Bite, but she never thought she did just by talking. On the other hoof, it saved Frost Bite from Princess Celestia. Hopefully that will take her mind off of Frost Bite. Still, she was hungry. Frost Bite, however, was just happy to be outside. "It's great to be back!" Frost Bite said. Sing Song remembered that Frost Bite was here during the invasion, though he didn't really harmed any pony. "Hey," Sing Song called out. "You owe me." "Really? I don't have money on me right now." "That's not what I meant! I mean you owe me a favor!" "Why?" "Because I saved you from Princess Celestia's probing!" "What? Nah, she wouldn't do that. Why would she? I mean she was just curious about my theory. A theory that currently does not exist." Sing Song flew off Frost Bite's head and floated in front of his face, her hooves folded. "Didn't you see how she was looking at you?" "With kindness and grace?" She rolled her eyes. "More like doubt and suspicion." "Yeah, right!" Sing Song was just about to pull Frost Bite's mane in annoyance, when a pony seemingly appeared out of nowhere before them, making them shriek. "AH!" Sing Song noticed it wasn't just a pony; it was one of Princess Luna's personal guards. One can easily tell due to their distinct bat wings, yellow slitted eyes, and their gray coat covered in lavender-colored armor. "Miss Frost Bite and companion, I am here to guide you around Canterlot," the guard said in a deep voice, like a story teller. "Are you a vampire?" was Frost Bite's question. Sing Song placed her hoof on her forehead. "I am not," he responded automatically, as if he was asked several times before. "Oh. I thought so. But you have fangs..." "Princess Luna has ordered me to give this to you, as she cannot do it herself at present." The guard took out a silvery necklace, with a crescent moon pendant hanging in the middle. The moon seemed to shine brighter than the chain. Frost Bite took it with utmost care from his hoof. "Wow, what is this?" Frost Bite lifted the chains, observing the moon's unnatural glimmer. "It is best if you read her letter, ma'am," the guard said as he took out a letter. Frost Bite took it and ripped the envelope into pieces. It amazed Sing Song that he didn't tear the letter inside. Frost Bite opened the folded paper inside. To my dearest student Frost Bite, I sincerely apologize for laughing at your friend. It was terrible of me, especially as part of royalty to mock the subjects of our homeland. Anyways, I give you this gift; the Lunar Chains! I just made it up, so do not worry; it is no legendary artifact or anything of the sort. I thought the name could be the Necklace of the Moon, but I shall let you decide. Oh, The Chains of the Moon! That is a good name too. You might be wondering what this gift is for. It is for being my personal student! Yes, perhaps I am hasty in giving you this gift. I mean, we haven't actually spent time doing mentor and student things, but I wanted you to have a symbol of my friendship. Please accept and cherish it. Your mentor and friend, Princess Luna P.S. Don't forget to put a name on it! It'll be an amazing artifact for the years to come. You won't believe what useless stuff they have as artifacts around now. Back a thousand years ago, a vase is just a vase, but now I came back, it's the Vase of Solidarity. Go see it in the garden if you want. Seriously, it is a boring vase. So keep that necklace and next thing for sure the future will have something truly amazing for it is my very own student's relic from her mentor! To Sing Song, the apology from Luna kind of annoyed her. Okay, it really annoyed her. It was so short that It was like as if she wasn't important. Sing Song can already tell that Princess Luna was way too eager to be a mentor figure. Not to mention her P.S. was too long. Nevertheless, Frost Bite wore the necklace, which fitted his neck perfectly. "This looks so cool," Frost Bite said as he looked at it. "It look great on you, ma'am," the guard said. "Uh, just call me Frost Bite, please." "Very well, Frost Bite." "Nice chains, dude," Sing Song commented with a hint of sarcasm. "Thanks." "Frost Bite, is there anywhere you'd like to go to?" Ombré asked. "I still haven't eaten anything, you know," Sing Song reminded. "Oh yeah. Do you know where I can get a small snack?" Frost Bite asked their entourage. "Of course. Please, follow my lead." The trio started walking through the city. Frost Bite was giddy and all, while Sing Song just felt miserable with her empty stomach. Canterlot was surely a massive and beautiful city. The white streets, buildings with golden spires, and even the posts they passed by were gorgeous. It was her first time here, and while she expected it, she can't help but feel amazed at her surroundings. Sing Song noticed how the other ponies they passed by held their heads high. She never understood why they did; it looked like they were sniffing for something. The guard brought them to an outdoor restaurant. Ponies were already at some tables eating snacks and meals and they did so silently. Little chatter can be heard. "Should I acquire a table for you, ma'am?" the guard asked. "Yes, uh, what was your name again? And please, it's just Frost Bite." "Forgive me. I am called Ombré," the guard said as he bowed his head. "I shall find us a table shortly." The guard named turned around and went to look for a waiter. A few seconds later, he returned. “This way, Frost Bite.” Frost Bite sat on the cushion before the table, while Sing Song flew down the table. Ombré, however just stood next to Frost Bite. "Hey buddy, aren't you going to sit?" Sing Song asked. "Ma'am-" "Sing Song." "Sing Song, I am entrusted with the duty to watch over Frost Bite, therefore I must be vigilant and remain active. I only serve with the best of my abilities." Sing Song kind of understood what he said. He was doing his job; that was the gist of it. She wondered if all guards were like Ombré. "Nonsense!" Frost Bite exclaimed. "Uh, what?" Sing Song could only say, looking dumbfounded at Frost Bite's statement. "Come on! Sit with us," Frost Bite pulled Ombré next to him and made him sit. "Frost Bite I can't! I am supposed to be on duty," Ombré said he reluctantly sat down. "Come on, don't be a party pooper," Frost Bite insisted, gesturing her hoof for Ombré to sit. "There, just chill for now." "If you wish, then I will 'chill'." Sing Song wanted to make fun of Ombré's reluctance, but she was too hungry to even just talk. Sing Song felt full. She never felt so full before, or maybe she did? It did not matter to Sing Song since her Canterlot Sundae Special was more than enough to her. The mixed fruits and honey and ice cream combination proved to be quite a delight worthy of royalty. Frost Bite ate a banana split, and it surprised Sing Song that he could still eat even when he just did at the castle. Ombré was hard headed so no matter how much Frost Bite try to convince him, he didn't order anything. Frost Bite didn't let up. Since Ombré refused to order, Frost Bite fed him a spoonful when Ombré didn't expect it. Of course, Ombré could not stop the blue unicorn from feeding him. In the end, he ate the banana split with Frost Bite. How sweet. For now, they just sat and relaxed. Frost Bite patted her stomach which was full to the brim, if it there ever was a brim. Ombré just sat there, stoic and silent, probably guarding them. Sing Song was full as well, and she was lying down on the table. “Hello there,” a voice said. Sing Song turned and saw a white stallion wearing a suit and tie, and a monocle. “I haven’t you ‘round here and seeing you have a guard with you means you’re some pony special.” He sounded funny to Sing Song, but to Frost Bite, he sounded classy and sophisticated. “Oh, I’m actually a student of Princess Luna herself,” Frost Bite proudly stated, puffing her/his chest out to show the glimmering gift from the princess. “Oh jolly! That is quite an accessory there. I didn’t know Princess Luna took in students. It does explain your knight in shining armor here.” “Oh please, you make it sound like he’s my prince or something.” “Now I know you’re Princess Luna’s protégé, I simply must invite you to my little party.” “A party?” “Yes! Ponies would love to meet Princess Luna’s new student.” The stallion gladly told. “Frost Bite, a word,” Sing Song called out. Frost Bite came closer to her little friend on the table by leaning, and then they started whispering loudly to each other. “What?” “What are you doing!? You know you can’t just go announcing you’re popular!” “Why not? Wait, I’m not.” “You will be if you go to this pony’s party!” Frost Bite smiled at her statement. Sing Song frowned at her words. She could only think this: I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have said that. Sing Song fell flat on her face in Frost Bite’s head. She couldn’t believe it; they just consumed the whole afternoon doing one invitation to another. At first, it was just Fancy Pants’ tea party, where they just mingled a bit to other ponies. It was unremarkable, though Frost Bite talked too many of the party guests. Ombré was just silent from the whole affair. Then they got invited to a golf game by a pony named Straight Shot, which was surprising how Frost Bite got another invitation. Again, unremarkable for Sing Song, but not when Frost Bite accidentally swung a golf ball into a pegasus doing weather duty. The pegasus got hit right in the head and he went down like a popped balloon. Luckily, Ombré knew first aid and the pegasus wasn't seriously harmed. Much. Ombré reluctantly played a bit, though he ended up hitting more grass than golf balls. Weirdly enough, Frost Bite also went to an art gallery by a unicorn whose name Sing Song can't remember, which was okay for Sing Song, but Frost Bite immediately got bored. However, the two of them agreed on one thing; that painting that was just a canvas painted fully blue wasn’t art. It was weird that ponies find that piece interesting. Ombré liked it though. And now, they reached the castle halls. Exhausted and fatigued, Sing Song and Frost Bite just wanted to sleep, while Ombré still looked the same, as if he was never with them the whole afternoon. Ombré led them to a room near the end of the hallway. Night guards already were patrolling around. Ombré saluted to every pony guard they encountered as they were walking to Frost Bite's room. When they arrived, the double doors stood twice their height and it made Frost Bite do little jumps of joy. "Oh boy, my own room!" Frost Bite exclaimed. "You can stop jumping now! You're making me dizzy!" Sing Song protested. "Sorry." Ombré pulled one of the doors, and Frost ran into the room. "This is actually my room!" The room was not as immense as Luna's, but it was still pretty spacious and exquisite. Frost Bite's fatigue seemed to have faded as he looked at everything from the bed to the cabinets. Sing Song got off his head before that. "This is so nice!" Frost Bite then jumped onto the bed. "I love being a student." Sing Song thought differently; she knew students don't get invited to parties and eat with the princesses. She noticed something on the study table and flew to it. "Hey, there's a note here," Sing Song said as she picked it up. "Want me to read it to you?" "Go on," Frost Bite replied, positioning himself on the bed. Dear Frost Bite, Your mentor, Princess Luna, will be unavailable for the next days for reasons I cannot discuss. However, your studies shall continue under my supervision and I hope you will have the same enthusiasm as you did with Luna. I look forward to teaching you. Your temporary teacher, Princess Celestia This is bad. Sing Song suspected Princess Celestia had suspicions on Frost Bite, so seeing that she would teach him directly was a bad idea. He'll get busted, that's for sure. "Frost Bite, we have to get out of here!" she frantically said to Frost Bite, who was already asleep when she looked at him. "Yep, you're screwed." VI: Outta Nowhere!Frost Bite came to realize that being a fancy student of magic was torture. Of course, it was too late to realize that. So what does being a student of magic entails? Oh, not much; just lots of reading and magic application. By reading, it mean volumes upon volumes of magic and related topic. Three days since Frost Bite saw Princess Luna,he had been under Princess Celestia's guidance. Frost Bite thought that would be a sweet deal, but Princess Celestia was a harsher teacher than Luna. They would repeat a certain spell again and again until he got it right. Barely casting a spell wasn't enough for the princess; it had to be perfect. Each time he made a mistake, he was ordered to do it again. Because of this, Frost Bite read all night before sleeping. Actually, he read all the time. He became fixated that he should know before even Princess Celestia could teach about it. So in three days, he was like Twilight Sparkle; reading in advance and sometimes way too advanced. It was a good thing Frost Bite was a fast learner; he could read a spell and execute it quickly, though imperfect. Within three days, he became a true student of magic. For Frost Bite, it was tiring. It exhausted him as he tried to please the princess's expectations. He loved reading and he still does, but he never thought he would think there is such thing as too much reading. Now he did. In those three days, Frost Bite embraced every moments of food. He would ask for more sugary treats after meal, which helped him in his studies. Ever since he started doing spells and studying, he craved for more sweets. Magic was draining him, and so sugar was needed to replenish his mind and body. Sing Song wasn't allowed to accompany him during lessons, so most of the time Frost Bite talked to Ombré who followed him everywhere, and literally everywhere since he was ordered to be Frost Bite's bodyguard. While Frost Bite loved the idea of having a bodyguard, he noticed that Ombré wasn't really an open pony. Ombré would often decline his offer to eat together and would often avoid eye contact and talk as little as possible. Frost Bite missed Sing Song's voice. They do talk at night though, but Frost Bite would have to cut the chatter to minimum to study. And now, Frost Bite was trying to cast a spell he wasn't sure was for. There was a huge egg on the center of the room and Frost Bite was having a hard time executing the spell. "Frost Bite, concentrate," Princess Celestia reminded him. He closed his eyes and focused. He tried to remember what he had read last night. Frost Bite, with all might, charged his horn, then converted all the energy into warmth. With that, he aimed and fired the spell into the egg. Frost Bite then fell on his haunches, panting. "Congratulations, Frost Bite." Frost Bite looked up to see the egg. Nothing happened? What is going— CRACK! The egg began cracking and soon the whole shell shattered, revealing... nothing? "Princess Celestia?" Frost Bite called. "Yes?" "It’s empty." "Of course it is." "Um. Why?" "Why?” Princess Celestia looked up from her clipboard to Frost Bite. “Well, this test is meant for my school's entrance examination, but seeing that you already are a student, I see no need for a real dragon egg." Princess Celestia magically removed all the egg shells. "Are you interested doing a real egg?" "Oh, I don't think I want to," Frost Bite replied. It reminded him of Spike back in Ponyville. Twilight probably did the test and got Spike from it. It made him wonder if dragons gave their eggs to ponies or if the ponies stole them, but Frost Bite decided not to think about it; he was already tired and hungry. "That will be all for this morning, Frost Bite," Princess Celestia said. "Huh?" "Did you forget about our plan for today?" Frost Bite was so busy reading and practicing that he didn't even know what Princess Celestia was talking about. "In case you have forgotten, we are going to the Crystal Empire to meet the delegates of other countries," Princess Celestia said as she turned her back to Frost Bite to clean up the room. "It is very important that all princesses are present." "Oh." Frost Bite's ears flattened. He wanted to see Crystal Kingdom, but he knew he can't just ask Princess Celestia if he can come along. "I guess I'll just stay here in the castle." "Is that so?" Princess Celestia said. "You are more than welcome to come if you want to, Frost—" She turned around, only to see no pony in the room but her. "Bite?" Frost Bite walked the castle halls dejectedly, knowing she was stuck in the castle. Ombré was right behind Frost Bite, but he was too depressed to notice him. "Something wrong, Frost Bite?" Ombré asked, giving in to his concerns. "Nothing." "Are you sure?" "Yeah." That was too short for their usual conversation. It worried Ombré, and it was clear something was bothering her. He walked faster to walk alongside her, something he never did before. "So, how was your session?" "It's fine. I guess it always is. Just fine," Frost Bite replied and smiled weakly. "Look at you, engaging conversation." "Ahaha, yeah, uh," Ombré stammered. "It is just that you seem down today." "Oh, sorry for making you worry." "You don't have to apologize. In fact, perhaps I should be the one to do so." "And why is that?" "I reject all your kindness to me! Whenever you ask me to join you, I often refuse." "I understand. Sing Song told me guards have a strict code of duty, so I guess it's more like I'm bugging you. Hehe, bugging you..." "That is not true. I actually enjoy my time around you," Ombré said as he looked away. "Aw, shucks. Aren't you a sweet one? And kinda sappy too." Before Ombré could even reply, a force knocked Frost Bite off her hooves, making her tumble along with the source of the force. Frost Bite got dizzy and shook her head, only to realize she was on her back and Princess Luna was on top of her. "Frost Bite!" Princess Luna called excitedly. "Oh, how long it has been! I am finally free. My sister was relentless, I tell you." "Luna?" "I can see you have been working hard, judging by your scores. You make me so proud of you." "Can you please get off first?" "Hm? Oh yes, I must," Princess Luna said then moved aside, and levitated Frost Bite and placed her standing on her hooves. "It's nice seeing you, Luna,” Frost Bite said as he dusted himself off. "Indeed, I have the same sentiments. Anyways, I did come here to see if you have prepared." "Prepared for what?" "You weren't informed? How unusual of my sister." "Informed about what?" "The business we have in Crystal Empire? Does it not ring any bells?" Upon hearing Luna's words, Frost Bite slouched and his ears flattened. "Oh, right. You guys have fun in the Empire with the delegates. I'll just read or something," Frost Bite said and started to walk past Luna. "Excuse me? I am not going anywhere without my personal student." Frost Bite's posture straightened and she turned around. "Really!?" "Well, of course. I cannot just leave my student unattended here after all." Frost Bite gave Princess Luna a sudden short hug. "Oh, this is exciting! I've never been to the Crystal Empire before. Are we going to take the train?" "While I do like the idea of riding a giant metal cabin run by steam machination, we do have our own mode of transportation." As you all know, the princesses of Equestria are known to travel by their own personal chariots. Well, at least Princess Celestia and Princess Luna does; Princess Cadence travels by her city's crystal train. If one would pit the three in a race, it is likely that Luna's chariot would win. Not even the power of technology can beat the strength of two bat pony guards in speed. If you're wondering about rankings, the train would go second and Celestia's chariot last. It was said that Princess Luna's guard were trained to do their best at everything, and chariot pulling was no exception. Of course, this became a problem since it would appear that some pony was over speeding and is out of control, especially back a thousand years ago when Nightmare Moon was at large. And so today, Princess Luna's chariot was one of the most feared things in Equestria. Riding that said chariot was Frost Bite, who was screaming in fear. "I'D RATHER RIDE THE TRAIN!" "WHAT!? I CANNOT COMPREHEND YOUR WORDS DUE TO THE WINDS!" Sing Song wasn't screaming though. She was inside Frost Bites saddle bag, nestled inside a big matchbox, sleeping. It was one of the few moments that Frost Bite wished that he could turn in a breezie. Maybe there's a spell for that? As they sped along the skies, the Crystal Empire greatly shined in the ever closing distance. For a moment, he forgot about their fearsome speed and appreciated the shining city. Without Frost Bite realizing, the chariot had already landed in front of the Crystal Empire’s castle. “Thank you, my dashing stallions. Another fantastic ride, job well done,” said Luna to her personal servants, in which they just bowed in response. Frost Bite wanted Princess Luna’s words to be sarcastic, but it wasn’t. Luna genuinely loved the way they make the chariot speed like a train off tracks. After settling in their own rooms, Frost Bite asked Princess Luna’s permission to go around the city; Princess Luna happily granted it. Sing Song woke up in Frost Bite’s mane. “Where am I?” she asked. “Oh goody! You woke up! We’re going to look around Crystal Empire.” “When did I say I’d go? And you didn’t wake me up and just placed me in your mane.” “Oh, come on! This is Crystal Empire! A new place we haven’t seen before.” “I guess, but I just woke up, so careful with your walking.” “Roger that!” “What’s a Roger?” “Uh, I never really knew. The shiny city was… shiny. I am kidding, of course. After all, it’s made of crystals. The city was filled with buildings that seemed to look like ones from Canterlot and Manehatten, except they’re made of crystal. Even the roads were crystal, which really impressed Frost Bite. On the side of the road, shops of sorts stood, covered by tents. Some sold crystal berries and berry baked good, which smelled mouth-watering, some sold corn on cobs, and one sold crystal flugel horns. Frost Bite immediately approached the cherry stand. Cupcakes, muffins, and varieties of crystal berry baked goods were on display, all of which made Frost Bite hungry. “Food again, Frost Bite?” Sing Song poked out of Frost Bite’s mane. “Hey, I forgot to eat breakfast.” “Salutations!” said a crystal pony behind the stall. “What can I get you?” “I’m having those muffins. How about you, Sing Song?” “Just get me a couple of berries.” “Easy enough.” The crystal pony gave their order in a paper bag. Frost Bite noticed the pony was staring at her head. “Is there something on my head?” Frost Bite asked. “Me, you dolt!” Sing Song retorted. “Oh my! How adorable! What is she?” the vendor asked. “I’m a breezie. Never seen one before?” “Believe it or not, there’s quite a lot we crystal ponies have yet to see, since we just got freed from the curse two years ago.” “What curse?” Frost Bite asked. “Oh, perhaps you should ask some pony else. I’m not really quite knowledgeable on that,” the vendor said with a smile. “Oh, okay. Thanks!” Frost Bite walked away from the shop. “Do you think it would be rude if I ask them to let me touch their crystal mane and coat?” Frost Bite asked as he gave Sing Song a berry. “That is just being creepy, dude.” “But aren’t you curious? They look like crystal, but they’re like normal ponies!” “Remind me to tell you not to touch any pony here.” The duo spent much of their time walking from shop to shop with Frost Bite buying food from each. It was a good thing Princess Luna gave Frost Bite allowance, something Frost Bite thought was surprising. So far he bought cherry pie, corn on a cob, muffins, yogurt, and a flugelhorn. Eventually, Sing Song got full eventually and by eventually, I meant after they visited two shops. “I wonder what else they got around here.” “Are you always hungry?” “Hey, if there’s something I haven’t eaten yet, then I have to eat.” Frost Bite stopped walking suddenly, making Sing Song almost fall out of his mane. “Hey! What’s the big idea!?” “Oh nothing, it’s just Mango Jill’s balloon shop thing!” Sing Song looked ahead and saw the unmistakably yellow transformable stall belonging to the one and only Mango Jill. “I can’t believe she’s here! Let’s go see her!” “Okay, but would you just calm do—ah!” Frost Bite dashed off before Sing Song could even finish. As Frost Bite ran, he began to see Mango Jill and upon closing in, gave her a hug. “Mango, I missed you! I know we didn’t bond much but-” Before Frost Bite could even finish, Mango Jill grappled Frost Bite into a position where she held Frost Bite’s stomach from his behind. “Uh, Mango?” Mango Jill then lifted Frost Bite as Mango Jill’s back arched. It was at this moment that Frost Bite wondered if this was her way of returning hugs, but as his head slammed into the ground, his mind went blank. Sing Song flew off his head before that. Then, there was a loud thud. Mango Jill held the position for a second, then let go of Frost Bite. Mango Jill stood up, while Frost Bite remained on the cracked, shiny ground. The ponies around them just stared at the sudden event, unsure whether it was a street performance or a fight taking place. Sing Song can only stare too at his fallen friend. Frost Bite shook his head, giving a sign of life which gave ponies around a sigh of relief. They all agreed silently that it was nothing more than a public performance. “Ouch,” Frost Bite loudly exclaimed. “Mango, what the hay!” Sing Song howled, fuming about the fact her friend just got a back suplex. “Sorry, but I don’t do hugs,” Mango Jill said in her usual calm voice. “Sure, hugs are a no no for you, but do you have to do have to finish Frost Bite with a slam!?” “Uh huh. Especially strangers.” “Strangers!?” Sing Song shouted as waved her hooves wildly. “We rode your balloon thing to Ponyville last time! We even sang together! What in Tartarus is wrong with you?” Mango Jill paused for full five seconds and I mean pause like she didn’t move an inch or even breathe. Then, she moved again, as if someone placed back her batteries. “Ah, you must have met my sister.” “What?” “Didn’t Mango Jill tell you? That she has a sister?” “What?” Sing Song could only repeat. “No wonder you guys got confused; we do kinda look alike.” For a moment, Sing Song could not believe what she was hearing. If what she said was true, then they must be twins. “Help me,” Frost Bite muttered. Quickly, the yellow pony helped Frost Bite get up. “Ow, my head. Was that some sort of family greeting?” “Nah, I just don’t know you. Stranger danger, you know.” “Uh, I think it’s best if you just introduce yourself,” Sing Song said. “What?” Frost Bite said looking at Sing Song and Mango Jill’s sister back and forth. “I’m Mango Jane, in case you’re wondering.” “No, you’re Mango Jill,” Frost Bite said as he pointed at her. “Nope, I’m Mango Jane,” she replied calmly. “No, you are MANGO JILL,” Frost Bite said, raising his voice slightly. “Nope, I’m Mango Jane,” she replied, sounding the same as her last answer. “NO YOU’RE MANGO JILL!” “Nope, I’m Mango Jane.” “Are you having an identity crisis?” Frost Bite asked. “I can get you to a doctor, like right away.” “Frost Bite! This is Mango Jill’s sister!” Sing Song screamed. This time, it was Frost Bite’s turn to pause, but only for a second. “I knew all ponies look alike,” Frost Bite muttered. “In any case, thank you for being friends with my little sis. We don’t get much friends, you know.” “Yeah, no problem. It was actually Mango Jill who helped us in the first place,” Sing Song said. “That’s nice of her.” “FROST BITE!!!” a voice in the distance screamed. The three looked at the source of the voice, and saw Ombré running through a crowd “Frost Bite!” Ombré said as he panted. “How could you leave without your guard? You should have told me if you were going out!” “Ombré?” Frost Bite tilted her head. “Uh, I’m okay. I just got back suplexed by Mango Jane.” “Mango Jane?” Ombré looked around and saw the said pony. He spread his front hooves and bared his fangs. “How dare you harm Princess Luna’s personal student.” “Whoa, you look pretty intense,” Mango Jane said. “Not another fight,” Sing Song said, rubbing her forehead with her hooves. “Ombré! It’s okay! I’m okay! So just calm down. You look pretty scary.” Upon hearing Frost Bite’s words, Ombré stopped, and he stood normally again. “Very well. But I will take this mare in. She had just assaulted you, and I will press charges.” “Ombré! It was my mistake so she did that! Just let her go, please?” “No, she will face trial and will be punished accordingly. She-” When Ombré faced Frost Bite, she was doing a face; a puppy face. You know the one, the one where you look adorable so you can make someone do what you want. Sing Song, however, didn’t get it. “What are you doing?” she asked. “What?” Frost Bite replied, still holding the face. “What the hay is that face?” “I don’t follow.” “Fine. I will let her go this time,” Ombré said, looking stern. “Thanks Ombré!” Frost Bite said as she (he) hugged Ombré. “Your armor really gets in the way.” “I- Well- I-” Ombré stammered. Then, he shook his head. “I’m only letting her go because you said she is innocent. I trust your words.” Frost Bite, Ombré, and Sing Song returned to the castle, while Mango Jane went back to her business. “So, what’s Luna up to?” Frost asked as they walked through the shimmering halls. “The meeting just got concluded, so she must be free by now,” Ombré answered. “Would you like to see her?” “Yeah I guess. I’m done looking around anyway.” So they walked through the halls and reached the balcony, where all the three princesses were. Frost Bite stopped at the archway. “What are they doing here?” Frost Bite asked. “Oh, is that Princess Cadence? She does look pretty.” “Hey, that’s Twilight!” Sing Song pointed out from Frost Bite’s mane. “Wait, she’s a princess? What kind of a princess that lives on a library?” “Princess Twilight is here for the delegates’ visit,” Ombré said. “Do you know each other?” “Uh, you could say that,” Frost Bite answered and immediately hid behind the wall. Of course he knew her; she tried to hunt him down back in Ponyville. The memory sent shivers in his spine. “Can we go now?” “They are probably having a private conversation, anyways. We must not intrude on such,” Ombré said. “Yeah, yeah, let’s go.” Frost Bite started pushing Ombré away. “Well, alright…?” As they moved away, singing can be heard from the balcony. It sounded wonderful, but not even the singing of the princess can remove the fear Twilight had brought to him. After a while, they stopped in front of a giant double door. “Hey, what’s inside this room?” Frost Bite asked. “This is Starswirl The Bearded’s preservation room. It contains some items from the moving museum, but most of it is kept here,” Ombré said. “Let me guess; you wanna look inside.” Sing Song floated in front of Frost Bite, examining the door. “Well, duh.” “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, Frost Bite.” Ombré stood before the doors. “Why not?” “This is a restricted area for educational reasons. One must always enter with a curator.” “Oh, please!?” Frost Bite begged. “Why do you even want to see a bunch of stuff left by a stinky old pony?” Sing Song asked, looking bored. Frost Bite realized that Sing Song must be playing uninterested. “Fair point, Sing Song,” Frost Bite said. “Wait, what!? You’re going to dismiss the greatest unicorn ever lived?” Ombré said with utmost disbelief. “Well, yeah. It’s just his stuff,” Frost said as she turned around. This is so gonna work! “But you have to be interested! You are a student of magic! Even Princess Twilight loves this stuff.” “I guess she’s a big fan?” Frost Bite turned around again. “Almost all unicorns look up to Starswirl.” Ombré made a serious face. “Whoa, okay. Maybe I’m a little interested then.” Frost Bite put up his front hooves. “That said, why don’t you show us inside?” “What?” “Since you say he’s so amazing, maybe you can tell us a thing or two about him inside.” “I’m afraid I do not have much knowledge on the topic.” “Come on! After convincing me like that? We’ll just look around, I promise; no touching.” Ombré pondered for a while. It would be against policy, but Frost Bite was Princess Luna’s personal student. She would have brought her some other time, so why not let her see it now? Besides, she might learn or get inspired or something. “Very well.” Frost Bite squealed in delight as she hopped in place, both of which annoyed Sing Song. “Great job, Sing Song!” Frost Bite whispered to Sing Song. “About what?” “You know, acting uninterested.” “Well, I am un—” “Come on!” Frost Bite grabbed Sing Song with his magic and walked right behind Ombré as he entered the room. Inside the room, personal belongings and tools that were once used by Starswirl The Bearded filled the enormous room in every direction. Glass cabinets and shelves contained arcane things like scrolls and notes, and some contained mundane everyday things like quills and presumably a toothbrush. “Well, that looks really important,” Sing Song blurted out, looking at the blue toothbrush. “Just don’t touch anything. I’m not supposed to let you in here.” Ombré followed Frost Bite through the room. “Oh, what’s this?” Frost Bite pointed at a book inside a glass case. “That’s Starswirl’s study journal. The book is so sensitive they have to put it there,” Ombré said as he looked around himself. Frost Bite gazed on the book, tapping her chin as she was deciding whether she should open the case or not. She opened it anyway by lifting the glass case, and lo and behold, the book disintegrated. “So that’s what they mean by sensitive.” Frost Bite looked around if any pony saw, and then lowered the glass case. “Hey, what’s this? A candlestick?” Sing Song asked looking at the used candle. “Maybe it's the candlestick that was used by Star Swirl to light the way when he was exploring the caverns of Maretania!” Frost Bite said as she moved quickly away from the dust that was once a book. “Wow, you read about that story?” Ombré asked in amazement. “It says right there on the metal plate,” Frost Bite said as he pointed at the inscription on the pedestal. “Oh.” Ombré said, sounding disappointed. “Hey, you can’t expect me to know.” After a few minutes, they reached the end of the room. “I can’t believe I’ve seen stuff that are actually pointless,” Sing Song said. “Hey! These are items left behind by the greatest unicorn that ever lived.” “Sure, but you don’t see my toothpicks on display.” “I don’t see you getting a museum anytime soon,” Ombré snapped and glared at the tiny companion floating above Frost Bite. “Well I don’t see you getting a girlfriend.” Sing Song floated down from Frost Bite’s head, and drifted in front of Ombré’s face. “I could say the same to you!” “Sure, if I cared.” “Why you little—” “Hey guys! Look at this cool mirror!” The two stopped glaring daggers at each other and looked at Frost Bite and when they did, they saw him making funny faces in the mirror. “Frost Bite, don’t tell me; you haven’t seen a mirror before.” Sing Song folded her hooves. “What? Wait, of course I have! It’s just that this mirror is kinda big.” And it was. It stood thrice Frost Bite’s height and it seemed to be recent, lacking dust and corrosion. “This doesn’t look that old.” Frost Bite said as she poses in front of the mirror. “Princess Twilight has a special interest in that mirror, but I forgot what that was,” Ombré said as he walked and then stood beside Frost Bite. “It’s a fancy mirror, what else can it be?” Sing Song said. “Hey, this necklace Luna gave me really looks awesome on me!” “I agree,” Ombré muttered. “You know what? Since this is a crescent moon, I turn it into a full circle just doing this!” Frost Bite proceeded to hold her crescent moon pendant and let it touch the mirror, creating a full moon. “Woohoo, neat trick buddy.” Sing Song said sarcastically. As Frost Bite was holding the pendant against the mirror, it began to shine and shine brighter. “Now that’s a neater trick!” “What?” Frost Bite looked at the mirror and saw the pendant glowing even brighter. “For the record, I’m not sure how this trick works…” And then, the glowing disappeared, and Frost Bite’s hoof that was leaning on the mirror sank through. Frost Bite screamed in surprise. “What the hay is this mirror!?” “Hang on, I’ll get you out of there!” Ombré moved quick and pulled Frost Bite out, making them tumble on the crystal flooring. “Are you alright?” “Yeah, it’s just that… Hey, where’s Sing Song?” The two looked around for their tiny companion, but she was nowhere to be seen. And then, Ombré’s face contorted to horror. “I-I pushed her. Into the mirror. Oh stars, I didn’t mean to!” Frost Bite looked horrified, but immediately snapped into seriousness, jumped to her hooves and faced the mirror. “Then there’s no time to lose!” “Wait! We don’t even know what’s in there! Or if there even anything in there!” “Well, I can’t just leave my best friend there! Get help, I’ll go look for her.” “Wait, Frost-” And with that, Frost Bite galloped and thrusted herself into the mirror, passing through its magic. VII: The Magical EncounterIt was disorienting. The passage inside the mirror twisted and turned the travelers within. Frost Bite was just spinning through, and all he saw were shapes and colors, which reminded him of a kaleidoscope. As of this moment, he would never go into one ever the same again. Who would? Also, he was screaming the entire time too. What felt like an hour was actually only a minute, and the first thing Frost Bite felt was pain on his face as he fell out of the portal face first in the ground. “Ow. Felt like my muzzle became shorter.” Frost Bite immediately stood up in all fours and looked around for Sing Song. “Come on, Sing Song, please be safe,” Frost Bite said as he shielded her eyes with her hands. Hand? Hands… Hands. “AH!” he immediately screamed at his hand as he shoved it away from her face. “What is this!?” He decided to look at the rest of his body; it was an alien body. Covered in clothing, he had longer hind legs, his front hooves became monkey arms, and he had mounds on her chest, which by human standards his chest size would be— “WHAT AM I!?” Noticing he only had shoes on her hind legs, he decided to try to stand on just those. “Whoa, that’s creepy.” Whatever he was now, it preferred standing on two. The new height surprised him, as he began to see things differently like how he can actually see the ground farther from her face. It made him giggle a bit. “Frost Bite?” It was no doubt Sing Song’s voice. A smile formed in Frost Bite’s face and he turned to see the most adorable creature in whole world. She was just like him; standing in two legs and wore clothes, but he knew this was Sing Song because of her mane perfectly covered her forehead and the way it covered the entirety of her back in a way. Well, okay, it didn’t cover her back; her mane split into half so you can still see her back. Frost Bite noticed Sing Song was wearing clothes just like him, but hers took the cake; she wore a white Gothic dress, which made her look like a Victorian-age doll, not that Frost Bite would know anything about Victorian era fashion. Also, Sing Song was a child. “Sing Song!” Frost Bite called out as he immediately hugged the little human before her. “Oh my goodness, you’re so adorable!” “Okay! Let me go! Too tight!” Sing Song struggled to breathe as she squirmed in Frost Bite’s embrace. “Sorry!” Frost Bite let go of Sing Song. “You are just so adorable.” “Whatever. Just get us back to the Crystal Castle and we’ll be fine.” “What?” “Back home! You know, where we're not two legged things with wormy hooves?” Sing Song moved her fingers in front of Frost Bite’s face like worms. “Oh right. How did we get here again?” “The mirror! Behind you! That’s how we got here!” Frost Bite turned and saw the horse statue above a pedestal, and as he looked down into the reflection of the mirror, he saw herself; a taller human than Sing Song, having a long white mane like what he had when he was in pony form. He wore a white dress shirt and a blue fitted trench coat, a pair of dark blue pants and black shoes. His (false) cutie mark was nowhere to be found, but the chains Luna gave him still shone brightly around her neck. “I still feel awesome.” Frost bite began doing poses for the mirror. “And I feel like we should get back to the castle,” Sing Song said as she stepped beside Frost Bite posing. “Where are we’?” “Manehatten? Who cares!?” Frost Bite looked around and saw a building behind the statue. In front of the statue, there was a road leading probably somewhere, but Sing Song was right; it doesn’t matter right now. They probably stumbled upon a teleport device. “But why are we in this weird form?” Frost Bite began examining his hands. “This doesn’t seem necessary.” “Whatever! Let’s just go home and think about it later!” “How did we get here?” “That necklace! Stick it to the mirror.” Frost Bite was still confused about everything; how they got there, what their forms are for, and why is Sing Song the most adorable creature that had ever existed. But he set aside the questions, took her necklace off his neck, and approached the mirror. Before he could even stick the thing, another person came out stumbling. This time, it was a guy. “Ombré?” The man did resemble the name Frost Bite called out. He had a short lavender mane, gray skin, and wore purple shirt and dark jeans. He lied on his back, looking confused as ever. Frost Bite and Sing Song looked down on him. “Is he going to be fine?” Frost Bite asked. “Give him a minute to recover and prepare your ears.” Sing Song already was covering her ears. “Wait, why?” Ombré’s eyes shot open and he immediately sat up. ”Frost Bite? Sing Song? Is that you?” “Yeah, it's us,” Frost Bite answered. “Wait, are we not ponies?” “No. Not as of the moment,” Sing Song said. Ombré began to look at himself. He looked at his body, his hands, and also began to feel his parts using his hands. “Oh my stars. We’re not ponies.” Frost Bite realized what Sing Song was getting at; screams. He realized he was too late. “I’M HUMAN! THIS IS AMAZING!” “What?” “We’re humans!” Ombré stood up and started to look on his body using the reflection on the statue. “This is just amazing.” “Is he done?” Sing Song asked. Frost Bite only nodded, to which Sing Song uncovered her ears. “Was it loud?” Sing Song asked. “It wasn’t that bad.” Frost Bite answered. “Hey Ombré, you know what we are?” “Oh yes!” Ombré said as he turned to him. “We’re humans! Just like what I read when I was little.” “You read about monkeys?” Sing Song questioned as she folded her arms. “At least these work like hooves.” “No, we’re not monkeys. We’re humans! A specie that doesn’t rely on magic and instead uses technology to advance in nature.” Ombré quickly said. “This is so exciting!” “How come you know about humans?” Frost Bite asked. “Well, my mother had this book of legends and-” “Blah, blah! Let’s just get out of here! We’re not supposed to be here!” Sing Song exclaimed as she waved her hands around, which Frost Bite found amusing. Before Frost Bite could even ask more about humans, a bell rang. “Is that a school bell?” Ombré wondered. A rush of beings similar to their form burst out of the building behind the statue. Like ponies, different colors and shapes was everywhere. It reminded Frost Bite of ponies. “Maybe we should ask around!” Frost Bite suggested. “If you’re crazy enough,” Sing Song answered, to which Frost Bite didn’t hear since she started to approach the other beings. “I forgot you’re crazy.” “Hello there!” Frost Bite greeted. “Can you tell me what I am?” The one person Frost Bite greeted only looked at him with confusion, then laughed and walked away. “What’s so funny?” Frost Bite wondered, but immediately forgot since he approached another person. “Hi there! Care to tell me what species are we?” “Uh, human?” the mint green person answered. “Are you new here?” “Sorry about my uh, big sister,” Sing Song said as she went in front of Frost Bite. “She’s really bad at conversing, and we’re just looking for schools.” “Oh right,” Frost Bite said. “Just looking for schools.” “Well, I think you’ve come to the right place!” the mint green person, who apparently was a girl, said. “Nothing’s more magical than Canterlot High!” She then giggled. “Magical, huh? Do you know some pony who’s good at magic?” Frost Bite asked. “That would be Twilight and her friends, but I’m not really close to them.” Hearing Twilight’s name made Frost Bite’s skin crawl. It was a new feeling, so it kind of confused her, but she shook her head to forget about the weird feeling of skin. “Do you know anyone else?” “If you mean magic tricks, maybe Trixie can help, but I’m not sure if she will. She’s always kind of weird.” “Oh okay, where can I find her?” “She’s doing a magic show at the gymnasium. You might still make it if you go there now.” And with that, the mint green girl left. Frost Bite was relieved she didn’t have to meet Twilight here, but it also confused her; what was Twilight doing here? And it seemed her friends were here too. “Frost Bite,” Sing Song called out. “What?” Frost Bite snapped out of thinking. “What are we going to do now? You still haven’t tried your necklace.” “Oh yeah.” The duo turned around to see the mirror, but as Frost Bite was about to take a step toward, she saw them. Twilight’s friends. While they were human, their colors, mane, and even voices were identifiable. They just stood outside the statue, talking and laughing. Frost Bite felt like they were mocking her. How could she forget the very ponies that shot her into the sky? “Sing Song, we better go.” Before Sing Song could even protest, Frost Bite was already pulling Sing Song into a run. “Hey! Where are you guys going?” Ombré called out as he chased the girls who went inside the building. “Why in Equestria were we running?” Sing Song asked as she panted. They stopped at the lockers. “It was Twilight’s gang in front of the mirror!” Frost Bite exclaimed. “I don’t know how, but they probably followed us here!” “Unlikely story, but it is odd for them to be here.” Sing Song folded her arms. “I’m starting to like this, but not much.” “Hey guys!” Ombré called out he stopped running beside them. “It’s amazing to run in these things!” “Glad to know some pony is enjoying himself,” Sing Song said as she rolled her eyes. “What’s with you, sour plum?” he asked Frost Bite. “Ombré, do you know why Twilight’s friends are here?” Frost Bite asked in a panicked tone. “Uh, it’s not exactly them, you know.” “What do you mean?” Sing Song asked. “This is an alternate universe. In this world, our counterparts are human and almost every pony back in Equestria has one, like Twilight’s friends.” “And how do you know all of this?” Sing Song questioned as she raised an eyebrow. “I read Princess Twilight’s reports and journals. They are really well written, I tell you.” “Wait, Twilight’s been here before?” Frost Bite zoned out of the conversation, and instead, peeked inside a double door near them. It was busy on the other side; could it be the gymnasium? Curious and bored, he went inside. The room had a little stage set up in the middle, and there were two people setting up things. Before the stage, seats that were half empty awaited more audience. It only made sense to Frost Bite that he should take a seat in front. He then picked up a flyer on the floor which said, ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie invites you to the Magical Show!’ It contained images of fireworks and common magic props, which were unfamiliar to Frost Bite since he had never seen any magic show before. It made him wonder how humans used magic since obviously they didn’t have horns. And all of a sudden, the lights in the room dimmed and the spotlight focused on the center of the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen!” a voice boomed. “Welcome to the greatest magic show you will see! And now, we present you; the one and only, Great and Powerful Trixie!” Fireworks began to fire up and other flashy props lighted the stage. Smoke and light erupted in the middle and then, the smoke quickly dissipated, revealing a blue girl wearing a lavender wizard hat and cape, both covered in stars. Frost Bite became confused when the other humans started clapped. He decided to follow suit; slapping his own hand with his other hand. After the applause, the one called Trixie took of her hat. “The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you all for coming!” Wait, she’s not Trixie? Frost Bite became confused as to where was the Great and Powerful Trixie. “Watch in awe! As the Great and Powerful Trixie astounds all of you.” The girl then showed the contents of her hat, which was empty, then proceeded to insert her hand in it. She pulled out and her hand was holding a bunny by its ears. The crowd started clapping again, which Frost Bite imitated again. It reminded him of stomping on ground as applause. “The Great and Powerful Trixie needs a volunteer!” The girl on stage said. Where is this Trixie? “How about you!?” The girl pointed at Frost Bite. Frost Bite’s widened his eyes at the girl’s pointing and before he could realize what was happening, the two girls from early who were setting the stage pulled him off of her seat and led her to the stage. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of a small crown on the center of the stage. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will perform an act nobody has seen on this school ever before! But before that, let us know our guest assistant’s name.” The girl then faced Frost Bite. “Introduce yourself!” “Hi, I’m Frost Bite,” he said to the microphone held by the loud girl. “I don’t really go here, I’m just checking it out.” “Ah,” the girl said, returning the microphone to herself. “No wonder Trixie doesn’t recognize your face. Well, we will not delay any further; bring out the box!” Frost Bite pondered where the hay is the one named Trixie and who was the girl beside him. Surely she doesn’t mean herself, right? Because that would be silly and probably stupid. The box was brought in by the girl’s assistants into the stage. It reminded Frost Bite of a coffin; a boring, dark blue coffin. It made her wonder what magic she was going to use on the box. “Now, help dear Frost Bite get inside the box,” the girl told her assistants. They quickly obliged and opened the coffin by unlocking the bolts on each side on the box. Frost Bite noticed that there was a hole for the head. At least he won’t be in the dark. “Looks a bit cramped in there,” Frost Bite commented, which earned giggles from the small audience. “Fear not, my little assistant; the box’s may look small, but it is quite bigger on the inside. You’ll fit in just perfect.” Frost Bite shrugged his shoulders and climbed inside the box to which he realized that the show girl lied; it was crampy and the box was small. Frost Bite’s head poked out of the box, as if he needed to see something happen. At least he wouldn’t miss it. The assistants locked the bolts of the box and one of them disappeared from sight. Or maybe because he/she couldn’t move his/her head much that he didn’t see them leave. “And now, the main event!” Spotlights pointed to the box, where Frost Bite squinted at the lights. “Where I, The Great and Powerful Trixie,” the girl said, to which Frost Bite realized she was talking about herself all the time. “Will slice this volunteer IN HALF!” Frost Bite’s eyes opened wide as he heard Trixie’s words. He turned her head and saw the magician grabbing a lengthy saw from one of her assistants. “Uh, what?” Frost Bite loudly asked. “Don’t worry, this is just a trick,” the blonde assistant reassured Frost Bite as she smiled at him. Frost Bite’s widened eyes only stared at the saw Trixie was holding.He could already imagine it hacking through him. She twisted her to see the glimmering blade that was going through her. “Can I un-volunteer?” Before the assistant could hear her request, the stage dimmed and after a second, the spotlight was pointed at Frost Bite, and the Loud and Future Murderer Trixie was suddenly beside her. “Witness the magic taking place right before your eyes! Trixie shall begin!” And with that, Trixie started to saw away at the box by her stomach. In Frost Bite’s mind, he was already apologizing for everything as his untimely and probably unusual death approached. He also thought that she would need two caskets, for her upper body and her legs. It was a weird thought, but he knew that would already double the bills. “Stop!” boomed by a voice Frost Bite knew too well. Frost Bite turned his head and saw way back a human that looked very familiar; she had dark blue hair and bluish skin. She wore an attire that seemed to make her an official. It’s Luna! “All students must be out of school grounds at this hour. Leave the premises immediately.” Her voice boomed all over the gymnasium, which really surprised Frost Bite. Students started to voice their disappointment, but they followed Luna’s order. As the students leave, Trixie was already sneaking her way off the stage. Before Frost Bite could protest, Luna was already eyeing Trixie. “Ms. Lulamoon,” Luna called out, which made Trixie stop in her tracks. “My office. Now.” Trixie looked down, and went off the stage. “Hey! I’m still here!” Frost Bite exclaimed as he tried to look at Luna from his position. “Get her off that and bring her too.” The office was pretty dark. The lights weren’t on and the blinds were shut, as if Luna was a princess of the night. Which she is, Frost Bite thought. “Ms. Lulamoon, you do know the usage of the gymnasium requires permission no matter what it is used for, as with all facilities in this school.” Luna had her head resting on her hands as she seemed to glare at Trixie. Trixie could only look down. “Yes.” “Yes what?” “Yes, ma’am.” Frost Bite sat beside Trixie in front of Luna’s desk. Frost Bite couldn’t actually anywhere since it was dark. “Also, the school is off-limits to students during this time. Clubs are excepted, but are you in any of them?” “No, ma’am.” Frost Bite felt sorry for Trixie. Yes, she almost murdered her, but it was for a good intention: entertainment, which was still crazy. “Also, a trick to slice one of our students in half may be for show, but if gone wrong, our school will have serious repercussions. Ms. Lulamoon, I cannot ignore your actions this time. I will have to call your father.” Luna started to reach for her desk phone, a device Frost Bite saw for the first time. Frost Bite noticed Trixie’s teary eyes and her clenched hands on her lap. While he didn't how a weird looking device could call someone from afar, it was then that Frost Bite knew he had to save her. “Uh, Miss Luna?” “Yes?” Luna paused from picking up the phone. “Could you, um, not call her dad?” “And why would I do that?” Luna then swiveled her chair to face Frost Bite. Frost Bite gulped. “I know she probably did this without permission, but she did this out of passion. The passion to entertain. When I was there watching, she just wanted to make ponies, AHEM, people happy. And that makes her happy, so if you could just let her off the hook this one last time?” Luna drew her hand from the phone and drummed her fingers to each other, which was mesmerizing to Frost Bite. Trixie looked up and only stared at Frost Bite, surprised and shocked at what she had to say in her defense. “Are you one of friends?” “No, I don’t even go here.” His answer made Luna’s eyebrow raise. Frost Bite realized he shouldn’t have said that. “Very well, I won’t call your father, Ms. Lulamoon, and you have her to thank for. But Ms. Lulamoon, next time I will not be so lenient. Keep that in mind.” A huge smile immediately appeared on Trixie’s face. “Yes, Ms. Luna! Trixie won’t let you down!” “Good. Now before you go, I want you to clean up the mess you made in the gym. I better not see anything from it tomorrow.” “Yes, ma’am!” Trixie happily said, stood up and left the room as she slammed the door behind her.. “What an odd student,” Luna said she opened her blinds and lights, which made the room much more visible. Frost Bite rubbed her eyes as she adjusted to the sudden brightness. “So, what is your business in our school?” Luna sat down on her chair. “Uh, just looking for a school to transfer to!” Frost Bite said with an awkward laugh. He was sure that this was not the same as the princess version from her world, seeing that she’s so disciplined and uptight. “I see. Well, you can always come back tomorrow and I’ll have someone give you a proper tour around the school. Unless you have already seen everything by yourself?” “I’ll swing by tomorrow, no problem.” “I haven’t heard of your name, what is it? “Oh, it’s Frost Bite, Ms. Luna.” “Very well, Frost Bite. Any other questions regarding the school will be answered by your guide tomorrow. Unless you have personal questions?” Frost Bite pondered a bit. He wanted to know if there was a big similarity between Luna here and Luna from Equestria. “Do you like fast transportation? Like really fast and furious?” Luna was surprised at her question and raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I do. Why do you ask?” “Someone I know is like that. You remind me of her.” VIII: No Place Like...Sing Song furrowed her eyebrows as she walked the empty halls of the school. She and Ombré had been looking for their white haired friend for about thirty minutes now, and they hadn’t found him yet. They opened every classrooms, every lab, and anything that had doorknobs on it, except when there was people in it. They tried checking into the Vice Principal’s Office, but it seemed there were people discussing something and they couldn’t make out who were inside, so they went back to exploring the school. Eventually, they ended up at the empty field, where the night sky shone brightly as it sparkled with stars. It reminded her of ponies playing hoofball, which was held on a field similar to this, though if this was for human, she thought that it maybe called football. Ombré did point out about human body parts which she had to listen to during their search for Frost Bite. Sing Song sat down on the bleachers and just placed her head on her hands, her elbows on her knees. “Where the hay is he!?” “You mean she?” Ombré corrected her, though wrong. “I wasn’t talking to you, mister bodyguard.” “Okay, do we have a problem? Because I can’t see it and you’re just being a horrible pony.” Sing Song looked at the man beside her. His face was serious, and she gave back the same sentiment. While she didn’t straight out hate him, Sing Song just needed to vent out her anger. Of course, she didn’t want to tell him that, because that would give a reason not to be mean to him. While that does sound, well, mean, she did like him. NOT THAT WAY, BECAUSE I WILL HURT YOU FOR EVEN TRYING TO THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE AND I WILL FIND YOU IF YOU DO. I meant as friends like like. For your information, that wasn’t me; that was Sing Song. “Is it something I did? Just tell me so we can get over it.” Sing Song glared at Ombré, but then she had an idea. A sinister idea made a smile creep up to her face. “Uh, what’s with the creepy smile?” “You like Frost Bite, don’t you?” And just like that, Ombré’s serious face became blank and redder as each second passed. Ha, I got him. “Well?” Sing Song raised her eyebrow at Ombré.”Tell me if you like him.” “No, I don’t like her!” Ombré stood up and faced away from Sing Song. “I’m just ordered to be with her at all times, and I would never disobey an order.” His back tells a different story though, Sing Song thought. She jumped off from her seat and walked towards Ombré front with her hands on her back. “Well, why don’t you it straight to my face?” Ombré turned his head as Sing Song approached his vision. “I already told you, I’m only doing my duty.” “Your duty, huh?” “Yes.” “So you’ll be with him at all times?” “Yes! Now you’re getting it.” Ombré turned his head back, looking at Sing Song with much relief. “Probably even while sleeping then?” “What!?” Sing Song never had never seen an iron piece get red from high temperature, but looking at Ombré made her think that it probably looked like his face. If his face was iron, then Frost Bite would be the flames. It made her laugh loudly. “You-you share the same bed then!?” Sing Song managed to say as she laughed hard. “Don’t be ridiculous!” Ombré roared, his face beet red. “Oh, dear Celestia! Your face is so red! Like a cherry!” Eventually, Sing Song couldn’t manage to handle her laughter and she ended up lying on the field, laughing while clutching her stomach as pain started to settle in from too much laughter. Ombré managed to compose himself and just glared at the laughing girl lying on the ground who was kicking her legs as she did so. “Are you done?” “Yes, I’m so done. My stomach hurts. Help me up.” “No.” “Fine.” “Fine.” Silence occupied the empty fields and soon Sing Song’s smile faded as she stared at the stars. And Ombré’s face too, I guess. “You really like him, huh?” she asked, this time with seriousness in her look and voice. “Yeah. I guess I do.” Sing Song placed her hands on her stomach, continuing to stare at the stars. “Well, that’s going to be a problem.” “And why is that?” Ombré asked, looking down at her. Sing Song contemplated if she should tell him that she is a he and he’s only in a disguise. It would probably break his stallionhood and spirit, something Sing Song would pay to see. “I don’t know.” “Come on! You obviously know something!” After a silent answer from Sing Song, Ombré lied down next to her. As Sing Song tried to make out a constellation, she also thought of telling him the truth. He seemed nice enough and would probably understand their situation, but then again, he was a pony of duty under Luna’s night guard. Frost Bite might get arrested. “Hey, Ombré?” “What now?” Ombré sounded irritated, knowing she was hiding something about Frost Bite from him. “Don’t give me that tone. I ain’t taking any of your sass.” “Fine, what is it?” “Can I trust you?” “I thought you hate me?” Ombré asked and looked at Sing Song. “Answer the darn question.” Sing Song didn’t break her stare from the stars. “I just don’t get you. First you make fun of me, then you ask me something serious.” “Not the answer I’m waiting for.” It was full five seconds of staring at the sky and silence. “If you’re with Frost Bite, I sure trust you.” “Good. I have something to tell you.” “What?” “You see, Frost Bite is-” “Hey guys!” A gruntled face formed on Sing Song’s face as she heard an intruder on their serious conversation. She sat straight up and looked at the fool who disturbed her secret sharing moment with the fool who fell in puppy love with another fool. “Hey, Sing Song!” Frost Bite called as he ran from the doors of school. He was dragging along another person, who, to Sing Song, might as well be his sister due to their similarities: bluish skin and white curly hair. Frost Bite stopped in front of their feet. “Where in Tartarus have you been?” Sing Song asked as she laid down on the grass again. “Look what I found!” The girl beside her certainly was not amused on being referred to as an object. “Your long lost sister?” Sing Song blankly answered. Frost Bite pondered at Sing Song’s answer and started looking at the girl he was with and then looking back at herself. “Now that you mention it...” “The Great and Powerful Trixie does not have siblings,” the girl piped. “Who’s Trixie?” Ombré asked, sitting upright. “Trixie is only the greatest magician in Canterlot High,” the girl mused, puffing her chest in pride. “She talks like that. Trixie is actually her. Even I was confused.” Frost Bite patted Trixie on the back. “Anyways, Trixie knows about the portal we came through!” Sing Song bolted up and stood before Trixie. “You know about the magic portal?” “Of course! Trixie knows everything related to magic! If what Frost Bite said is true, then you are just like Twilight Sparkle who won the Fall Formal.” “Fall Formal?” Sing Song asked. “She won a beauty pageant?” “More or less.” “Ah yes!” Ombré jumped up and landed perfectly. Well, even I’m surprised by that. “Twilight had written that in her journals! ” “You human nerd, where’s the bodyguard we were with?” Sing Song placed her hands on her waist. “So, can you tell us how it works?” “Uh, well, maybe.” Trixie said, looking unsure. “What?” The others said in unison. “Trixie only heard of the magic portal, and it wasn’t much.” “Let’s just see the darn portal.” Sing Song walked. With Sing Song’s words, they all moved to the school’s front where the horse statue stood. The base of the statue reflected everyone’s image. Frost Bite looked at himself again. Seeing the weird being moving same as him felt wrong, but seeing also that the being resembled him made it also feel right. His pony form can be even similar to the form he had now, though he did miss having magic. It also made him wonder why the mirror didn’t turn him to look like his changeling form. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will now demonstrate how this magic portal works!” Sing Song had doubts about Trixie, but she knew Trixie was the only one who knew how it worked. Trixie proceeded to the front of the mirror. She closed her eyes, took a step… Then promptly slammed her face in the mirror. Frost Bite was laughing hysterically and Ombré kept his guard face, though the sides of his mouth clearly said he wanted to laugh too. “Trixie just needed one more try!” “Wait, don’t do it just yet!” Frost Bite barely said as he clutched his stomach. Trixie didn’t listen; a second slam into the mirror was awarded to her. Frost Bite laughed louder until he couldn’t even stand anymore. Ombré had turned his back on them as he held his own laughter down. “Stop laughing at Trixie!” Sing Song didn’t laugh. “Do you even know what you’re doing?” Sing Song asked seriously. “Of course Trixie does. This is how Twilight Sparkle exited this mirror.” “That’s it? You imitated her motions?” “Well, Trixie must be missing the extra long pony tail and wings.” “Twilight had wings?” Frost Bite asked as he bobbed his head to the right, still smiling from earlier. “It’s a long story. Trixie wants to go home already. That’s all Trixie knows, so Trixie should be going now.” In an instant, Sing Song swiped the necklace from Frost Bite’s neck and placed it the way Frost Bite did. As she placed the crescent metal, she waited for it to glow as it did before but nothing happened. “Come on, work!” She kept placing the metal on the reflection. Frost Bite stopped her hand. “It doesn’t work. I already tried, but I forgot to tell you.” Sing Song pulled her hand away quickly from Frost Bite and placed the necklace on Frost Bite’s hands and turned away. Much later, they find themselves at Trixie’s abode; a two story house that was only a ten minute walk from school. It was simple, and Frost Bite liked that. “Stay here,” Trixie said, leaving the guests in the living room. “Okay!” Frost Bite was the first to sit down, then others followed suit. Frost Bite looked around the room. There were a couple of bookshelves filled with reading that he had yet to read. He wanted to stand and look at the titles, but he decided to wait and ask for permission first. He noticed that Ombré was assuming his guard role again; his eyes darted from one location to another, looking for danger and he sat straight, as if he was at a formal dinner. Sing Song just looked blank. She didn’t smile nor frown, and just stared at a wall. “Trixie has returned!” Trixie came back with a person a bit taller than her. Actually, she looked like her, except her hair was straight and she wore blue dress. “Mama, these people are my friends. They’ll be sleeping over tonight.” “Oh, Trixie,” her mother said. “This is so sudden! You should tell me in advance so I could have prepared dinner for all us.” “Sorry, mama,” Trixie said as she looked down. “It’s alright. After all, how long has it been since your last one? You had plenty when you were little. You always nagged me for slumber parties.” “Mama! No need to tell them!” Trixie blushed. “We’re having a slumber party?” Frost Bite asked excitedly. “Of course you are!” Trixie’s mother exclaimed. “Forgive me, ma’am, but what is a slumber party?” Ombré asked. “I see no sense in a party especially when the guests and host are asleep.” Trixie and her mom just stared at Ombré, then laughed a little. “Oh, poor boy, never had a slumber party?” Trixie’s mother patted Ombré’s head. “Don’t worry, we’ll fix you right up!” “Mama! Don’t embarrass Trixie’s friends!” “Oh, sorry,” Trixie’s mother pulled her hand away. “Come to think of it, I haven’t heard of your names.” “I’m Frost Bite!” “Sing Song.” “I am called Ombré.” “And I’m Skyline. It’s always a pleasure to meet Trixie friends.” Skyline suddenly widened her eyes and then gave an excited smile. “If you’re having a slumber party, we might as well make it the best one Ombré will ever have!” “Mama, what now?” “Let’s make it a camping slumber party! You can all sit around a campfire and do all your slumber party fun in the backyard! I better prepare!” Skyline immediately left. “She seems nice,” Frost Bite commented. “I know,” Trixie replied. “Well, I’m off to help her. Better be sure if we even have firewood.” She then left the room and into the kitchen. Dinner was amazing. Frost Bite’s thought revolved on that sentence, and he can’t believe that he never had mashed potatoes with gravy. Dessert was even more amazing to him; pudding was simply one of the best things she had. At least I’ll have a new thing to order back at the castle, he thought. Skyline was very kind to them as well, and even told them tidbits of Trixie’s childhood, much to Trixie’s dismay. Trixie blushed as Skyline told them about Trixie’s first magic trick which involved disappearing coins. Trixie’s father wasn’t present at dinner. Skyline said he was busy with work at his office. Frost Bite wondered if Trixie’s dad was a performer like her. Frost Bite, Sing Song, Ombré, and Trixie sat around a campfire made by Skyline. Skyline even set up tents for them to sleep in. “I don’t see why we need to burn marshmallows,” Frost Bite wondered. “You never had s'mores?” Trixie asked as she poked the white sweet on her stick. “Nope. I just eat them.” “Well, Trixie will show you how s’mores work.” Ombré was just looking at the sweet on the stick, as if studying it. Sing Song just held her stick that was void of marshmallows. Sing Song stood up instantly. “What are we doing!?” Sing Song barked. “We’re supposed to be looking for a way home, not this!” They all stared at her. “But it’s late. We can’t really do much at night, and we don’t really know how the portal works,” Ombré answered. “You!? You don’t know!? I thought you read all of Princess Twilight’s journals!” Sing Song pointed at Ombré. “Hey, that doesn’t mean I memorized them! I said I read some, not all of it! What’s wrong with you?” “What’s wrong with me? No no no,” Sing Song waved her hands and head. “What’s wrong with you guys!? Here we are acting like we have a way home but in reality we’re stuck in a place we’re not even sure where, and not an exit in sight!” Frost Bite lowered his own stick. “But we still have the necklace, so that’s gotta be something.” “Really now?” Sing Song asked sarcastically. “If I recall, the thing doesn’t do anything anymore!” “You know what, you’re being a big whining brat right now,” Ombré stood up, looking mad. “I understand that you want to get back, but it’s not like we’re in danger. But I guess you just don’t like humans, huh?” “Ombré, don’t,” Sing Song stood up. “What, I guess you’re just a racist, aren’t you? Being that arrogant, I guess you can’t help but feel small, huh? You just want to be small so no one can see how much of a rude little-” “Don’t you get it!? We’re never gonna go home! We’re stuck here and nothing’s gonna help!” Sing Song ran off past Skyline, who was bringing graham crackers among other things s’mores related. “Oh my, why is she crying?” Skyline asked, looking concerned. “Don’t worry, I’ll go after her.” Frost Bite walked away from the camp and went inside the house. Frost Bite looked inside every room except for Trixie’s father’s room. She wasn’t anywhere inside the house. It made her worried and Frost Bite began thinking if she had ran away. He went outside the front door and found Sing Song sitting on the steps in front Trixie’s house, looking down at her shoes. Frost Bite silently closed the door behind him. “Hey, buddy,” Frost Bite said. “I know you’re upset.” “That is pretty much the obvious,” Sing Song said angrily. “Sorry. It’s just- It’s just not fair, you know.” “What is?” Frost Bite looked at Sing Song’s tiny figure, which seemed to be shrinking even more. “It’s just that whenever I see Trixie’s mom, I remember my own home and how it’s nice to be with your parents. To be with family and whatever.Then I remember that we might never go home again. Maybe I’m never seeing my parents again. Seeing my cousins, my granddad and granny. I’ll never see home. Never.” Sing Song looked down and then buried her face in her knees. “Come on, don’t say that-” “Or what!? That it’ll become true!?” Sing Song shrieked without raising her head. “Face it, Frost Bite, we’re stuck here, in a world where there’s no magic. No princesses to seek guidance from, no help from experts, no nothing. You won’t be seeing Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Mango Jill and Jane, and whoever it is important to you. So what’s the point? We’re stuck.” Before Frost Bite could even speak another word, Sing Song looked up to the moon and soon, a tear fell out of her eye. “I wish I could go home and see them one more time.” After a few seconds of listening to Sing Song’s sobs, Frost Bite walked beside Sing Song and sat beside her. “Okay, hear me out.” “What, you understand my pain and what not?” “Oh of course I don’t understand your pain, I really don’t,” Frost Bite said as he petted her head. “I grew up with other changelings without knowing them or anything. We just aren’t meant to do that, you know. It’s like being in a crowd; you see them, but you don’t really think anything of them.” Frost Bite wasn’t sure if some of the changelings actually thought of themselves as family, but he didn’t. If they were supposed to be a family, it’ll a real weird one. It would also point Her Majesty as their mother, and the other intelligent ones her brothers and sisters. Who am I, Cinderella? “But, I found you, and then we met much more ponies than we thought. Most of them were nice, and I was scared at first, but then I realized how you guys are my friends now, and that’s the closest thing to family I can have.” Frost Bite pulled Sing Song to a hug, which Sing Song felt unnecessary but decided to let her former insectoid friend. “You, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Ombré, Spike, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, maybe even Applejack and the Mango sisters; heck maybe even Trixie and Skyline! You guys are family to me.” Frost Bite then pet Sing Song’s head as he hugged her while sitting. “You can cry all you want, I can’t do anything about that. Heck, I’ll be sad too, if that helps. Just remember, you’re part of my family now, and family is where home’s at. So right now, stay in my home, if yours is too far away.” Sing Song faced Frost Bite and cried on his chest. Sing Song cried loudly, and clutched on Frost Bite’s clothes as she did. Frost Bite petted Sing Song’s head as she cried on her shirt. For a while, they stayed in the steps. Sing Song’s crying was then reduced to sobbing, and Sing Song let go of Frost Bite. Silence permeated for a while before Sing Song wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “Never thought you’d say something like that,” Sing Song said as she sniffled. “You and your family talk.” “Yeah, me too.” Sing Song placed her head on Frost Bite’s shoulder. “Hey. I’m sorry.” “For what?” “For being mean and stuff.” “Nah, you’re always mean.” “What’s that supposed to mean!?” “Uh, nothing!” Later, they returned to the campfire and Sing Song apologized to everyone. Trixie didn’t mind, and Ombré took a little while before he gave his word. Skyline didn’t know what Sing Song was apologizing for, so she just gave Sing Song a tight hug. After that, they all sat around the campfire, holding their sticks with marshmallows against the heat of the flames on the campfire. Frost Bite sat next to Sing Song, Ombré sat next to Trixie, and Skyline was across them Frost Bite learned that s’mores were just cookie sandwiches with marshmallow filling. Though that sounded simple, Frost Bite had devoured five s’mores, including from Skyline. After a while, Skyline brought an acoustic guitar from the house. “I thought it’ll be fun for us to sing some songs!” Skyline said as she sat down with the guitar. “I do hope you kids don’t mind.” “Don’t worry, we like to sing!” Frost Bite remarked. “Trixie too!” “Of course, Trixie,” Skyline said as pinched her daughter’s cheek. “So, any request?” “Trixie has one!” Trixie raised her hand quickly. “Well, alright, what do you want to sing, Trixie?” “Um, uh...” Trixie trailed off and started mumbling about how she forgot what her favorite song was. “I have a request,” Sing Song said as she raised her hand. “What is it, Sing Song?” “Do you know the Heart Carol?” Skyline furrowed her eyebrows for a while and then answered. “I never heard of that before.” Sing Song handed Skyline a sheet of paper. “Those are the chords for it. I also put in the tempo and what not.” Frost Bite didn’t even saw Sing Song wrote the paper. Maybe when he was eating? “Seems easy enough,” Skyline remarked. “You ready?” Sing Song nodded. Skyline began plucking her guitar and strummed in between her plucking. Her hands’ movement bewildered Frost Bite. It was like a miracle happening right before her eyes. To see that fingers can actually be used like that. And then, Sing Song began the first line. The fire of friendship lives in our hearts Frost Bite realized that she knew this song. It’s just that she never knew the title and that Sing Song was singing it a bit slower. She joined Sing Song’s singing at the next line. As long as it burns we cannot drift apart Frost Bite did a lower tone and Sing Song did a higher one. They complemented each other's’ voice as they sang throughout the song. Laughter and song will see us through Memories of days before us, They teach us of the ways we've come to where we are Fear not the winding path ahead of us For when together, we are strong Memories of those who have passed ahead of us Their souls live on It was then that Frost Bite noticed something with Sing Song. Sing Song was glowing, literally, and she had her eyes were closed as she savored the song’s melody as she sang. We are a circle of pony friends A circle of friends we'll be to the very end~ Sing Song belted out the last line of the song and then the unbelievable happened. A glow took form on Sing Song’s head and materialized into pony ears. Her hair, which was two sets, grew a third one which was pony tailed. Frost Bite had her jaw dropped. Trixie pointed an accusing finger with her jaw dropped. Ombré had his eyes set on the fire, but when he looked at Sing Song after the song, his jaw dropped. Skyline, however, was just clapping her hands. “You’re so amazing, Sing Song!” “Oh, please.” Sing Song blushed as she looked away. “By the way, how did you do that?” Skyline asked. “I didn’t know you were into magic tricks too!” Sing Song only returned a confused face. “What? Is there something on my face?” “Oh, you! If it’s your personal trick, then I won’t ask,” Skyline said as she stood up and handed Trixie the guitar. “Well, it’s getting late. I’ll be off to my room. You kids don’t stay up too late, alright?” After a few seconds, Skyline was already inside the house. Frost Bite, Ombré, and Trixie was still staring at Sing Song. “Okay, now you guys are just messing with me.” Sing Song folded her arms. “Uh, Sing Song. Could you touch the top of your head?” Frost Bite asked. “What, why?” “Just do it!” Trixie said. “Fine,” Sing Song said as she placed her hand on top of her head. “Okay, now move it a bit to the right, a bit toward your face, ah there you go.” Frost Bite waited her reaction. Sing Song felt her pony ears on top of her head. “What, these are my ears. You guys are freaking out over this?” “Trixie has seen this before! This. Is. Magic!” Trixie said as she stood up. “What?” Ombré said. “This is magic?” “Trixie has seen Rainbow Dash back at the music store do the same thing. She was playing her guitar and she grew ear on top of her head and grew a ponytail! And she had a pair of wings too! This is the magic!” Frost Bite looked at her necklace and then, had an idea. She stood up and approached Sing Song and placed the necklace on Sing Song who gave another confused look. “What are you doing?” “Our way out. I think.” Frost Bite stared at the crescent moon pendant of the necklace. “Uh, Frost Bite?” Ombré called out. “What are you doing-” The pendant started to glow and floated a bit and then became normal again. As the necklace became normal, Sing Song’s pony ears and extra ponytail glowed and disappeared. “Is this what I think it it?” Sing Song asked. “Can it work now?” “We’ll have to check.” Frost Bite answered. “Tomorrow, we’ll go back there.” Sing Song hugged Frost Bite. “We can go home!” “Yeah, I know.” “Uh, can someone tell me what’s going on?” Ombré asked. Sing Song let go of Frost Bite and smiled. “All I know is right now we’re having a slumber party, so let’s have the most of it!” Author's Note "Our home is where we are. Our place of origin is not relevant, only where we choose to go together." -Legion, Mass Effect 2 So, we're back to Equestria! Huzzah! Bring out the party cannons! Also, if there are grammar errors, point them out to me. I can really use the help. IX: What Are We Talking About?Two nights. Frost Bite, Sing Song, and Ombré stayed at Trixie’s house for two nights after learning that the Lunar pendant can be charged with magic by the power of music from Sing Song. While they were excited to see Equestria again, they also had fun with Trixie’s family, so they decided to stay for a little longer. But now, they had to go home. They stood in front of the statue, ready to activate the magic portal. “Trixie will miss you all dearly!” Trixie cried. “At least we know we can always come back with this,” Frost Bite said as she held up the pendant. “I really have to thank Luna for this.” “We sure do,” Sing Song commented. Ombré remained silent. His mind was full of worry and anxiety ever since they faced the way home. He just realized that they had been gone for two days. He and Princess Luna’s precious student had been missing. It could only mean two things to the other guards—either he kidnapped the princess’s student or they ran away to get eloped. While the thought of the latter pleased him, the thought of incurring the wrath of his benevolent leader became more prevalent in his head. “Ombré, are you okay?” Frost Bite asked, her face showing worry. Ah, even as a human and worried, she truly is beautiful. “It’s nothing, Frost Bite,” he answered, his face betraying his mind. “Okay, lover boy, let’s stop gawking and start walking,” Sing Song ordered. “You go first.” “I thought it's ‘fillies first’?”Ombré asked. “That’s pretty sexist,” Frost Bite commented. “Even though you’re a girl? And don't you mean 'ladies' first'?” Trixie questioned. “Well, that just creates the assumption that women must be treated with such delicacy and as such implies that women are fragile beings.” Frost Bite said with her arms crossed. The other three stared at Frost Bite. “I don’t like it when you try to sound smart,” Sing Song complained. “What do you mean?” Frost Bite raised an eyebrow. Ombré ignored the rest of their conversation and stepped through the statue’s base. After all, there was no use in waiting; it would only delay the inevitable. He had to face the princess sooner or later, and he decided it would be now. The portal made him feel like he was riding the Dizzytron, except it was worse. He almost vomited, but he managed to keep his breakfast in his stomach. Ombré landed on his front, his chin on the ground. It’s so good to be a pony again. While he found humans amazing and interesting, Ombré wasn’t fond of walking on two legs. He stepped aside from the front the mirror and waited for the other two. A weird sound emanated from the mirror and a blue unicorn was spat out by the portal. “Ow. I hate this thing.” Frost Bite stood up and brushed herself off of dust. “We’re back!” Another sound hissed from the mirror and Sing Song came out floating and then promptly crashing to the floor. “Starswirl has bad transportation design,” Sing Song commented then floated off the floor. Ombré smiled at the sight of his companions. He never had such lively ponies in his life before. “So what now?” Frost Bite asked. “I’ll have to report to Princess Luna about our return. No doubt she’ll be glad to see you again.” Ombré got up and brushed aside the dust on him. “I’m pretty sure she’ll be glad to see you too!” Frost Bite smiled. Ombré cringed at that. Princess Luna would definitely not. The three left the room and Ombré guided them to Princess Luna’s chambers, but before they could even reach it, a fellow night guard bumped into Ombré. “Sir Ombré?!” the younger guard gasped. Ombré wasn’t sure how to respond. He kept his guard face and remained silent. “Sir Ombré, I am under orders to you to a House Arrest until further notice. Surrender and you will be treated with utmost care.” It was one of the younger recruits. He was one of the fairly enthusiastic additions on the guards, seemingly very eager to learn and become a guard. Ombré was one of this newbie's closest superiors, however, none of that mattered; Ombré’s fear became a reality. He hung his head and said, “I surrender, Nightingale.” “What’s going on?” Frost Bite asked, stepping in between Ombré and the other guard. “He’s a guard too! Why are you arresting him!?” “Miss Frost Bite, please. I am under orders from Princess Luna. Do not make it harder for me.” “No! You tell me what’s going on!” “Frost Bite, stop,” Sing Song murmured. “Let’s go. I’ll explain to you what’s going on.” “Huh?” And with that, Ombré followed the fellow guard, leaving a confused Frost Bite and a worried Sing Song. Ombré stared down at the sky as he sat down on the chariot that was carrying him back to Canterlot. While he wasn’t cuffed, he still felt like a convict. He knew that he could reason with his fellow guards, but it would be fruitless; the princess’s orders come first. The trip was mostly uneventful, and his fellow guards remained silent as they usually do, though he had expected some sort of reaction from them with the charges he knew he was facing. It was a night when they arrived at Canterlot. The guards did not waste time to move Ombré through the castle and into the courtroom. The Courtroom of the Night existed as long as its counterpart but, it was smaller and a little darker. A throne stood at the center with dark blue carpet going from it to the giant double doors. The courtroom was rarely used since Princess Celestia pretty much dealt with everything related to royalty or politics. Princess Luna only used it when giving orders to her guards. This time, it was different; it would be for Ombré’s trial. He knew there was no escaping the guilty verdict. He was escorted by two fellow guards, one he recognized was one of his superiors. A number of guards lined the hall to the throne and they remained silent as they walked the halls to the courtroom and left him in front of the throne. On it sat the princess of the night, Luna. Her stern face gazed upon Ombré, and that made him feel queasy. He wanted to explain everything that had happened, but he didn’t want to get Frost Bite involved. He only bowed his head and knelt to the princess. “Ombré of the Night Guard, raise your head,” Princess Luna assented. “You do realize why we have summoned your presence tonight?” “Yes, Your Highness.” Ombré couldn’t look at Princess Luna. “Then we will no longer prolong this any further.” Ombré shut his eyes, even though it would not help. He braced himself for the punishment to come. What could it be? Am I relieved from duty? Suspended? Banished? Or maybe- “We thank you from the deepest of our hearts.” Oh no, I’m being thanked, this is terrible! Wait, thanked? What’s going on? Princess Luna’s words failed to make sense to Ombré. He tried understanding her words, but nothing stuck to his head as an explanation. “Are you alright?” the princess asked, looking very concerned. “I must be dreaming.” “Ah, but you are not. I assure you; you are not dreaming and I would know so.” Ombré had his jaw dropped. As the princess said, he wasn’t dreaming, though it only made more questions. “You seem confused,” Princess Luna wondered. “Princess Luna, forgive me for asking, but what did I do?” “ You have made your service proud.” “Excuse me?” “You did something that I have never seen before,” Princess Luna replied with a smile. “Something I had yet to see since my return to Equestria. When the world faced danger, you have performed your duty even as it endangered your life. You could have abandoned your mission and I would understand, but you followed it regardless. Your actions have made me and your fellow guards proud. I believe you are ready, Ombré.” “Ready? Ready for what?” Ombré started to hear a piano melody. “What’s going on? Sudden images of Ombré’s memories appeared in the hall as if they were tapestries. One showed his first day in the service, and some he didn’t remember. There was one where he was sleeping on duty and he wished no pony saw that. “You ‘ve come such a long, long way~” Princess Luna sang. “And I’ve watched you from the very first day~” “What?” Meanwhile... Princess Celestia sneezed as she laid down her teacup, spilling a few its contents on the table. “Oh dear.” As she started to clean up the mess, she felt something, like a nagging itch from her back. She couldn’t quite place it, but she ignored it and went back to her evening tea. When Princess Luna finished, Ombré became more confused. He felt like he was seeing things, that maybe the portal had knocked his head too hard on the floor. “I hereby named thee ‘Captain Ombré of the Night Guard.” Princess Luna levitated a spear and tapped it on each of Ombré’s shoulders. “Stand proud, my little pony. You have earned it.” Ombré only stood there with his jaw dropped and eyes widened. The other guards stomped in honor to their newly appointed captain. Shocked wasn't enough to describe what he was feeling. Frost Bite and Sing Song were transported on a separate chariot. Frost Bite realized he would never get used to the daring speeds of the night guards. He already missed Ombré, and Sing Song had yet to explain why Ombré was taken away. They landed on the balcony of Frost Bite’s room, and he thanked the guards who brought them; they only whinnied in response, which Frost Bite found weird. Frost Bite sat on his bed. “So, what’s going on?” he asked. Sing Song flew off of his head. “Look, remember we stayed in the other dimension for two nights?” Sing Song answered. “Yeah?” “Well, you’re Princess Luna’s student and that makes you a VIP. With that in mind, if you do go missing, they’ll be searching for you.” “That’s nice of them.” “Let me finish. Now, if you do go missing, the only one who would know would be Ombré, the one who is assigned to be with you.” “Right.” “But what if he goes missing too?” “They look for him too?” “No, they’ll assume he took you away!” “Why would they think of that?!” “Because you’re more important right now!” “I am?” Sing Song nodded. Frost Bite only looked with disbelief. He understood now; Ombré was arrested for being involved in his disappearance. Frost Bite knew it was wrong to pin it on him. He wanted to do something; maybe tell Luna what actually happened and have Ombré spared from any punishment. Frost Bite knew Ombré was a good pony. Yes, he was a weird mixture of serious and nerd, but nonetheless, he was his friend. Frost Bite was about to open his mouth to say everything he had just thought until a knock on the door was heard. “Uh, come in?” The double doors were slammed wide open, revealing a certain dark blue alicorn. “Frost Bite!” Princess Luna exclaimed as she closed in and embraced her pupil. “Thank the stars you are alright!” “L-L-Luna,” Frost Bite muttered as Princess Luna’s grip tightened. “C-Can’t breathe...” “Oh!” Princess Luna released. “Forgive me. I do tend to do such over excitement.” “Luna, about Ombré!” “Oh yes! That guard got what he deserves, do not worry!” Princess Luna wore her smile so wide. “What?!” Frost Bite shuddered at Princess Luna’s words. What happened to him? Did they imprison him? Did they fire him? Did they banish him? Princess Luna saw in Frost Bite’s face confusion. “My dear pupil, you don’t seem pleased at my news to you.” “He doesn’t deserve any of that!” Frost Bite yelled. “What?” Princess Luna became confused in return. “Doesn’t deserve? I believe I’ve given him what I thought was best for what he had done. I don’t see any other way I could have done that.” “But he’s a guard! He always did his job splendidly and perfectly that he basically followed me everywhere!” “Indeed, but that is only the smallest of the good things he had done.” Princess Luna draped her wing over Frost Bite. “But we will never forget what he had done for you and me.” Frost Bite looked at the floor, avoiding the happy face of Princess Luna. He can’t be happy knowing that his friend had undergone punishment. While he found Princess Luna’s embrace warm, Frost Bite moved away from it. “Luna, how could you...” “Excuse me?” Princess Luna asked incredulously. “How could you do that?!” Frost Bite exploded. “He’s the best guard I’ve ever met, and you treat him like that?! Some princess you are!” He then ran towards the balcony and teleported away. “What? Is the title of Captain not enough? I do not understand.” “What? Captain?” Sing Song asked loudly. Frost Bite wandered the evening in streets of Canterlot. Only a few ponies were around, and most of the stores were closed, but Frost Bite didn’t mind. He still couldn’t believe his teacher would do such a thing. He worried about Ombré as he walked down the path lit by fancy looking street lamps. Frost Bite stopped and sat on a bench nearby. After letting out a big sigh, he slumped down. He wanted to go back and see that Ombré was okay, but he also feared that Princess Luna might’ve gotten angry. As he looked up, Frost Bite saw a sign above a shop that said, ‘Troubles Be Gone!’. He wasn’t sure what the shop was, so he walked to it and entered through the wooden double door. Inside was a wooden interior, tables and chairs covered most of the place and at the very end of the room was a bar. Behind the bar was a pony wiping the table and looking very bored. It was a pub, Frost Bite realized. Soothing yet a bit melancholic piano music played from a jukebox near the bar. He walked to the bar and took a seat. “Hello there, good sir, what will you be having?” the bar pony asked with a tone void of enthusiasm. She didn’t even look at Frost Bite. “Uh, I’ll have whatever can make my troubles be gone.” “One apple cider deluxe, coming up.” The pony moved to her right and grabbed what seemed to be a giant boot. She filled it up with cider from a barrel until the froth came to the top. Frost Bite became confused as to why she would serve him his drink on an article of fashion. The pony then slid the boot to Frost Bite across the bar, which surprised him. Luckily, he barely caught the boot with his front hooves, though some of its froth spilled on the bar. “Let me guess; you’ve never been to a pub before?” the pony asked, which he realized was a mare from her voice. She had a pale orange coat, and a short messy and spiky blonde mane. Her flank showed a green bottle for liquor. “Uh, yeah. This is actually my first.” Frost Bite clutched awkwardly the boot filled with her drink. He then realized the boot was made of wood. “Don’t you have pubs where you’re from?” “No.” “What a sad little town you’re from, then.” The mare started wiping big wooden mugs with a cloth. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to insult.” “It’s alright.” Frost Bite looked at the wooden boot and then peered inside. He couldn’t see the color of the drink due to the froth on top of it. He took a whiff of the drink and it reminded him of apples. He took a sip. “Wow, this is great!” Frost Bite exclaimed with a frothy mustache. “I know; got it from the best makers.” The mare laid the mugs down. “So, I never see you around these parts. Just visiting?” “Oh, I’m actually a student of magic.” Frost Bite liked saying that. Being something other than nothing. “I’m staying at the castle.” “What? That’s not right. If you’re staying there, then you’d have to be a princess’s student.” “I am!” Frost Bite announced happily. The mare only looked at him with her striking blue eyes and with her eyebrow raised. “Sure, I’ve heard wilder stories.” Frost Bite took a big gulp out of the boot. He was surprised to find the boot actually usable. “Still, nothing’s gonna top what happened two days ago.” “What?” “You know, Tirek? Two days ago?” Frost Bite gave a confused look. “Who’s Tirek?” The mare blinked twice, then laughed. “Right, who’s Tirek indeed. I see you’re already moving on from that horrible event. Quite scary.” Frost Bite scratched his head. Tirek? He was sure the name wasn’t familiar and it wasn’t a pony name. “Maybe you can tell me about two days ago?” “Oh, I’d rather not. I was a victim too, you know. That old oaf can go to Tartarus for all I care.” Frost Bite wasn’t getting answers, and it bothered him. “Right. Tirek can just, uh, go to Tartarus...” “You alright? You sound troubled.” “It’s nothing. I don’t want to trouble you.” “Trouble me?” the mare questioned incredulously. “Girl, look at this place. The last thing I want to do is to stare at nothing and wait for another customer to actually talk to. Come on, I don’t bite.” Frost Bite looked at the mare. She looked eager to hear his problems, no doubt. “Okay, I might just rant whatever, I hope you really won’t mind.” “I’m all ears.” The mare started wiping the bar, starting with where Frost Bite spilled froth over. Frost Bite told the mare everything; from her meeting with Sing Song and Mango Jill, being chased out from Ponyville, being taken in by Princess Luna and learning new magic, going to Crystal Empire and getting slammed to the ground, entering a dimension of humans, returning to their dimension and his friend getting arrested, and to now. “Quite the story.” “It’s not a story, it’s what happened.” “Girl, I’ve heard my fair share of stories bartending this place. If you ask me, everything that happened is a story. It only matters if it hits you or not, even if the story’s not true.” Frost Bite noticed that the mare was also drinking from her own boot. Not a boot from her hooves, I meant the wooden ones. That’s disgusting, don’t make me think of that. “Wait, so why didn’t you just tell me the part where your friend got arrested?” “Uh… I guess I got carried away.” “Carried away? You could’ve just start with the problem.” “Huh. You’re right.” Frost Bite took another swig at his drink and emptied his mug. “My hives, this is so good.” “Another?” “Another!” The mare took his boot, filled it up, and slid it across the bar. This time, Frost Bite got it just right and took a sip. “Hey, you’re getting the hang of it.” “Thanks.” “So if what you’re saying is true, then you’re actually a changeling that got under Princess Luna’s apprenticeship and somehow you got into a crazy dimension were bipedal creatures dominated and when you returned, your friend got arrested.” “Yeah.” Frost Bite then drank. “Then give me a reason why I shouldn’t take you to the Guards right now and have you arrested too since you’re a changeling?” The mare held a sword that was from a display behind her. While it wasn’t sharp, it still looked pretty intimidating. Frost Bite froze in the middle of drinking. He realized that he spoke too much and now the pony before him was looking at him with much intensity and interest. He lowered his boot and swallowed loudly. “I know it sounds bad, but trust me, I’m not one of the bad guys.” Frost Bite kept a straight face, though his mind betrayed his looks; he wanted to run and scream for help. “How do I know that?” she asked as she started wiping the sword with the same cloth she’s been using. “I am a paying customer and, whether you believe or not, am a student of a princess. I dare you to even call the guards.” The mare glared at Frost Bite with much intensity. “Okay.” She lowered her weapon. “Really?” Frost Bite asked as his voice squeaked. “I don’t get changeling customers often, and you certainly made my first one a good experience. I guess you guys aren’t all love suckers.” The mare placed the sword back in its display case. Frost Bite let out a big sigh of relief. “Thank you for believing me! I thought for sure I was gonna be in half.” “Wait, when you said ‘Who’s Tirek’, you meant it. If you weren’t here for two days, then you never saw what happened.” “That’s true!” “Well, I guess it’s my turn to tell a story then?” The mare raised her boot, waiting for another to toast. “Name’s Champagne Barrels. Every pony calls me Champs.” “I’m Frost Bite!” He toasted with Champs and together they downed their drinks and slammed the boots onto the bar. Ombré still felt confused. He was knighted Captain of the Night Guards, his comrades were cheering for him, and now they were taking him to a pub. Everything was happening so fast that he couldn’t get his head around his new title. “What’s wrong, cap?” asked the young guard Nightingale, whose name he did not just remember just now, honest. “We’re celebrating! You should be happy!” How can I be when I don’t even know why? Ombré just smiled and nodded at his comrade. Other guards were also with them, off duty and had their armor off. “You are a hero, Ombré!” “That was amazing!” “Truly astounding!” Their praises were hollow to Ombré, but he thanked them nonetheless. Everything was moving too fast. He already tried asking what he had done and what had happened two days ago when he was gone. Their replies weren’t informative and they all laughed off his question. Obviously, something big happened that warranted Frost Bite’s protection. The happy group reached the Trouble Be Gone pub. While the place was a favorite by his comrades, Ombré didn’t share the same sentiment. Pubs never were interesting to him; you drink, sit for hours, then drink again, and possibly sit for another hour before you ran out of money. Or at least that’s what he thought. They pushed through the swing doors and Ombré trailed behind them. They settled on a large rectangular table, and Ombré sat in the middle. “Hey, Champs!” yelled one of the bat ponies. “Give us the usual! Eight servings!” “Be right there!” a voice yelled. “So Captain Ombré,” Nightingale called. “Must be quite an honor, eh?” “Uh, yes. It is quite surprising, more than anything,” Ombré replied. “Listen, can any of you guys just tell me what happened two days ago?” “Well Cap, what happened is that you saved a royal student. And from what I heard, it’s a she,” the tallest of them said as he gave Ombré a smile Ombré didn’t quite understand. “Oh yeah, I heard she’s quite a sight!” “Or bland. I’ve seen her. Nothing extraordinary, really.” “What do you think, Ombré? What is she like?” Ombré found it hard to believe he was actually with them. He wasn’t much of a socialist, and he didn’t find them intolerable. Ombré would rather read than discuss which princess was the prettiest or had the best looking a— “Frost Bite is… well, a pretty mare. She loves to eat, funny, maybe a bit forceful, bright, and probably the kindest mare I know. She’s just different, I think. She’s so genuine, and I like her for that.” As soon as Ombré finished talking, he saw his comrades just stare at him. Then, they smiled. “Princess Luna won’t be happy about this!” one of them hollered jokingly. “Huh?” “Or maybe she will, who knows? He is the captain. Could be like Princess Cadence and Prince Shining.” “Oh yeah.” An earth mare approached their table with a table balanced on her back. She reached it with her mouth and placed the tray on the table. The stallions grabbed their wooden mugs quickly with Ombré taking his last. The mare left their table. “I’d date that mare.” “Sure, if you gain the courage!” Ombré zoned out on their conversation and just thought of Frost Bite for that moment. He wondered what she was doing at the moment, but then he remembered how she was when he was ‘arrested’: confused and worried. He wanted to see her and explain he was okay. She might get worried. Was she? Ombré didn’t know how she thought of him, but he hoped she cared enough. He stared at the empty barstools. His eyes wandered to each empty seat and then he saw her. Frost Bite was laughing and smiling as she sat on a barstool. I’m daydreaming. He saw Frost Bite wave at him, and he wanted to return the gesture, but he decided not to reply to the figment of his imagination. He peered into his mug and took a big swig. “Ombré, you had a fight with, what’s the student’s name… Frost Bite, right?” Nightingale asked. “You look pretty serious there.” “I don’t want to talk about it,” Ombré answered and took another swig, only to realize his mug was empty. “Come on, Cap, the others won’t even listen,” Nightingale insisted, gesturing his hoof to the others having a good time by themselves. “It’s good to let out once in awhile.” “I don’t know, Nightingale. I might just blabber whatever from my head.” “I am all ears, captain.” And so Ombré told him everything. From his first meeting with Frost Bite and Sing Song where he guided them around Canterlot and was convinced by Frost Bite to sit with them, getting invited to parties around Canterlot, going to Crystal Empire and seeing Frost Bite receive a back slam from an Earth mare, breaking rules to look around Starswirl’s museum, getting inside a portal to a different dimension, staying at Trixie’s house, returning home after discovering magic, to his sudden promotion leading to present. “And now she’s probably worried as heck right now,” Ombré finished then drank his cider. Nightingale exhaled and faced Ombré with seriousness. “Captain.” “What?” “How many times did I tell you to stop?” Nightingale exclaimed. “I don’t know, I was on a roll.” “Exactly! There’s so much you’re telling me that I almost lost it!” Nightingale emptied his mug and slammed it on the table. “So you’re really into this mare?” “I think so.” “Then tell her, cap.” “Like she’ll believe me. Besides, she’s probably at the castle or somewhere.” “Just tell her.” “What? That I like her and she made my world a whole lot better and that I think we should go out?” Ombré took another swig. “If only she was here.” “Don’t worry cap, she’s right here.” “What, in my heart or something?” Ombré raised and emptied his mug. “No, cap. I meant she’s right here next to you.” Ombré proceeded to spit out his drink on his colleague. Nightingale blinked twice and wiped his face. “Frost Bite?” “I’ve been waving from the bar! What’s the matter with you?!” Frost Bite shrieked as she waved her hooves. “What? Wait, you’ve been here since we got here?” “I’ve been here way before that! Did all that cider went into your head?” Ombré felt like his head was frozen in a blank state. He wasn’t sure what to say or what to even do at this point. “Miss Frost Bite, it is an honor to finally meet Princess Luna’s prized pupil.” Nightingale offered his hoof. “Nightingale, a cadet of the Night Guards.” Frost Bite took his hoof and shook. “Just call me Frost Bite.” “So, I guess you heard everything we’ve been talking about.” “Yeah, pretty much.” Ombré wanted to run as fast as he could. Every second that passed, he felt warmer. Thoughts—mostly negative—swirled in his head on how this night would end. “What do you think, Frost Bite?” Nightingale asked with an eager face. “Well, I think that’s pretty…” Ombré, still frozen in his seat, braced for the oncoming rejection. His chances were destroyed in his head already, and Frost Bite wasn’t even done yet. His face formed neutrality, but his mind was already in shambles. “Nice.” Oh no, she said it was nice! Wait, nice? Ombré eyes widened. “What?” “I think it’s nice you know. To think I made some pony’s world better just by being myself is amazing.” Frost Bite sat on an empty seat next to Ombré. “I’m glad I did.” Frost Bite looked at Ombré and smiled. “But I guess we can go out more. I mean, we only did because you’re my bodyguard.” “Um, wow,” Ombré gasped. “I, uh, didn’t expect you to take all that so well.” “Wow indeed,” Nightingale said and then sipped from his mug. “Well, now that’s all settled, I guess I’ll go back to the castle now. You guys have fun!” Frost Bite got off the seat, and exited the pub but not before giving a final wave to Ombré and his friend. Nightingale waved back. “Well, cap. From being a measly single Night Guard to a Captain with a special somepony in one night. I’d say things are going well for you.” Nightingale raised his mug to Ombré. Ombré wasn’t sure what had just happened. Frost Bite seemingly accepted everything he had said. But I guess we can go out. He had a special somepony. Ombré began to smile and toasted his mug with Nightingale’s. X: The Last RideAh, Canterlot Castle; a place where prissy ponies visit and annoy the princess with their problems originating from their own snootiness and sheer upper-crustiness. Or so Frost Bite thought. It annoyed him that Luna can’t give him a lesson due to today court’s unusual number of guests today. Tirek’s destruction apparently affected a number of properties around Equestria that the sisters had to attend to the court together and they even plan to hold the night court together as well. Frost Bite thought once he got back to the castle, he would be relaxing and Princess Luna would let her do so. Unfortunately, being a student of magic doesn’t allow for such and instead, he received piles of homework from Princess Luna. While Princess Luna didn’t really want to burden her student, Princess Celestia urged her to make sure Frost Bite doesn’t lose track of his studies. So there he was, sitting in front of a study table with piles of books and scrolls. Frost Bite already read half of it and while he did love reading, it was surely tiring. So transfiguration is all about transforming objects? Why not just call it transformation? Frost Bite pushed himself away from the table, moving his swivel chair away from it. Five books down, five to go. Frost Bite started reading two in the afternoon so when he looked outside and saw it was already evening it shocked him. What was no shock to him was his grumbling stomach. Dinner awaits. Frost Bite got off his chair, walked to his door, and upon opening the door he met Ombré’s face full of shock. “Oh hi, Ombré.” “Frost Bite, hi!” Ombré greeted nervously. “I was going to knock but I guess I don’t have to now.” “Uh huh.” “So I was thinking,” Ombré mumbled. “Since you said basically we were going out together, I want to know if you want to have dinner with me tonight.” “Ombré.” “Yeah?” “Why are you acting weird?” Frost Bite furrowed his eyebrows. “It’s our first… You know...” “We’re just going out together. Nothing weird about that.” “Right. Right.” “So, where are we going?” Ombré led Frost Bite near the borders of Canterlot. In there, there were fewer fancy establishments and ponies don’t actually stick their noses up high. It was nice for Frost Bite to see Canterlot had normal ponies for a change. Not that the upper-class ponies were annoying, but they do alienate Frost Bite most of the time he was with them. They stopped in front of a restaurant. It wasn’t posh and fancy, but it reminded Frost Bite of Ponyville. It had an homey-aura to it, and he loved it. The sign that hung in front said ‘Garden’. “The Garden?” Frost Bite loudly read. “It’s one of my favorite places here in Canterlot. I don’t really come here with the guys though.” “Why not? This place looks great!” “Well, they’d rather drink cider at the bar than actually eat dinner, so...” “Hey, don’t look so down. I’m with you tonight.” “O-of course!” The two of them entered the building and took a table for two. Inside, the interior looked entirely made of wood. Tables and chairs were too. Ponies filled few tables in the restaurant. At one end, there was a grand piano, where a pony seemed to be preparing her notes for a performance. “This place looks great!” Frost Bite commented. “I know,” Ombré agreed. “This place has always been like this. Even the ponies here.” There was a lot of things Frost Bite noticed. Simplistic wooden interiors, ponies laughing and talking, and a wall filled with different paintings and photographs that he swore looked a lot better than the ones he saw at the Canterlot Museum. “Thanks for bringing me here, Ombré,” Frost Bite grinned. “This place is sweet.” “Of course. We’re dating after all...” Ombré mumbled. “I just hope this place has food just as good.” “Oh, don’t you worry. I can vouch for this place. As the new captain of the Night Guards, I can assure you.” “What?” “Did I… say something weird?” For a minute, nobody said anything and the two just stared at each other in confusion. “Weren’t you fired or something?” Frost Bite questioned. “Isn’t that why your buddies at the bar we’re cheering you up?” “No!,” Ombré cried, waving his hooves. “We were celebrating my promotion.” “Then what’s with the depressing aura?” Frost Bite wondered. “You were talking to Night Tickle, looking so glum and whatnot.” “I’m sorry. I guess I thought you were worried about me when I got arrested.” “I was.” Frost Bite smiled then his stomach grumbled. “But enough about that, at least we got it all sorted out. For now, we’re here for some grub.” Sing Song left Frost Bite by himself to study and she didn’t want to distract him. So because of that, Sing Song just wandered around the castle, floating along the long hallways that smelled curiously of lavender. She thought of what they had been through since they first met. It was ridiculous to her that they started with almost nothing and now they got to stay at the humble abode of the rulers of Equestria. Sing Song let out a loud sigh. “Looking for someone?” Sing Song turned and saw Princess Celestia smiling at her. It surprised Sing Song she didn’t even hear the princess coming. “Yeah. Where’s Frost Bite?” “Went out with Ombré for dinner,” Princess Celestia said. “At least that’s what the guards told me.” Sing Song raised an eyebrow. “Okay…?” “You don’t sound satisfied.” “I don’t know,” Sing Song grumbled. “I thought he’d bring me with him.” “Ombré?” “No, Frost Bite!” Sing Song snapped. “Why would I be chummy with that guard?” “You did say ‘him’, so I assumed you meant a male rather than Frost Bite.” Sing Song covered her mouth as if she had uttered a swear, which earned a curious look from Princess Celestia. “R-Right… You know him, er, her… She acts so much like a stallion I forget she’s a girl.” Like that’s gonna fly. Sing Song knew Princess Celestia was already suspicious of Frost Bite and slipping now would only strengthen the princess’s doubts. “Is there something you’d like to tell me, Sing Song?” Princess Celestia asked, tilting her head. Sing Song knew what Princess Celestia was trying to do. Behind her kind facade, Princess was trying to get her to confess. “It's alright,” Princess Celestia confided. “I know Frost Bite isn't what she appears to be.” Uh oh. This can't be good, Sing Song thought. “And I do know she means no harm,” Princess Celestia giggled. “In fact, she is quite a delight to be around with. And also, quite the fast learner she is. Frost Bite really surprised me when she read much of her books in such a short notice.” “So, you don't mind her being…” “Not a student undergoing a thesis? Of course not. I did mind when I realized she wasn’t a pony.” “You knew?” “Of course. I have faced their queen and subjects two years ago. I have learned their ways since then, though I must say Frost Bite clearly wasn't the best when it comes to hiding secrets.” “Then why didn't you bust us?” “I believe everyone deserves a chance, may they be a pony or otherwise.” Sing Song couldn't help but return Princess Celestia’s smile. Nightingale leaned on the door, and behind it was Sing Song talking to Princess Celestia. Nightingale heard everything. It confused him, yet scared him at the same time. How can the princess let an enemy of the nation into the castle? When the changelings invaded, Nightingale was helpless against the horde of love eaters and was easily captured into one of their pods. In there, he could see the changelings capture more ponies and feed on their love. It terrified him, but it also made him hate them. He hated them and would not allow another changeling close to anypony, especially the ones he cared for. Ombré. No. He’s with that faker! With that thought, Nightingale jumped out of the window in the room and flew away, careful as to not make noise and not alert the foolish princess and her friend. “Best. Meal. Ever.” Frost Bite smiled with a toothpick in her mouth as she leaned back on her seat. “Knew you'd like this place.” Ombré sipped from his straw. “We should do this more often.” “That is a given.” Frost Bite felt satisfied. While the food at the castle was immaculate, there was something about the food in the place that made it so good, if not better. However, the place also had its flaws; the pianist played songs that were far from relaxing and were instead more like shanties from a pirate ship. He would’ve like that, but the songs were unheard to Frost Bite and most of the patrons sang along to the melody. Doesn’t help there also was a fight by the bar, which reminded Frost Bite that it was also a bar. A restaurant bar… Restobar? Bartorant? “That hits the spot!” Frost Bite exclaimed. “I know, right?” Ombré agreed. “I was worried you wouldn’t like it here.” “Because ‘Princess Luna’s prized pupil’?” “Well, yeah.” Before Frost Bite could take another sip, the bar doors were slammed wide open. Everyone at the bar turned to see who would make such a grand entrance. As a pony stepped into the doorframe, the doors were slammed back into place, making a loud thud. “Ow,” the pony with a hooded mellowed, hold his face with his hooves. “I hate these swivel doors...” Frost Bite looked closely at the newcomer and noticed he was coming their way. Upon reaching their table, the pony removed his hood, revealing… Another hood. “Were you, by chance, really cold out there?” Frost Bite asked. “My ears get cold easily, so yeah.” The hooded pony answered lightheartedly. “Nightingale?” Ombré finally wondered. “You’re the only one I know with cold ears.” Undoing his final hood, the armor-clad night guard Nightingale was revealed. “Captain, stay away from that mare,” Nightingale ordered. “She’s not what she appears to be.” Frost Bite felt a chill as he heard Nightingale. Am I busted? “What are you talking about, Nightingale?” Ombré raised an eyebrow. “We’re having some time together, so if you can, please knock off the joke for now.” “No! I’m not joking!” Nightingale stomped. “Frost Bite, if that is her real name, is not a pony!” Frost Bite’s sweat flowed. [Not good./i] “She’s a changeling!” Definitely not good. Collective gasps erupted from the room, with one gasp delayed from the others. “Wait, you were all listening?” Frost Bite asked out loud. “Well, with that night guard screaming every sentence she said, yeah,” a patron yelled back. “Oh, sorry I’m being too loud...” Nightingale apologize, lowering her head. “Nah, it’s alright,” said by another patron, who looked like a pirate. “Enough!” Ombré roared. “I am not taking this farce any longer!” “You have to believe me! Captain, it’s for your sake!” “I have been with Frost Bite for days, and I know for sure that Frost Bite is one of the kindest ponies I’ve met. I know how she really loves to read, to eat, and to mingle with others. She’s a genius with spells and... ” Frost Bite, while happy about what Ombré had to say about him, wanted to get away from Nightingale as much as possible. Another thing he worried about was Ombré. Would he deny all of their time together if he started to believe Nightingale? His heart pounded hard with each second passing. “But she’s a changeling!” Ombré got off from his seat and went to Frost Bite. His face was unreadable to Frost Bite, and it only added to Frost Bite’s anxiety. “Ombré?” Frost Bite called out weakly. “Frost Bite,” Ombré said in an emotionless tone. “I want you to be honest with me.” “Okay.” “Are you a changeling?” The question was something Frost Bite expected, but hearing from Ombré made it much heavier. Frost Bite never thought of the telling him. He just wanted to be with everyone. Is that so wrong? “Well?” Frost Bite couldn’t look him in the eyes. He could imagine Ombré’s glare on him. “Answer me!” Frost Bite flinched. No. “Yes,” Frost Bite whispered. “The real Frost Bite. Where is she?” “There’s no real Frost Bite. I made her up. Frost Bite is me.” “Has everything been a lie? Being a student, befriending me?” “No!” Frost Bite cried. “I just want to be like everyone else! I just wanna be friends with you, with the princesses, and everyone.” Frost Bite met Ombré’s gaze. He was going to ramble about him being a good changeling, but to his surprise, his eyes weren’t full of anger. It was instead filling with tears, but his face remained stoic, like what he always did as a guard. “Do you swear on the Princesses that you’re telling the truth?” “Yes.” “That’s all I needed to hear.” Frost Bite then got embraced by Ombré. His embrace was so tight and Frost Bite felt his tears on him. He returned his gesture. “I’m sorry I-I didn’t tell you,” Frost Bite stammered, choking up on his own words. “It’s okay.” “I’m sorry.” Tears fell from Frost Bite’s eye she apologized one more time. “It’s okay.” Silence filled the establishment as if everyone understood what had just happened. Or maybe they did. “Thank you,” Ombré whispered then let go of Frost Bite. “Why?” “I’m glad you trust me enough that you wouldn’t even lie to me. At least now.” Frost Bite smiled at that statement. Nightingale, however, did not. “HUH?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS?!” Everyone at the establishment shifted their gazes into Nightingale. “She’s a changeling! She’s probably lying to get you to her side!” “And why is that, Nightingale?” Ombré asked. “Because she feeds on love! Changelings do that thing!” “I have seen my fair share of liars, and Frost Bite is not among them.” “That’s because you love her! That’s bias!” “Hey! Not so loud...” Frost Bite became confused. Ombré loves me? Friendship does come with love… Or maybe he thinks I’m an actual female? Either way, it became problematic for Frost Bite. The gender bomb will have to wait, else Ombré will surely explode. Do I really look like a girl? “Have you forgotten the changeling invasion?” Nightingale asked, looking furious. “The terrible things they’ve to our city?” “Of course not! But you can’t blame one pony for a whole invasion!” “I bet she was at the invasion!” Frost Bite gulped. He was, but not the way Nightingale thought. “It doesn’t matter.” “Why not?!” “Because her past,” Ombré moved in front of Frost Bite as if to protect him from Nightingale. “Is not her today.” “Not from what I’ve seen of her. These past days I would have been fine being the perfect night guard, doing rounds and whatnot. After I met Frost Bite, things changed. I realized I’m not just another guard. I’m my own pony, and she made me realize that.” “That’s beautiful, bro,” a random patron praised. “Uh, thank you?” Ombré replied. “Enough!” Nightingale stomped hard, making a loud echo throughout the establishment. “You are so lovestruck that it made you blind! Why would you love her?! She’s just a spoiled little pretend pony, and I’ve always been there for you!” Frost Bite almost thought he heard wrong, but it wasn’t. Always there for you…? “I’ve been training hard just so we can get in the same squad. I’ve done everything so I can get your approval. And you acknowledge me… ” “Frost Bite, what’s going on?” Ombré asked as he turned his head to face Frost Bite. “Hey, I’m confused as you are.” “Then I had to listen to you basically confessing, pouring out your feelings for someone,” Nightingale pointed at Ombré. “But it wasn’t for me. You chose her!” Nightingale roared with his eyes closed. “Not me!” A silent second seemed to last an eternity to everyone who just heard Nightingale’s confession. After seconds passed, everyone’s jaw dropped. “WHAT?!” everyone screamed in unison. “Wait, you-you like me?!” Ombré questioned. “D-Do I have to say it for you to understand?” Nightingale whispered. “Nononononono, wait a darn minute!” Ombré shook his head furiously. “You’re gay?!” “Huh?! No! What are you talking about?!” Nightingale stomped again. “Why does that make me gay?!” “Because you said you like me!” Ombré screeched, blushing from the weird topic. “WHAT?!” Frost Bite felt like her ears were going to fall off from the loud exchange of the two bat ponies. Looking around, Frost Bite noticed everyone had the same confused look that he had after listening to the absurd conversation. “Y-you monster!” Nightingale hollered. “You don’t even see me as a potential lover!” “Of course not! I’m not like that!” “Not like what? A stallion?” “It’s because I’m stallion!” Frost Bite raised his hoof. “What?!” Nightingale asked, noticing Frost Bite. “I think we’re missing something here...” Frost Bite answered, holding his hoof in the air. “Are you in love with Ombré?” “I-idiot! Isn’t it obvious?!” Nightingale stomped angrily then looked away shyly. “Don’t make me say something so embarrassing...” Frost Bite noticed something from Nightingale. The way he looked away, biting his lips, and eyeing Ombré… “This is gonna sound crazy,” Frost Bite said cautiously, “but are you by chance a mare?” “Ha!” Ombré laughed. “Don’t be stupid, Frost Bite. Nightingale’s always been a guy. We’ve been comrades-in-arms for a long time.” “And have you noticed things that were odd during your time together as comrades?” Frost Bite questioned with a raised eyebrow. Ombré sat down on a chair next to him and thought to himself. “Well now that you’ve said it… He never goes into the restroom with me even though he had to.” “And?” Frost Bite interjected, looking a bit disappointed. “Nightingale always reject my offer to sleep in my room when he couldn’t get a ride home late. He always insists on the sofa...” “And?” Frost Bite droned, now rubbing his forehead on left front hoof. “He won’t join me in the shower room at the barracks for some reason.” “Dear Hives, save his soul,” Frost Bite muttered. “And what do you get from all those things you’ve said?” “AH!” Ombré screamed, eyes wide open. “You get it now?” Frost Bite sighed. “To think I was that bad identifying pony gender.” Ombré pointed at Nightingale. “He IS gay!” Everyone at the establishment slapped their foreheads, and it was pretty loud. After that, a collective sigh. The only one who didn’t was Nightingale and she only hung her head. Frost Bite felt Nightingale’s pain, though he was never called gay before. He never thought if he could ever like a stallion. “Y-you...” Nightingale muttered under her breath. “Huh?” Ombré turned to Nightingale. ”You IDIOT!” This time everyone covered their ears. Some were late to react and suffered the loud screech emitted by the night guard. Frost Bite wondered if her scream was louder due to her being a bat pony. After that scream, Nightingale’s helmet slid off her head, revealing her long mane, which curled nicely along her head. Frost Bite wondered how her mane kept it’s gorgeous look after being in the helmet for so long. Nightingale raised her head, showing her teary eyes, but she didn’t let it fall. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her gritted teeth were visible, and her glaring yellow eyes leered only at Frost Bite. “I, Nightingale of the Night Guard, am now placing you Frost Bite under arrest!” Nightingale then lunged at Frost Bite, to which he just teleported away from and appeared on top of the counter. Nightingale ended up on top of Ombré. “I-I—” Nightingale stammered. “Frost Bite, get out of here!” Ombré hollered without looking away from Nightingale. “I’ll hold him, uh, her off!” “That’s not fair!” Nightingale moaned then scowled and pointed at Frost Bite. “Changelings have bounties on their heads, so if anypony can bring her to me, they will get a reward!” Upon hearing the night guard’s announcement, the patrons of the bar turned to Frost Bite. “Uh, I thought you guys are on my side?” Frost Bite wondered. The patrons didn’t respond and instead took out ropes, chains, nets and other bewildering items for catching prey. “Yep, thought so.” Frost Bite then teleported into the swivel doors and made a run for it. Screams of ponies trailed behind Frost Bite as he ran from the shop and into the night. “I thought you guys are on my side?!” Frost Bite asked out loud to the crowd behind him. “Hey, we all gotta make a living!” What kind of bar that has bounty hunters as patrons? Frost Bite teleported into a corner, however, the flash of the magic made it obvious to where he appeared next. Maybe that slowed them down? He kept running past the alley and into a neighborhood. Frost Bite dodged the ponies along the street. Frost Bite wondered if Canterlot was always busy even at night. Great, I’m at the very edge of Canterlot! The castle’s too far! “Sorry. Pardon me. Excuse me. Coming through. No, I’m not interested. Oh, I’ll have one, thank you! Oh, excuse me.” After going through the crowd, Frost Bite stopped and found what she thought she would never see in her living days; two Mango ponies, standing next to each other. “So, you think we should try to sell more often in Ponyville?” asked Mango. “Uh huh. Lot’s of fruit loving ponies there,” answered the other Mango, wearing a saddle bag with a lit lamp hanging. “Okay, duly noted.” Frost Bite rubbed her eyes and ears just to make sure he wasn’t seeing double and hearing double. “Hey, Mango,” said one of mares, unknown to Frost Bite which is Jill or Jane. “Uh huh, Mango?” “That blue unicorn is staring at us.” “Which blue unicorn?” “The one right in front of us.” “Wow, that’s so rude.” “It’s very rude to stare.” “Uh huh.” Wow, they really rarely blink. Frost Bite shook her head and approached the duo. “Hey, it’s me!,” Frost Bite greeted as she walked towards them. “Frost Bite, don’t you remember?” The duo looked at each other then at Frost Bite again with unreadable faces and constant small smiles. “Ah,” the duo exclaimed together. “The one I sang with.” “The one I slammed into the ground with.” “Ahaha, that’s the one,” Frost Bite weakly answered. “What are you guys doing here?” “We’re on a break,” Mango answered. “For three days,” Mango added. “Oh, that’s nice,” Frost Bite commented but then shook her head. “Wait, I have no time for this!” “That’s sad, we just met and you’re already saying that,” Mango said blankly. “Well, I could always slam her into the ground if you want me to, Mango,” Mango suggested. “Nah, we might make a commotion.” “Guys! I’m in real trouble, okay?!” Frost Bite complained. “What kind of trouble?” Mango asked. “Probably because she was rude.” “Oh, that could be it. When I first met her, she refused my help and good intentions, even though I wasn’t asking anything in exchange.” “Ah, that is rude. When I first met her, she just hugged me out of nowhere. I slammed her to the ground as a reaction.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” “Please!” Frost Bite begged. “Look, I’m being chased by bounty hunters or something like that. Can you guys just hold them off, even just for a tiny bit?” The twins looked at each other for a second. “Uh huh?” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh?” “Uh huh.” Frost Bite could only furrow her eyebrows in confusion with the conversation happening before her. Also, Frost Bite noticed the duo was near identical except for a minor detail. Mango Jane, the one who talked about slamming him into the ground had freckles on her right cheek, while Mango Jill had freckles on her left. “Okay,” Mango Jane answered. “We’ll do it.” “Uh huh,” Mango Jill added. “You’re still a friend to me. Good singers are good friends.” “Oh, uh, okay,” Frost Bite said. “Um, thanks, Mango Jill, Mango Jane.” “No problem,” Mango Jill commented. “Are those the ones chasing you?” Frost Bite looked behind her and saw the rowdy ponies from the bar looking around for him. One of them even had a sketch of him, which really didn’t do justice to his look. Also, crayon sketch, really? “Yeah! I gotta go now!” One of the hunters turned and saw Frost Bite. “THERE SHE IS!” And with that, the rest of the ponies turned and saw Frost Bite. “That mare’s a changeling! Get her!” Ponies panicked, screamed and ran all over the place in response to the announcement. Abandoning stalls, hiding beneath tables and boxes, the place was suddenly clear of the buzzing crowd. “I’m getting a feeling of déjà vu here,” Frost Bite pondered. “We got you now!” a pony wearing an odd looking green helmet. “Get going, friend,” Mango Jill suggested as she dropped her saddle bag to her side. “They’re not getting you.” “Uh huh, not with us here,” Mango Jane reassured. “Thanks, Mango!” Frost Bite nodded then ran off away from them. “Who do you think she was thanking?” Mango Jill wondered. “Has to be one of us.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” One of the hunters ran towards the direction where Frost Bite ran off, but before he could get past the duo, Mango Jane grabbed him and placed her right front leg onto his chest and slammed him into the ground. “No one’s passing through,” Mango Jane told the already knocked-out pony. “You think I overdid it, Mango?” Mango Jill grabbed another pony trying to break through, held his front leg and flipped him into the air. “Hm, I don’t know.” “You idiots! Go together! Don’t let them pick you off one by one!” screamed one of the larger hunter ponies. Four ponies went charging into the pair, only flipped and slammed into the ground consecutively. “Well, I’m not complaining,” Mango Jane commented. “Uh huh. Then let’s keep our promise to my friend,” Mango Jill mused. Champagne Barrels wiped the tables for the tenth time and turned around to see the empty pub still empty. It’s gonna be one of those nights, huh. Champagne moved back to her bar and filled a boot with a round of cider. “Benefits of a pub owner,” Champagne thought out loud and took a sip of her beverage. She then let out a loud sigh. Oddly enough, there were nights her place was filled with ponies, and then nights with an average number of ponies, and then just dead silence. Like tonight. It’s a real wonder to her how she could earn enough and then some for herself with this kind of business. Oh well. As long as I can drink and sing… And then, she began humming a tune. What a thrill~ Champagne began tapping her hoof onto the counter. With darkness and silence through the night~ What a thrill~ I'm searching and I'll melt into you~ What a fear in my heart~ But you're so supreme~! I'd give my life~ Not for honor, but for you~! In my time there'll be no one else~ Crime, it's the way I fly to you~! I'm still in a dream~ Here’s the best part, Champagne thought to herself. SnaAAA— A loud slam from her double doors made Champagne jolt and turn. She saw Frost Bite, who apparently started to make a blockade in the front doors with tables and chairs using her telekinesis. “What are you doing?” Champagne asked, furrowing her eyebrows. “Making a barricade.” “What for?” Frost Bite went to Champagne’s bar and slammed her hooves onto it. “You gotta help me!” “Not when you scratch my bar,” Champagne grumbled. Frost Bite immediately retracted her hooves off the counter. “How about now?” Frost Bite gave her a goofy grin. Champagne moved her head closer to the place Frost Bite slammed her hooves on, looking on the small scratches and dents. “You’re gonna have to pay for that.” “Okay okay fine, can you help me?” “Help you what?” Champagne raised her head. “Get to the castle.” “What?” “Look, ponies are after me and they plan to, uh, I don’t know, have me executed.” “You exposed yourself?” “It’s a long story. I mean it, don’t ask. I don’t have the time to tell you everything.” “Right.” Champagne rolled her eyes. “So will you help me?” “Why should I?” “Come on! I trust you!” “Trust goes both ways.” “Exactly! You trust me, right?” Champagne looked the Frost Bite’s desperate eyes. This is gonna more trouble than it's worth... She then let out a loud sigh. “Fine.” “Really?!” Frost Bite’s eyes lit up. “Great!” I’m probably gonna regret this. Wait, I can always ask for a reward from Princess Luna. “Champ? You’re kinda giggling by yourself there,” Frost Bite observed. “It’s a little creepy, to be quite honest.” “What?” Champagne snapped. “Oh, just thinking of a way to get you to the castle.” “Is there?” With that, Champagne smiled. Champagne took Frost Bite to the back of her pub, which was a giant storage room. It was barely lit with few lamps and rows of stacks of crates lined the room and reached the high ceiling. “Come on,” Champagne called. “We gotta get you to safety fast.” “But what are we even doing here?” Frost Bite wondered, looking at the labels on the crates as they pass them by. “I’m pretty sure a crate of cider won’t do us any good.” “Oh, we’re not here for a drink,” Champagne told, going to a giant thing covered by a larger cloth. “We’re here for this.” Frost Bite approached the large unknown object with a raised eyebrow. “What is it?” “It’s our ride.” Champagne pulled out the cover, revealing a giant carriage with what seemed to be an engine in the front. “What is this?” Frost Bite asked, walking around the contraption. “It’s our ride, you say?” “More or less,” Champagne confirmed as got onto the front that contained the seats. “I had this made for when I get stock from different cities.” Frost Bite wasn’t sure what to think of it. The ‘ride’ consisted of mostly metal parts and looked too complicated. It had a larger pair of wheels on the back, a giant compartment for cargo on the rear, and a couple of seats in front. On top of the front wheel covers were flashlights. It also had chrome-silver tubes poking out in the sides of the rear. Frost Bite looked inside of it. “I’m turning it on, so do stay away from the mufflers,” Champagne cautioned. “What—” Frost Bite noticed the thing had started to shake and looked around, only to be blinded by smoke and deafened by the roar of the machine. “So those are mufflers,” Frost Bite coughed. “No time to waste!” Champagne said. “We gotta get this thing moving.” “How fast is this thing, anyway?” Frost Bite shook her head, removing the soot from him. “Unless we’re going the speed of a night guard carriage, we’re not gonna outrun Night Tickle!” “Nightingale?” Champagne wondered. “The night guard totally gay for Ombré?” “What, no! She’s not gay.” “What do you mean she’s not— Oh, okay, now I get it.” Frost Bite got into the front seat beside Champagne. The front of the seat was covered by a window. “Okay, how does this work?” Frost Bite asked. “Alright, first you need— Oh no.” “What now?!” “Only unicorns can drive this thing.” “Then why bother getting on this thing?!” “I don’t know! This thing is faster than anything I’ve been on so I thought...” Champagne rubbed her forehead with her hooves. “Stupid Champ.” “Look, just tell me how to move this thing!” “Are you crazy?! Are you out of your mind?!” Champagne hollered, looking at Frost Bite with disbelief. “This takes weeks to learn!” “I’m a fast learner.” Champagne just stared at Frost Bite. Well, at least she looks serious. “What,” Frost Bite muttered. You know what, screw it. Champagne opened a compartment near her seat, took out a small pamphlet and gave it to Frost Bite. “Just a warning, the first time I hired a driver for this thing, he nearly crashed us into Canterlot Castle,” Champagne disclaimed. “Crashed the castle, huh?” Frost Bite chuckled. “We wouldn’t want that now, would we?” And with that, Frost Bite began scanning the document. Champagne wondered what made Frost Bite laugh about crashing. Maybe she had experience? “Um, Miss Nightingale? I think we’ve really lost them” “Keep looking!” Nightingale erupted. “They can’t have gone too far.” The hunter ponies scuttled out to look for Frost Bite once again. “These ropes are too tight.” “Uh huh.” Nightingale looked back at the ponies who stopped them from moving forward for a while. Of course that faker had tricked ponies to join her side, that’s to be expected. What Nightingale didn’t expect was for those mango ponies to be ridiculously tough. It took a while before they took them down and capture them. Ignoring the complaints of the two, Nightingale gritted her teeth as she jumped and flew into the sky, looking down for the faker. How dare she get Ombré from me! I’ve known him more than that faker did! Nightingale remembered all of the times she and Ombré spent nights at the pub together, sharing laughs and stories, getting along with him when she was still under his supervision as a fresh cadet. And yet that stupid captain fell for that no good faker. “Where in Luna’s moon are you?” Nightingale wondered to herself. Then, she heard a loud crash from one of the buildings below. When she looked at which building, Nightingale noticed it was the local pub the night guards frequent. What the hay happened there? And as if to answer her question, a large thing that looked like a carriage burst out from the back of the building. The carriage then moved to the main road and started moving fast. Too fast for a carriage. Not now. I have a changeling to find! Nevertheless, Nightingale descended and went after the speeding carriage. It was surprising for Nightingale that a carriage can reach such speed and velocity. Nightingale flapped her wings and pushed herself forward to meet the passenger seat of the carriage. Eventually, she reached the passenger seat and saw Frost Bite with the bartender from the pub. “FAKER!” Nightingale screamed. “YOU’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!” Frost Bite flinched from the sudden voice from the side. Frost Bite turned his head and saw the mad night guard baring her teeth at him. “Oh my Queen,” Frost Bite gasped. “Watch the road, you stupid driver!” “The what?” “The road!” Frost Bite shifted his gaze back to the front and saw an incoming pony. “OH SHI—” Frost Bite swerved the carriage by moving the front wheels, making it turn. “Keep your eyes on the road!” Champagne scolded. “Turn on those headlights! We wanna get to the castle on this ride, not in a casket!” “Night Tickle! She’s onto us!” Frost Bite warned as he turned the headlights on using his telekinesis. Champagne looked back and saw Nightingale speeding towards them. “Oh dear.” “So, any ideas?” Frost Bite swerved the carriage to avoid ponies and objects. “I’m not sure if we can keep going with her on our tail.” “Damn, she actually looks pretty,” Champagne commented as she observed their pursuer. “Wasted in that darn helmet of hers.” “Champagne, not the time!” “Right.” Champagne moved back to her seat and opened the compartment again. “I got something here...” “YOU’LL NEVER LEAVE CANTERLOT, FAKER!” Nightingale screeched. “Now’s a good time to pull out a MacGyver!” “A what?!” Champagne asked as she looked around the compartment. A loud thud banged from the back of their ride. Looking back, Frost Bite saw Nightingale on top of the cargo box, desperately gripping on the carriage. “I AM NOT LETTING GO!” “Champ… Night is...” Champagne turned her head and saw the mad pony hanging on the back of the carriage, her yellow eyes seemed to glow in the night. “Swerve!” Champagne ordered. “That’ll throw her off the carriage!” Frost Bite started to control the wheels again to move the carriage left and right while keeping an eye on the road, which sounded easier said than done. Due to their swerving, Frost Bite hit a small stall, spraying fruits all over the windshield. Champagne took another glance at Nightingale, now had fruits on her face as well. “Is she gone?” Frost Bite wondered. “Far from it!” Frost Bite focused on the lightened road as he swerved to shake off Nightingale. Not even Twilight was this mad! Ponies screamed as their carriage barely missed them. “YOU TOOK HIM FROM ME!” Nightingale wailed as she made herself closer by pulling herself towards them. “Let’s not get hasty around here,” Frost Bite commented. “You can’t own ponies!” “SHUT UP!” “Anything yet, Champ?!” Frost Bite reminded as she drove through another stall, this time covering their windshield with pillow feathers. “Here!” Champagne exclaimed after spitting out feathers. “Great! What is it?” Frost Bite shoved the feathers away from the windshield with telekinesis. “It’s a crossbow,” Champagne announced as she loaded the weapon with a bolt. “Whoa, you’re gonna injure her with that! Or worse—” “Of course not, you dolt! I have specially-made arrows made for cases like this.” “Being chased by a mad bat pony?” “Just keep driving! No need to swerve, I’ll knock her off the carriage.” Champagne then knelt on the seat and took aim at the struggling night guard trying to get closer. Frost Bite stopped swerving the carriage and instead dodged ponies and stalls. “WHY ARE YOU SIDING WITH ENEMY?! THAT MARE’S A CHANGELING!” Nightingale hollered at Champagne. “Sorry, but I got no time for your crazy talk!” Champagne responded as she aimed for Nightingale’s head. “Clench your teeth!” Champagne lined her aim with her target, pulled the trigger with her hoof. The arrow fired from the crossbow speedily, and before it hit Nightingale, a boxing glove appeared in place of the arrowhead. Nightingale took the hit with a loud thud and flew out of sight. “I got her,” Champagne mumbled. “I got her! Frost Bite, I got her!” “Nice shooting!” Champagne went back to her seat and put down the crossbow. “One less problem to worry about—” Another loud bang rang from the back of the carriage. The pair turned their heads, only to see Nightingale now near their seat. “THAT HURT!” Nightingale screeched. Frost Bite and Champagne screamed in terror. On instinct, Frost Bite started swerving the carriage again. Frost Bite looked ahead and saw the Canterlot Castle coming closer. “We can’t get caught now!” Frost Bite declared. “You gotta take the right!” Champagne warned. “There’s a dead end if you keep going straight!” Nightingale held onto the carriage as it swerved left. After going over a hump, Nightingale was knocked off a little to the right, making her near the wheels. “ENOUGH OF THIS!” Nightingale hissed, then punched the right front wheel. Frost Bite felt the shift of weight of the carriage, forcing him to levitate the missing portion. This is so darn heavy! “We missed our turn!” Champagne cried as she reloaded her crossbow with another bolt. “We gotta do something!” Frost Bite maintained the balance of carriage. What now? We can’t keep going this way! Frost Bite scanned the incoming objects for anything. Anything that could help them get out this. The only thing he saw was the incoming wall, and it was coming up fast. “Frost Bite, we gotta bail!” Champagne cried. “No!” Frost Bite objected. “I have an idea!” Craziest one yet. “What?! There’s nothing we could do!” Frost Bite moved the carriage slightly to the right, then, using with all of his telekinetic ability, pushed the carriage at full speed. Champagne only screamed as she held her crossbow close to her. Then, the carriage went speeding into a wagon that had its rear wheels missing, creating a makeshift ramp. The carriage flew into the air, aimed straight into Canterlot Castle. The Canterlot Castle Throne Room. It was one of the finest and beautiful rooms in the castle, fitting for a ruler to listen to her subjects and even just rest for a little while. The walls were adorned with beautiful and tall stained glass windows, each depicting significant events of Equestria. From the door to the throne was a lush red carpet, and in the ceiling hang a gorgeous chandelier of gold. Truly astounding feats of architecture. Sing Song appreciated the throne room a lot since she really didn’t have anything to do other than joining Princess Celestia in her work of addressing ponies’ problems. Sing Song sat on the armrest of the throne, while Celestia continued her work talking and smiling. It was an overtime for the princess. As Princess Celestia waved farewell to a pair of ponies, Sing Song noticed there was flowing water near the throne. Where does the water come from anyway? “Is something wrong?” Princess Celestia questioned. “I’m bored.” “Ah. Sorry you had to be stuck with me,” Princess Celestia giggled. “What’s so funny?” Sing Song wondered. “It just that most ponies, especially here in Canterlot,” Princess Celestia answered. “They would do anything to spend time with me. And here you are; bored of being here.” “They just adore you too much, if you ask me,” Sing Song said, flying over to the flowing water. Even that blue dolt. Speaking of him, where the hay is he? Somehow, not knowing where he was gave Sing Song a bad feeling. “If you’re worried about Frost Bite, I can assure you she’s only having fun with her little dinner date.” “For some reason, I’m not comforted by that.” Last time Frost Bite was on his own, he deliberately exposed himself to all of Ponyville and it caused quite a ruckus and mayhem. Fortunately, there were ponies and a dragon willing to give him a chance. Sing Song only hoped he wouldn’t cause another one. Sing Song heard a noise. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it was becoming louder and louder. And then, one of the stained glass broke into pieces and a carriage went through the open window, spreading colorful glass around the floor. The carriage landed in the middle of the room with a loud thud. A pony fell from the carriage’s back and groaned in pain as it hit the ground. “What in Celestia’s but—” Sing Song paused then looked at Princess Celestia. “I mean, what happened?” “A carriage crashed through the throne room’s window, so it would seem,” Princess Celestia observed. Frost Bite fell from the passenger seat, letting out a groan as he landed on the ground. “Frost Bite!” Sing Song called out as she floated toward him. “What the hay happened?” Frost Bite raised his face off the ground. “Well, it all started with—” “Get to the point!” “Night Tickle found out.” “About what?!” “Me.” Sing Song gave a confused look. Who was this Night Tickle? How did he or she find out? “Hey, get up!” Sing Song ordered. “Wait, go check on Champ,” Frost Bite said. “I think she’s still in the carriage.” Sing Song, still confused, floated over the passenger seat and saw a mare passed out there. She then noticed Champ’s eyes were still open from shock. “We-We’re gonna crash...” Champ muttered. “She’s okay, I think,” Sing Song said. “That’s great!” Frost Bite grinned. And then a groaning was heard from the other pony. Soon the groaning turned into screaming. “ARGH!!!” the unknown pony screamed as she stood on her rear hooves. “This is the end, Frost Bite! Canterlot Castle is the last place you’ll ever see!” Sing Song immediately got out of the carriage and saw the bat pony standing. Then, the pony fell onto the ground, passed out. “Well, that certainly was something.” Princess Celestia went to Frost Bite and lifted him up. “Are you alright?” “Yeah.” Frost Bite replied. “Well, that take cares of Night Tickle.” “You can start telling us everything now,” Sing Song sighed. Frost Bite told them right at the beginning; from the dinner to Nightingale’s intrusion to Frost Bite’s escape from the bar to encountering the Mangoes to hiding at Champagne’s to driving Champagne’s mechanical carriage to now. “I get the gist of it,” Princess Celestia said. “But I’m not sure who are the Mangoes.” “Just ponies we met before,” Sing Song assured. “So bounty hunters are now looking for you?” “Pretty much, yeah.” Frost Bite then looked at Princess Celestia. “Oh, Princess! You’re here!” “Yes, I’ve been here for a while, Frost Bite,” Princess Celestia smiled. “T-Then you now know that I’m a—” “Don’t worry, Frost Bite,” Sing Song said. “I told her everything.” “Everything?” Frost Bite asked, eyebrows furrowed. “Yeah.” “Wow, I guess this is awkward,” Frost Bite said, scratching his head. “I’ve never done anything like confessing feelings...” “What.” Sing Song blankly asked. “You told her about me having a crush on her, right?” “I did not know you have a crush on me, Frost Bite,” Princess Celestia interjected. “That is quite flattering, but I’m afraid I am not looking for a relationship, Frost Bite.” “I didn’t tell her, Frost Bite,” Sing Song added. Hearing that, Frost Bite’s expression froze and he then curled into a ball on the floor. Oh boy. Sing Song flew to Frost Bite’s place. “Hey, no time to cry over spilled milk; why the hay are you crashing castle windows?” “I’m not crying over milk, I’m crying over my feelings!” Frost Bite sniffled. “We were being chased by that night guard over there who somehow discovered I’m a changeling.” Sing Song wanted to feel sorry for Frost Bite over his rejection from his crush, but his face was so contorted and silly from crying that Sing Song held the urge to even smile at the moment. “Geez, princess,” Sing Song called. “Couldn’t you have laid it out more nicely?” “I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m used to getting confessions like that that I already have an automatic answer for all of them.” Sing Song just glared at Celestia. “What?” “Right, we have to get out of here,” Frost Bite said, sniffling and wiping his eyes. “Bounty hunters are out for me.” “Seriously, bounty hunters? How did we get from racist to full-time bounty hunting treatment?” “Honestly, I don’t know,” Frost Bite got up. “But I think it has something to do with Night Tickle’s jealously over Ombré’s time with me. I mean, if she wanted to hang out with him, she should just ask.” Sing Song looked at the other mare, now standing again on her fours. Oh no. “Just ask?” Nightingale muttered. “So easy for you to say. Especially when Ombré basically confessed in front of you. Unforgivable.” “Yep, we’re leaving,” Frost Bite rushed. “Nice being a student, Princess Celestia, but we got other plans now.” “What about Princess Luna?” Sing Song asked. Frost Bite paused. Sing Song knew how Frost Bite enjoyed Princess Luna’s company. “I don’t wanna cause trouble for them.” Frost Bite went aboard the carriage and lifted the pony inside off the carriage, setting her down beside Princess Celestia. “Princess Celestia, please take care of her. I owe her a lot.” “But what about Ombré?" Sing Song questioned. "Your lessons, your—” “I can’t!” Frost Bite screamed. “I can’t do that anymore. Ponies are gonna keep looking for me. They know how I look now.” “You can always change how you look like.” “No.” Frost Bite faced Sing Song. “This is who I am. I made this look, and it means to me as much as you all do.” “THERE’S NO WAY I’M LETTING YOU GO, FAKER!” Sing Song and Frost Bite turned to see Nightingale baring her fangs at them. Princess Celestia then walked toward her. “P-Princess?” Nightingale asked, looking confused. “I’m sorry, my little pony.” Before Nightingale could react, Princess Celestia casted a spell on her, putting her to sleep. Princess Celestia gently laid her onto the ground. “So much hate in her words,” Princess Celestia observed. “It hurts to see somepony to be consumed by rage.” “Princess Celestia,” Frost Bite called. “Could you tell her I’m sorry? And that I never meant to harm any pony?” “I intend to do so,” Princess Celestia replied. “Are you sure about leaving? I can assure your safety here, Frost Bite.” Frost Bite looked around as if seeing the place for the last time. Or maybe it is? Sing Song went to Frost Bite’s head and nestled in his mane. “The princesses’ are on our side, Frost Bite. We don’t have to leave.” Frost Bite looked at Nightingale, who had a peaceful face as she slept. “I can’t.” “Why not?” “I don’t know. Do you like it here, Sing Song?” Sing Song thought to herself. Canterlot Castle was a huge place, over-the-top with decorations, and… Well, warm. After all their wandering, the princesses welcomed them into their home. “I do. But I’m not letting you go alone. You and I have something” Frost Bite smiled at her words. Sing Song couldn’t help but smile back. “For someone as young as you, you think too much of others,” Princess Celestia said. “Is that bad?” Frost Bite wondered. “Not at all,” Princess Celestia answered. “Well, we’ll be taking our leave now,” Frost Bite announced, to which Princess Celestia nodded. “Thanks for everything.” “No, thank you, Frost Bite,” Princess Celestia walked to Frost Bite and embraced him under her wing. “Without you, I wouldn’t have known there is a chance to your kind.” “A chance?” “If there is a changeling that can be taught to love for not only his own kind but also for others, then there is always another one.” Princess Celestia tightened her hug. “You’re not alone, Frost Bite. Someday, we’ll see each other without fearing each other’s kind.” Sing Song felt her words. She hoped her words would come true. For Frost Bite’s sake. Princess Celestia let go of Frost Bite. “Won’t you at least say goodbye to my sister?” Frost Bite looked down for a second then looked back at Princess Celestia. “Okay.” Princess Luna was on her balcony when she heard a loud crash coming from the throne room. She thought of checking, but she knew her sister could handle the situation. It had been quite a while since the crash, and no guards had yet to report to her on what happened. Maybe I should go check... As she turned to leave her balcony, a flash of light burned into the room. When the light faded, Frost Bite stood in the middle of her room. “Frost Bite! A joy to have you in my room,” Princess Luna exclaimed. “But knocking would still be needed if you wanted to enter.” “Oh, sorry,” Frost Bite said. Princess Luna then walked over to his side and embraced him. “So, how are your studies? I assume you’ve already done them?” “Yeah, I’m only five books to go,” Frost Bite smiled. Princess Luna giggled. “That’s my apprentice! I wonder how fast did Twilight Sparkle finish her books?” “Princess Luna?” Princess Luna let go of her student. “Yes?” “I’m… I’m gonna have to leave for a while.” Princess Luna raised an eyebrow. “Why?” “Um, I actually have to go back home. My parents got sick and no one’s gonna take care of them.” Princess Luna noticed something from her words. She knew she was lying. Frost Bite never lied before. So why lie now? “I see.” Princess Luna turned to her balcony. “How long will you be gone?” “I actually don’t know.” Princess Luna knew she wasn’t lying there. Why does she want to leave? Am I a terrible teacher? Have my old ways made her feel uncomfortable? Then, she felt a hug from behind. “It’s nothing you did, Princess,” Frost Bite confessed. “I actually like it here. I want to be here. I want to be your student.” “Then why are you leaving?” “I can’t really tell you.” Princess Luna looked up at the moon as if the answers were written in the rock floating in the sky. “You really can’t?” “I can’t. And it hurts.” Frost Bite sobbed. “I see.” “Thank you,” Frost Bite whispered, still embracing her. Princess Luna felt the tears on her neck from Frost Bite. Princess Luna then turned and embraced her student properly. She didn’t want her to go. She wanted Frost Bite to stay. Yet… “You can always come back, you know.” “Some day. I promise.” “Pinkie Promise me.” “Pinkie what?” Frost Bite wondered, her voice choked up from sobbing. Princess Luna giggled. “It’s something I picked up from Ponyville. Now Pinkie Promise me.” “Okay.” “Cross my heart, hope to fly; stick a cupcake in my eye,” the two recited, as they did the motions. The two started laughing. They laughed at nothing in particular. Or was it the Pinkie Promise? Princess Luna wasn’t sure, but she embraced her moment together with Frost Bite. They laughed so hard they were laughing with their backs on the carpet. After calming down, Princess Luna gave Frost Bite another hug. “No matter where you are, you will always be my student.” It took a while before Frost Bite managed to grab all of his belongings from his room, which wasn’t a lot. Just a few notebooks, ink and quill, and his new journal. He then proceeded to teleport numerous times to distance himself from Canterlot. Frost Bite looked back at the Canterlot Castle and remembered everything that had happened ever since he left the Hive. His first meeting with Sing Song. Riding on an air balloon with Mango Jill. Having fun at Ponyville’s Nightmare Night. Crashing at the Canterlot Castle. Meeting the princesses and Ombré. Getting around at Crystal Empire. Going through another world of bipedal sentient creatures. Meeting Trixie and her family. It was quite an adventure, and truly an experience he would have never felt if he had never left the Hive. It was fun and at the same time scary but he knew it was worth it. Frost Bite felt a tear in his eyes. “You okay buddy?” Sing Song asked. “You’ve been staring at the castle for awhile.” Frost Bite let it flow. Tears flowed onto his face. He wasn’t sure if he was sad for leaving his friends or he was happy for meeting them. Oh, what the heck. It was both. “Wait, are you crying?!” “No! It’s just the rain!” Sing Song looked up to the sunny, clear sky. “Yeah. It’s just the rain,” Sing Song smiled. Sing Song then tapped on Frost Bite’s head. “Come on, we gotta get moving. Don’t want the Renegades to get caught now, can we?” Frost Bite nodded. “Yeah.” And with that, Frost Bite turned around and started walking down the road. “Hey!” Frost Bite exclaimed. “You just called us Renegades!” “It’s what we are now, aren’t we?” “So, where do you think this road is gonna take us?” “Does it even matter?” Frost Bite smiled. Of course, it doesn’t. It’s the journey that mattered, not the destination. Or so he read from a book during his stay at the castle. Frost Bite first was confused what that meant, but now, he kind of knew why it confused him. While the journeys he had mattered a lot, there was also something that made it much more. Journeys mattered the most when taken along with someone you care. After all, friendship is magic. Or so they say. “As long as we’re together!” EpilogueThe Mango Sisters stood outside of the Canterlot Precinct. Both of them stared at the cloudy sky. They both stayed for a few hours in a cell, and they had a blast singing with other prisoners. When dinner time came, a pony picked a fight with Mango Jane and that pony ended up in the infirmary. Apparently the pony was one of the bounty hunters wanting to get revenge and because of that, they missed their meal. “Well, at least we got money for bail,” Mango Jill stated. “Uh huh.” “What do you say we hit a pub before we go back home?” “Sure.” The sisters began walking away from the precinct. Mango Jill looked inside her saddle bag. “What’cha looking for?” Mango Jane asked. “This.” Mango Jill pulled out Frost Bite’s journal. “I thought of returning it to Frosty if I ever meet her again, but...” “Eh, we’ll see her again.” “That’s for sure.” Mango Jill placed back the journal into the saddle bag. The sisters had a process when selecting a place to eat or shop at. They would stand in front of each shop they were interested in and just stare at the shop for a minute. In that minute, they would decide if they would go to the said shop. When they did it here in Canterlot, ponies became uncomfortable especially in the restaurants with glass windows in the front, forcing the managers to ask them to leave. It took them more than ten restaurants before they arrived at the pub with a sign that said ‘Troubles Be Gone!’ and they still took their time to stare at the establishment. “Let’s eat here,” Mango Jill finally spoke. “Okay.” The sisters filed through the wooden swivel doors. The place was empty save for the pony tending the counter. “I like this place,” Mango Jane commented. “Really?” “Uh huh.” The sisters took seats by the counter. They then proceeded to look around the interior of the pub, ignoring the bartender. “Can I help you?” said the bartender in a bored tone. With that, the sisters snapped back their glance to the bartender, which really surprised the bartender. “Do you have a menu?” Mango Jill asked. “Wow, you gals wanna eat here? That’s a new one,” the bartender said as she went down the counter. “Here you go.” The sisters took the menu and glanced at it for a while. “I’ll have a blueberry pie and an apple cider deluxe.” Mango Jill handed the menu back. “I’ll have a apple pie and an apple cider deluxe.” Mango Jane handed the menu back. “Got it. One blueberry pie, one apple, and two apple cider deluxe,” the bartender recited then left the two. “Be back in a jiffy.” Mango Jill then took out Frost Bite’s journal. The cover was leather-bound. It was heavy despite missing a large number of its pages. “What’cha got there— Oh, the journal,” Mango Jane said. “Just wondering what’s inside.” Ombré felt tired and rightly so. Holding Nightingale back was a nightmare and hearing her screech when she was apprehended at the Canterlot Castle was even more so. For now, Nightingale was detained at the Canterlot Guard Barracks. She had silent ever since. Ombré didn’t hear anything from Frost Bite since then. When he asked Princess Celestia, she assured him with a smile that Frost Bite was safe but won’t be coming back for a while. With that, he understood. Frost Bite was laying low from Canterlot. He wanted to ask the princess if she knew about Frost Bite being a changeling, but decided not to. It was one long night calling it that was an understatement. He had his first date with a mare and also his last. It was ironic that he felt like cheated by fate. He ended up in Troubles Be Gone!, the usual pub. After that, he really didn’t want to go back to the Garden. Ombré pushed through the double swivel doors and let out a sigh. Well at least this place never changes. Ombré went to the jukebox, dropped a bit into the machine, and pressed the buttons. The machine moved to play the disc. Music began from it. It was a lively piano tune and while he wasn’t really a classic lover, hearing the piece helped him ease his mind off his problems. He then sat by the counter, where the bartender was washing a boot with a cloth. Seriously, what’s with this pub’s choice of beverage containers? “Oh, Ombré,” the bartender called. “What’cha having?” “Whatever that can make my troubles be gone.” “One apple cider deluxe, coming up,” the bartender giggled. Ombré wondered what the bartender was giggling about. Then he placed his forehead on the counter. “Here’s your— Long night, huh?” the bartender asked, putting his drink beside his head. “I guess you can say that.” “Anything I can do to help?” Ombré raised his head and saw the bartender looking at him smiling. “What’s with the offer?” Ombré raised an eyebrow. “You usually just leave the customers unless they bring something up.” “Just like you,” the bartender poured herself a drink. “I had a long night.” “I’m betting it’s not as crazy as mine.” Ombré took a big slurp from his drink. “I’m betting my darn helmet even.” “Well, I’m betting my...” the bartender looked around the pub. “My jukebox.” “This should be interesting.” Ombré took another chug. I’ve been wanting those discs for a while. “Should you go first?” “Screw the ‘ladies first’ thing. I wanna hear yours first.” And so Ombré told the bartender of his night, beginning with his date with Frost Bite up to restraining his colleague. “I’ll admit, that is crazy.” The bartender chugged her drink and slammed it to the counter. “But I think I win this one.” The bartender, whose name was Champagne Barrels, told him of her friend going to her pub and asked her to bring her to the Castle. Champagne told him every detail of the crazy ride up to the crash into the castle’s throne room. ”Even after all that, I got off with no charges and the princess even offered to fix my carriage, PLUS a reward for helping my friend.” Champagne held her nose high, looking smug. “You win.” Ombré took off his helmet and placed it onto the counter. “That is true,” Champagne agreed as she grabbed the helmet. “A fine display, don’t you think?” “Yeah, yeah,” Ombré took his boot and noticed it was empty. “How about another one?” “Another bet?” “I’d rather get another round of cider.” Champagne took his boot, refilled it, and refilled hers as well. “You know what, the refill’s on me.” Champagne placed his drink before him. “Really?” Ombré took his boot. “You’re not just pitying on me, are you?” “There’s that,” Champagne giggled. “But talking about that just now really made me feel better. I don’t know what I got to gain by helping that pony.” “We all have our crazy moments, huh?” Ombré raised his boot. “To crazy things.” “Crazy things indeed.” And they clinked their boots together and chugged their drinks. After they emptied their drinks, Ombré noticed a pair of ponies, or rather twins reading together. He recalled one of them back then in Crystal Empire, where Frost Bite got assaulted. Ombré got off his seat and approached them. “Excuse me,” Ombré called out. Both of the mares turned their heads fast, still chewing their food. “Do you this pony, Mango?” one of them asked the other while chewing. “Oh, this dude tried to arrest me when I slammed your friend into the ground,” the other answered, also chewing. “Right...” Ombré sat next to them. “You ponies know Frost Bite?” “Not me,” said one of the twins. “We were singing travel buddies, even it’s just for a while,” said the other. “Do you where she is now?” Ombré asked eagerly. “Last time we saw her, she was being chased by nasty ponies,” one of them said. “Very nasty.” the other one added. “We had to stall them so she can away.” “Wait, you ponies talking about Frost Bite?” the bartender said as she walked to their spot. “I was talking about her too.” “Wait, the pony you escorted to Canterlot Castle was Frost Bite?” Ombré turned to the bartender. “Yeah.” “Well, this makes a weird meeting of Frost Bite’s acquaintances,” one of the twins said. “Uh huh,” her twin added. Ombré peered into his drink. That’s one heck of a coincidence. “So, none of you know where she is now?” “Like I said,” the bartender said. “I don’t know where she went after the crash.” “We got arrested for beating up nasty ponies, so we don’t know,” one of the twins said, to which her twin nodded. Ombré let out a sigh then smiled. If she had this much ponies caring for her, then she’s got to be safe. Plus, I think Sing Song’s still looking out for her. “What are you smiling about, Ombré?” the bartender asked. “Nothing.” Ombré proceeded to empty his boot. “How about another one?” Frost Bite sat in front of a bundle of sticks for bonfire while Sing Song hummed a tune, watching Frost Bite trying to cast some sort of fire spell as she sat on a rock. They’ve been walking for awhile and decided to take shade under some high trees for rest after being long ways away from Canterlot. Sing Song stopped humming. “Say, Frost Bite,” Sing Song called out. “Yeah?” Frost Bite replied as he levitated a spellbook that contained a firestarter spell. “I still don’t get why we had to leave Canterlot like that.” “I already told you; I’m gonna be a burden if I stayed there,” Frost Bite answered. “Not to mention, Night Tickle and those bounty hunters are gonna be on alert with changelings.” “And the princesses don’t mind the burden,” Sing Song said. “You really think they’d let you get caught?” “Of course not,” Frost Bite admitted. “Why is this spell hard?” “We didn’t have to leave,” Sing Song muttered. Frost Bite lowered his spellbook. “Yeah. I know.” Frost Bite just stared at the firewood. “Did you wanted to stay?” “Not really.” Sing Song looked down. ”I know you wanted to.” Frost Bite lifted up the spellbook again, trying to focus on the firestarter spell. Frost Bite wanted to stay. Of course. “You know, if we had faced bounty hunters when we first met, you’d be shaking and crying.” Sing Song looked up. “No I wouldn’t!” Sing Song let out a hearty laugh which made Frost Bite smile. Would I be really that scared? A spark ignited the firewood, lighting a fire. “Yes!” Frost Bite jumped. “I did it!” “Still a princess protege, huh?” “Duh!” Frost Bite flashed her necklace to Sing Song. “Wouldn’t be wearing this if it wasn’t for that!” Frost Bite looked up into the night sky and then to the moon. I wonder what’s she’s doing now? Frost Bite couldn’t help but think of the princesses. They had been so nice to him and patiently taught him magic. He was very grateful for that. Frost Bite took out a leather bound notebook. No, this is my new journal. The cover had Princess Luna’s cutie mark. Frost Bite levitated an inkwell and a quill. Dear Princess Luna... (Cue the ending theme) The Gallery of the RenegadesHere are some old images, close up photos from the thank you images and more! Made them myself. Enjoy! The Misadventures of the Renegades cover: III: Trust Issues - Frost Bite getting lectured by Sing Song about prejudice Frost Bite: An earlier version of Frost Bite, where she attends the Grand Galloping Gala. This is before she was called Frost Bite and before the fanfic's creation: In the middle is Frost Bite's Equestria Girls look. The other two are my friends' OCs. Again, this is before she was called Frost Bite and before the fanfic's creation: Here is an old art where Frost Bite is hugging Lazy Afternoon, a very old OC I never used and Champagne Barrels: Sing Song: Mango Jill: Mango Jill's suggestive face: Mango Jill's first art: Mango Jane: The Mango Sisters: Champagne Barrels: Old Champagne art: Champagne meme face: Champagne hates barrels: Champagne's What: Ombré's helmet(now Champagne's) Ombré: Ombré's HA!: Nightingale: Nightingale's HA!: The Thank You Image without the greeting: EXTRA: Under The Violet Hood Hi! Now many of you would be wondering 'why are you publishing a chapter after all these years?' Well, this chapter was supposed to be a story arc of Frost Bite exploring Manehatten but I never really got anywhere past this chapter. I still think this was an interesting chapter. Give me your thoughts on the comments below after reading! Happy readings! Ah, Canterlot Castle; a place where prissy ponies visit and annoy the princess with their problems originating from their own snootiness and sheer upper-crustiness. Or so Frost Bite thought. It annoyed him that Luna can’t give him a lesson due to day court’s unusual number of guests today. Tirek’s destruction apparently affected a number of properties around Equestria that the sisters had to attend to the court together and they even plan to hold the night court together as well. It was then Princess Luna decided to send him to Manehatten, the city that never sleeps, or maybe took naps between hours. Luna said to him that he had to look into a problem that the city had for two weeks. Frost Bite didn’t get most of what Luna said, but he was sure it was very important and he had to say Luna sent him. Frost Bite laid down on his comfy gigantic bed in his hotel room. The only other homework Luna gave him was Princess Twilight’s lessons of friendship. The first batch of the letters were the lessons that made him gag as he read through icky friendship goodness. He realized that maybe Twilight was a bit naive before she was a princess. Some of the lessons he read were just obvious, while some were quite interesting. He had one favorite, and it was the one where Pinkie Pie wrote it. Today I learned it's not good to jump to conclusions. You have to find out all the facts before saying somepony did something. If you don't, you could end up blaming somepony for something they never did. This could hurt their feelings. And it could make you feel really foolish. So from now on, I will make sure to always get all the facts. Which he also found hypocritical, since Pinkie Pie did launched him with a cannon. Nevertheless, he liked the lesson from the scroll. He wasn’t sure what to do after reading them. Part of him was just glad that he got to the city that never slept. Frost Bite wasn’t quite sure why Manehatten was called that. After all, cities weren’t alive, and they certainly didn’t need sleep. Frost Bite loved how the city never seemed to stop. Walking the sidewalks, Frost Bite noticed that every pony seemed to be headed somewhere, ignoring the sheer number of them altogether. The streets were littered and rushing with carriages pulled by ponies, few by magic engines. It was so different from Canterlot and Crystal Empire. Sing Song read the other scrolls too, and she had the same gag as Frost Bite. She wasn’t as thrilled to be in the city as much as Frost Bite because of the amount of dust and dirt that flew along the breeze of the city. For her, the ponies seemed to ignore each other as they went along their business. It felt heartless for her. At least the Canterlot ponies said hi to each other, no matter how pretentious and posh they did it. “Sing Song,” Frost Bite called out with a parchment on his face. “What?” Sing Song said blankly. “Why were we sent here again?” “Something about congratulating a friend of Princess Luna with his business or something. It’s happening tonight.” “Must we go?” “It’s your job.” “Why can’t I have something interesting for an assignment?” Elsewhere… The moon shone bright across the sky, and the streets often became silent, or at least in this particular part of the city. Littered with trash and filth, it was surprising to see such place was connected to the ever progressing city of Manehatten. In an alleyway, lit by a flickering light from a post, family of three walked. They had just come out of the movie theater, and parents’ child was delighted having seen the motion picture; the parents, not so much. It wasn’t really for them, and for the most part of the movie, it had too many MG(magic-generated) graphics, and the dialog was just awful. The parents’ had the same sentiment; this prequel was a disaster. The original trilogy was a lot better. A shadow emerged from the darkness, and by shadow, I meant a pony and by darkness, I mean the dumpster. The stallion levitated a knife with his magic and threateningly pointed it at the father. “Give me all your valuables. Now.” “You two, get behind me,” the father told his family. “Look, I’ve given you what you want, just don’t hurt them.” He then tossed his wallet on the ground. “Give me your jewelry.” The mother quickly removed her earrings and tossed them as well. “Good.” The thief levitated the items. “But I can’t let you go after seeing my face. Goodbye.” The knife moved quickly and lunged to the father. The mother screamed and waited for her beloved’s scream of pain. She covered her son’s eyes and shut her own. They waited, but the sound never came. She opened her eyes and saw a pony before them. The pony wore a purple body suit and a flowing cape over, covering all over her body, and her hooves covered in darker colored boots. The pony turned to them, showing a face covered in a mask that also hid her eyes. The knife merely floated before her. “Run,” she said with a low voice. Confused, the mother pulled her husband and child away from the situation. The kid, when his mother pulled him, saw the new pony. “Mare Do Well!” The pony, known as Mare Do Well, turned to the evil-doer. Her eyes, though covered, managed to show its glare to the criminal. Mare Do Well tossed the knife aside. “Oh no, not the costumed freak!” The stallion started running in the other direction. Mare Do Well took something from her waist and tossed it to the escapee. The object exploded and turned into wires, covering the escapee in it and he fell to the ground. Mare Do Well approached the wired pony. “Who the hay are you?!” She only looked down at the criminal, but as heard the police sirens from a distance, she fired a grapple gun upwards from her hooves and pulled herself away from the alley. An hour later, Frost Bite decided to do more exploring and do the congratulating thing. He hadn’t been to Manehatten, and it was an opportunity for him to see new things. He took Sing Song (literally) and stuffed her into his mane and went to the Maneway subway. The thought of railroads underneath the gigantic city really blew Frost Bite’s mind. A number of ponies also surprised him, even though he already expected it. It was a speedy travel from the previous subway to the next. Frost Bite, during the ride, pointed outside. “Sing Song, look!” “What?” “We’re underground!” There arrived at the famous shopping district. The place was rushing with ponies, transportation, lights and noise; even the air seemed different—dirtier,perhaps. While Frost Bite wanted to see the stores and whatever the place had to offer, Sing Song reminded him about their task at hoof. Frost Bite sighed almost at every shop he wanted to visit as they walked the busy streets. They then arrived at their destination: Manehatten Convention Center. The place made Frost Bite think as to why a large building was shaped like a gigantic popcorn bucket. From the vertical lines of white and blue of it, it made him thought that maybe they were at the wrong place and maybe they were at the movie theater, but the address they had on them was clear and it had the same name plastered on the building’s front. There were several carriages unloading ponies by the front, and they all walked along. the red carpet. All of the ponies who walked wore clothes. “I have a feeling I need some sort of clothing.” “Who cares, every pony is usually naked,” Sing Song blankly stated. “Maybe if I can get a hat or a tie…” Frost Bite looked around and saw a hat stand. “Forget about it, let’s just go the thing and—Oh, of course.” Frost Bite walked to the shop and looked at the varieties of hats that were hung. Baseball caps, top hats, and some he didn’t recognize… but then he saw one that caught his gaze, and Frost Bite knew it was the one. “Invitation, please.” The stoic and tall stallion stood beside the glass double doors. Behind the bouncer’s pair of shades, Frost Bite can feel his gaze and silent judgment. He handed his invitation to the bouncer. The shades stallion handed the invitation back after a second of just staring at it. “Please,” the stallion then gestured Frost Bite to come in. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t have gotten in because of your hat,” Sing Song said as she pointed at Frost Bite’s headwear, which was a felt cap that looked like a glass turned upside down. “It’s a fez. It looks cool, and the bouncer thought so too.” Frost Bite stepped into the large room. Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, fancy paintings decorated the walls, and fancy tables and chairs were at the side, and next to it were tables filled with food. The buffet seemed too glorious for Frost Bite to ignore, but he decided to act with grace. No need to rush. In the center was a ballroom, and beyond it was a stage where ponies played smooth classical music, and a pony was singing in a baritone voice. The room filled with ponies of different colors, chatters, and good music permeated around the room. “What now?” Frost Bite asked. “I don’t know. Mingle, be fancy.” Frost Bite decided to just eat. After all, he was hungry and dinner stared him right back whenever he took a glance at the buffet. He made his way to the buffet. Upon reaching the table, Frost Bite looked at the options laid before him. There simply was too many to just pick; he wanted to sample them all. “I can’t decide...” Frost Bite placed his hoof on his chin. “Perhaps I can be of help?” a voice asked from Frost Bite’s right. “Really? That’ll be—” As Frost Bite turned and saw the origin of the voice, he froze. “Is something wrong, darling?” It was Rarity. Twilight’s friend. Which mean she could be here too. Frost Bite’s eyes widened and his mouth shut tight. He shook his head quickly. Sing Song took cover in his fez. “Oh, I must be intruding on you. I meant no disrespect, but I overheard you having trouble over selecting?” Frost Bite nodded. “Well, allow me to lend a hoof! I have quite the palate if I do say so myself.” Rarity then levitated a plate from the table. “So, do you have any preference? Or maybe dislikes?” Frost Bite shook his head. “I see. No need to be shy, you can talk to me. I won’t bite.” Sure, but you’ll probably call the guards if I talked. “How about I just give you a sample of everything?” Frost Bite nodded again. “I can see you have quite the appetite. I’m Rarity, by the way,” she said as she filled the plate with different morsels of delight. Frost Bite looked around, hoping to come up with an excuse to leave Rarity, but it was futile. Instead, he gave a smile at her. “Cat got your tongue?” “Thank you all for coming!” a voice boomed from the stage. The artists had just finished playing, and a brown stallion now was at the side of the stage, levitating a microphone. “We’re pleased to have you all here with us tonight, and I’m sure Ms. Cloverheart appreciates all of you for this night...” Frost Bite drowned out most of the stallion’s words and looked at Rarity, who seemed to be listening to the speech. Seeing this, Frost Bite slowly walked away from her, but not without taking a huge slice of a cake on the table. All of a sudden, the lights turned off. One light turned on. The spotlight turned to the center of the stage, however, there was no pony to be seen. Gasps can be heard by the audience, wondering if this was part of the program. Then, smoke started to fill the podium, and then it exploded, revealing a unicorn in a very suggestive pose, who wore a red tight suit and a red butterfly mask. Even her horn was covered in red. “Fine evening, fillies and gentlecolts!” she announced. “All of Equestria’s prissy and posh ponies have gathered tonight, I see.” Faces of shock and terror and whispers spread across the room. The band ponies behind the masked ponies stood up and pulled off their coats and revealed that they were also wearing the same tight suit, only not red. Each of them held a sort of melee weapon, one being a mace, another a flail, and another a single ninja star, which really perplexed Frost Bite. “No need to be alarmed, my little rich ponies. The Crimson Papillon is here!” the costumed mare announced. “Now, all I want is your gems, and if you all do that, maybe I’ll let you go on with this party.” Crimson Papillon grabbed with magic and walked along the stage. “Oh, I wouldn’t bother trying to go outside. I got every passage covered. Try anything funny, you’ll be, how can I say this without sounding mean, in the hospital for more than a month.” “Frost Bite,” Sing Song called out from the fez. “What now? We’re not crime fighters! And we don’t have valuables!” “Yeah, and they’re barely armed. What can they even do?” “And who you might be talking to?” a voice asked beside him. The mare calling herself the Crimson Papillon apparently had teleported to Frost Bite’s side. “No one,” he immediately answered, keeping a neutral face. Frost Bite felt his sweat increased. “I don’t like liars, honey,” Crimson Papillon said. She then eyed the Lunar chains around Frost Bite’s neck. “I’m not really into jewelry, but yours simply looks lovely. Hand over the necklace, darling.” Frost Bite’s eyes widened. He looked down at his necklace; the very gift from Luna. “It’s a knockoff, you won’t be able to sell it,” Frost Bite hastily uttered. “Oh? Well, you seem desperate from your voice, so I’ll be taking that.” Frost Bite felt the mare’s magic envelop the necklace, preparing to pull it away. Before he could even blast a random spell, a loud noise of breaking metal came from the ceiling, and a figure dropped between Frost Bite and Crimson Papillon. “Back off, gruesome,” the figure growled in a deep feminine voice. Frost Bite observed the newcomer; she was covered in purple clothing and boots. What Frost Bite thought initially about her was that she had a sweet flowing cape. “You?! How? I made sure no one can enter!” Crimson Papillon said then teleported back to the stage. The mare covered in purple didn’t answer, but instead moved fast towards the red criminal. Unfortunately, she teleported away, leaving the purple hero alone in the middle of Crimson Papillon’s hench ponies. “Take her out!” Crimson Papillon’s voice bellowed. Ponies panicked, screams were heard, and they started to run towards exits. Frost Bite was in the middle of the chaos, and the purple-covered mare had started beating the goons of the red criminal, doing fantastic jumps and flips and dodges and kicks. What Frost Bite never expected to see was Rarity joining the purple pony in the fight. With a flying kick, Rarity had knocked out one of the goons, which was the one holding a small ninja star. Frost Bite can’t help but feel sorry for the pony since she never had a chance, holding a tiny blade. She might as well have shaved for all it’s worth. “I’ll have you know Mare Do Well’s design is mine!” Rarity bellowed to the purple pony as she held a fighting stance. “I don’t know who you are, but that costume is no public domain item.” “What?” the heroic pony, apparently dressed up as Mare Do Well, asked as she blocked attacks from a pony swinging a mace with levitation. She then disarmed the pony and landed a hoof into the face of the goon. “Not the time to be worried about design copyrights, lady.” Frost Bite can’t help but be at awe seeing Mare Do Well and Rarity kicking asses literally. Flurries of kicks were thrown and most of them were dodged by Mare Do Well and Rarity and only theirs were the ones that landed on their targets. Soon, the goons started running away, seeing that they are no match to a vigilante and a seamstress. Mare Do Well, however, pulled something from her belt and tossed it to the escaping ponies. It hit the target and the ponies fell down, knock out cold. A small metal ‘M’ returned to Mare Do Well, and she then returned it to her belt. “Wow,” Frost Bite said. “Wow what?” Sing Song wondered, trying to open the hat from her end. “What happened?” Rarity and Mare Do Well tied up all of the ponies with cloth from curtains. It was Mare Do Well’s idea, and Rarity first was very against that. Mare Do Well didn’t listen to her, and just did what she had to. After all the ponies had been tied up, Mare Do Well began investigating the blown-up podium. Frost Bite shook his head and teleported beside Mare Do Well. He thought of approaching Rarity first, but he still wasn’t sure if she recognized him from Nightmare Night. “Um, anything I can do to help?” Frost Bite asked. “No. Leave and call the cops,” Mare Do Well bellowed. “This podium. It’s not from this building.” “What?” Frost Bite asked. “The wood on this podium didn’t match the rest of the furniture in this building.” Mare Do Well picked up a piece of wood from the remains of the podium. “This building has been at least two decades old, and it never buys any furniture from just any store. If I can match this wood to a certain manufacturer, then I can tell which place they got the podium from.” Mare Do Well placed the piece of wood into her belt. Frost Bite only stared. “What?” Sing Song poked out of Frost Bite’s hat. “What what?” “I said what first.” “I can’t answer that; I was in this hat the whole time.” Sing Song then saw the masked vigilante. “Great, it’s Nightmare Night already.” Mare Do Well turned to leave the area, but she only found Rarity standing in her way. Rarity had a fierce look. “I don’t think you know whose property it is you’re wearing.” “No.” Rarity’s eyes widened at the mare’s answer. “Well, I’ll have you know that I designed that outfit and that no pony other than me and my friends should wear it. I suggest you remove it.” “And. If I don’t?” “I’ll have you arrested.” Rarity then looked at Frost Bite. “You, call the guards.” Frost Bite gulped and obliged. Seeing that Frost Bite followed her order, Rarity faced the vigilante, only to see her disappeared without a trace nor sound. “What?” Frost Bite then howled from the entrance as he left, “I said what first!” As for continuation, I can't say. I only pulled this one out of my archives and follow up chapter for this is really incomplete. Maybe if there is demand for it, I might try to complete it but this story is too old to gain traction again I think. But I do hope you enjoyed another adventure with Frost Bite and Sing Song. Thank you for reading! Drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts! Words from the Author (Trivias and Acknowledgements)The end. It's over. Wow. The Misadventure of the Renegades started with a simple thought: I want to write comedy. My idea was to focus shenanigans around a changeling and a breezie, something I thought was never done in FimFiction(but to my dismay, there already are fics like that and more popular too). Initially, the story was supposed to follow the current flow of episodes airing, turning it into a continuous story and possibly endless due to MLP not ending. But alas, I couldn't really write chapters fast, and back then I could only do one chapter per month. Considering I only thought of doing three thousand words minimum, I was slow. Here's a bunch of Renegades trivia: There were a lot of scrapped chapters, most of which I've already lost due to reformatting of my laptops I've worked on. The first lost chapter was the Renegades meeting with Zecora and messing around with Poison Jokes, and that chapter was something I don't really wanna remember because of Poison Joke's effect on Frost Bite. Another lost chapter about the Renegades was meeting with Doctor Whooves and have an adventure through time and space. Another lost chapter dealt with the child of the moon, and it was an ambitious story arc but I've never really gotten around it. There is a pair of chapters that I still have but incomplete; it deals with the Renegades going to Manehatten and meeting a new Mare Do Well who protects the city from crime. I'll let you all guys in a secret; Frost Bite's design wasn't really his back then. The blue pony with white mane you see today was a gender-bend of my OC Book Worm(the blue dude you see in my profile). Another secret is that Sing Song's design wasn't even made until I made the cover. I feel ridiculous not even attempting to make Sing Song's look back then. I made Mango Jill, thinking that there was no mango ponies to be seen around the fandom(which, surprise, there is actually a popular one and a sexy one at that). Her full name is MangoJill Ann Sullivarez. Before even Renegades, I've already assumed Mango Jill's personality which is seen in the story. Her twin Mango Jane was only made when I wrote the chapter in Crystal Empire. I made them twins 'cause I'm lazy and can't be bothered to create another mango pony design. Sue me. Not really a secret, but Champagne Barrels is one of my mascots of my FimFiction page and makes her first fiction appearance in this story. Champagne is my first ever OC I made a picture for. The secret with her is that she's actually made with General Zoi's Pony Creator. You can even make her there now, if you click the link. Ombré is an OC, but was inspired from my very first MLP roleplays I've ever done, in Omegle too. I used an OC named Jack who was a mare without her cutie mark(potential story right there) and that roleplay took hours and I really had a blast, but the other stranger disconnected all of a sudden. The Ombré from the roleplay wasn't a bat pony, and I'm having a hard time remembering the details since I've lost the chat log, but I would never forget his name. Ombré is an homage to that person. If you're there, Ombré, thank you for giving me a great roleplay experience. I never really gave thought to Nightingale when I first typed her name in her first chapter, and worse, I never thought of her as a 'her'. When I decided she's a she, I made it a point that I would make her gorgeous. Her mane and tail took time than most of my other OCs. I also realized that her mane reminded me of Maki from Love Live and it was too late when I realized that. I didn't intend to create anime hair, but there you go. I also noticed Princess Luna had changed with her recent appearances, unlike her appearance in season two from Nightmare Night, which kind of saddens me. I can't believe this took *checks fic's date stamp* almost three years to finish! If there is an ending song for this story, it would be Not Afraid by Francis Vace and Cherax Destructor. I'd like to thank my brother for being my first proofreader with this fiction. Without him, I would've sounded like a moron with those glaring grammar mistakes and spellings such as 'pruncess'. I would like to also personally thank you all for reading my story and making it to this chapter. I actually laughed when I came up with the jokes and scenarios so it makes me happy that people actually like what I've done for this fiction. Would the Renegades return? Absolutely, but I don't know when. Thanks for reading, peeps! This was a fun fiction, and I hope you'll read my future works as well. The Renegades TimelineSeason 4, Episode 16: The breezies have returned from their migration Frost Bite leaves the Hive Sing Song leaves the grotto Season 4, Episode 18: Maud Pie arrives at Ponyville, meeting with Pinkie Pie’s friends Frost Bite meets Sing Song and becomes travelling buddies, with Frost Bite naming themselves ‘The Renegades’ Season 4, Episode 19: Sweetie Belle ruins Rarity’s dress for Sapphire Shores The Renegades meet Mango Jill Season 4, Episode 21: Rainbow Dash studies for Wonderbolts Reserves entrance exam. Days later, the Renegades arrive at Ponyville Season 4, Episode 22: Twilight Sparkle and her friends arrive at Rainbow Falls for the Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange to trade various items. The Renegades arrive at Canterlot Castle Frost Bite is recognized by Princess Luna as her personal student of magic The Renegades meet Ombré and he is tasked of being their bodyguard Season 4, Episode 25: Twilight Sparkle and her friends are back at the Crystal Empire to welcome the duke and duchess of Maretonia. The Renegades arrive at Crystal Empire and meet Mango Jane The Renegades and Ombré are sucked into the mirror, a portal to the Human World Season 4, Episode 26: The Renegades and Ombré meet Trixie Lulamoon of the Human World Frost Bite meets Vice Principal Luna Twilight Sparkle loses Golden Oaks Library and grows The Friendship Castle The Renegades and Ombré returns to Equestria The Renegades leave Canterlot Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Season 6, Episode 25: Queen Chrysalis learns of Frost Bite’s connection to Princess Luna and uses it to conquer Canterlot, capturing both princesses
I: Getting To Know The Mighty RenegadesA changeling and a breezie. It was an unlikely pair that had been outcasts for as long as they can remember. They rebel against the oppressing beliefs of their respective clan until they were ultimately banished away from their lands. They now travel the lands and exploring not only that but also their new-found freedom from the shackles of their former homes. Their kind were despised by the dominating races of Equestria. He was Frost Bite; she was Sing Song. A changeling and breezie together and united, they brave on through danger and wonder of the unknown lands that awaited them. They are The Renegades. Sing Song hovered over Frost Bite, looking at what kind of things he had written down on the newly-picked up journal. Frost Bite levitated the leather-bound journal with his magic. They found it a while back on the road, caked in mud. Must had been dropped by a pony a long time ago. Frost Bite had torn off the pages with writings—not even bothering to see what may be in it—and when he did, the journal was left with half of its pages. As the pink breezie read the paragraphs he had written, she couldn’t help but gag so loudly, which made Frost Bite jolt. “What in Celestia’s butt are you writing!?” Sing Song asked. “This our adventure journal!” the changeling answered as he closed the journal then waved it in front of Sing Song. “We can record everything about our journey.” When Frost Bite opened the journal again, Sing Song read the paragraphs again. Okay, first off, she thought, we left our homes on our own accord. With blessings and whatnot. Sing Song can’t imagine where Frost Bite was getting the idea that being an outlaw was cool. In her mind, it sounded terrible and miserable. Secondly, they were just going to Ponyville; there were no plans of going to farther lands together, because she knew travelling with a weirdo like him would be tiring. Also, new found freedom? They weren’t slaves, for crying out loud! Third point; despised? Maybe for him, at least. Frost Bite’s kind did attack the Royal Wedding somewhere Sing Song didn’t know. Her kind, however, wasn’t that relevant. Most ponies don’t even know what a breezie was. And lastly; The Renegades. Really? Really!? Not only it sounded lame, to think her own changeling companion would label themselves as criminals was beyond mental. Obviously, Frost Bite thought otherwise. “You and me, going off on adventures! Fighting evil, finding treasures, and even save the world!” Frost Bite opened his hooves wide. “Maybe. Then we can sell our story!” They walked along the dirt road—the smaller one floating—next to a railroad in the middle of nowhere. The duo hadn’t got a clue where to go, but they knew Ponyville had a train station there, so it’s pretty much their lead. Sing Song thought of reasons why she agreed to travel with a pony, er, changeling who seemed to be, if anything, childish. How did we even meet…? Frost Bite was actually one of the few intelligent changelings of the Hive. The Queen liked the smart ones from the drones, for obvious reasons. You want to talk to people who actually talk back, right? Right. Despite that, the Queen never liked Frost Bite. One of the reasons was that he was inquisitive. Always asking questions to whatever order the Queen barked at them. It made him different from the other intelligible ones. Anothing thing that made him different was that he had taste buds. You know, for real food. He had a particular liking for hay burgers and fries. During the invasion, he was assigned to infiltrate a family. Instead of doing that, he just ate at a fast food joint. It was so crushing for him that he didn’t get to finish his meal as he sailed through the air due to a force of unknown magic. Luckily, nobody knew about him eating out during the large-scale operation. As for the other smart changelings, they were much older compared to Frost Bite. Most of them preferred sucking up to the Queen, so Frost Bite never really talked much to them which made him lonely in the Hive. After two years since the failed invasion, he gathered the courage to talk to Her Majesty. He got an audience with the Queen and asked for his freedom; the Queen gladly granted his request and was even given supplies from the Hive. Frost Bite even was given a send-off party, where they sent him off. Literally using a catapult. It became a problem that Frost Bite never really flown much. In fact, it was a miracle that he survived Sing Song was an ordinary breezie who left her home. That’s pretty much it. She asked her parents if she could go out on her own, to see the world. Her parents were nice, so of course, they let her go and bid her all the good luck and things she needed. While she did felt great at home, Sing Song had always the dream of exploring, seeing new things as she did—unlike when they migrated from one place to another. While her parents did find Sing Song brash and a bit rude, they loved her all the same. How did the two meet? Well, as Frost Bite was about to land, the little breezie was already traveling on her own. Still, being the breezie she was, she often got blown away by winds and eventually was whisked away from familiar roads and into a land in the middle of nowhere. When Frost Bite landed in front of her, Sing Song popped an idea. Sing Song needed help for her journey since there was always the risk getting blown away. While he was still recovering from his landing, Frost Bite saw Sing Song. Thinking that she was some sort of butterfly, Frost Bite took a glass jar from his saddlebag, and before Sing Song could even say hello, Frost Bite caught Sing Song in a jar in a single swipe. After a few apologies, they talked and eventually agreed to be a party of two. It’s almost bizarre and ridiculous to Sing Song that she agreed to travel with Frost Bite. After all, she had no choice in the matter; it was either get blown away or take anyone as a travel partner. It was like circumstance had cuffed their destinies together, and then probably tossed the key into a bottomless well. For Sing Song, that was the case. For Frost Bite, it was fate giving him a pat on the back and an ally to his treacherous journey, a journey he had no idea how to even manage. He knew he should have studied, but the lack of any educational material back at the Hive wasn’t helping. Changelings didn’t own books, and the only one who did was the Queen. He thought of asking Her, but that would only make her irritated. After around thirty minutes of walking beside the railroad, Frost Bite sat down on his haunches. “I’m tired,” Frost Bite said then breathed in and exhaled loudly. “Whoa whoa whoa! Where the hay is your adventure spirit? It’s only been thirty minutes!” She floated above his face and stared into his large, green slit pupils. “Maybe I’m not cut out for walking.” He tossed his head to the ground to rest, only for his head to land on the iron rail. BANG! “Ouch!” He rebounded and sat up straight again. “You’re not cut out for anything,” Sing Song said weakly as she placed her hoof on her face. “What was that?” Frost Bite asked. “Nothing!” “Really?” Frost Bite wondered. “Because I think that’s a hot air balloon.” Sing Song looked where Frost Bite was pointing in the sky. Indeed, there was a bright yellow balloon with a rectangular basket thing that held its passengers. It was up high and was large too. The balloon’s bright yellow color blinded any pony that seemed to gaze upon it. Its brightness made it look like the sun was attached to the basket. “We can hitch a ride!” Frost Bite exclaimed as he stood up. “Like they will!” Sing Song rolled her eyes. “Besides, I bet they can’t hear you—” “Hey! Over here! HEY!” Frost Bite waved his hooves in the air, hoping to catch the attention of the balloon rider. Sing Song can only think that he looked idiotic by doing so. Surprisingly, the balloon started to lower down to their location. “Okay, smarty pants, how are you going to explain to the PONY who owns the balloon why he should help a CHANGELING?” “I don’t!” Frost Bite answered. A ring of green electricity appeared at the bottom of his hooves and slowly it rose to the top of his head. A unicorn pony with pale blue coat and white curly mane and tail took the place of the once insectoid pony hybrid. On his flank was an image of a snowflake. “That’s called lying.” Sing Song looked unimpressed. “And it’s a white lie,” Frost Bite responded as he pointed his new white mane. “Uh huh. And who are you supposed to be?” “Frost Bite!” he answered with much enthusiasm. “No, I mean who’s the pony you’re copying?” “Frost Bite!” he answered with much enthusiasm once again. “I will poke your eyes if you answer ‘Frost Bite’ one more time! Who are—” “This is my original form! I thought if I ever want to be a pony, this would be my desired look, please don’t hit me!” Frost Bite covered his eyes with his hooves. There was a pause. “You think you’re a girl if you were a pony?” “What? No!” Frost Bite said, looking shocked as ever. “You do look like one.” Frost Bite knew about ponies; how they looked like, how they dressed, what they ate, and how they talked. One thing he could never get was their genders. To him, they practically looked all the same. Colors really helped Frost Bite identify them, but never the gender. “I swear to the Queen they all look alike,” Frost Bite whispered, loud enough for Sing Song to hear. A soft thud made the duo turn around. The balloon had landed; up close, the basket had ‘Mango Mango Mango’ written on the side of the basket and the whole thing just looked bigger. A pale yellow pony tied a rope to the railroad, anchoring the balloon. The pony then walked towards them. The pony was an earth pony mare. Her dark green mane looked like a clump of leaves which made her body look like a weird brightly-colored fruit. “Hi there!” Frost Bite said. He raised his hoof for a shake. “I’m Frost Bite, and this is my friend Sing Song.” Sing Song waved with a forced smile at the pony. The yellow pony had a constant small smile ever since she landed. It looked creepy, and the way she never blinked and only stared didn’t help at all. “Sure,” the pony said. Frost Bite and Sing Song looked at each other, then back at the balloon owner. “You see, we we’re on our way to Ponyville,” Frost Bite said. “Uh huh.” The yellow pony nodded. “And we were hoping if you could give us a lift! That is, if you’re headed that way too?” “Uh huh.” The yellow pony’s short answers, and constant stare and smile made the duo uncomfortable. The pony’s answers were void of emotion, as if she was only stating facts. For once, Sing Song thought of Frost Bite as a more normal pony than the one before them. “So...” Sing Song said. “Yeah, sure,” the pony said. “I’m on my way there. Hop on in.” The pony turned back and went to her ride, probably cleaning up for the unexpected guests. “Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?” Frost Bite asked, keeping pony in his sights. Sing Song did the same. “It’s your bad idea.” Sing Song said without moving her head. “You know, she might be crazy. She hasn't blinked as much as a pony would.” “You think we can outrun her?” “Earth ponies own the ground. They run really fast.” “Well, we can’t fly away either, she has a balloon.” “Balloons can’t be that fast, right?” “Flying isn’t really my forte.” “And we’re in the middle of nowhere.” They both began to think. She can’t be that crazy, right? I mean what kind of pony would own a balloon and travel in the middle of nowhere? A psychopath, and possibly, a loose murderer. They came to the same conclusion, and they looked at each other, silently confirming they both had the same suspicions. “On second thought, we’ll just walk,” Frost Bite said. “Ponyville’s not that far from here, and we don’t want to bother you.” “Oh, I insist,” the pony said. “It’s still half a day before you can reach Ponyville by walking.” She jumps off the basket and approached them with her unchanging smile. “I really insist.” Sing Song can feel her sweat on her neck. “You know, that’s why we need to start walking! Half a day’s worth of walking ahead of us!” Sing Song urged Frost Bite to start walking in the opposite direction from the yellow stranger. Frost Bite followed and started to pick up his pace. “You’re going the wrong way, you know,” the pony behind them reminded. They froze on the spot. Their backs felt exposed to the menace behind them. Slowly, Frost Bite turned his head and saw that the pony still had her smile. In Frost Bite’s mind, her smile became more disturbing and twisted. “How silly of us!” Frost Bite laughed nervously, and turned around to face the pony. “Come on now,” the pony said. “Get in the balloon.” “Y-yeah! Sure! If you really insist,” Sing Song stuttered. The stranger jumped into her balloon, and disappeared inside. “Should we?” Frost Bite asked in a whisper. “We’ll die either way, right?” Sing Song replied. “But we’ll die fighting! I won’t let some crazy mare kill me that easily!” “Yeah!” The pair gulped and then approached the balloon with tons of hesitation. They started to sweat and their heartbeat became faster as they got closer. In Frost Bite’s mind, he imagined there would be dead bodies of ponies inside the ride. He steeled himself for the incoming possibility. In Sing Song’s mind, she considered abandoning her companion but she knew she couldn’t live with the guilt of letting somepony die. She decided to die with him, for better or for worse. Frost Bite climbed the basket with Sing Song on his head. As they got themselves in, they shut their eyes closed, then slowly opened them; they saw the pony holding a knife with her left hoof. As to how they really held things without fingers, don’t ask me; I am merely the narrator and I don’t get paid for this. Really, just stop thinking about it. You’ve seen them hold sandwiches. With the pony’s smile and stare, Frost Bite and Sing Song let out a scream of harmonic terror. Sing Song flew off Frost Bite’s head and hugged his face instead. “Please don’t kill us! Oh my Queen, I’m so sorry!” “Mommy, I’m scared!” “I didn’t mean to question you, I’m so sorry!” “I wanna go home!” They screamed some more, then Frost Bite pulled Sing Song off his face and held her. “Sing Song, it was nice knowing you. I really like your company even if it was short.” “Same here. I’ll be honest—I thought you’re kind of an idiot—but nevertheless, same thoughts.” “What? Hey, that’s not nice,” Frost Bite frowned. “I’m being honest here.” “Fair enough.” Frost Bite embraced Sing Song awkwardly, which made him look like he was hugging a tiny action figure of a pony, which was surprisingly accurate. “So, are you guys hungry?” the pony asked them. Right next to the pony were stacks of crates. The pair synchronously thought of what the contents of the crates; perhaps it contained slaughters the pony had done before. Their fear increased and their intelligence took a drop as they assumed the mare before them was a cannibal. They watched the mare as she opened the crate and picked up a yellow object. Hang on, pony flesh is not yellow, they thought. And the thought solidified in their brains. The pony had already peeled two of the yellow object that seemed to be fruits, both already on a plate. “Go on, take one. These mangoes are fresh and ripe.” The pony started to peel another one. It took almost a minute before they started to move again. Frost Bite and Sing Song looked at each other, then at the fruit before them, and then approached the plate. The duo had never heard of mangoes before. Frost Bite pulled the plate to him and stared at the naked fruit again. Sing Song perched on Frost Bite’s head, and stared too. “What if it’s poisoned?” Sing Song asked, rubbing her chin with her hoof. “Don’t worry; my fruits are all natural, no artificial fertilizers, pesticides, and the like,” the pony said to them and then took a bite of her own share. Frost Bite gulped. He slowly picked up the food with his right hoof. “Here goes nothing.” The changeling took a huge bite. At this point, Sing Song thought that Frost Bite had done a brave thing. If he dies through poisoning, then Sing Song would had to take that compliment back. Frost Bite felt something hard in the middle of the fruit, but he managed to bite off the flesh around it. Slowly, he chewed the yellow matter inside his mouth and Sing Song observed with much worry. Frost Bite’s face lit up, as if from divine intervention—a revelation from the stars—or maybe as if he had sprouted wings from his sides. Something Frost Bite can actually do. “Frost Bite? You okay?” Sing Song asked, looking at Frost Bite with much concern. “Sing Song! You have got to try this! This is the best thing ever!” And with that, Frost Bite stuffed the whole fruit into his mouth, slurping and chewing it with much gusto. Well, too much gusto, since he accidentally swallowed the hard middle. “Agh! WA—TER!” Frost Bite managed to say. “Hold still,” the pony said as she went behind Frost Bite and then performed a Heimlich maneuver. Frost Bite spat out the hard middle and it was sent flying off the balloon. It hit a flying bird, sending it downwards. “Thanks,” Frost Bite said as he coughed a little. “No problem,” the pony said and went back to her spot, checking the balloon’s machinery and panels while whistling a tune alluding to drunken sailors. “So...” Sing Song said. “I guess we were wrong about her?” “I guess so?” Frost Bite looked at Sing Song with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah.” “Yeah.” Silence became the company of the two, as the balloon moved to the direction of Ponyville; only the pony’s whistling tune was heard. It was then that Sing Song realized that they were a pair of judgmental jerks, and pondered on that thought. Frost Bite looked at the plate where there was another peeled fruit waiting to be eaten. “So, are you gonna eat that?” Frost Bite asked, but then got his answer; Sing Song was already on top of the mango, eating delightfully.
II: Nightmare Night Fun‘The Renegades, travelling on the lifeless road, met a travelling merchant who attempted to take their lands. The assassin was sent by their former homelands, hoping to put an end to their adventure. ‘Fear not! The renegades had bravely faced the assassin and had convinced him to join their side.’ ‘As a sign of the assassin’s support, she had agreed to take them to the nearest village.’ “That sounds about right,” said Frost Bite, floating a quill with the magic of his horn. During their trip, the so-called Renegades remained silent and just sat while the yellow merchant whistled different tunes, most of them sounding familiar to them. Frost Bite swore in his mind that he heard the pony whistle a tune similar to the Queen’s song that she sang during the invasion. Maybe she was there when it happened? Out of nowhere, the mare introduced herself. “I’m Mango Jill, just in case you two were wondering.” The pony named Mango Jill didn’t even looked back, only to the direction they were headed as she held the helm. When Mango introduced herself, Frost Bite was playing with mangoes that had poorly drawn faces on them, treating them like action figures. Frost Bite had Sing Song join the game, though it only annoyed the breezie. After a minute of Mango’s introduction, she started singing. Whatever she was singing, the two didn’t had any idea. Mango noticed this and gave them a sheet of paper that contained the lyrics to the song she was singing. From what they read, the song was about being a mango pony to the core, and sticking together as a family as they venture around Equestria. Somehow, the song didn’t feel that original… So yes, they sang the mango family travelling song for hours until the sun was gone and the moon shone bright in the sky, much to Frost Bite’s dismay. Frost Bite felt like his (fake) cutie mark changed into a mango from all the singing. While Sing Song didn’t mind at first as she liked singing, she got bored and tired from the song itself. The song became a part of their very souls. Before Mango Jill could say ‘One more time!’, Frost Bite managed to ask for a break. Sing Song was so relieved to hear him say the words. “Well, alright,” Mango Jill said and returned to whistling a melody. Tired and exhausted, Sing Song rested in Frost Bite’s mane. Carefully, Frost Bite laid down on the floor and wrote in the journal more exaggeration, boosting the idea of an epic rather than a journal. After writing a bit, Frost Bite observed Mango Jill. Nope, still can’t differentiate genders. He only knew she was a she because of her voice, which meant he still sounded like a stallion even if he looked like a mare. At that realization, Frost Bite felt stupid. Maybe I should’ve done more duties outside the Hive, maybe even talk to some ponies, learn about them, then maybe even ask for a bit of food… Why did I only think of this now? All the days of being hungry… Mango Jill started to sing another song, this time something about her going to the gala. Her lyrics started with being happy to be invited to the gala and soon trailed off to making every pony there to buy mangoes. Frost Bite knew that’s not what you do to a gala. “Uh, Mango?” he called out. “Uh huh?” “How long have you been going to Ponyville?” “Never. Just today.” Frost Bite tilted his head to her answer, making Sing Song shift her position on his mane. “So, I’m guessing these are called mangoes?” Frost Bite asked as he picked one up that he drawn onto. The mango had a toothy grin and wall eyes. “Uh huh. My sister and I own a farm.” “Do you live far from here?” “Uh huh. Been travelling for three days now.” “Wow. Sounds really far.” “Uh huh. We live around south eastern parts of Equestria.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” As Frost Bite was about to say another ‘Uh huh’, he bit his tongue lightly. He just realized how her tone and how she answered could be infectious. “So what about you, Frosty? Where are you from?” “Oh, I came from the Badlands,” Frost Bite answered. “Uh huh...” Mango Jill said. “I thought no pony lives there. Well, almost no pony.” “R-really?” What did she mean almost? “Uh huh. Been there myself. Worst sale of my life. I only managed to sell to some weird ponies with bug eyes. I think they might be sick; they even got holes in their legs and all.” Frost Bite’s eyes widened at what Mango Jill just said. Because of that, Frost Bite can’t help but imagine Mango Jill in the middle of the wasteland in a stall, trying to sell mangoes to tumbleweeds and cactus. The Hive was underground, so there was no way any pony can know about it, but the fact that some changelings went outside and bought food made him a bit angry. After all, he thought he was the only one who ate food for nourishment. Before Frost Bite could ask another question, Mango Jill pointed north. “You can see Ponyville from here.” Mango said. True enough, Frost Bite saw the funny-looking houses that almost were together. Further from the small town was the mountains. Atop the mountains was the Canterlot Castle; the very place Her Majesty had tried to take, and failed miserably. Soon, their yellow aircraft floated above the town. Frost Bite looked down and saw many ponies outside their homes, decorating the streets with pumpkins and candles. Tubs of water filled with floating apples and catapults littered the clearings, and little foals ran from one house to another as they carried bags of nightmare to dentists. Most of the ponies were dressed up in costumes and one of them wore some sort of a ninja costume that was yellow. The said yellow ninja tossed a lasso to another pony and entangled him. Then, the ninja pulled with sudden force and yelled, “GET OVER HERE!” Nightmare Night. Frost Bite beamed at the holiday taking place right under him. He had heard of it, but he had never seen it in person (pony?). Stories of ponies dressing up, giving candy to children, playing games, and offering candy to a statue of Nightmare Moon made him excited. What’s the most important part of the holiday for him was, of course, the free food. Sing Song woke up, since Frost Bite had been turning his head alot from looking around. “What the hay…?” Sing Song muttered as she rubbed her eyes. “Are we there yet?” “We are! Look, it’s Ponyville!” Sing Song squinted her eyes as she observed the costumed civilization beneath them. “What a tacky little town.” The balloon moved to the center clearing, where there was another balloon parked in it. As the balloon began to descend and Frost Bite looking down, Mango Jill began to sing ‘My Little Pony, My Little Pony’, followed by a rhythmic ‘ah’. As they land, Mango Jill stopped singing. “Why is every pony dressed like idiots? Is there some sort of holiday?” Sing Song asked as she looked around the new environment to her. “It’s Nightmare Night, Singy,” Mango Jill said as she got off the balloon and tied a rope to a pole, serving as its anchor. “Ponies dress up as anything, usually scary, to fend off Nightmare Moon. Well, according to the tradition. Nowadays, it's just another happy holiday. Oh, I need you guys to get off.” “Huh?” The renegades said together. “Get off,” Mango said with her usual tone. Frost Bite climbed the ledge of the ride and jumped off. Mango Jill went to the left side of the ride, opened a panel, and pulled a bunch of levers. Whirring sounds came out of the balloon base, the balloon deflates, and poles shot out of each corner of the base. The deflated balloon attached itself to the poles, creating a new roof for the basket. The ride had transformed into a shop. “Done.” Mango Jill entered the newly formed shop from its right, where a three steps stairs had appeared. “Wow,” Sing Song said while Frost Bite only had his dropped. “Yeah. I get that a lot.” Mango Jill said as she looked at the duo from the store. “You guys still here?” “Huh?” Frost Bite snapped out of his awe. “Why don’t you two look around? I still have to set up shop here.” “You sure you don’t need the help?” Sing Song asked. “I’m good.” The pair looked at each other, then nodded. They knew what Mango Jill was capable of, even with the weirdness that surrounded her. Sing Song shuffled in Frost Bite’s mane, and Frost Bite turned around only to face a bright pink pony who had even pink messy and curly mane. The pink pony looked at Frost Bite with intense curiosity as the pony’s eyes squinted, head forward, and hooves firm on ground. Frost Bite only then noticed the pink stranger was dressed up as a chicken. “Have we met before? You feel kind of familiar, and I remember every pony I meet,” the pony said, still holding the stare and awkward pose. “Uh, I don’t think so?” Frost Bite answered. “This is my first time around here.” For a few more seconds, the stare held and then, an explosion of confetti from Frost Bite’s sides came out of nowhere. The pony’s stare shifted to a smile. “New pony! I have to throw you a party! I’m Pinkie Pie and welcome to Ponyville,” the pony said she shook Frost Bite’s hoof. “Thanks, I guess?” Frost Bite replied. “I’m Frost Bite, and this is Sing Song,” he said then pointed to his head. Sing Song waved at the pink smiley chicken pony. “A breezie! It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you guys! Hope you guys get a lot of candy. Don’t worry; I’ll throw your a party just for you two after all this! Pinkie promise you’ll stay for the party? “Uh sure?” “Awesome! Now repeat after me; cross my heart, hope to fly; stick a cupcake in my eye!” Pinkie said as she did motions. Frost Bite repeated her words and motions, but then ended up sticking his hoof into his eye. “AH!” Pinkie snorted a laughter. “Well, still got some candy to collect! Have fun fun fun! Nice meeting you two!” With that, Pinkie Pie gave them a salute and dashed past them, leaving a blur of pink, leaving a confused Frost Bite. “You’ve been here before?” Frost Bite asked, massaging his eye with his hoof. “Some of us did, but not me,” Sing Song answered. Frost Bite, with Sing Song on his head, walked around the festive little town, passing by many ponies in costumes both familiar and unfamiliar to him. There was a knight, a pony wearing a heavy metal diver helmet, a mummy, and lots of others that seemed endless as they walked through the street. Reaching the center of town, Frost Bite saw catapults were set before a distance from the target boards. Some ponies were using them, loading pumpkins and shooting them and aiming for the target. Most of pumpkins missed, and only few barely hit the target. On the other side, wooden tubs filled with water scattered the ground. Frost bite went one of the tubs, and saw some apples floating on the water. Ponies by the other tubs were dunking their heads in the water, and pulled out with something in their mouth. The pony with an hourglass cutie mark had a pear in his mouth. He spat it out and put a scowl on his face. Obviously he hated pears. “Howdy!” A pony called out, walking to Frost Bite’s direction. The pony wore a tattered dress shirt with straws coming out of its sleeves and also wore a hat made of straw. It made Frost Bite thought that maybe he should get a costume too. “Hi?” Frost Bite said to the Southern accent. “You must be new ‘round here. I’m Applejack.” “I’m Frost Bite, and this is Sing Song,” he said then pointed his head where Sing Song was. Song Song waved at the pseudo scarecrow. “Ah thought ya’ll went back home?” Applejack wondered loudly, tilting her head. “I’m old enough to go out on my own, thank you,” Sing Song snapped. “Whoa there, nelly. Ah didn’t mean to offend ya. Anyways, it's Nightmare Night, you two could use a little fun!” Applejack pushed Frost Bite in front of the tub. “Go on then!” Sing Song got off Frost Bite’s head. Face to face with the pool of water, Frost Bite decided to try whatever this game was. He dunked his head, blindly bit something under the water, then pulled his head out. “Ta-da,” Frost Bite said nonchalantly. He took the object from his mouth and saw a colorful apple, covered in patterns of lightning. Whoever painted this was really good, Frost Bite thought. “Ya got the zap apple!? Shucks, no pony ever got in two years!” Feeling proud, Frost Bite raised his prize. “Wow, that’s great! What do I win?” “Nothin’!” “What? But you said this thing is special?” Frost Bite pointed to the apple. “If anythin’, that is the prize, sugar cube. Might tasty zap apples only comes once a year, ya know? Aren’t ya gonna eat it?” Frost Bite looked at the apple again. No matter how he stared at it, the apple still looked like an art piece than anything. For a moment, he imagined a pony carefully painting the apple with precision, making sure each detail was perfect. Maybe that’s why it’s so special? “If you’re not going to eat it, I will!” And with that, Sing Song flew to the oddly colored apple, and took a huge bite. After that, she stayed still. “uh, Sing Song?” Frost Bite shook his hoof a bit, moving the apple. Sing Song moved a bit, then started biting furiously around the fruit, like a lawn mower on an untended front lawn. The fruit was devoured after she moved seamlessly around the apple, and Frost Bite was left with an apple core and a breezie with a full belly. “Oh, it’s that good.” Frost Bite commented. “Well, ain’t that somethin’,” Applejack said. Frost Bite placed Sing Song back to his mane, letting her rest. “I guess that’s that. I’ll go look around, maybe play a few games.” “Sure, hope ya’ll enjoy yerselves!” Frost Bite walked away from Applejack and the tubs, and approached the pumpkin catapults. Ponies were already playing, sending the orange fruits into targets. Laughter and cheers permeated every time a pumpkin smashed into the targets. Frost Bite approached a pony playing one. “Hey, can I try?” he asked the pony covered in what seemed to be tissue paper. Frost Bite thought she might had a problem at a restroom and left with the tissue rolls. “Huh?” The pony turned around. “Sure, let me just send this one.” The mummy pony released the pumpkin, the fruit sailed the air, and it crashed in the ground, missing the target by only half a meter. “Aw, shucks,” said the mummy. “Maybe you’ll have a better chance.” With that, the pony stepped aside for for Frost Bite. Frost bite stepped before the catapult. He suddenly remembered: back in the Hive, they used a bigger version of the contraption. At least this time, it was not him who would be flying through the cold night air; it would be a pumpkin. The mummy pony pulled the catapult and loaded the pumpkin. Frost Bite remembered how the pony launched the pumpkin, so he stepped forward and aimed the catapult. With a bit of moving left and right, Frost Bite then checked the pumpkin if it was sitting nicely by looking down. He saw the pumpkin was nestled just fine, waiting to be launched. He pushed down a pedal, and launched the pumpkin. The fruit flew higher than it should had, and strangely, the pumpkin seemed to be screaming, and the scream became weaker as it sailed farther away from him. Oh well, he thought. Maybe I’m not cut out for it. “Wow, you’re terrible at this,” the mummy commented. “Tell me about it,” Frost Bite replied. “Right, Sing Song?” Frost Bite didn’t hear any reply. Maybe she’s too tired? Frost Bite thought that was the case and thanked the mare for letting him try. Off to explore! Walking around town made Frost Bite feel happy; no doubt the joy of festivities was very infectious. However, he did felt left out since he was the only one not wearing a costume. Fillies and adults alike wore them in spirit of the holiday. A light bulb popped out of his head and not literally because that would have been truly scary. He went to an alley, hidden from the rest, then undid his disguise. His true form emerged. “Hey, Sing Song, you don’t think they’ll know that I’m actually a changeling, right?” No response came from his head. Oh well, it’s not like they will know, he thought. He went out of the alley and approached a clearing where there was a stage in front. Ponies were dancing and singing at the stage, probably related to the holiday. The audience was cheering and also danced to the rhythmic performance. “Whoa, your costume looks so real!” a voice boomed from Frost Bite’s right. He turned and saw a small orange pony in a wolf costume. Truly adorable. “Uh, thanks kid. It’s personally made and stuff.” “Even the holes are real!” the wolf kid said as she poked Frost Bite’s hooves. “Ahahaha, yeah, just some accessories to make it look real!” Frost Bite pulled away from the kid’s poking. “Are you a dressmaker or something?” “No, I mean yes! Yeah, I do like making costumes.” “That’s awesome!” said the filly. “My friends and I tried making some, but it didn’t end well so we had to get Rarity to make them. I know my costume is pretty awesome and all, but yours just takes the cake! Even the wings look real!” “Your costume looks fantastic, don’t sell yourself short. Changelings aren’t that awesome.” Frost Bite scratched his head. “I bet you and Rarity can make the best Nightmare Night costume ever! You should meet her!” The little pony pulled Frost Bite into a small run. They zipped through the crowds and into a clearing before the town hall. Other little ponies gathered there, carrying small bags and comparing loot to each other, while others were eating theirs. “Hey, girls!” the orange pony called out. “Check out his costume!” Two ponies turned their gaze upon Frost Bite and their faces became plastered with wows. “That’s some costume!” the white unicorn pipped, wearing a cape and fake fang, and her mane slicked back. “For a second there, Ah thought we were under attack!” the yellow pony exclaimed. She had a ridiculous hairdo and some stitches around her body, drawn with markers. One can only hope they were not permanent. Frost Bite realized he heard of the kid’s accent before. “Nice to meet you, uh, kids,” Frost Bite said as he scratched his head. “Oh. yeah, I forgot to ask for your name! I’m Scootaloo!” “I’m Sweetie Belle,” said the vampire. “Ah’m Applebloom!” said the pony covered in marker writing. “And we are,” the trio said then paused. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders!” Their little announcement made Frost Bite’s ears twitch in agony since their combined volume was something not to be trifled with. Frost Bite felt like they caused trouble as they had fun. “I’m Frost Bite.” “We should go get more candy from the houses!” Scootaloo said. “But we already did that,” Sweetie Belle stated. “They’re not gonna give us candy again, dodo.” “Yeah, kinda rude to keep askin’ for more,” Applebloom said as she took a chocolate bar from her pumpkin bucket and peeled it. “Fine. Let’s just introduce her to Rarity! I bet they can make something awesome together!” “Yeah!” the trio screeched together. The Crusaders dragged Frost Bite throughout the crowds, and this time faster than when Scootaloo did so. They arrived at a booth, where a white unicorn sat before it. The said unicorn wore layers of clothing embedded with gems and a veil covered her face. On the booth, tarot cards were scattered. “Rarity!” Sweetie Belle called. “Rarity, look what we found!” Don’t they mean ‘who they found’? “Darling, you do know I’m pretty busy at the moment—”The one named Rarity stared at the pony the Crusaders dragged. “My that is one well-made costume! Quite the craftsmanship, I must say.” “Uh, yeah, thanks.” “Hey girls!” a new voice said. Frost Bite saw a purple unicorn, no, pegasus approached them. “Oooh, that is one detailed changeling costume!” “Indeed!” Rarity replied. “I must say this pony sure know her ways in costume design. What is your name, dear?” “I’m Frost Bite, and this is Sing Song!” He pointed to his head. The ponies only stared at his head. “Darling, you gave your horn a name?” Rarity asked. “What, no. Sing Song is a breezie; she’s resting on my head.” Scootaloo tapped Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. “Looks like we snatched up a loony,” she whispered to them, though it was loud enough for others to hear. “I’m not crazy! Come on, Sing Song, wake up!” Frost Bite started to fumble through his mane, looking for his tiny companion. His hooves failed to find any signs of life. “Where did she go?” “You have a breezie friend?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Yes, and she was just sleeping on my head a while ago! Did she fall somewhere?” Frost Bite started to look under the booths. “You know, you do look like a real changeling,” the purple pony said. “Twilight, accusing ponies isn’t going to help find his lost friend,” Rarity said as she raised an eyebrow at her friend. “Not to worry, I’m pretty sure he’s not a changeling; still won’t hurt to check, right?” As Frost Bite checked every nook and cranny of booths, Twilight the unicorn/pegasus casted an aura around him. Frost Bite noticed the magic and turned to Twilight. “Uh, what are you doing?” A look of horror registered on Twilight’s face as she dispersed the spell. “Twilight? You alright?” Sweetie Belle tapped Twilight. “He’s a changeling,” Twilight said. “Very funny, Twilight,” Rarity said as she rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure Frost Bite appreciates that.” “GIRLS! I AM NOT KIDDING THIS PONY IS A CHANGELING NOT A PONY IN COSTUME!” Twilight exploded as she pointed a serious pointing hoof at the intruder. With that, ponies stopped and started to stare at the changeling Twilight called out and pointed at. Apparently, Twilight’s screaming made all the ponies celebrating pause and join the staring contest as well. “Oh, where are you… Uh, why are you all looking at me like that?”
III: Trust IssuesAlarmed by Twilight’s sudden announcement, Ponyville became silent as its residents stopped to stare at the changeling. Their faces showed surprise, horror, and confusion. How can anyone blame them; the changelings did try conquering Canterlot. Meanwhile, Twilight still had her hoof pointed at Frost Bite. “Uh, I mean no harm?” Frost Bite said aloud. For a second, nobody responded, and then some pony screamed, “RUN!” Panicking ponies ran in all directions, rushing to get inside their homes, abandoning stalls, and hiding underneath tables and barrels as they screamed. For a short time, every pony was gone and surprisingly, nothing was damaged from the sudden stampede. “Wow, that’s something,” Frost Bite commented, knowing that even changelings don’t move that fast and carefully. “GET ‘IM!” Applejack announced, carrying a lasso ready to capture Frost Bite. Twilight pointed her horn at Frost Bite, which made him run. He ran as if a bear was going to maul him. “I’m sorry! I don’t know what I did, but I’m sorry!” Frost Bite screamed as he ran. “You ruined my brother’s wedding!” “But they still got married right!?” No wonder she’s angry; it was her brother’s wedding. Maybe she was the maiden of honor? “Enough!” Applejack jumped in front of Frost Bite and Twilight covered his back. He glanced left and right, seeing an alleyway in the former and a giant gingerbread house on the latter. While the house did look delectable and interesting, he knew his life was on the line so he ran to his left. He kept going then turned left and then another left. Finding a dead end, he looked around for something usable. He found a barrel and stuffed himself inside. Oh, sheesh, they're gonna kill me! Probably torture me, or worse, send me to the moon! What’s worse, Sing Song’s gone missing! This can’t get any worse. The thoughts swirled in his head. For that moment, he changed to his pony form. Hopefully, the one called Twilight wouldn’t use her spells on him if he was ever found. And then, he heard hoof steps. “Ah think he was ‘round here.” “Check everything, Applejack. We can’t let one changeling ruin our home. I’m pretty sure Chrysalis is up to no good.” Hearing the Queen’s name made his ear twitch. Frost Bite realized that they were thinking that Her Majesty sent him here. He thought of talking to them, but then he shook his head. It wasn’t going to work. Especially when he ruined a little mare’s brother’s wedding. The barrel’s lid he was hiding in got lifted by Applejack and she looked down on Frost Bite. “Yer safe now, come on,” Applejack said as she reached for what she assumed to be an innocent pony. Which he was. “Ah! No! Get away from me!” Frost Bite flailed his hooves at Applejack. “Simmer down, sugarcube. It’s me, Applejack. When ya got the zap apple, remember?” Of course, Frost Bite didn’t simmer down. How could he, knowing that Twilight Sparkle could bring down the hammer of justice on him at the moment she pointed her horn at him? “Who’s that?” the purple winged unicorn asked. “Some pony new ‘round here. Probably passin’ by. She played a bit of boppin’ apples.” Twilight then walked to them. “Let me check her, just to be sure.” Oh, good hives, here it comes! Frost Bite closed his eyes for the incoming magic, as if expecting it to hurt. “Twilight, there’s no need for that. Ah look in her eyes and ah know it’s her. This ain’t no changeling.” Twilight observed the pony in question. She then became worried for the blue unicorn who was obviously scared as she hid her face with her hooves and her teeth jittered. “Alright,” Twilight said as she powered down her magic. “Miss, you’re safe now. We won’t let anything harm you.” “Really?” Frost Bite asked as he felt Twilight’s words were genuine concern. “Yes, I assure you. Now we have to get you to safety; there’s a changeling on the loose.” Sing Song woke up to the question of ‘Who?’ that was repeated too many times. Who? Who? Who? “SHUT UP! Sing Song looked around and found she was in a branch of a tree and that she was covered in pumpkin flesh. She shook off the fruit remains. She realized she had been thrown away. “Who.” “I told you to shut—” Sing Song turned around and found an owl, just looking at her. “Oh.” Sing Song placed her hoof on her face. Sing Song realized the who’s weren’t questions; it was an owl hooting. She moved to see outside the tree and saw an empty town. Wait, what? The festival’s over? “Who.” “You’re annoying, you know that?” “Who?” “You.” “Who.” “Stop asking!” Sing Song heard a door opening and closing along with a set of hooves. She moved towards the tree and saw a window on the bark. It’s literally a tree house. Peering inside, Sing Song found three ponies; a purple alicorn, a light blue unicorn, and an orange earth pony. Frost Bite! The sight of her comrade filled her with relief and anger. He did made her flung all the way here. “Alright, there could be more of them outside, or maybe they have already replaced some of them,” the purple one said. “The changelings just won’t give up.” “Darn toothin’. Every pony’s in danger if we don’t do somethin’ ‘bout that.” The orange pony replied as she moved Frost Bite to sit in a cushion. “You alright, hun?” “I’m okay,” Frost Bite answered weakly. Sing Song can see Frost Bite’s nervousness being around them. Great, somehow every pony knows he’s a changeling! No wonder the town’s deserted. At least they know it’s not him. “Right. I have to write to Princess Celestia about this. That changeling queen is back; I’m pretty sure the first one we saw is just a scout.” Twilight went upstairs. Frost Bite, a scout? That’s a joke I’m pretty sure the queen of changelings will find so funny that she’ll be rolling on the ground like she’s on fire. “You do that; Ah’ll take care of her. Poor lil’ mare, scared like ah lil’ kitty.” Sing Song flew down from the window and landed on the table in front of the poneis. “Sing Song! You’re okay!” Frost Bite happily said. “You threw me into this tree!” “Right, sorry.” And he did look sorry. “Glad ya found your friend there,” Applejack said. Before Frost Bite could even say thanks, the library’s door was slammed open, revealing a pink hyper pony in a chicken costume. On her back were a pair of buckets filled to the brim with candy. “Twilight! Emergency! Every pony started hiding, and I can’t get candy anymore!” Pinkie Pie boomed. “Pinkie, calm down. Twilight’s already onto it, and ya already got too much candy,” Applejack said. “Was Nightmare Night over!? Did I do something? Did Princess Luna have gotten angry again?” Twilight came back to the room. “Alright, I have sent a letter to the Princess, we just have to wait.” “Twilight!” Pinkie immediately grabs the purple pony’s hoof. “Was Nightmare Night over again!?” “Pinkie, no, it’s not. It’s fine, don’t worry,” Twilight reassured Pinkie. “Actually no, there’s a changeling spotted.” Pinkie Pie’s face changed from worry and panic to a guerrilla soldier’s—stoic and serious and somehow, face painted with green camouflage. “Let’s get him.” Frost Bite began to tremble at the sight of the happy-go-lucky pony into a serious hunter. Oh my Queen, they want my dead body! He turned to Sing Song. “We have to get out of here! They’ll put my head on a stick and dance around it!” He muttered to his little friend, shaking his front hooves in the air. “First of, that’s a disgusting thought. Secondly, you’re overreacting! These ponies won’t harm a single fly. They’ll probably capture you alive, and negotiate with you.” “You don’t know what ponies are capable of!” Frost Bite grabbed Sing Song and brought her up to his face. “How did you think we got kicked out of that wedding? Not voluntary, that’s for sure!” Ponies were interesting and scary at the same time for Frost Bite. They dominated most of Equestria and even outnumbered the griffins or any other major species and for Frost Bite, their history was much more interesting than his own kind. Still, remembering the day they got blown away from Canterlot was a day he would never forget. Only ponies were capable of such magic, and not even Her Majesty could do such. “What’cha girls talking about?” Pinkie suddenly appeared on Frost Bite’s right. “WAH!” The pair screamed. The face-painted pony smiled at them. Well, she won’t be smiling for long once she knew I’m the one they’re looking for. “Nothing! We were just, uh… Talking about…” Sing Song struggled to find the word. “Mangoes!” Frost Bite exclaimed, while at the same time, Sing Song said “Apples!” They look at each other. Sing Song began to signal Frost Bite using her eyes. With that, Frost Bite nods with a look of absolute cooperation. “Mangoes!” Sing Song exclaimed, while at the same time, Frost Bite said “Apples!” For the unknownth time, Sing Song wanted to smack Frost Bite in his eyes, that way it could lead to permanent pain. She tried her best not to plant her hoof into her face and just sigh. Instead, she glared at the pseudo pony. “You guys must be hungry! Have some candy!” Pinkie Pie held out her bucket of sugar rush. “No thanks,” Sing Song answered, while Frost Bite took a candy cane and said, “Thanks!” “I’m kinda having a déjà vu here. Felt like it happened before, I can’t quite place it.” Pinkie rubbed her chin, trying to remember. “Alright, girls.” Twilight moved in between all of them. “We’ll split up and look for this changeling. Now, I will give each of you one of these.” She started giving out white gems. “Oooooh! Shiny!” Pinkie took hers from Twilight’s magic. “What’re these for, Twilight?” Applejack took hers as well. “These gems are enchanted so that they turn black whenever it is pointed at a changeling, whether in disguise or not. Since not all of us can cast the spell I’m using, this is the best tool for you so all of us can search. I’m going to find Rainbow so she can help us.” Help them search and destroy me. “You can stay here, uh…” Twilight said as she tried to remember Frost Bite’s name. “Frost Bite,” Applejack finished her sentence. “You’ll be safe here, sugarcube.” For a moment, Frost Bite wanted to believe in Applejack’s words but he knew she was also hunting for him. That wasn’t reassuring. “Let’s go!” Twilight announced. The three ran and left the library, leaving the wanted changeling and a breezie. “We have to get outta here!” Frost Bite bellowed. “Those ponies want me dead or alive and I think they’re more inclined to the former!” Sing Song hovered over Frost Bite’s face. “Chill out, you bugger. Look, I’ve seen ponies and they’re not as brutal as you think they are.” She then floated over the table. “They even left us one of those magic gems they’re using. I wonder if it actually works.” “No! It might disable my changeling abilities!” “Yeah right.” “You could care less since you’re not the one being hunted; I am! I am the changeling!” Frost Bite thundered. At the same time he did, the library’s door hanged open and in the door frame was a purple-scaled, wingless baby dragon whose jaw dropped at Frost Bite’s word. “Oh boy,” Sing Song muttered. “Oh boy what?” Frost Bite asked, to which Sing Song pointed at the door. “Oh.” Frost Bite began to stare at the dragon and the dragon did the same. They held gaze at each other, and Frost Bite slammed the door shut with his magic, which made the dragon jolt at the sudden movement. “Now what genius?” Sing Song inquired. “Stay back, Sing Song. This might get ugly.” From what Frost Bite knew, dragons were one of the most dangerous species he had heard back at the hive. He heard of tales where dragons stole treasures worth more than castles and kept them for collection and in most of the stories he heard, towns ended in mayhem and destruction. If that dragon was here, then they are in danger. Or at least that’s what was going on in Frost Bite’s mind. Frost Bite glared at the enemy and began to walk sideways, as if to engage combat. The dragon returned his glare, and followed suit, as if to accept the challenge. “You won’t get away with this,” the dragon said. Frost Bite then realized that the dragon was male from his voice. “Of course I won’t; I already have,” Frost Bite snapped back. Oh gosh, that’s such a cool comeback! “Yeah? I bet you can’t get through me!” The dragon hissed as he bared his claws. “I, uh, know martial arts!” Frost Bite answered and then made sounds of martial artists, such a wooooooooooo, and wachaa. I know, it sounds ridiculous. “Oh yeah!? I got, uh, really sharp claws!” The dragon announced as he swiped the air with slashes from his claws. That does sound painful. “Is that all? ‘Cause I got , um… magic! Magic that can, uh, break your bones!” Frost Bite continued to make ridiculous martial artist sounds and now, adding his horn to his arsenal, shook his head as if it was a weapon. “I can breathe fire, ha!” The dragon puffed out his chest, feeling confident. “Is that so? Well, I can—” “ENOUGH!” The dueling rivals stopped walking in circles, and faced the source of the sound. Sing Song was floating above them and then descended to Frost Bite’s face. “What were you thinking, picking a fight with a BABY dragon?!” Sing Song bellowed as she waved she waved her hooves frantically. “B-Baby?” Frost Bite muttered. “And to think you threatened to break his bones! Just-Just think about what you just said!” “I just thought dragons are dangerous...” “‘I just thought dragons are dangerous’,” Sing Song mockingly quoted. “Well, now you’re just being judgmental! Don’t you wanted the ponies to think otherwise for you? And yet just now you were doing the opposite of that!” With those words, Frost Bite fell on his haunches and looked at the floor, ashamed of what he had done. “And you!” Sing Song flew over to the dragon’s face. “Just because he’s a changeling, doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy!” “But the changelings attacked Cadence’s wedding...” “‘But the changelings attacked Cadence’s wedding’, whatever! They have a queen and they were probably following orders! That doesn’t make all of them bad!” It was the dragon’s turn to look down and feel bad for what he had just done. “There’s a reason the word ‘negotiation’ was made, and you two need to do that! But first, I think you owe each other an apology,” Sing Song said as she folded her hooves. The changeling and the dragon looked at each other, both hearts crushed at the realizations the breezie just gave them. After a few apologetic peeks at each other, the two muttered in unison, “I’m sorry.” “Look, I’m really sorry. I don’t really know martial arts,” Frost Bite said. “Me too. I never really used my claws other than holding stuff,” the dragon replied. “I don’t even know magic that much; I can barely lift stuff!” “I can breathe fire, but not much that can harm any pony!” And so the two laughed and soon, both of them were on the floor as they laughed. It took a full minute before their laughter subsided and turned to smiles. “So, you’re not a bad changeling?” the dragon asked. “Yeah. So you’re not a bad dragon?” “Yup.” They stood up and walked closer to each other. “Well thank goodness that was over,” Sing Song said, floating above them. “I’m Spike,” the dragon said as he stretched his claw. “I’m Frost Bite,” the changeling placed his hoof, and shaked. He then pointed up. “And that’s Sing Song!” Sing Song then landed on Frost Bite’s head. “It’s kinda weird, you know,” Spike said. “What is?” Sing Song asked. “You two!” Spike exclaimed. “You’re the oddest pairing I’ve ever seen; I mean a changeling and a breezie, that coupling is weird. No offense.” “None taken,” Frost Bite replied. “We’re actually travel buddies; we plan to go all over Equestria!” “That’s awesome!” “I know right?” “So, uh,” Spike stammered. “Can I see your real look? What you really look like?” The question took Frost Bite by surprise and even Sing Song too. Heck, me too. “Um, why?” “I don’t know. I’m just curious.” “Well,” Frost Bite said. He paused for a while, and thought about if it was a good idea or not. “Okay, I trust you, and I think I can prove that by showing you. Just don’t panic when you see, okay?” Spike nodded. Frost Bite undid his disguise; his white made was replaced with short, spiky, dark cerulean mane, his blue coat turned to black and clear insect wings appeared on his sides that spreaded wide open. “Whoa, dude that’s creepy,” Spike commented as he pointed at him. “Hence, my original form,” Frost Bite said as he reverted back to his pony version. “Wait, original?” “It’s my own look! It’s what I think I’d look like if I was a pony.” “So you want to be a girl? I mean, from your changeling form, you do look like a dude...” Spike tilted his head. “No!” Frost Bite screeched. “Why does every pony think of that?” “That you’re a changeling?” “No, that I’m female!” “Then why do you even change into a mare?” “Because I look good! I feel cool and awesome.” A knock came from the door. Spike went and opened the door, only to be greeted by three little fillies, whom Frost Bite recognized as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Hey girls!” Spike said. “Oh, hey Spike!” the yellow one named Applebloom replied “We’re looking for a changeling!” the orange Scootaloo said as she looked around, scanning for their prey. “Cutie Mark Crusaders Hunters!” Sweetie Belle hollered. Frost Bite’s face contorted into fear. If they find out that I’m the one, they’ll tell Twilight then she’ll take me to the authorities then capital punishment! Spike looked at Frost Bite and gave him a reassuring nod. Frost Bite felt a bit better, knowing that some pony was on his side, but it felt odd for him to gain comfort from a baby. “Nope, no changeling here! Just me and uh, Frost Bite here.” Spike gave the fillies a smile that Frost Bite hoped would make the fillies leave. “Frost Bite?” Sweetie Belle wondered loudly. “Isn’t he the one dressed-up as a changeling earlier?” “Yeah, then Twilight said he’s the real deal! We found him!” Scootaloo said. All of a sudden, the Crusaders took out tools; Sweetie Belle held a net, Scootaloo, held a baseball bat, and Applebloom held a pair of hoof cuffs. Frost Bite held a face of fear. “Wait a minute!” Spike said as he jumped in front of Frost Bite. “Just wait!” Scootaloo ignored Spike and tackled Frost Bite, knocking him down as he yelped. “Why?” Scootaloo questioned. “He’s right here, tricking you into something evil and diabolical!” Diabolical? Frost Bite knew he wouldn’t dare to do something like that; that’s the Queen’s job. “He’s not a bad changeling!” Spike exclaimed as he waved his claws toward Frost Bite. “He might be one of those who ruined the wedding, but he’s a nice guy; give him a chance.” The Crusaders looked baffled at what Spike had to say. They looked at each other and whispered. Mumblings and hushes emitted from the small gathering, and after a few seconds, they faced Spike again. “Okay, we’ll give him a chance,” Sweetie Belle announced. “What?” Spike and Frost Bite said. “Well, that was easy,” Sing Song smirked. “Wait wait wait...” Frost Bite scratched his head. “Aren’t you girls there at the wedding we trashed? We ruined a wedding of some pony you know!” “Of course we were there!” Applebloom proudly answered. “But it’s not like we got harmed or anything.” “We could’ve done something, but Sweetie Belle insisted that we hid right after we tossed the petals around,” Scootaloo remarked. “That changeling queen did look creepy, but I sure could have helped Rainbow Dash kicking her royal butt!” Scootaloo bucked the air with her hind hooves. “More like end up in green icky goo,” Sweetie Belle commented. “What did you say?!” “Nothing.” “I dare you to say that again!” “You’ll just have to clean your ears more often if you want to hear properly.” “Why you—” The two started to fight, waving their hooves at each other from a safe distance. To others, the fight looked more like foals trying to play with each other. “So, do they always fight like this?” Frost Bite inquired, scratching his head probably too many times by then. “Well, they were arguing about who gets to name the changeling when we capture it before we got here, but I guess we won’t be doing that.” Applebloom watched her friends with little interest. Frost Bite shuddered at Applebloom’s sentence, but also relieved knowing that won’t be the case anymore. To named like a pet, ugh… The fight ended with zero casualties. With new friendships formed, they all waited for Twilight and gang to return and explain to them what had just happened. As they wait, Spike pulled out a board game of Monopoly, and invited the others to play. Spike set up the game on the floor and took a silver horseshoe as his piece. For Frost Bite, he picked the breezie piece, which was almost the same size as Sing Song; Scootaloo picked a small bike, Sweetie Belle a thimble, and Applebloom,—guess what it is—an apple. Since Frost Bite didn’t know how to play, Spike teached him the rules, and minute, they started to play the board game known to drive families and friends alike apart. Sing Song decided to be the banker. After ten minutes, Spike was leading the highest earner, Applebloom second, Sweetie Belle going third, Scootaloo grumpily taking fourth, and Frost Bite ended last. Frost Bite landed too much on ‘Go To Jail’, and every time he took a community chest, he would go to jail or pay random bills. Since then, he feared the chests and chances; they were cursed to him. Much later in the game, Frost Bite undid his pony form. The Crusaders were persistent, so he reluctantly agreed to show them. The amazement on the kids didn’t last a minute and soon they were back in the game. It made Frost Bite disappointed; he thought his form could distract them from the game and he could take a bit from the back, but then Sing Song was the banker; he might get a penalty from her. Staying in his true form, Frost Bite stashed his money on his hoof’s holes. It was an odd sight, but it’s pretty handy for him. “Do not pass go...” Frost Bite mumbled as he read the chance card. He hated that set of orange cards that seemed bent on making him lose all of his money. It made him wonder if he was bad at gambling as well (He was terrible). The library opened, revealing Twilight Sparkle and her friends behind her. When Twilight saw the crusaders and her baby dragon playing Monopoly with a changeling, her mind immediately tried to reason with the scene. The reason that won in her head was that the changeling was controlling their minds, forcing them to play the very board game her friends refused to play. Twilight liked that board game, but her friends didn’t seem to share the excitement and enthusiasm of buying and trading properties, and making your rivals bankrupt. What’s not so fun about that, she thought to herself. “Spike?” Twilight called out. Spike contemplated whether he should buy Canterlot with his hard-earned money or not. Leaving it for auction might make it cheaper for others, and he did not want to give the others the satisfaction. “Spike!” “Okay! I’m buying it!” Spike exclaimed. Suddenly, the board game flew away from the players, and drew their attention to the newcomers. “Oh.” The Crusaders and Spike became enveloped in Twilight’s magic and got pulled away from the changeling. “You’re not tricking any other ponies anymore, mister!” Applejack stomped in front. Frost Bite swore he saw fire blowing out of Applejack’s nose, but it was most likely just in his head. “Not this again,” Sing Song said as she dropped a green plastic house she was playing with. Frost Bite flinched at Applejack’s statement, and suddenly he was encased in magic and levitated towards Twilight. “Twilight, stop! He’s a good guy!” Spike grabbed Twilight’s leg. “That’s what he wanted you guys to believe. Now get behind us!” Twilight exclaimed as Applejack took out a rope. Twilight then pointed her horn at Frost Bite. “Yeah, out of the way Spike. Just let me at him!” the rainbow-maned pegasus said as she stretched her wings, preparing to take Frost Bite down. “Of course that’s what he wanted us to believe! He IS a good guy!” Spike ran in front of the mares. “Just give him a chance! Look what happened with Zecora; you can’t judge him because of what his kind did. He is his own pony!” Twilight paused as did the magic from her horn. The iridescent, however, had other plans. Fast as a bolt of lightning, she tackled the changeling, and pinned him to the ground. “Now Pinkie!” Out of nowhere, a pink blob jumped out behind them, and the rainbow pony tossed Frost Bite inside a barrel. “Do the honors, Pinkie!” “Aye aye, captain!” Pinkie saluted, wearing a pirate cap and an eye patch. Cramped inside the barrel, Frost Bite could smell the sweet scent within it, mostly like cake and frosting. “Frost Bite!” Sing Song jumped inside the barrel, and faced Frost Bite’s rear. “Get out of there!” “I’m afraid that’s not an option I can make!” Unbeknownst to the duo, Pinkie Pie turned the barrel around and then lit a matchstick. She then lit the barrel. “Do you smell that?” Frost Bite tried to move, but the space just didn’t allow it. “Smells like a burning matchstick...” A barrel AND a matchstick… It clicked together to the minds of the duo inside. It wasn’t a barrel, it was a— “A CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON?!” The Renegades blasted out of the library’s window, and as soon they were out of sight, a star twinkled in their place. Pinkie Pie went outside the library and drew a big breath. “IT’S A PARTY CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!” Author's Note If you want to see old version, go HERE! Also, do comment any errors and I'll fix 'em up!
IV: The Princess's ApprenticeScream. It was to suddenly cry out in a loud and high voice because of pain, surprise, or in this case, fear. As the renegades’ velocity increased with each second passing, Frost Bite’s screams became louder than ever. And it certainly was hurting Sing Song’s ears. By the time they crashed, she would be deaf. That was, if they even manage to survive. Flying at a speed only Wonderbolts would know, Sing Song gripped hard at Frost Bite’s horn. It amazed her how she could hold on for long. “Frost Bite!” Sing Song called out “AHHHHHHHH!” was the only sound that registered as a reply from her cowardly friend. “FROST BITE!” Frost Bite stopped screaming, leaving her mouth open. “Do something!” “Like what!?” “I don’t know, turn into a pony!” So Frost Bite did. After a flash of green, he turned into his pony self. “Not a unicorn, you raisin brain! Pegasus!” “Right!” Another zap of green light, and Frost Bite looked the same as ever. “What the hay, Frost Bite!?” “I’m a Pegasus! No problem!” Frost Bite said as he flapped his new wings. “Glide! Control the fall!” Even though Frost Bite knew she can’t even fly properly, he extended his wings against the punishing winds which only proved to be futile. “I can’t!” “Just try!” And try as he might, their speed made it impossible to actually gain control of their flight. “The wind is too strong! I can’t control it!” “So you’re just going to let us die!?” Before Frost Bite could even reply, he saw the quickly approaching tower in front of them. He knew they will crash into it, like a bug squashed into a speeding carriage. As a parent and child walk down the road in Canterlot, the child looked up to the sky out of boredom and lo, he saw what seems to be a miracle. “Look, ma! A shooting star!” A little colt tugged his parent. “Son, there are no stars in the day. It’s early morning.” The mother patted her child in the head. “But ma! Look!” “Oh child, this is-” And so her jaw dropped as she saw the sailing shining sparkle across the sky. “Dear Princesses! It’s a shooting star!” “Told you, ma!” “Princess Luna has blessed our day!” The mother picked up her child and hugged him. Though the child was happy to see the star, he couldn’t seem to shake off the thought that he heard the said star to be screaming… Princess Luna just woke up—still feeling a bit sleepy and wanting to go back to slumber—but decided against it. She's a princess after all; she should spend time wisely and be an example, like her sister. Princess Luna stood up and went through the balcony doors. The sun was rising and Princess Luna gazed upon her sister's work as she placed her hoof on the balcony railing. She couldn’t help but feel a bit useless. Then, she let out a big sigh. Her sister Celestia raised the sun and Luna herself raised the moon. And Luna's responsibilities ended there. Her sister, however, had seemingly endless list of them. Politics, leader, counsel, prime representation of Equestria itself and more, etcetera etcetera... Princess Luna knew that can't be helped; she did just have gotten free from her dark past. Or one could say, she just got out of jail, and just like any other prisoners, time moved on even while she was in captivity. There was no escaping time, and while she was gone, Princess Celestia became what Equestria needed and wanted. And Princess Luna? She was just an extra. Or so she so thought herself. At least in politics. So much of the laws have changed, and there were simply too much new ones to learn. While it would take a lifetime of studying to master them, she'd rather do something in the present. Other than politics, there wasn’t much. She did went on the Nightmare Night at Ponyville; it was her chance to actually learn about her ponies and the norms they have. While it was weird for her to celebrate a holiday about herself eating children and only appeased when given candy, her attendance was still a success. With the help of her saviors Twilight Sparkle and her friends, she gained the heart and trust of the little Ponyville. Without them, ponies would have been kneeling whenever she passed through. With her success at Ponyville, she thought she could recreate her success at other places. Needless to say, it was hard for her to actually do it herself; convincing ponies she's not Nightmare Moon was no easy task. So while the world still feared her (which in contrary, she was actually popular, and had fans all over), it made her think what she can actually do. Her sister had done a number of feats; first and foremost, running a nation. Second was raising her own student and even bring the said student to princess hood. Who could beat that!? Also, she brought sun AND moon in the sky during her absence. Raising the moon was already tiring, but both sun and the moon? When does Celestia ever get her sleep...? Princess Luna's body slumped into the railing and her muzzle laid flat on it. She let out another sigh. What must I do? And then, a star twinkled in the middle of the morning sky. Was it a sign? A guide from the heavens? It was very unusual to see such a star shine so bright under sunlight. So rare that the star seems to be coming closer... Wait, what? And as the star comes closer, a sound emanated, and as it came closer, the more it sounded like screams. What is going on? Princess Luna took a step back and observed the oncoming object. It seemed to have specifically targeted her. Perhaps it was an attack? A threat? Whatever it was, she must capture the projectile; she could learn more that way. She lit up her horn and created a special barrier around her. The magic was a field of suspension aura, stopping anything caught in it like they have been paused in time. The only thing left to do for the princess of the night was to brace for impact. And… silence. The barrier was made to make no sounds, so no booms or whatever there. Thought you’d hear a weird beam sound or some sort of magic funky tune? Ha, no. You get nothing. Princess Luna looked at her newly caught thing. Oh, it’s a pony…. Unicorn? No, pegasus? No… An alicorn. An alicorn!? The princess observed the caught pony even more carefully, and to her relief, the pony was a unicorn. But for a second back there, she saw an alicorn. It was clear, and her eyes weren’t lying to her. Then where were her wings just now? This blue pony obviously had them, but looking at her now, she was just an ordinary unicorn. What did that mean? What if it’s a sign? A sign for what, she asked herself. What if this pony… was to be her apprentice?! Yes, her sister did have a student, but this one was too old for the task. Could this pony be actually…? Frost Bite felt a weird sensation around her. To him, it felt like being in midair, but he was not flapping his wings, so he knew he was sort of floating or levitating. Of course, the answer was obviously Princess Luna's magic, but his eyes were shut tight, waiting for the indescribable pain that was supposed to come. Am I dead? Was that it? Well, that was painless. Frost Bite slowly opened one of his eyes, curious to how afterlife finally looked like. He was expecting all white place with a booming voice that probably represented an almighty being, but instead he was greeted by a dark-blue winged unicorn, grinning at him. Frost Bite wasn't sure which one was more surprising; his expectation or reality. Well, what better way to know than to actually ask. “Am I dead?” was the simple question Frost Bite asked.. The azure unicorn/pegasus seemed unfazed at her statement and gave instead rather an over enthusiastic response. “Fear not! Thou art safe in our care. Oh, thou art the one!” The pony lowered him from her magic barrier. Frost Bite observed the pony before him. She was a tall unicorn with wings and had wavy mane, like really wavy and sparkled like the night sky. Her smile so bright that it made Frost Bite feel a bit unsafe. After all, who said this pony isn't insane? Sing Song wasn’t moving from his head, which worried him. "Ah yes! Thou- I mean, you must be a student of magical arts, right?" Frost Bite was forced to smile, still not sure who was the pony before her, uh him. Better not disappoint the loony. "Yes, ma'am. I, uh, came from a school from, uh, Badlands. I am the top student there!" Frost Bite can only chuckle forcefully after that sentence. "The Badlands? I have not heard of an academy in such a place," the azure unicorn/pegasus said, raising her eyebrows. Then she returned to her happy face. "Oh, that does not matter! I haven't even heard of Ponyville when I came back." "So, ma'am-" "Please, call me Luna!" "Luna, what-" "Oh yes, you must tell me! What are you currently studying? Is it a specialized magic? Like friendship?" Frost Bite scrambled his head for an answer. What magic? I can barely lift a barrel! Wait, what kind of magic is friendship? The thought gave him an idea... "The theory of... Happiness...?" "Oh, what wonderful subject! I am sure that my sister will be delighted that I have found you! Why, you came right to me! Surely you are looking for my guidance?" One thing's for sure; this pony Luna was very excited. Way too excited, maybe, but she seemed nice, so Frost Bite thought he might as well go along with it. "Why yes, Luna. I am pretty sure you will guide me to the best of my studies," Frost Bite said with utmost perfect. Might as well act the part. "Then it is decided! Starting today, you shall be under my apprenticeship!" She turned around and started to walk toward the door but then stopped and turned around again. "I am terribly sorry, but I have not asked thy name." "You may call me Frost Bite," he said in a way royalty does. Maybe I'm overdoing it? "Well then Frost Bite, we must get things settled before we officially begin your apprenticeship. Come along, my faithful student." Frost Bite knew he might get busted for not actually being a student of magic, but he knew he cannot exactly back out now, so he bowed to Luna. "Yes, ma'am," he replied. For the next hours, Frost Bite had to fill up a bunch of papers he didn't know were needed for such apprenticeship. He could not even fill up some of the items on the papers, like who his parents were. He couldn't just write Her Majesty's name on the paper; that's asking for punishment. So had to guess false names. For his dad, Freeze Blast was what he wrote—which sounded a bit like a superhero name. For his mom, he wrote Ice Heart. Close enough to his true parent, he thought. But of course, how could he forget about Sing Song. She was still passed out, and when he checked again, she still was asleep. He decided to leave her in his mane for a while. And so he finished the papers. He never thought he would come to hate writing, but at that moment, he didn't want to write anything else. This reminded him of his journal that left it at Mango Jill's balloon along with his other stuff. He missed his journal, but he didn't want to write on it for now. "Excellent!" said Luna, seeing her new protégé was done. "Now we can test your magic capabilities! Come now." After a few minutes of walking, they enter a wide and tall room, which was like, every room there. This room however had a square platform that occupied the middle of the room. While Frost Bite was really impressed by the interior decor of the building, he could not appreciate it enough since he had to keep up with his new mentor’s fast pace. "Well then, we will begin with the basics! I know, for veteran magic users such as us would have no need for it, but I do believe in warming up for the main objective." "Of course, Luna." Frost Bite spoke like he knew whatever she was saying, but if their magic session was more than levitation, he knew he will probably be busted. For that reason, he was really, really sweating a lot. "We will start with levitation!" Frost Bite sighed in great relief. Okay, I can do this. Luna levitated a pair of mannequins out of a cabinet on the very right of the room and placed them in the platform on the middle. "The main objective is to levitate the manikins without faltering for two minutes. I know, this must be boring, but we must do so! Begin whenever you’re ready.” Luna went to the side of the square and sat down. And Frost Bite stepped onto the platform. Two minutes? While it sounded simple enough, he was worried the manikins might weigh heavier that they look. Well, I got myself into this mess. Frost Bite levitated the pair of mannequins with ease. They were light, much to his relief. Levitation was a breeze for him since he had done it with a pair of sandwiches. To actually think that that weird act could be useful in this… Two minutes later, Frost Bite lowered the manikins. Luna clapped her hooves joyfully. “Excellent, my little pony! Onto the next test!” Luna returned the manikins to the cabinet. “Now, we shall review… teleporting!” Oh dear. He knew this is going to be a problem; no one in their Hive could teleport, not even the Queen. It was weird for him that the Queen could not even do it, though she did have great magical prowess. Maybe the Her Highness never found it useful? “Are you alright, my little pony?” Luna asked. “You seem to be sweaty.” Of course he was. This was impossible for him. How could I get through this? There’s no denying that unicorns use this magic pretty often. How? How!? “I, uh, don’t know.” “I’m sorry?” “I don’t know how to teleport.” “Nonsense! An overachiever such as you should not be intimidated by a simple task. Perhaps you hit your head as you sailed your way into my balcony?” Luna teleported in front of Frost Bite, and he was really impressed by that. “Alright, perhaps I should remind you how.” Luna’s horn glowed in blue hue and she approached Frost Bite. She then tapped her horn into his. Frost Bite then felt something entering his mind. No, it was like an old memory resurfacing from being forgotten. Luna released her horn from his. Frost Bite remembered something. In his mind, the steps of teleportation floated. It was a bizarre experience, to remember something he was not familiar with; the instructions of teleport became etched on his mind. “I do believe this should suffice?” Before he even realized, Luna had teleported back to her seat. “Now make me proud!” Frost Bite wasn’t sure what had just happened. His mind suddenly had information on how to teleport! It was exciting for him since he had never tried this before, but also scared since he had never tried this before. Failing would disappoint Luna and she might suspect him, so he could not screw this one up. According to the instructions given to him, he should look to the target location, and imagine himself placing his hooves on that location. Sounds simple enough. Well, here goes nothing. Frost Bite closed his eyes and imagined stepping on the farther part of the platform. With that, he activated his horn. Did it work? Frost Bite slowly opened his eyes. Oh dear Hives, I did it! He managed to go from the center to the edge of the platform. He did little jumps over his new found ability. Wow, I know something that the Queen doesn’t! “I knew you could do it! Now do it five times in a row, and we’ll call it a day.” Frost Bite froze. Five times? In a row? Oh dear. Can I do it? His mind began to panic and he started to sweat. He gulped and looked at the platform. According to his handy instructions, it was the same as single teleport. He just had to do it while remember all locations. Frost Bite looked at different points in the platform, closed his eyes again and started to imagine his hooves touching each location. Frost Bite opened his eyes. He was in the same location as he was. Oh no, I failed. His mind panicked and began planning for escape routes, though there is only one escape route which was the door they entered from. “Bravo! Bravo!” Luna clapped her hooves louder than before. “Spectacular, Frost Bite! Not many ponies can actually teleport several times.” Wait, I actually did teleport? So I just returned to his position? A smile formed on his face. Frost Bite realized he could actually teleport not only once, but five times in a row. It was a feat only he had done, a feat that no other changeling can! The thought filled him with excitement. “Ah yes, it is lunch already,” Luna said, observing the clock above the room. “Come now, Frost Bite. We must attend to our daily nutrition.” Frost Bite decided to redirect his excitement to food. After all, both things were worth getting excited for. Ah, lunch. Now that was something Frost Bite looked forward to for today. He didn’t even notice that he had skipped breakfast doing paperwork and basic magic. At least he could eat to his heart’s content. He noticed Luna was pretty wealthy, having guards in uniform at almost every door they passed by in the hallways and not to mention, the place was huge. Each room had a chandelier, fancy wall décor and other stuff that Her Highness would had liked. This place kind of looked like Canterlot Castle. Frost Bite had never been to the castle though, just pictures from a magazine he found when he visited Canterlot during the invasion. Luna seemed to be very happy, as she always was since he met her. Maybe she really wanted a student? Few minutes later, they arrived at a dining room that had a really long fancy table with fancy cushions. This feels like royalty. The guards opened the doors for them. “Come, let us sit,” Luna said as she sat down. Frost Bite sat down next to her without hesitation. He felt the cushions were so comfy he could sleep on them; it made him wonder if he could take them. “Frost Bite, you are absolutely fantastic! I mean, we haven’t done anything else than the basics, but I’m very certain you will astound me even more with your academics.” “Uh, of course, Luna. Academics.” Oh boy. “Or perhaps you prefer practical magic? I do prefer activities done by our horns rather than paper.” Their conversation was interrupted by sound of opening doors. A white unicorn/pegasus entered the room, her mane flowing like water with iridescent colors. Much like Luna, she was very tall and had longer snout. She was breathtaking for Frost Bite. “Hello, my dear sister,” the white one said. Even her voice sounded majestic to Frost Bite. “Oh? I didn’t know we had a guest.” “Celly, you will not believe what had happened this morning!” Luna surely was very excited. “Perhaps you can start by telling me who is your friend here?” The tall pony named Celly sat down across them. “Celly, this is my personal student, my protégé, my apprentice, Frost Bite!” Frost Bite can only bow his head, blushing. “Your student? My, I didn’t know you took students, sister.” Celly’s face was of wonder. “Yes, even I thought so. But Frost Bite, she is a very promising unicorn, I must say.” Frost Bite zoned out on their conversation. He just stared at Luna’s sister. She was just so graceful, so caring, and so… majestic. Her voice was like music to him that he could listen to all day. Is this what they call a crush? He never had a crush, since he had always confused the genders of ponies whenever he saw them, but Celly was different. She just radiated kindness and beauty. “Frost Bite, are you listening?” Luna asked. “What? Oh, yes, I mean, yes.” “My sister was just wondering about your research on happiness. Perhaps you can tell us something about it?” Happiness? What are they talking about? Oh right. He did mention the theory of happiness; His little lie to convince Luna earlier. What was he supposed to say? What is Happiness? How do you even research happiness? Come on, think. Before Luna could even press him further, ponies entered the room, carrying silver trays. The ponies placed the food before each pony on the table and left the room. “We can talk about it later,” Celly said. “I am pretty famished from doing all my work since morning.” “Very well.” It was a close call for Frost Bite. He silently thanked the ponies who brought food to their table and looked at the grub served before him; it was salad of many varieties of vegetables. He had never seen this many vegetables in one bowl. It made his stomach growl, and his head down onto the food. Frost Bite relished every single bite. As he was munching loudly, Luna only stared at her student. Celly only giggled at the sight. Frost Bite looked up, chewing his last bite and noticed the sisters staring. “What?” he asked. "Oh, it is nothing," said Celly. Lunch proceeded without any sound while Frost Bite's munched noisily. The sisters were done, but Frost Bite still wanted more. "Will there be dessert?" he asked. "Of course," Celly said. "Just ring for the waiter and tell him what you want." Anything? Frost Bite's mind began exploring for dessert that he wanted, but was simply too many to choose from. Ice cream? Fruit salad? Oh! How about cake? But what kind of cake? Maybe simple chocolate cake? But what about Black Forest cake? Seeing that Frost Bite was distracted with dessert, Princess Celestia smiled. "Luna," she called. "What is it?" she replied with a joyful face. "May I speak with you for a moment?" "But of course." They left the room, telling Frost Bite they'll be back. "Well Luna," Princess Celestia said. "I did not know you wished to be a teacher yourself. Where did you find this little pony?" "Ah, I'm glad you asked!" Princess Luna exclaimed. "You see, she directly went to me at my balcony this morning. I am not sure how she managed to propel herself into the balcony, but I saw a sign, sister. A sign that she may be the next one!" "Pardon me, but the next what exactly?" "The next princess!" If Princess Celestia was drinking tea, she would have spit it on Luna's face. "Sister, what exactly did you see back then?" "An image of what she will become! She was sailing through the skies. When I caught her this morning, I saw Frost Bite, I saw her with wings! But then when I looked again, she is but a unicorn." Princess Celestia can't help but ponder at her statement. She 'caught' her? Princess Celestia was pretty sure visions important as a new princess didn’t come like this. They came in dreams and prophecies. And then, she remembered Twilight's letter this morning. It was about a changeling in Ponyville that Twilight's friend, Pinkie Pie sent flying away through a cannon. Soon, the dots connected in her mind, and then, a smile formed on her face.
V: Cantering in CanterlotSing Song woke up. She was pretty sure she had died from that crash, so it would make sense to her if she could go through walls and haunt every pony. But first, she had to look around and confirm where she was. Wait, this is Frost Bite’s mane! Sing Song poked her head out of Frost Bite’s mane and realized they were probably pretty much dead, seeing the place looked immaculate with fancy décor on the walls worthy only by royalty. She looked down and saw a bunch of empty plates that once held food, food that were now in Frost Bite’s belly. "Frost Bite?" Sing Song asked. "Sing Song! You're awake! You got to try these uh, what are they called... Macaroons!" Frost Bite held one up into Sing Song's face. "Put that thing away from me, or so help me." "Geez, no need to be sour there." Frost Bite then ate the macaroon in one bite. Sing Song—looking at the room they were in—thought the place had to be really expensive. It was like a princess's dining room, which begged the question; whose place was this? "Hey, where are we?" Sing Song asked. "We're in my mentor's house! Or mansion? I'm really sure, this place is huge but I really think this place is Celly's property." Sing Song flew down from Frost Bite's mane and landed on the table. "Who's Celly?" she asked. "She's a really nice pony." Frost Bite stared into space, almost like daydreaming. "Like really nice. I like being around her." Frost Bite had a crush? It was a thought Sing Song found funny, but she had to think about that later. There were pressing matters she had to check. "Frost Bite, how did we get here and how did you get them to feed you?" Frost Bite ate the last of macaroons. "Remember we were crashing to a pillar?" He licked his hooves and lips. "Luna caught me before I crashed into her. I really thought I was dead when I opened my eyes, but Luna did this shield magic thing and saved us." Ah yes. She just remembered their moments of flight and terror. Who knew a cannon could actually send a pony to the next town? At least now she knew, which was useless information to her was. Sing Song realized she must have passed out before they were saved. Wait, Luna? That name seems familiar. Isn't she the princess of...? "We're in Canterlot Castle!?" "I didn't even know we are in Canterlot! This is great, we don't even have to travel by hoof or even by train." Frost Bite clapped his hooves in delight. "Anyways, aren't you hungry?" "Huh?" "Come on, you got to eat! They have everything, and I mean literally everything." While Sing Song was still skeptical about where they were, she was pretty hungry. Literally everything, huh. "Okay, could you get me chocolate marble brownie?" Frost Bite levitated the bell in the middle of the table and rang it three times. In a few seconds, a pony dressed in white dress shirt with a bow tie came into the room and went to Frost Bite’s side. “Yes, ma’am?” “Right, uh,” Frost Bite said, rolling his eyes at the waiter’s words. “Can you get me chocolate marble brownies?” “Certainly. Will that be all?” “Yes, thank you Kindred.” The pony waiter then went away to get their order. “That’s so amazing! I feel like a princess.” Frost Bite giggled at the thought. Sing Song was reminded upon hearing princess. They probably were in Canterlot, but Sing Song was worried if they are in Canterlot Castle. If Frost Bite got caught by the princesses’ themselves, she couldn’t imagine what could happen to her bug friend. “Frost Bite, do they know about your true form?” “No, they think I’m some student looking for an apprenticeship. By the way, being Luna's apprentice is pretty sweet! I learned how to teleport, you know?” “Okay, isn’t that basic magic?” “Not for us! It’s amazing when Luna gave me the instructions just by touching her horn with mine and bam! I got it so easy.” It seemed Luna didn’t know about Frost Bite’s true form yet. Sing Song could only hope it stayed that way, however her sister Celly—who was probably Celestia—might be a different case. Before Sing Song could ask another question, the Royal Sisters entered the room. “Luna!” Frost Bite called. “Wait, should I call you master or Master Luna?” “Please, Luna is just fine, Frost Bite,” Luna answered as she and Celly sat down on their designated seats. Forget the name Celly. This is Princess Celestia! The presence of the Royalty made Sing Song nervous, not only because of Frost Bite’s secret but also because she had never met them before—perhaps it was more of Frost Bite that was making her heart jump repeatedly. “Oh? I did not know you brought a friend with you, Frost Bite,” Princess Celestia said as she looked at the breezie atop their table. “Oooh, such a wondrous creature!” Princess Luna said excitedly. “I have never seen such beauty before.” Luna moved closer to Sing Song, which surprised her. Sing Song was about to thanks Princess Luna for compliment but then she said “Where did you capture this one?” Princess Celestia cleared her throat, calling Princess Luna’s attention. “Luna, breezies aren’t creatures to be caught. They are sentient beings, like us.” Sing Song was thankful for Princess Celestia’s words. Princess Luna could only blush in embarrassment. Sing Song could only think that Princess Luna hasn’t seen a breezie, or maybe their kind wasn’t big back then a thousand years ago. “I apologize for my rudeness, little one,” Luna said. “It’s alright, Princess,” Sing Song replied, in which Luna smiled at. “Frost Bite, I was wondering if you can tell us about your studies about happiness,” Princess Celestia said. “Oh, right, the theory of happiness. Yeah, big theory that is,” Frost Bite replied nervously. Sing Song noticed Princess Celestia eyeing Frost Bite. While the princess was smiling, there was something behind it. She wasn’t sure if it was sinister or not, but knowing that Frost Bite’s identity was on the line, she was sure Princess Celestia might had suspicions about Frost Bite. “Oh yes,” Princess Luna said. “This theory does sound like quite a story!” Sing Song looked at Frost Bite and knew he was in trouble. His sweat and darting eyes obviously told Sing Song he didn’t know what to say. She had to save him. “Princess Celestia!” Sing Song called out. “Yes?” “I really want to thank you sisters for treating my friend Frost Bite here so well. I expected no less from royalty such as you.” “Of course. I always give my best to every pony, especially to Luna’s student,” Princess Celestia said, looking at Frost Bite. There was no doubt; she was onto him. Then, Luna giggled rather loudly. “Is there something wrong, dear sister?” “What’s wrong, Luna?” Frost Bite asked. “’Princess Luna? Did I say something wrong?” Sing Song inquired. And then, Princess Luna let loose. Howling laughter came out of Princess Luna. It was quite a sight, seeing a dignified deity-like being going on about like a maniac. Princess Luna even slammed her hooves on the table, unable to control her excitement from laughing. Princess Celestia can only look in confusion at her sister. Frost Bite just stared at his mentor, thinking if she had always had fits of insanity like this. Sing Song only furrowed her eyebrows at the sight before her. “Oh my goodness! I-HAHAHAHA!” So Princess Luna went for another straight minute before she calmed down. “So, do you mind telling us what it is you find amusing?” Princess Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. “Okay, okay,” Princess Luna wiped her tears as she answered. “The breezie’s voice! I have never heard of such accent before! Forgive me little one, but I just can’t help but laugh. I am so sorry.” Unbeknownst to Luna, breezies have different accent from normal ponies. In the years Princess Luna lived even a thousand years back, she had never heard a breezie speak. Sure, there are thousands of accents she had heard over the years being a princess of Equestria, but nothing was more bizarre to Princess Luna than the breezies’ accent. I find it weird, but to Princess Luna? It was hysterical. Nothing could ever prepare her for that, not even Nightmare Moon’s emergence. In fact, Nightmare Moon would have laughed hysterically too. Sing Song wanted to poke Princess Luna’s eye so much, she’d be blind, but there were more important things to mind, like Frost Bite’s life. “Luna, I can’t believe you just did that,” Frost Bite said. “And so am I, sister,” Princess Celestia said. “Though it is understandable you have never met breezies, but that behavior is unacceptable.” Princess Luna looked like a child who got scold for breaking a plate; her eyes looked down and her head down. “It’s alright, Princess Celestia,” Sing Song said, twitching her eye. “We do sound different from other creatures.” "How mature of you. I am grateful for- pfft, HAHAHAHA!!!" Princess Luna fell to floor and laughed some more. "Oh my stars! I can't! My stomach!" Princess Celestia, however did not find that amusing. She just glared at Princess Luna. Frost Bite just sat there, watching, unsure of what to do. "I am very sorry for my sister's behaviour. I'll be sure that she will be taught her lesson," Princess Celestia said. "Maybe it is time to finish lunch." Princess Celestia took Princess Luna somewhere, probably to lecture her. Sing Song thought it was weird to see Frost Bite's mentor to be towed away by her tail lifted by magic. Frost Bite and Sing Song was led out of the dining room and was brought outside, with instructions from Princess Celestia that they are free for the afternoon. Sing Song was perching on Frost Bite's mane when her stomach growled. She was also upset she didn't get her order back in the dining room all because of Princess Luna. Sing Song knew she had to save Frost Bite, but she never thought she did just by talking. On the other hoof, it saved Frost Bite from Princess Celestia. Hopefully that will take her mind off of Frost Bite. Still, she was hungry. Frost Bite, however, was just happy to be outside. "It's great to be back!" Frost Bite said. Sing Song remembered that Frost Bite was here during the invasion, though he didn't really harmed any pony. "Hey," Sing Song called out. "You owe me." "Really? I don't have money on me right now." "That's not what I meant! I mean you owe me a favor!" "Why?" "Because I saved you from Princess Celestia's probing!" "What? Nah, she wouldn't do that. Why would she? I mean she was just curious about my theory. A theory that currently does not exist." Sing Song flew off Frost Bite's head and floated in front of his face, her hooves folded. "Didn't you see how she was looking at you?" "With kindness and grace?" She rolled her eyes. "More like doubt and suspicion." "Yeah, right!" Sing Song was just about to pull Frost Bite's mane in annoyance, when a pony seemingly appeared out of nowhere before them, making them shriek. "AH!" Sing Song noticed it wasn't just a pony; it was one of Princess Luna's personal guards. One can easily tell due to their distinct bat wings, yellow slitted eyes, and their gray coat covered in lavender-colored armor. "Miss Frost Bite and companion, I am here to guide you around Canterlot," the guard said in a deep voice, like a story teller. "Are you a vampire?" was Frost Bite's question. Sing Song placed her hoof on her forehead. "I am not," he responded automatically, as if he was asked several times before. "Oh. I thought so. But you have fangs..." "Princess Luna has ordered me to give this to you, as she cannot do it herself at present." The guard took out a silvery necklace, with a crescent moon pendant hanging in the middle. The moon seemed to shine brighter than the chain. Frost Bite took it with utmost care from his hoof. "Wow, what is this?" Frost Bite lifted the chains, observing the moon's unnatural glimmer. "It is best if you read her letter, ma'am," the guard said as he took out a letter. Frost Bite took it and ripped the envelope into pieces. It amazed Sing Song that he didn't tear the letter inside. Frost Bite opened the folded paper inside. To my dearest student Frost Bite, I sincerely apologize for laughing at your friend. It was terrible of me, especially as part of royalty to mock the subjects of our homeland. Anyways, I give you this gift; the Lunar Chains! I just made it up, so do not worry; it is no legendary artifact or anything of the sort. I thought the name could be the Necklace of the Moon, but I shall let you decide. Oh, The Chains of the Moon! That is a good name too. You might be wondering what this gift is for. It is for being my personal student! Yes, perhaps I am hasty in giving you this gift. I mean, we haven't actually spent time doing mentor and student things, but I wanted you to have a symbol of my friendship. Please accept and cherish it. Your mentor and friend, Princess Luna P.S. Don't forget to put a name on it! It'll be an amazing artifact for the years to come. You won't believe what useless stuff they have as artifacts around now. Back a thousand years ago, a vase is just a vase, but now I came back, it's the Vase of Solidarity. Go see it in the garden if you want. Seriously, it is a boring vase. So keep that necklace and next thing for sure the future will have something truly amazing for it is my very own student's relic from her mentor! To Sing Song, the apology from Luna kind of annoyed her. Okay, it really annoyed her. It was so short that It was like as if she wasn't important. Sing Song can already tell that Princess Luna was way too eager to be a mentor figure. Not to mention her P.S. was too long. Nevertheless, Frost Bite wore the necklace, which fitted his neck perfectly. "This looks so cool," Frost Bite said as he looked at it. "It look great on you, ma'am," the guard said. "Uh, just call me Frost Bite, please." "Very well, Frost Bite." "Nice chains, dude," Sing Song commented with a hint of sarcasm. "Thanks." "Frost Bite, is there anywhere you'd like to go to?" Ombré asked. "I still haven't eaten anything, you know," Sing Song reminded. "Oh yeah. Do you know where I can get a small snack?" Frost Bite asked their entourage. "Of course. Please, follow my lead." The trio started walking through the city. Frost Bite was giddy and all, while Sing Song just felt miserable with her empty stomach. Canterlot was surely a massive and beautiful city. The white streets, buildings with golden spires, and even the posts they passed by were gorgeous. It was her first time here, and while she expected it, she can't help but feel amazed at her surroundings. Sing Song noticed how the other ponies they passed by held their heads high. She never understood why they did; it looked like they were sniffing for something. The guard brought them to an outdoor restaurant. Ponies were already at some tables eating snacks and meals and they did so silently. Little chatter can be heard. "Should I acquire a table for you, ma'am?" the guard asked. "Yes, uh, what was your name again? And please, it's just Frost Bite." "Forgive me. I am called Ombré," the guard said as he bowed his head. "I shall find us a table shortly." The guard named turned around and went to look for a waiter. A few seconds later, he returned. “This way, Frost Bite.” Frost Bite sat on the cushion before the table, while Sing Song flew down the table. Ombré, however just stood next to Frost Bite. "Hey buddy, aren't you going to sit?" Sing Song asked. "Ma'am-" "Sing Song." "Sing Song, I am entrusted with the duty to watch over Frost Bite, therefore I must be vigilant and remain active. I only serve with the best of my abilities." Sing Song kind of understood what he said. He was doing his job; that was the gist of it. She wondered if all guards were like Ombré. "Nonsense!" Frost Bite exclaimed. "Uh, what?" Sing Song could only say, looking dumbfounded at Frost Bite's statement. "Come on! Sit with us," Frost Bite pulled Ombré next to him and made him sit. "Frost Bite I can't! I am supposed to be on duty," Ombré said he reluctantly sat down. "Come on, don't be a party pooper," Frost Bite insisted, gesturing her hoof for Ombré to sit. "There, just chill for now." "If you wish, then I will 'chill'." Sing Song wanted to make fun of Ombré's reluctance, but she was too hungry to even just talk. Sing Song felt full. She never felt so full before, or maybe she did? It did not matter to Sing Song since her Canterlot Sundae Special was more than enough to her. The mixed fruits and honey and ice cream combination proved to be quite a delight worthy of royalty. Frost Bite ate a banana split, and it surprised Sing Song that he could still eat even when he just did at the castle. Ombré was hard headed so no matter how much Frost Bite try to convince him, he didn't order anything. Frost Bite didn't let up. Since Ombré refused to order, Frost Bite fed him a spoonful when Ombré didn't expect it. Of course, Ombré could not stop the blue unicorn from feeding him. In the end, he ate the banana split with Frost Bite. How sweet. For now, they just sat and relaxed. Frost Bite patted her stomach which was full to the brim, if it there ever was a brim. Ombré just sat there, stoic and silent, probably guarding them. Sing Song was full as well, and she was lying down on the table. “Hello there,” a voice said. Sing Song turned and saw a white stallion wearing a suit and tie, and a monocle. “I haven’t you ‘round here and seeing you have a guard with you means you’re some pony special.” He sounded funny to Sing Song, but to Frost Bite, he sounded classy and sophisticated. “Oh, I’m actually a student of Princess Luna herself,” Frost Bite proudly stated, puffing her/his chest out to show the glimmering gift from the princess. “Oh jolly! That is quite an accessory there. I didn’t know Princess Luna took in students. It does explain your knight in shining armor here.” “Oh please, you make it sound like he’s my prince or something.” “Now I know you’re Princess Luna’s protégé, I simply must invite you to my little party.” “A party?” “Yes! Ponies would love to meet Princess Luna’s new student.” The stallion gladly told. “Frost Bite, a word,” Sing Song called out. Frost Bite came closer to her little friend on the table by leaning, and then they started whispering loudly to each other. “What?” “What are you doing!? You know you can’t just go announcing you’re popular!” “Why not? Wait, I’m not.” “You will be if you go to this pony’s party!” Frost Bite smiled at her statement. Sing Song frowned at her words. She could only think this: I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have said that. Sing Song fell flat on her face in Frost Bite’s head. She couldn’t believe it; they just consumed the whole afternoon doing one invitation to another. At first, it was just Fancy Pants’ tea party, where they just mingled a bit to other ponies. It was unremarkable, though Frost Bite talked too many of the party guests. Ombré was just silent from the whole affair. Then they got invited to a golf game by a pony named Straight Shot, which was surprising how Frost Bite got another invitation. Again, unremarkable for Sing Song, but not when Frost Bite accidentally swung a golf ball into a pegasus doing weather duty. The pegasus got hit right in the head and he went down like a popped balloon. Luckily, Ombré knew first aid and the pegasus wasn't seriously harmed. Much. Ombré reluctantly played a bit, though he ended up hitting more grass than golf balls. Weirdly enough, Frost Bite also went to an art gallery by a unicorn whose name Sing Song can't remember, which was okay for Sing Song, but Frost Bite immediately got bored. However, the two of them agreed on one thing; that painting that was just a canvas painted fully blue wasn’t art. It was weird that ponies find that piece interesting. Ombré liked it though. And now, they reached the castle halls. Exhausted and fatigued, Sing Song and Frost Bite just wanted to sleep, while Ombré still looked the same, as if he was never with them the whole afternoon. Ombré led them to a room near the end of the hallway. Night guards already were patrolling around. Ombré saluted to every pony guard they encountered as they were walking to Frost Bite's room. When they arrived, the double doors stood twice their height and it made Frost Bite do little jumps of joy. "Oh boy, my own room!" Frost Bite exclaimed. "You can stop jumping now! You're making me dizzy!" Sing Song protested. "Sorry." Ombré pulled one of the doors, and Frost ran into the room. "This is actually my room!" The room was not as immense as Luna's, but it was still pretty spacious and exquisite. Frost Bite's fatigue seemed to have faded as he looked at everything from the bed to the cabinets. Sing Song got off his head before that. "This is so nice!" Frost Bite then jumped onto the bed. "I love being a student." Sing Song thought differently; she knew students don't get invited to parties and eat with the princesses. She noticed something on the study table and flew to it. "Hey, there's a note here," Sing Song said as she picked it up. "Want me to read it to you?" "Go on," Frost Bite replied, positioning himself on the bed. Dear Frost Bite, Your mentor, Princess Luna, will be unavailable for the next days for reasons I cannot discuss. However, your studies shall continue under my supervision and I hope you will have the same enthusiasm as you did with Luna. I look forward to teaching you. Your temporary teacher, Princess Celestia This is bad. Sing Song suspected Princess Celestia had suspicions on Frost Bite, so seeing that she would teach him directly was a bad idea. He'll get busted, that's for sure. "Frost Bite, we have to get out of here!" she frantically said to Frost Bite, who was already asleep when she looked at him. "Yep, you're screwed."
VI: Outta Nowhere!Frost Bite came to realize that being a fancy student of magic was torture. Of course, it was too late to realize that. So what does being a student of magic entails? Oh, not much; just lots of reading and magic application. By reading, it mean volumes upon volumes of magic and related topic. Three days since Frost Bite saw Princess Luna,he had been under Princess Celestia's guidance. Frost Bite thought that would be a sweet deal, but Princess Celestia was a harsher teacher than Luna. They would repeat a certain spell again and again until he got it right. Barely casting a spell wasn't enough for the princess; it had to be perfect. Each time he made a mistake, he was ordered to do it again. Because of this, Frost Bite read all night before sleeping. Actually, he read all the time. He became fixated that he should know before even Princess Celestia could teach about it. So in three days, he was like Twilight Sparkle; reading in advance and sometimes way too advanced. It was a good thing Frost Bite was a fast learner; he could read a spell and execute it quickly, though imperfect. Within three days, he became a true student of magic. For Frost Bite, it was tiring. It exhausted him as he tried to please the princess's expectations. He loved reading and he still does, but he never thought he would think there is such thing as too much reading. Now he did. In those three days, Frost Bite embraced every moments of food. He would ask for more sugary treats after meal, which helped him in his studies. Ever since he started doing spells and studying, he craved for more sweets. Magic was draining him, and so sugar was needed to replenish his mind and body. Sing Song wasn't allowed to accompany him during lessons, so most of the time Frost Bite talked to Ombré who followed him everywhere, and literally everywhere since he was ordered to be Frost Bite's bodyguard. While Frost Bite loved the idea of having a bodyguard, he noticed that Ombré wasn't really an open pony. Ombré would often decline his offer to eat together and would often avoid eye contact and talk as little as possible. Frost Bite missed Sing Song's voice. They do talk at night though, but Frost Bite would have to cut the chatter to minimum to study. And now, Frost Bite was trying to cast a spell he wasn't sure was for. There was a huge egg on the center of the room and Frost Bite was having a hard time executing the spell. "Frost Bite, concentrate," Princess Celestia reminded him. He closed his eyes and focused. He tried to remember what he had read last night. Frost Bite, with all might, charged his horn, then converted all the energy into warmth. With that, he aimed and fired the spell into the egg. Frost Bite then fell on his haunches, panting. "Congratulations, Frost Bite." Frost Bite looked up to see the egg. Nothing happened? What is going— CRACK! The egg began cracking and soon the whole shell shattered, revealing... nothing? "Princess Celestia?" Frost Bite called. "Yes?" "It’s empty." "Of course it is." "Um. Why?" "Why?” Princess Celestia looked up from her clipboard to Frost Bite. “Well, this test is meant for my school's entrance examination, but seeing that you already are a student, I see no need for a real dragon egg." Princess Celestia magically removed all the egg shells. "Are you interested doing a real egg?" "Oh, I don't think I want to," Frost Bite replied. It reminded him of Spike back in Ponyville. Twilight probably did the test and got Spike from it. It made him wonder if dragons gave their eggs to ponies or if the ponies stole them, but Frost Bite decided not to think about it; he was already tired and hungry. "That will be all for this morning, Frost Bite," Princess Celestia said. "Huh?" "Did you forget about our plan for today?" Frost Bite was so busy reading and practicing that he didn't even know what Princess Celestia was talking about. "In case you have forgotten, we are going to the Crystal Empire to meet the delegates of other countries," Princess Celestia said as she turned her back to Frost Bite to clean up the room. "It is very important that all princesses are present." "Oh." Frost Bite's ears flattened. He wanted to see Crystal Kingdom, but he knew he can't just ask Princess Celestia if he can come along. "I guess I'll just stay here in the castle." "Is that so?" Princess Celestia said. "You are more than welcome to come if you want to, Frost—" She turned around, only to see no pony in the room but her. "Bite?" Frost Bite walked the castle halls dejectedly, knowing she was stuck in the castle. Ombré was right behind Frost Bite, but he was too depressed to notice him. "Something wrong, Frost Bite?" Ombré asked, giving in to his concerns. "Nothing." "Are you sure?" "Yeah." That was too short for their usual conversation. It worried Ombré, and it was clear something was bothering her. He walked faster to walk alongside her, something he never did before. "So, how was your session?" "It's fine. I guess it always is. Just fine," Frost Bite replied and smiled weakly. "Look at you, engaging conversation." "Ahaha, yeah, uh," Ombré stammered. "It is just that you seem down today." "Oh, sorry for making you worry." "You don't have to apologize. In fact, perhaps I should be the one to do so." "And why is that?" "I reject all your kindness to me! Whenever you ask me to join you, I often refuse." "I understand. Sing Song told me guards have a strict code of duty, so I guess it's more like I'm bugging you. Hehe, bugging you..." "That is not true. I actually enjoy my time around you," Ombré said as he looked away. "Aw, shucks. Aren't you a sweet one? And kinda sappy too." Before Ombré could even reply, a force knocked Frost Bite off her hooves, making her tumble along with the source of the force. Frost Bite got dizzy and shook her head, only to realize she was on her back and Princess Luna was on top of her. "Frost Bite!" Princess Luna called excitedly. "Oh, how long it has been! I am finally free. My sister was relentless, I tell you." "Luna?" "I can see you have been working hard, judging by your scores. You make me so proud of you." "Can you please get off first?" "Hm? Oh yes, I must," Princess Luna said then moved aside, and levitated Frost Bite and placed her standing on her hooves. "It's nice seeing you, Luna,” Frost Bite said as he dusted himself off. "Indeed, I have the same sentiments. Anyways, I did come here to see if you have prepared." "Prepared for what?" "You weren't informed? How unusual of my sister." "Informed about what?" "The business we have in Crystal Empire? Does it not ring any bells?" Upon hearing Luna's words, Frost Bite slouched and his ears flattened. "Oh, right. You guys have fun in the Empire with the delegates. I'll just read or something," Frost Bite said and started to walk past Luna. "Excuse me? I am not going anywhere without my personal student." Frost Bite's posture straightened and she turned around. "Really!?" "Well, of course. I cannot just leave my student unattended here after all." Frost Bite gave Princess Luna a sudden short hug. "Oh, this is exciting! I've never been to the Crystal Empire before. Are we going to take the train?" "While I do like the idea of riding a giant metal cabin run by steam machination, we do have our own mode of transportation." As you all know, the princesses of Equestria are known to travel by their own personal chariots. Well, at least Princess Celestia and Princess Luna does; Princess Cadence travels by her city's crystal train. If one would pit the three in a race, it is likely that Luna's chariot would win. Not even the power of technology can beat the strength of two bat pony guards in speed. If you're wondering about rankings, the train would go second and Celestia's chariot last. It was said that Princess Luna's guard were trained to do their best at everything, and chariot pulling was no exception. Of course, this became a problem since it would appear that some pony was over speeding and is out of control, especially back a thousand years ago when Nightmare Moon was at large. And so today, Princess Luna's chariot was one of the most feared things in Equestria. Riding that said chariot was Frost Bite, who was screaming in fear. "I'D RATHER RIDE THE TRAIN!" "WHAT!? I CANNOT COMPREHEND YOUR WORDS DUE TO THE WINDS!" Sing Song wasn't screaming though. She was inside Frost Bites saddle bag, nestled inside a big matchbox, sleeping. It was one of the few moments that Frost Bite wished that he could turn in a breezie. Maybe there's a spell for that? As they sped along the skies, the Crystal Empire greatly shined in the ever closing distance. For a moment, he forgot about their fearsome speed and appreciated the shining city. Without Frost Bite realizing, the chariot had already landed in front of the Crystal Empire’s castle. “Thank you, my dashing stallions. Another fantastic ride, job well done,” said Luna to her personal servants, in which they just bowed in response. Frost Bite wanted Princess Luna’s words to be sarcastic, but it wasn’t. Luna genuinely loved the way they make the chariot speed like a train off tracks. After settling in their own rooms, Frost Bite asked Princess Luna’s permission to go around the city; Princess Luna happily granted it. Sing Song woke up in Frost Bite’s mane. “Where am I?” she asked. “Oh goody! You woke up! We’re going to look around Crystal Empire.” “When did I say I’d go? And you didn’t wake me up and just placed me in your mane.” “Oh, come on! This is Crystal Empire! A new place we haven’t seen before.” “I guess, but I just woke up, so careful with your walking.” “Roger that!” “What’s a Roger?” “Uh, I never really knew. The shiny city was… shiny. I am kidding, of course. After all, it’s made of crystals. The city was filled with buildings that seemed to look like ones from Canterlot and Manehatten, except they’re made of crystal. Even the roads were crystal, which really impressed Frost Bite. On the side of the road, shops of sorts stood, covered by tents. Some sold crystal berries and berry baked good, which smelled mouth-watering, some sold corn on cobs, and one sold crystal flugel horns. Frost Bite immediately approached the cherry stand. Cupcakes, muffins, and varieties of crystal berry baked goods were on display, all of which made Frost Bite hungry. “Food again, Frost Bite?” Sing Song poked out of Frost Bite’s mane. “Hey, I forgot to eat breakfast.” “Salutations!” said a crystal pony behind the stall. “What can I get you?” “I’m having those muffins. How about you, Sing Song?” “Just get me a couple of berries.” “Easy enough.” The crystal pony gave their order in a paper bag. Frost Bite noticed the pony was staring at her head. “Is there something on my head?” Frost Bite asked. “Me, you dolt!” Sing Song retorted. “Oh my! How adorable! What is she?” the vendor asked. “I’m a breezie. Never seen one before?” “Believe it or not, there’s quite a lot we crystal ponies have yet to see, since we just got freed from the curse two years ago.” “What curse?” Frost Bite asked. “Oh, perhaps you should ask some pony else. I’m not really quite knowledgeable on that,” the vendor said with a smile. “Oh, okay. Thanks!” Frost Bite walked away from the shop. “Do you think it would be rude if I ask them to let me touch their crystal mane and coat?” Frost Bite asked as he gave Sing Song a berry. “That is just being creepy, dude.” “But aren’t you curious? They look like crystal, but they’re like normal ponies!” “Remind me to tell you not to touch any pony here.” The duo spent much of their time walking from shop to shop with Frost Bite buying food from each. It was a good thing Princess Luna gave Frost Bite allowance, something Frost Bite thought was surprising. So far he bought cherry pie, corn on a cob, muffins, yogurt, and a flugelhorn. Eventually, Sing Song got full eventually and by eventually, I meant after they visited two shops. “I wonder what else they got around here.” “Are you always hungry?” “Hey, if there’s something I haven’t eaten yet, then I have to eat.” Frost Bite stopped walking suddenly, making Sing Song almost fall out of his mane. “Hey! What’s the big idea!?” “Oh nothing, it’s just Mango Jill’s balloon shop thing!” Sing Song looked ahead and saw the unmistakably yellow transformable stall belonging to the one and only Mango Jill. “I can’t believe she’s here! Let’s go see her!” “Okay, but would you just calm do—ah!” Frost Bite dashed off before Sing Song could even finish. As Frost Bite ran, he began to see Mango Jill and upon closing in, gave her a hug. “Mango, I missed you! I know we didn’t bond much but-” Before Frost Bite could even finish, Mango Jill grappled Frost Bite into a position where she held Frost Bite’s stomach from his behind. “Uh, Mango?” Mango Jill then lifted Frost Bite as Mango Jill’s back arched. It was at this moment that Frost Bite wondered if this was her way of returning hugs, but as his head slammed into the ground, his mind went blank. Sing Song flew off his head before that. Then, there was a loud thud. Mango Jill held the position for a second, then let go of Frost Bite. Mango Jill stood up, while Frost Bite remained on the cracked, shiny ground. The ponies around them just stared at the sudden event, unsure whether it was a street performance or a fight taking place. Sing Song can only stare too at his fallen friend. Frost Bite shook his head, giving a sign of life which gave ponies around a sigh of relief. They all agreed silently that it was nothing more than a public performance. “Ouch,” Frost Bite loudly exclaimed. “Mango, what the hay!” Sing Song howled, fuming about the fact her friend just got a back suplex. “Sorry, but I don’t do hugs,” Mango Jill said in her usual calm voice. “Sure, hugs are a no no for you, but do you have to do have to finish Frost Bite with a slam!?” “Uh huh. Especially strangers.” “Strangers!?” Sing Song shouted as waved her hooves wildly. “We rode your balloon thing to Ponyville last time! We even sang together! What in Tartarus is wrong with you?” Mango Jill paused for full five seconds and I mean pause like she didn’t move an inch or even breathe. Then, she moved again, as if someone placed back her batteries. “Ah, you must have met my sister.” “What?” “Didn’t Mango Jill tell you? That she has a sister?” “What?” Sing Song could only repeat. “No wonder you guys got confused; we do kinda look alike.” For a moment, Sing Song could not believe what she was hearing. If what she said was true, then they must be twins. “Help me,” Frost Bite muttered. Quickly, the yellow pony helped Frost Bite get up. “Ow, my head. Was that some sort of family greeting?” “Nah, I just don’t know you. Stranger danger, you know.” “Uh, I think it’s best if you just introduce yourself,” Sing Song said. “What?” Frost Bite said looking at Sing Song and Mango Jill’s sister back and forth. “I’m Mango Jane, in case you’re wondering.” “No, you’re Mango Jill,” Frost Bite said as he pointed at her. “Nope, I’m Mango Jane,” she replied calmly. “No, you are MANGO JILL,” Frost Bite said, raising his voice slightly. “Nope, I’m Mango Jane,” she replied, sounding the same as her last answer. “NO YOU’RE MANGO JILL!” “Nope, I’m Mango Jane.” “Are you having an identity crisis?” Frost Bite asked. “I can get you to a doctor, like right away.” “Frost Bite! This is Mango Jill’s sister!” Sing Song screamed. This time, it was Frost Bite’s turn to pause, but only for a second. “I knew all ponies look alike,” Frost Bite muttered. “In any case, thank you for being friends with my little sis. We don’t get much friends, you know.” “Yeah, no problem. It was actually Mango Jill who helped us in the first place,” Sing Song said. “That’s nice of her.” “FROST BITE!!!” a voice in the distance screamed. The three looked at the source of the voice, and saw Ombré running through a crowd “Frost Bite!” Ombré said as he panted. “How could you leave without your guard? You should have told me if you were going out!” “Ombré?” Frost Bite tilted her head. “Uh, I’m okay. I just got back suplexed by Mango Jane.” “Mango Jane?” Ombré looked around and saw the said pony. He spread his front hooves and bared his fangs. “How dare you harm Princess Luna’s personal student.” “Whoa, you look pretty intense,” Mango Jane said. “Not another fight,” Sing Song said, rubbing her forehead with her hooves. “Ombré! It’s okay! I’m okay! So just calm down. You look pretty scary.” Upon hearing Frost Bite’s words, Ombré stopped, and he stood normally again. “Very well. But I will take this mare in. She had just assaulted you, and I will press charges.” “Ombré! It was my mistake so she did that! Just let her go, please?” “No, she will face trial and will be punished accordingly. She-” When Ombré faced Frost Bite, she was doing a face; a puppy face. You know the one, the one where you look adorable so you can make someone do what you want. Sing Song, however, didn’t get it. “What are you doing?” she asked. “What?” Frost Bite replied, still holding the face. “What the hay is that face?” “I don’t follow.” “Fine. I will let her go this time,” Ombré said, looking stern. “Thanks Ombré!” Frost Bite said as she (he) hugged Ombré. “Your armor really gets in the way.” “I- Well- I-” Ombré stammered. Then, he shook his head. “I’m only letting her go because you said she is innocent. I trust your words.” Frost Bite, Ombré, and Sing Song returned to the castle, while Mango Jane went back to her business. “So, what’s Luna up to?” Frost asked as they walked through the shimmering halls. “The meeting just got concluded, so she must be free by now,” Ombré answered. “Would you like to see her?” “Yeah I guess. I’m done looking around anyway.” So they walked through the halls and reached the balcony, where all the three princesses were. Frost Bite stopped at the archway. “What are they doing here?” Frost Bite asked. “Oh, is that Princess Cadence? She does look pretty.” “Hey, that’s Twilight!” Sing Song pointed out from Frost Bite’s mane. “Wait, she’s a princess? What kind of a princess that lives on a library?” “Princess Twilight is here for the delegates’ visit,” Ombré said. “Do you know each other?” “Uh, you could say that,” Frost Bite answered and immediately hid behind the wall. Of course he knew her; she tried to hunt him down back in Ponyville. The memory sent shivers in his spine. “Can we go now?” “They are probably having a private conversation, anyways. We must not intrude on such,” Ombré said. “Yeah, yeah, let’s go.” Frost Bite started pushing Ombré away. “Well, alright…?” As they moved away, singing can be heard from the balcony. It sounded wonderful, but not even the singing of the princess can remove the fear Twilight had brought to him. After a while, they stopped in front of a giant double door. “Hey, what’s inside this room?” Frost Bite asked. “This is Starswirl The Bearded’s preservation room. It contains some items from the moving museum, but most of it is kept here,” Ombré said. “Let me guess; you wanna look inside.” Sing Song floated in front of Frost Bite, examining the door. “Well, duh.” “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that, Frost Bite.” Ombré stood before the doors. “Why not?” “This is a restricted area for educational reasons. One must always enter with a curator.” “Oh, please!?” Frost Bite begged. “Why do you even want to see a bunch of stuff left by a stinky old pony?” Sing Song asked, looking bored. Frost Bite realized that Sing Song must be playing uninterested. “Fair point, Sing Song,” Frost Bite said. “Wait, what!? You’re going to dismiss the greatest unicorn ever lived?” Ombré said with utmost disbelief. “Well, yeah. It’s just his stuff,” Frost said as she turned around. This is so gonna work! “But you have to be interested! You are a student of magic! Even Princess Twilight loves this stuff.” “I guess she’s a big fan?” Frost Bite turned around again. “Almost all unicorns look up to Starswirl.” Ombré made a serious face. “Whoa, okay. Maybe I’m a little interested then.” Frost Bite put up his front hooves. “That said, why don’t you show us inside?” “What?” “Since you say he’s so amazing, maybe you can tell us a thing or two about him inside.” “I’m afraid I do not have much knowledge on the topic.” “Come on! After convincing me like that? We’ll just look around, I promise; no touching.” Ombré pondered for a while. It would be against policy, but Frost Bite was Princess Luna’s personal student. She would have brought her some other time, so why not let her see it now? Besides, she might learn or get inspired or something. “Very well.” Frost Bite squealed in delight as she hopped in place, both of which annoyed Sing Song. “Great job, Sing Song!” Frost Bite whispered to Sing Song. “About what?” “You know, acting uninterested.” “Well, I am un—” “Come on!” Frost Bite grabbed Sing Song with his magic and walked right behind Ombré as he entered the room. Inside the room, personal belongings and tools that were once used by Starswirl The Bearded filled the enormous room in every direction. Glass cabinets and shelves contained arcane things like scrolls and notes, and some contained mundane everyday things like quills and presumably a toothbrush. “Well, that looks really important,” Sing Song blurted out, looking at the blue toothbrush. “Just don’t touch anything. I’m not supposed to let you in here.” Ombré followed Frost Bite through the room. “Oh, what’s this?” Frost Bite pointed at a book inside a glass case. “That’s Starswirl’s study journal. The book is so sensitive they have to put it there,” Ombré said as he looked around himself. Frost Bite gazed on the book, tapping her chin as she was deciding whether she should open the case or not. She opened it anyway by lifting the glass case, and lo and behold, the book disintegrated. “So that’s what they mean by sensitive.” Frost Bite looked around if any pony saw, and then lowered the glass case. “Hey, what’s this? A candlestick?” Sing Song asked looking at the used candle. “Maybe it's the candlestick that was used by Star Swirl to light the way when he was exploring the caverns of Maretania!” Frost Bite said as she moved quickly away from the dust that was once a book. “Wow, you read about that story?” Ombré asked in amazement. “It says right there on the metal plate,” Frost Bite said as he pointed at the inscription on the pedestal. “Oh.” Ombré said, sounding disappointed. “Hey, you can’t expect me to know.” After a few minutes, they reached the end of the room. “I can’t believe I’ve seen stuff that are actually pointless,” Sing Song said. “Hey! These are items left behind by the greatest unicorn that ever lived.” “Sure, but you don’t see my toothpicks on display.” “I don’t see you getting a museum anytime soon,” Ombré snapped and glared at the tiny companion floating above Frost Bite. “Well I don’t see you getting a girlfriend.” Sing Song floated down from Frost Bite’s head, and drifted in front of Ombré’s face. “I could say the same to you!” “Sure, if I cared.” “Why you little—” “Hey guys! Look at this cool mirror!” The two stopped glaring daggers at each other and looked at Frost Bite and when they did, they saw him making funny faces in the mirror. “Frost Bite, don’t tell me; you haven’t seen a mirror before.” Sing Song folded her hooves. “What? Wait, of course I have! It’s just that this mirror is kinda big.” And it was. It stood thrice Frost Bite’s height and it seemed to be recent, lacking dust and corrosion. “This doesn’t look that old.” Frost Bite said as she poses in front of the mirror. “Princess Twilight has a special interest in that mirror, but I forgot what that was,” Ombré said as he walked and then stood beside Frost Bite. “It’s a fancy mirror, what else can it be?” Sing Song said. “Hey, this necklace Luna gave me really looks awesome on me!” “I agree,” Ombré muttered. “You know what? Since this is a crescent moon, I turn it into a full circle just doing this!” Frost Bite proceeded to hold her crescent moon pendant and let it touch the mirror, creating a full moon. “Woohoo, neat trick buddy.” Sing Song said sarcastically. As Frost Bite was holding the pendant against the mirror, it began to shine and shine brighter. “Now that’s a neater trick!” “What?” Frost Bite looked at the mirror and saw the pendant glowing even brighter. “For the record, I’m not sure how this trick works…” And then, the glowing disappeared, and Frost Bite’s hoof that was leaning on the mirror sank through. Frost Bite screamed in surprise. “What the hay is this mirror!?” “Hang on, I’ll get you out of there!” Ombré moved quick and pulled Frost Bite out, making them tumble on the crystal flooring. “Are you alright?” “Yeah, it’s just that… Hey, where’s Sing Song?” The two looked around for their tiny companion, but she was nowhere to be seen. And then, Ombré’s face contorted to horror. “I-I pushed her. Into the mirror. Oh stars, I didn’t mean to!” Frost Bite looked horrified, but immediately snapped into seriousness, jumped to her hooves and faced the mirror. “Then there’s no time to lose!” “Wait! We don’t even know what’s in there! Or if there even anything in there!” “Well, I can’t just leave my best friend there! Get help, I’ll go look for her.” “Wait, Frost-” And with that, Frost Bite galloped and thrusted herself into the mirror, passing through its magic.
VII: The Magical EncounterIt was disorienting. The passage inside the mirror twisted and turned the travelers within. Frost Bite was just spinning through, and all he saw were shapes and colors, which reminded him of a kaleidoscope. As of this moment, he would never go into one ever the same again. Who would? Also, he was screaming the entire time too. What felt like an hour was actually only a minute, and the first thing Frost Bite felt was pain on his face as he fell out of the portal face first in the ground. “Ow. Felt like my muzzle became shorter.” Frost Bite immediately stood up in all fours and looked around for Sing Song. “Come on, Sing Song, please be safe,” Frost Bite said as he shielded her eyes with her hands. Hand? Hands… Hands. “AH!” he immediately screamed at his hand as he shoved it away from her face. “What is this!?” He decided to look at the rest of his body; it was an alien body. Covered in clothing, he had longer hind legs, his front hooves became monkey arms, and he had mounds on her chest, which by human standards his chest size would be— “WHAT AM I!?” Noticing he only had shoes on her hind legs, he decided to try to stand on just those. “Whoa, that’s creepy.” Whatever he was now, it preferred standing on two. The new height surprised him, as he began to see things differently like how he can actually see the ground farther from her face. It made him giggle a bit. “Frost Bite?” It was no doubt Sing Song’s voice. A smile formed in Frost Bite’s face and he turned to see the most adorable creature in whole world. She was just like him; standing in two legs and wore clothes, but he knew this was Sing Song because of her mane perfectly covered her forehead and the way it covered the entirety of her back in a way. Well, okay, it didn’t cover her back; her mane split into half so you can still see her back. Frost Bite noticed Sing Song was wearing clothes just like him, but hers took the cake; she wore a white Gothic dress, which made her look like a Victorian-age doll, not that Frost Bite would know anything about Victorian era fashion. Also, Sing Song was a child. “Sing Song!” Frost Bite called out as he immediately hugged the little human before her. “Oh my goodness, you’re so adorable!” “Okay! Let me go! Too tight!” Sing Song struggled to breathe as she squirmed in Frost Bite’s embrace. “Sorry!” Frost Bite let go of Sing Song. “You are just so adorable.” “Whatever. Just get us back to the Crystal Castle and we’ll be fine.” “What?” “Back home! You know, where we're not two legged things with wormy hooves?” Sing Song moved her fingers in front of Frost Bite’s face like worms. “Oh right. How did we get here again?” “The mirror! Behind you! That’s how we got here!” Frost Bite turned and saw the horse statue above a pedestal, and as he looked down into the reflection of the mirror, he saw herself; a taller human than Sing Song, having a long white mane like what he had when he was in pony form. He wore a white dress shirt and a blue fitted trench coat, a pair of dark blue pants and black shoes. His (false) cutie mark was nowhere to be found, but the chains Luna gave him still shone brightly around her neck. “I still feel awesome.” Frost bite began doing poses for the mirror. “And I feel like we should get back to the castle,” Sing Song said as she stepped beside Frost Bite posing. “Where are we’?” “Manehatten? Who cares!?” Frost Bite looked around and saw a building behind the statue. In front of the statue, there was a road leading probably somewhere, but Sing Song was right; it doesn’t matter right now. They probably stumbled upon a teleport device. “But why are we in this weird form?” Frost Bite began examining his hands. “This doesn’t seem necessary.” “Whatever! Let’s just go home and think about it later!” “How did we get here?” “That necklace! Stick it to the mirror.” Frost Bite was still confused about everything; how they got there, what their forms are for, and why is Sing Song the most adorable creature that had ever existed. But he set aside the questions, took her necklace off his neck, and approached the mirror. Before he could even stick the thing, another person came out stumbling. This time, it was a guy. “Ombré?” The man did resemble the name Frost Bite called out. He had a short lavender mane, gray skin, and wore purple shirt and dark jeans. He lied on his back, looking confused as ever. Frost Bite and Sing Song looked down on him. “Is he going to be fine?” Frost Bite asked. “Give him a minute to recover and prepare your ears.” Sing Song already was covering her ears. “Wait, why?” Ombré’s eyes shot open and he immediately sat up. ”Frost Bite? Sing Song? Is that you?” “Yeah, it's us,” Frost Bite answered. “Wait, are we not ponies?” “No. Not as of the moment,” Sing Song said. Ombré began to look at himself. He looked at his body, his hands, and also began to feel his parts using his hands. “Oh my stars. We’re not ponies.” Frost Bite realized what Sing Song was getting at; screams. He realized he was too late. “I’M HUMAN! THIS IS AMAZING!” “What?” “We’re humans!” Ombré stood up and started to look on his body using the reflection on the statue. “This is just amazing.” “Is he done?” Sing Song asked. Frost Bite only nodded, to which Sing Song uncovered her ears. “Was it loud?” Sing Song asked. “It wasn’t that bad.” Frost Bite answered. “Hey Ombré, you know what we are?” “Oh yes!” Ombré said as he turned to him. “We’re humans! Just like what I read when I was little.” “You read about monkeys?” Sing Song questioned as she folded her arms. “At least these work like hooves.” “No, we’re not monkeys. We’re humans! A specie that doesn’t rely on magic and instead uses technology to advance in nature.” Ombré quickly said. “This is so exciting!” “How come you know about humans?” Frost Bite asked. “Well, my mother had this book of legends and-” “Blah, blah! Let’s just get out of here! We’re not supposed to be here!” Sing Song exclaimed as she waved her hands around, which Frost Bite found amusing. Before Frost Bite could even ask more about humans, a bell rang. “Is that a school bell?” Ombré wondered. A rush of beings similar to their form burst out of the building behind the statue. Like ponies, different colors and shapes was everywhere. It reminded Frost Bite of ponies. “Maybe we should ask around!” Frost Bite suggested. “If you’re crazy enough,” Sing Song answered, to which Frost Bite didn’t hear since she started to approach the other beings. “I forgot you’re crazy.” “Hello there!” Frost Bite greeted. “Can you tell me what I am?” The one person Frost Bite greeted only looked at him with confusion, then laughed and walked away. “What’s so funny?” Frost Bite wondered, but immediately forgot since he approached another person. “Hi there! Care to tell me what species are we?” “Uh, human?” the mint green person answered. “Are you new here?” “Sorry about my uh, big sister,” Sing Song said as she went in front of Frost Bite. “She’s really bad at conversing, and we’re just looking for schools.” “Oh right,” Frost Bite said. “Just looking for schools.” “Well, I think you’ve come to the right place!” the mint green person, who apparently was a girl, said. “Nothing’s more magical than Canterlot High!” She then giggled. “Magical, huh? Do you know some pony who’s good at magic?” Frost Bite asked. “That would be Twilight and her friends, but I’m not really close to them.” Hearing Twilight’s name made Frost Bite’s skin crawl. It was a new feeling, so it kind of confused her, but she shook her head to forget about the weird feeling of skin. “Do you know anyone else?” “If you mean magic tricks, maybe Trixie can help, but I’m not sure if she will. She’s always kind of weird.” “Oh okay, where can I find her?” “She’s doing a magic show at the gymnasium. You might still make it if you go there now.” And with that, the mint green girl left. Frost Bite was relieved she didn’t have to meet Twilight here, but it also confused her; what was Twilight doing here? And it seemed her friends were here too. “Frost Bite,” Sing Song called out. “What?” Frost Bite snapped out of thinking. “What are we going to do now? You still haven’t tried your necklace.” “Oh yeah.” The duo turned around to see the mirror, but as Frost Bite was about to take a step toward, she saw them. Twilight’s friends. While they were human, their colors, mane, and even voices were identifiable. They just stood outside the statue, talking and laughing. Frost Bite felt like they were mocking her. How could she forget the very ponies that shot her into the sky? “Sing Song, we better go.” Before Sing Song could even protest, Frost Bite was already pulling Sing Song into a run. “Hey! Where are you guys going?” Ombré called out as he chased the girls who went inside the building. “Why in Equestria were we running?” Sing Song asked as she panted. They stopped at the lockers. “It was Twilight’s gang in front of the mirror!” Frost Bite exclaimed. “I don’t know how, but they probably followed us here!” “Unlikely story, but it is odd for them to be here.” Sing Song folded her arms. “I’m starting to like this, but not much.” “Hey guys!” Ombré called out he stopped running beside them. “It’s amazing to run in these things!” “Glad to know some pony is enjoying himself,” Sing Song said as she rolled her eyes. “What’s with you, sour plum?” he asked Frost Bite. “Ombré, do you know why Twilight’s friends are here?” Frost Bite asked in a panicked tone. “Uh, it’s not exactly them, you know.” “What do you mean?” Sing Song asked. “This is an alternate universe. In this world, our counterparts are human and almost every pony back in Equestria has one, like Twilight’s friends.” “And how do you know all of this?” Sing Song questioned as she raised an eyebrow. “I read Princess Twilight’s reports and journals. They are really well written, I tell you.” “Wait, Twilight’s been here before?” Frost Bite zoned out of the conversation, and instead, peeked inside a double door near them. It was busy on the other side; could it be the gymnasium? Curious and bored, he went inside. The room had a little stage set up in the middle, and there were two people setting up things. Before the stage, seats that were half empty awaited more audience. It only made sense to Frost Bite that he should take a seat in front. He then picked up a flyer on the floor which said, ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie invites you to the Magical Show!’ It contained images of fireworks and common magic props, which were unfamiliar to Frost Bite since he had never seen any magic show before. It made him wonder how humans used magic since obviously they didn’t have horns. And all of a sudden, the lights in the room dimmed and the spotlight focused on the center of the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen!” a voice boomed. “Welcome to the greatest magic show you will see! And now, we present you; the one and only, Great and Powerful Trixie!” Fireworks began to fire up and other flashy props lighted the stage. Smoke and light erupted in the middle and then, the smoke quickly dissipated, revealing a blue girl wearing a lavender wizard hat and cape, both covered in stars. Frost Bite became confused when the other humans started clapped. He decided to follow suit; slapping his own hand with his other hand. After the applause, the one called Trixie took of her hat. “The Great and Powerful Trixie thanks you all for coming!” Wait, she’s not Trixie? Frost Bite became confused as to where was the Great and Powerful Trixie. “Watch in awe! As the Great and Powerful Trixie astounds all of you.” The girl then showed the contents of her hat, which was empty, then proceeded to insert her hand in it. She pulled out and her hand was holding a bunny by its ears. The crowd started clapping again, which Frost Bite imitated again. It reminded him of stomping on ground as applause. “The Great and Powerful Trixie needs a volunteer!” The girl on stage said. Where is this Trixie? “How about you!?” The girl pointed at Frost Bite. Frost Bite’s widened his eyes at the girl’s pointing and before he could realize what was happening, the two girls from early who were setting the stage pulled him off of her seat and led her to the stage. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of a small crown on the center of the stage. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will perform an act nobody has seen on this school ever before! But before that, let us know our guest assistant’s name.” The girl then faced Frost Bite. “Introduce yourself!” “Hi, I’m Frost Bite,” he said to the microphone held by the loud girl. “I don’t really go here, I’m just checking it out.” “Ah,” the girl said, returning the microphone to herself. “No wonder Trixie doesn’t recognize your face. Well, we will not delay any further; bring out the box!” Frost Bite pondered where the hay is the one named Trixie and who was the girl beside him. Surely she doesn’t mean herself, right? Because that would be silly and probably stupid. The box was brought in by the girl’s assistants into the stage. It reminded Frost Bite of a coffin; a boring, dark blue coffin. It made her wonder what magic she was going to use on the box. “Now, help dear Frost Bite get inside the box,” the girl told her assistants. They quickly obliged and opened the coffin by unlocking the bolts on each side on the box. Frost Bite noticed that there was a hole for the head. At least he won’t be in the dark. “Looks a bit cramped in there,” Frost Bite commented, which earned giggles from the small audience. “Fear not, my little assistant; the box’s may look small, but it is quite bigger on the inside. You’ll fit in just perfect.” Frost Bite shrugged his shoulders and climbed inside the box to which he realized that the show girl lied; it was crampy and the box was small. Frost Bite’s head poked out of the box, as if he needed to see something happen. At least he wouldn’t miss it. The assistants locked the bolts of the box and one of them disappeared from sight. Or maybe because he/she couldn’t move his/her head much that he didn’t see them leave. “And now, the main event!” Spotlights pointed to the box, where Frost Bite squinted at the lights. “Where I, The Great and Powerful Trixie,” the girl said, to which Frost Bite realized she was talking about herself all the time. “Will slice this volunteer IN HALF!” Frost Bite’s eyes opened wide as he heard Trixie’s words. He turned her head and saw the magician grabbing a lengthy saw from one of her assistants. “Uh, what?” Frost Bite loudly asked. “Don’t worry, this is just a trick,” the blonde assistant reassured Frost Bite as she smiled at him. Frost Bite’s widened eyes only stared at the saw Trixie was holding.He could already imagine it hacking through him. She twisted her to see the glimmering blade that was going through her. “Can I un-volunteer?” Before the assistant could hear her request, the stage dimmed and after a second, the spotlight was pointed at Frost Bite, and the Loud and Future Murderer Trixie was suddenly beside her. “Witness the magic taking place right before your eyes! Trixie shall begin!” And with that, Trixie started to saw away at the box by her stomach. In Frost Bite’s mind, he was already apologizing for everything as his untimely and probably unusual death approached. He also thought that she would need two caskets, for her upper body and her legs. It was a weird thought, but he knew that would already double the bills. “Stop!” boomed by a voice Frost Bite knew too well. Frost Bite turned his head and saw way back a human that looked very familiar; she had dark blue hair and bluish skin. She wore an attire that seemed to make her an official. It’s Luna! “All students must be out of school grounds at this hour. Leave the premises immediately.” Her voice boomed all over the gymnasium, which really surprised Frost Bite. Students started to voice their disappointment, but they followed Luna’s order. As the students leave, Trixie was already sneaking her way off the stage. Before Frost Bite could protest, Luna was already eyeing Trixie. “Ms. Lulamoon,” Luna called out, which made Trixie stop in her tracks. “My office. Now.” Trixie looked down, and went off the stage. “Hey! I’m still here!” Frost Bite exclaimed as he tried to look at Luna from his position. “Get her off that and bring her too.” The office was pretty dark. The lights weren’t on and the blinds were shut, as if Luna was a princess of the night. Which she is, Frost Bite thought. “Ms. Lulamoon, you do know the usage of the gymnasium requires permission no matter what it is used for, as with all facilities in this school.” Luna had her head resting on her hands as she seemed to glare at Trixie. Trixie could only look down. “Yes.” “Yes what?” “Yes, ma’am.” Frost Bite sat beside Trixie in front of Luna’s desk. Frost Bite couldn’t actually anywhere since it was dark. “Also, the school is off-limits to students during this time. Clubs are excepted, but are you in any of them?” “No, ma’am.” Frost Bite felt sorry for Trixie. Yes, she almost murdered her, but it was for a good intention: entertainment, which was still crazy. “Also, a trick to slice one of our students in half may be for show, but if gone wrong, our school will have serious repercussions. Ms. Lulamoon, I cannot ignore your actions this time. I will have to call your father.” Luna started to reach for her desk phone, a device Frost Bite saw for the first time. Frost Bite noticed Trixie’s teary eyes and her clenched hands on her lap. While he didn't how a weird looking device could call someone from afar, it was then that Frost Bite knew he had to save her. “Uh, Miss Luna?” “Yes?” Luna paused from picking up the phone. “Could you, um, not call her dad?” “And why would I do that?” Luna then swiveled her chair to face Frost Bite. Frost Bite gulped. “I know she probably did this without permission, but she did this out of passion. The passion to entertain. When I was there watching, she just wanted to make ponies, AHEM, people happy. And that makes her happy, so if you could just let her off the hook this one last time?” Luna drew her hand from the phone and drummed her fingers to each other, which was mesmerizing to Frost Bite. Trixie looked up and only stared at Frost Bite, surprised and shocked at what she had to say in her defense. “Are you one of friends?” “No, I don’t even go here.” His answer made Luna’s eyebrow raise. Frost Bite realized he shouldn’t have said that. “Very well, I won’t call your father, Ms. Lulamoon, and you have her to thank for. But Ms. Lulamoon, next time I will not be so lenient. Keep that in mind.” A huge smile immediately appeared on Trixie’s face. “Yes, Ms. Luna! Trixie won’t let you down!” “Good. Now before you go, I want you to clean up the mess you made in the gym. I better not see anything from it tomorrow.” “Yes, ma’am!” Trixie happily said, stood up and left the room as she slammed the door behind her.. “What an odd student,” Luna said she opened her blinds and lights, which made the room much more visible. Frost Bite rubbed her eyes as she adjusted to the sudden brightness. “So, what is your business in our school?” Luna sat down on her chair. “Uh, just looking for a school to transfer to!” Frost Bite said with an awkward laugh. He was sure that this was not the same as the princess version from her world, seeing that she’s so disciplined and uptight. “I see. Well, you can always come back tomorrow and I’ll have someone give you a proper tour around the school. Unless you have already seen everything by yourself?” “I’ll swing by tomorrow, no problem.” “I haven’t heard of your name, what is it? “Oh, it’s Frost Bite, Ms. Luna.” “Very well, Frost Bite. Any other questions regarding the school will be answered by your guide tomorrow. Unless you have personal questions?” Frost Bite pondered a bit. He wanted to know if there was a big similarity between Luna here and Luna from Equestria. “Do you like fast transportation? Like really fast and furious?” Luna was surprised at her question and raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I do. Why do you ask?” “Someone I know is like that. You remind me of her.”
VIII: No Place Like...Sing Song furrowed her eyebrows as she walked the empty halls of the school. She and Ombré had been looking for their white haired friend for about thirty minutes now, and they hadn’t found him yet. They opened every classrooms, every lab, and anything that had doorknobs on it, except when there was people in it. They tried checking into the Vice Principal’s Office, but it seemed there were people discussing something and they couldn’t make out who were inside, so they went back to exploring the school. Eventually, they ended up at the empty field, where the night sky shone brightly as it sparkled with stars. It reminded her of ponies playing hoofball, which was held on a field similar to this, though if this was for human, she thought that it maybe called football. Ombré did point out about human body parts which she had to listen to during their search for Frost Bite. Sing Song sat down on the bleachers and just placed her head on her hands, her elbows on her knees. “Where the hay is he!?” “You mean she?” Ombré corrected her, though wrong. “I wasn’t talking to you, mister bodyguard.” “Okay, do we have a problem? Because I can’t see it and you’re just being a horrible pony.” Sing Song looked at the man beside her. His face was serious, and she gave back the same sentiment. While she didn’t straight out hate him, Sing Song just needed to vent out her anger. Of course, she didn’t want to tell him that, because that would give a reason not to be mean to him. While that does sound, well, mean, she did like him. NOT THAT WAY, BECAUSE I WILL HURT YOU FOR EVEN TRYING TO THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE AND I WILL FIND YOU IF YOU DO. I meant as friends like like. For your information, that wasn’t me; that was Sing Song. “Is it something I did? Just tell me so we can get over it.” Sing Song glared at Ombré, but then she had an idea. A sinister idea made a smile creep up to her face. “Uh, what’s with the creepy smile?” “You like Frost Bite, don’t you?” And just like that, Ombré’s serious face became blank and redder as each second passed. Ha, I got him. “Well?” Sing Song raised her eyebrow at Ombré.”Tell me if you like him.” “No, I don’t like her!” Ombré stood up and faced away from Sing Song. “I’m just ordered to be with her at all times, and I would never disobey an order.” His back tells a different story though, Sing Song thought. She jumped off from her seat and walked towards Ombré front with her hands on her back. “Well, why don’t you it straight to my face?” Ombré turned his head as Sing Song approached his vision. “I already told you, I’m only doing my duty.” “Your duty, huh?” “Yes.” “So you’ll be with him at all times?” “Yes! Now you’re getting it.” Ombré turned his head back, looking at Sing Song with much relief. “Probably even while sleeping then?” “What!?” Sing Song never had never seen an iron piece get red from high temperature, but looking at Ombré made her think that it probably looked like his face. If his face was iron, then Frost Bite would be the flames. It made her laugh loudly. “You-you share the same bed then!?” Sing Song managed to say as she laughed hard. “Don’t be ridiculous!” Ombré roared, his face beet red. “Oh, dear Celestia! Your face is so red! Like a cherry!” Eventually, Sing Song couldn’t manage to handle her laughter and she ended up lying on the field, laughing while clutching her stomach as pain started to settle in from too much laughter. Ombré managed to compose himself and just glared at the laughing girl lying on the ground who was kicking her legs as she did so. “Are you done?” “Yes, I’m so done. My stomach hurts. Help me up.” “No.” “Fine.” “Fine.” Silence occupied the empty fields and soon Sing Song’s smile faded as she stared at the stars. And Ombré’s face too, I guess. “You really like him, huh?” she asked, this time with seriousness in her look and voice. “Yeah. I guess I do.” Sing Song placed her hands on her stomach, continuing to stare at the stars. “Well, that’s going to be a problem.” “And why is that?” Ombré asked, looking down at her. Sing Song contemplated if she should tell him that she is a he and he’s only in a disguise. It would probably break his stallionhood and spirit, something Sing Song would pay to see. “I don’t know.” “Come on! You obviously know something!” After a silent answer from Sing Song, Ombré lied down next to her. As Sing Song tried to make out a constellation, she also thought of telling him the truth. He seemed nice enough and would probably understand their situation, but then again, he was a pony of duty under Luna’s night guard. Frost Bite might get arrested. “Hey, Ombré?” “What now?” Ombré sounded irritated, knowing she was hiding something about Frost Bite from him. “Don’t give me that tone. I ain’t taking any of your sass.” “Fine, what is it?” “Can I trust you?” “I thought you hate me?” Ombré asked and looked at Sing Song. “Answer the darn question.” Sing Song didn’t break her stare from the stars. “I just don’t get you. First you make fun of me, then you ask me something serious.” “Not the answer I’m waiting for.” It was full five seconds of staring at the sky and silence. “If you’re with Frost Bite, I sure trust you.” “Good. I have something to tell you.” “What?” “You see, Frost Bite is-” “Hey guys!” A gruntled face formed on Sing Song’s face as she heard an intruder on their serious conversation. She sat straight up and looked at the fool who disturbed her secret sharing moment with the fool who fell in puppy love with another fool. “Hey, Sing Song!” Frost Bite called as he ran from the doors of school. He was dragging along another person, who, to Sing Song, might as well be his sister due to their similarities: bluish skin and white curly hair. Frost Bite stopped in front of their feet. “Where in Tartarus have you been?” Sing Song asked as she laid down on the grass again. “Look what I found!” The girl beside her certainly was not amused on being referred to as an object. “Your long lost sister?” Sing Song blankly answered. Frost Bite pondered at Sing Song’s answer and started looking at the girl he was with and then looking back at herself. “Now that you mention it...” “The Great and Powerful Trixie does not have siblings,” the girl piped. “Who’s Trixie?” Ombré asked, sitting upright. “Trixie is only the greatest magician in Canterlot High,” the girl mused, puffing her chest in pride. “She talks like that. Trixie is actually her. Even I was confused.” Frost Bite patted Trixie on the back. “Anyways, Trixie knows about the portal we came through!” Sing Song bolted up and stood before Trixie. “You know about the magic portal?” “Of course! Trixie knows everything related to magic! If what Frost Bite said is true, then you are just like Twilight Sparkle who won the Fall Formal.” “Fall Formal?” Sing Song asked. “She won a beauty pageant?” “More or less.” “Ah yes!” Ombré jumped up and landed perfectly. Well, even I’m surprised by that. “Twilight had written that in her journals! ” “You human nerd, where’s the bodyguard we were with?” Sing Song placed her hands on her waist. “So, can you tell us how it works?” “Uh, well, maybe.” Trixie said, looking unsure. “What?” The others said in unison. “Trixie only heard of the magic portal, and it wasn’t much.” “Let’s just see the darn portal.” Sing Song walked. With Sing Song’s words, they all moved to the school’s front where the horse statue stood. The base of the statue reflected everyone’s image. Frost Bite looked at himself again. Seeing the weird being moving same as him felt wrong, but seeing also that the being resembled him made it also feel right. His pony form can be even similar to the form he had now, though he did miss having magic. It also made him wonder why the mirror didn’t turn him to look like his changeling form. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will now demonstrate how this magic portal works!” Sing Song had doubts about Trixie, but she knew Trixie was the only one who knew how it worked. Trixie proceeded to the front of the mirror. She closed her eyes, took a step… Then promptly slammed her face in the mirror. Frost Bite was laughing hysterically and Ombré kept his guard face, though the sides of his mouth clearly said he wanted to laugh too. “Trixie just needed one more try!” “Wait, don’t do it just yet!” Frost Bite barely said as he clutched his stomach. Trixie didn’t listen; a second slam into the mirror was awarded to her. Frost Bite laughed louder until he couldn’t even stand anymore. Ombré had turned his back on them as he held his own laughter down. “Stop laughing at Trixie!” Sing Song didn’t laugh. “Do you even know what you’re doing?” Sing Song asked seriously. “Of course Trixie does. This is how Twilight Sparkle exited this mirror.” “That’s it? You imitated her motions?” “Well, Trixie must be missing the extra long pony tail and wings.” “Twilight had wings?” Frost Bite asked as he bobbed his head to the right, still smiling from earlier. “It’s a long story. Trixie wants to go home already. That’s all Trixie knows, so Trixie should be going now.” In an instant, Sing Song swiped the necklace from Frost Bite’s neck and placed it the way Frost Bite did. As she placed the crescent metal, she waited for it to glow as it did before but nothing happened. “Come on, work!” She kept placing the metal on the reflection. Frost Bite stopped her hand. “It doesn’t work. I already tried, but I forgot to tell you.” Sing Song pulled her hand away quickly from Frost Bite and placed the necklace on Frost Bite’s hands and turned away. Much later, they find themselves at Trixie’s abode; a two story house that was only a ten minute walk from school. It was simple, and Frost Bite liked that. “Stay here,” Trixie said, leaving the guests in the living room. “Okay!” Frost Bite was the first to sit down, then others followed suit. Frost Bite looked around the room. There were a couple of bookshelves filled with reading that he had yet to read. He wanted to stand and look at the titles, but he decided to wait and ask for permission first. He noticed that Ombré was assuming his guard role again; his eyes darted from one location to another, looking for danger and he sat straight, as if he was at a formal dinner. Sing Song just looked blank. She didn’t smile nor frown, and just stared at a wall. “Trixie has returned!” Trixie came back with a person a bit taller than her. Actually, she looked like her, except her hair was straight and she wore blue dress. “Mama, these people are my friends. They’ll be sleeping over tonight.” “Oh, Trixie,” her mother said. “This is so sudden! You should tell me in advance so I could have prepared dinner for all us.” “Sorry, mama,” Trixie said as she looked down. “It’s alright. After all, how long has it been since your last one? You had plenty when you were little. You always nagged me for slumber parties.” “Mama! No need to tell them!” Trixie blushed. “We’re having a slumber party?” Frost Bite asked excitedly. “Of course you are!” Trixie’s mother exclaimed. “Forgive me, ma’am, but what is a slumber party?” Ombré asked. “I see no sense in a party especially when the guests and host are asleep.” Trixie and her mom just stared at Ombré, then laughed a little. “Oh, poor boy, never had a slumber party?” Trixie’s mother patted Ombré’s head. “Don’t worry, we’ll fix you right up!” “Mama! Don’t embarrass Trixie’s friends!” “Oh, sorry,” Trixie’s mother pulled her hand away. “Come to think of it, I haven’t heard of your names.” “I’m Frost Bite!” “Sing Song.” “I am called Ombré.” “And I’m Skyline. It’s always a pleasure to meet Trixie friends.” Skyline suddenly widened her eyes and then gave an excited smile. “If you’re having a slumber party, we might as well make it the best one Ombré will ever have!” “Mama, what now?” “Let’s make it a camping slumber party! You can all sit around a campfire and do all your slumber party fun in the backyard! I better prepare!” Skyline immediately left. “She seems nice,” Frost Bite commented. “I know,” Trixie replied. “Well, I’m off to help her. Better be sure if we even have firewood.” She then left the room and into the kitchen. Dinner was amazing. Frost Bite’s thought revolved on that sentence, and he can’t believe that he never had mashed potatoes with gravy. Dessert was even more amazing to him; pudding was simply one of the best things she had. At least I’ll have a new thing to order back at the castle, he thought. Skyline was very kind to them as well, and even told them tidbits of Trixie’s childhood, much to Trixie’s dismay. Trixie blushed as Skyline told them about Trixie’s first magic trick which involved disappearing coins. Trixie’s father wasn’t present at dinner. Skyline said he was busy with work at his office. Frost Bite wondered if Trixie’s dad was a performer like her. Frost Bite, Sing Song, Ombré, and Trixie sat around a campfire made by Skyline. Skyline even set up tents for them to sleep in. “I don’t see why we need to burn marshmallows,” Frost Bite wondered. “You never had s'mores?” Trixie asked as she poked the white sweet on her stick. “Nope. I just eat them.” “Well, Trixie will show you how s’mores work.” Ombré was just looking at the sweet on the stick, as if studying it. Sing Song just held her stick that was void of marshmallows. Sing Song stood up instantly. “What are we doing!?” Sing Song barked. “We’re supposed to be looking for a way home, not this!” They all stared at her. “But it’s late. We can’t really do much at night, and we don’t really know how the portal works,” Ombré answered. “You!? You don’t know!? I thought you read all of Princess Twilight’s journals!” Sing Song pointed at Ombré. “Hey, that doesn’t mean I memorized them! I said I read some, not all of it! What’s wrong with you?” “What’s wrong with me? No no no,” Sing Song waved her hands and head. “What’s wrong with you guys!? Here we are acting like we have a way home but in reality we’re stuck in a place we’re not even sure where, and not an exit in sight!” Frost Bite lowered his own stick. “But we still have the necklace, so that’s gotta be something.” “Really now?” Sing Song asked sarcastically. “If I recall, the thing doesn’t do anything anymore!” “You know what, you’re being a big whining brat right now,” Ombré stood up, looking mad. “I understand that you want to get back, but it’s not like we’re in danger. But I guess you just don’t like humans, huh?” “Ombré, don’t,” Sing Song stood up. “What, I guess you’re just a racist, aren’t you? Being that arrogant, I guess you can’t help but feel small, huh? You just want to be small so no one can see how much of a rude little-” “Don’t you get it!? We’re never gonna go home! We’re stuck here and nothing’s gonna help!” Sing Song ran off past Skyline, who was bringing graham crackers among other things s’mores related. “Oh my, why is she crying?” Skyline asked, looking concerned. “Don’t worry, I’ll go after her.” Frost Bite walked away from the camp and went inside the house. Frost Bite looked inside every room except for Trixie’s father’s room. She wasn’t anywhere inside the house. It made her worried and Frost Bite began thinking if she had ran away. He went outside the front door and found Sing Song sitting on the steps in front Trixie’s house, looking down at her shoes. Frost Bite silently closed the door behind him. “Hey, buddy,” Frost Bite said. “I know you’re upset.” “That is pretty much the obvious,” Sing Song said angrily. “Sorry. It’s just- It’s just not fair, you know.” “What is?” Frost Bite looked at Sing Song’s tiny figure, which seemed to be shrinking even more. “It’s just that whenever I see Trixie’s mom, I remember my own home and how it’s nice to be with your parents. To be with family and whatever.Then I remember that we might never go home again. Maybe I’m never seeing my parents again. Seeing my cousins, my granddad and granny. I’ll never see home. Never.” Sing Song looked down and then buried her face in her knees. “Come on, don’t say that-” “Or what!? That it’ll become true!?” Sing Song shrieked without raising her head. “Face it, Frost Bite, we’re stuck here, in a world where there’s no magic. No princesses to seek guidance from, no help from experts, no nothing. You won’t be seeing Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Mango Jill and Jane, and whoever it is important to you. So what’s the point? We’re stuck.” Before Frost Bite could even speak another word, Sing Song looked up to the moon and soon, a tear fell out of her eye. “I wish I could go home and see them one more time.” After a few seconds of listening to Sing Song’s sobs, Frost Bite walked beside Sing Song and sat beside her. “Okay, hear me out.” “What, you understand my pain and what not?” “Oh of course I don’t understand your pain, I really don’t,” Frost Bite said as he petted her head. “I grew up with other changelings without knowing them or anything. We just aren’t meant to do that, you know. It’s like being in a crowd; you see them, but you don’t really think anything of them.” Frost Bite wasn’t sure if some of the changelings actually thought of themselves as family, but he didn’t. If they were supposed to be a family, it’ll a real weird one. It would also point Her Majesty as their mother, and the other intelligent ones her brothers and sisters. Who am I, Cinderella? “But, I found you, and then we met much more ponies than we thought. Most of them were nice, and I was scared at first, but then I realized how you guys are my friends now, and that’s the closest thing to family I can have.” Frost Bite pulled Sing Song to a hug, which Sing Song felt unnecessary but decided to let her former insectoid friend. “You, Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Ombré, Spike, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, maybe even Applejack and the Mango sisters; heck maybe even Trixie and Skyline! You guys are family to me.” Frost Bite then pet Sing Song’s head as he hugged her while sitting. “You can cry all you want, I can’t do anything about that. Heck, I’ll be sad too, if that helps. Just remember, you’re part of my family now, and family is where home’s at. So right now, stay in my home, if yours is too far away.” Sing Song faced Frost Bite and cried on his chest. Sing Song cried loudly, and clutched on Frost Bite’s clothes as she did. Frost Bite petted Sing Song’s head as she cried on her shirt. For a while, they stayed in the steps. Sing Song’s crying was then reduced to sobbing, and Sing Song let go of Frost Bite. Silence permeated for a while before Sing Song wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “Never thought you’d say something like that,” Sing Song said as she sniffled. “You and your family talk.” “Yeah, me too.” Sing Song placed her head on Frost Bite’s shoulder. “Hey. I’m sorry.” “For what?” “For being mean and stuff.” “Nah, you’re always mean.” “What’s that supposed to mean!?” “Uh, nothing!” Later, they returned to the campfire and Sing Song apologized to everyone. Trixie didn’t mind, and Ombré took a little while before he gave his word. Skyline didn’t know what Sing Song was apologizing for, so she just gave Sing Song a tight hug. After that, they all sat around the campfire, holding their sticks with marshmallows against the heat of the flames on the campfire. Frost Bite sat next to Sing Song, Ombré sat next to Trixie, and Skyline was across them Frost Bite learned that s’mores were just cookie sandwiches with marshmallow filling. Though that sounded simple, Frost Bite had devoured five s’mores, including from Skyline. After a while, Skyline brought an acoustic guitar from the house. “I thought it’ll be fun for us to sing some songs!” Skyline said as she sat down with the guitar. “I do hope you kids don’t mind.” “Don’t worry, we like to sing!” Frost Bite remarked. “Trixie too!” “Of course, Trixie,” Skyline said as pinched her daughter’s cheek. “So, any request?” “Trixie has one!” Trixie raised her hand quickly. “Well, alright, what do you want to sing, Trixie?” “Um, uh...” Trixie trailed off and started mumbling about how she forgot what her favorite song was. “I have a request,” Sing Song said as she raised her hand. “What is it, Sing Song?” “Do you know the Heart Carol?” Skyline furrowed her eyebrows for a while and then answered. “I never heard of that before.” Sing Song handed Skyline a sheet of paper. “Those are the chords for it. I also put in the tempo and what not.” Frost Bite didn’t even saw Sing Song wrote the paper. Maybe when he was eating? “Seems easy enough,” Skyline remarked. “You ready?” Sing Song nodded. Skyline began plucking her guitar and strummed in between her plucking. Her hands’ movement bewildered Frost Bite. It was like a miracle happening right before her eyes. To see that fingers can actually be used like that. And then, Sing Song began the first line. The fire of friendship lives in our hearts Frost Bite realized that she knew this song. It’s just that she never knew the title and that Sing Song was singing it a bit slower. She joined Sing Song’s singing at the next line. As long as it burns we cannot drift apart Frost Bite did a lower tone and Sing Song did a higher one. They complemented each other's’ voice as they sang throughout the song. Laughter and song will see us through Memories of days before us, They teach us of the ways we've come to where we are Fear not the winding path ahead of us For when together, we are strong Memories of those who have passed ahead of us Their souls live on It was then that Frost Bite noticed something with Sing Song. Sing Song was glowing, literally, and she had her eyes were closed as she savored the song’s melody as she sang. We are a circle of pony friends A circle of friends we'll be to the very end~ Sing Song belted out the last line of the song and then the unbelievable happened. A glow took form on Sing Song’s head and materialized into pony ears. Her hair, which was two sets, grew a third one which was pony tailed. Frost Bite had her jaw dropped. Trixie pointed an accusing finger with her jaw dropped. Ombré had his eyes set on the fire, but when he looked at Sing Song after the song, his jaw dropped. Skyline, however, was just clapping her hands. “You’re so amazing, Sing Song!” “Oh, please.” Sing Song blushed as she looked away. “By the way, how did you do that?” Skyline asked. “I didn’t know you were into magic tricks too!” Sing Song only returned a confused face. “What? Is there something on my face?” “Oh, you! If it’s your personal trick, then I won’t ask,” Skyline said as she stood up and handed Trixie the guitar. “Well, it’s getting late. I’ll be off to my room. You kids don’t stay up too late, alright?” After a few seconds, Skyline was already inside the house. Frost Bite, Ombré, and Trixie was still staring at Sing Song. “Okay, now you guys are just messing with me.” Sing Song folded her arms. “Uh, Sing Song. Could you touch the top of your head?” Frost Bite asked. “What, why?” “Just do it!” Trixie said. “Fine,” Sing Song said as she placed her hand on top of her head. “Okay, now move it a bit to the right, a bit toward your face, ah there you go.” Frost Bite waited her reaction. Sing Song felt her pony ears on top of her head. “What, these are my ears. You guys are freaking out over this?” “Trixie has seen this before! This. Is. Magic!” Trixie said as she stood up. “What?” Ombré said. “This is magic?” “Trixie has seen Rainbow Dash back at the music store do the same thing. She was playing her guitar and she grew ear on top of her head and grew a ponytail! And she had a pair of wings too! This is the magic!” Frost Bite looked at her necklace and then, had an idea. She stood up and approached Sing Song and placed the necklace on Sing Song who gave another confused look. “What are you doing?” “Our way out. I think.” Frost Bite stared at the crescent moon pendant of the necklace. “Uh, Frost Bite?” Ombré called out. “What are you doing-” The pendant started to glow and floated a bit and then became normal again. As the necklace became normal, Sing Song’s pony ears and extra ponytail glowed and disappeared. “Is this what I think it it?” Sing Song asked. “Can it work now?” “We’ll have to check.” Frost Bite answered. “Tomorrow, we’ll go back there.” Sing Song hugged Frost Bite. “We can go home!” “Yeah, I know.” “Uh, can someone tell me what’s going on?” Ombré asked. Sing Song let go of Frost Bite and smiled. “All I know is right now we’re having a slumber party, so let’s have the most of it!” Author's Note "Our home is where we are. Our place of origin is not relevant, only where we choose to go together." -Legion, Mass Effect 2 So, we're back to Equestria! Huzzah! Bring out the party cannons! Also, if there are grammar errors, point them out to me. I can really use the help.
IX: What Are We Talking About?Two nights. Frost Bite, Sing Song, and Ombré stayed at Trixie’s house for two nights after learning that the Lunar pendant can be charged with magic by the power of music from Sing Song. While they were excited to see Equestria again, they also had fun with Trixie’s family, so they decided to stay for a little longer. But now, they had to go home. They stood in front of the statue, ready to activate the magic portal. “Trixie will miss you all dearly!” Trixie cried. “At least we know we can always come back with this,” Frost Bite said as she held up the pendant. “I really have to thank Luna for this.” “We sure do,” Sing Song commented. Ombré remained silent. His mind was full of worry and anxiety ever since they faced the way home. He just realized that they had been gone for two days. He and Princess Luna’s precious student had been missing. It could only mean two things to the other guards—either he kidnapped the princess’s student or they ran away to get eloped. While the thought of the latter pleased him, the thought of incurring the wrath of his benevolent leader became more prevalent in his head. “Ombré, are you okay?” Frost Bite asked, her face showing worry. Ah, even as a human and worried, she truly is beautiful. “It’s nothing, Frost Bite,” he answered, his face betraying his mind. “Okay, lover boy, let’s stop gawking and start walking,” Sing Song ordered. “You go first.” “I thought it's ‘fillies first’?”Ombré asked. “That’s pretty sexist,” Frost Bite commented. “Even though you’re a girl? And don't you mean 'ladies' first'?” Trixie questioned. “Well, that just creates the assumption that women must be treated with such delicacy and as such implies that women are fragile beings.” Frost Bite said with her arms crossed. The other three stared at Frost Bite. “I don’t like it when you try to sound smart,” Sing Song complained. “What do you mean?” Frost Bite raised an eyebrow. Ombré ignored the rest of their conversation and stepped through the statue’s base. After all, there was no use in waiting; it would only delay the inevitable. He had to face the princess sooner or later, and he decided it would be now. The portal made him feel like he was riding the Dizzytron, except it was worse. He almost vomited, but he managed to keep his breakfast in his stomach. Ombré landed on his front, his chin on the ground. It’s so good to be a pony again. While he found humans amazing and interesting, Ombré wasn’t fond of walking on two legs. He stepped aside from the front the mirror and waited for the other two. A weird sound emanated from the mirror and a blue unicorn was spat out by the portal. “Ow. I hate this thing.” Frost Bite stood up and brushed herself off of dust. “We’re back!” Another sound hissed from the mirror and Sing Song came out floating and then promptly crashing to the floor. “Starswirl has bad transportation design,” Sing Song commented then floated off the floor. Ombré smiled at the sight of his companions. He never had such lively ponies in his life before. “So what now?” Frost Bite asked. “I’ll have to report to Princess Luna about our return. No doubt she’ll be glad to see you again.” Ombré got up and brushed aside the dust on him. “I’m pretty sure she’ll be glad to see you too!” Frost Bite smiled. Ombré cringed at that. Princess Luna would definitely not. The three left the room and Ombré guided them to Princess Luna’s chambers, but before they could even reach it, a fellow night guard bumped into Ombré. “Sir Ombré?!” the younger guard gasped. Ombré wasn’t sure how to respond. He kept his guard face and remained silent. “Sir Ombré, I am under orders to you to a House Arrest until further notice. Surrender and you will be treated with utmost care.” It was one of the younger recruits. He was one of the fairly enthusiastic additions on the guards, seemingly very eager to learn and become a guard. Ombré was one of this newbie's closest superiors, however, none of that mattered; Ombré’s fear became a reality. He hung his head and said, “I surrender, Nightingale.” “What’s going on?” Frost Bite asked, stepping in between Ombré and the other guard. “He’s a guard too! Why are you arresting him!?” “Miss Frost Bite, please. I am under orders from Princess Luna. Do not make it harder for me.” “No! You tell me what’s going on!” “Frost Bite, stop,” Sing Song murmured. “Let’s go. I’ll explain to you what’s going on.” “Huh?” And with that, Ombré followed the fellow guard, leaving a confused Frost Bite and a worried Sing Song. Ombré stared down at the sky as he sat down on the chariot that was carrying him back to Canterlot. While he wasn’t cuffed, he still felt like a convict. He knew that he could reason with his fellow guards, but it would be fruitless; the princess’s orders come first. The trip was mostly uneventful, and his fellow guards remained silent as they usually do, though he had expected some sort of reaction from them with the charges he knew he was facing. It was a night when they arrived at Canterlot. The guards did not waste time to move Ombré through the castle and into the courtroom. The Courtroom of the Night existed as long as its counterpart but, it was smaller and a little darker. A throne stood at the center with dark blue carpet going from it to the giant double doors. The courtroom was rarely used since Princess Celestia pretty much dealt with everything related to royalty or politics. Princess Luna only used it when giving orders to her guards. This time, it was different; it would be for Ombré’s trial. He knew there was no escaping the guilty verdict. He was escorted by two fellow guards, one he recognized was one of his superiors. A number of guards lined the hall to the throne and they remained silent as they walked the halls to the courtroom and left him in front of the throne. On it sat the princess of the night, Luna. Her stern face gazed upon Ombré, and that made him feel queasy. He wanted to explain everything that had happened, but he didn’t want to get Frost Bite involved. He only bowed his head and knelt to the princess. “Ombré of the Night Guard, raise your head,” Princess Luna assented. “You do realize why we have summoned your presence tonight?” “Yes, Your Highness.” Ombré couldn’t look at Princess Luna. “Then we will no longer prolong this any further.” Ombré shut his eyes, even though it would not help. He braced himself for the punishment to come. What could it be? Am I relieved from duty? Suspended? Banished? Or maybe- “We thank you from the deepest of our hearts.” Oh no, I’m being thanked, this is terrible! Wait, thanked? What’s going on? Princess Luna’s words failed to make sense to Ombré. He tried understanding her words, but nothing stuck to his head as an explanation. “Are you alright?” the princess asked, looking very concerned. “I must be dreaming.” “Ah, but you are not. I assure you; you are not dreaming and I would know so.” Ombré had his jaw dropped. As the princess said, he wasn’t dreaming, though it only made more questions. “You seem confused,” Princess Luna wondered. “Princess Luna, forgive me for asking, but what did I do?” “ You have made your service proud.” “Excuse me?” “You did something that I have never seen before,” Princess Luna replied with a smile. “Something I had yet to see since my return to Equestria. When the world faced danger, you have performed your duty even as it endangered your life. You could have abandoned your mission and I would understand, but you followed it regardless. Your actions have made me and your fellow guards proud. I believe you are ready, Ombré.” “Ready? Ready for what?” Ombré started to hear a piano melody. “What’s going on? Sudden images of Ombré’s memories appeared in the hall as if they were tapestries. One showed his first day in the service, and some he didn’t remember. There was one where he was sleeping on duty and he wished no pony saw that. “You ‘ve come such a long, long way~” Princess Luna sang. “And I’ve watched you from the very first day~” “What?” Meanwhile... Princess Celestia sneezed as she laid down her teacup, spilling a few its contents on the table. “Oh dear.” As she started to clean up the mess, she felt something, like a nagging itch from her back. She couldn’t quite place it, but she ignored it and went back to her evening tea. When Princess Luna finished, Ombré became more confused. He felt like he was seeing things, that maybe the portal had knocked his head too hard on the floor. “I hereby named thee ‘Captain Ombré of the Night Guard.” Princess Luna levitated a spear and tapped it on each of Ombré’s shoulders. “Stand proud, my little pony. You have earned it.” Ombré only stood there with his jaw dropped and eyes widened. The other guards stomped in honor to their newly appointed captain. Shocked wasn't enough to describe what he was feeling. Frost Bite and Sing Song were transported on a separate chariot. Frost Bite realized he would never get used to the daring speeds of the night guards. He already missed Ombré, and Sing Song had yet to explain why Ombré was taken away. They landed on the balcony of Frost Bite’s room, and he thanked the guards who brought them; they only whinnied in response, which Frost Bite found weird. Frost Bite sat on his bed. “So, what’s going on?” he asked. Sing Song flew off of his head. “Look, remember we stayed in the other dimension for two nights?” Sing Song answered. “Yeah?” “Well, you’re Princess Luna’s student and that makes you a VIP. With that in mind, if you do go missing, they’ll be searching for you.” “That’s nice of them.” “Let me finish. Now, if you do go missing, the only one who would know would be Ombré, the one who is assigned to be with you.” “Right.” “But what if he goes missing too?” “They look for him too?” “No, they’ll assume he took you away!” “Why would they think of that?!” “Because you’re more important right now!” “I am?” Sing Song nodded. Frost Bite only looked with disbelief. He understood now; Ombré was arrested for being involved in his disappearance. Frost Bite knew it was wrong to pin it on him. He wanted to do something; maybe tell Luna what actually happened and have Ombré spared from any punishment. Frost Bite knew Ombré was a good pony. Yes, he was a weird mixture of serious and nerd, but nonetheless, he was his friend. Frost Bite was about to open his mouth to say everything he had just thought until a knock on the door was heard. “Uh, come in?” The double doors were slammed wide open, revealing a certain dark blue alicorn. “Frost Bite!” Princess Luna exclaimed as she closed in and embraced her pupil. “Thank the stars you are alright!” “L-L-Luna,” Frost Bite muttered as Princess Luna’s grip tightened. “C-Can’t breathe...” “Oh!” Princess Luna released. “Forgive me. I do tend to do such over excitement.” “Luna, about Ombré!” “Oh yes! That guard got what he deserves, do not worry!” Princess Luna wore her smile so wide. “What?!” Frost Bite shuddered at Princess Luna’s words. What happened to him? Did they imprison him? Did they fire him? Did they banish him? Princess Luna saw in Frost Bite’s face confusion. “My dear pupil, you don’t seem pleased at my news to you.” “He doesn’t deserve any of that!” Frost Bite yelled. “What?” Princess Luna became confused in return. “Doesn’t deserve? I believe I’ve given him what I thought was best for what he had done. I don’t see any other way I could have done that.” “But he’s a guard! He always did his job splendidly and perfectly that he basically followed me everywhere!” “Indeed, but that is only the smallest of the good things he had done.” Princess Luna draped her wing over Frost Bite. “But we will never forget what he had done for you and me.” Frost Bite looked at the floor, avoiding the happy face of Princess Luna. He can’t be happy knowing that his friend had undergone punishment. While he found Princess Luna’s embrace warm, Frost Bite moved away from it. “Luna, how could you...” “Excuse me?” Princess Luna asked incredulously. “How could you do that?!” Frost Bite exploded. “He’s the best guard I’ve ever met, and you treat him like that?! Some princess you are!” He then ran towards the balcony and teleported away. “What? Is the title of Captain not enough? I do not understand.” “What? Captain?” Sing Song asked loudly. Frost Bite wandered the evening in streets of Canterlot. Only a few ponies were around, and most of the stores were closed, but Frost Bite didn’t mind. He still couldn’t believe his teacher would do such a thing. He worried about Ombré as he walked down the path lit by fancy looking street lamps. Frost Bite stopped and sat on a bench nearby. After letting out a big sigh, he slumped down. He wanted to go back and see that Ombré was okay, but he also feared that Princess Luna might’ve gotten angry. As he looked up, Frost Bite saw a sign above a shop that said, ‘Troubles Be Gone!’. He wasn’t sure what the shop was, so he walked to it and entered through the wooden double door. Inside was a wooden interior, tables and chairs covered most of the place and at the very end of the room was a bar. Behind the bar was a pony wiping the table and looking very bored. It was a pub, Frost Bite realized. Soothing yet a bit melancholic piano music played from a jukebox near the bar. He walked to the bar and took a seat. “Hello there, good sir, what will you be having?” the bar pony asked with a tone void of enthusiasm. She didn’t even look at Frost Bite. “Uh, I’ll have whatever can make my troubles be gone.” “One apple cider deluxe, coming up.” The pony moved to her right and grabbed what seemed to be a giant boot. She filled it up with cider from a barrel until the froth came to the top. Frost Bite became confused as to why she would serve him his drink on an article of fashion. The pony then slid the boot to Frost Bite across the bar, which surprised him. Luckily, he barely caught the boot with his front hooves, though some of its froth spilled on the bar. “Let me guess; you’ve never been to a pub before?” the pony asked, which he realized was a mare from her voice. She had a pale orange coat, and a short messy and spiky blonde mane. Her flank showed a green bottle for liquor. “Uh, yeah. This is actually my first.” Frost Bite clutched awkwardly the boot filled with her drink. He then realized the boot was made of wood. “Don’t you have pubs where you’re from?” “No.” “What a sad little town you’re from, then.” The mare started wiping big wooden mugs with a cloth. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to insult.” “It’s alright.” Frost Bite looked at the wooden boot and then peered inside. He couldn’t see the color of the drink due to the froth on top of it. He took a whiff of the drink and it reminded him of apples. He took a sip. “Wow, this is great!” Frost Bite exclaimed with a frothy mustache. “I know; got it from the best makers.” The mare laid the mugs down. “So, I never see you around these parts. Just visiting?” “Oh, I’m actually a student of magic.” Frost Bite liked saying that. Being something other than nothing. “I’m staying at the castle.” “What? That’s not right. If you’re staying there, then you’d have to be a princess’s student.” “I am!” Frost Bite announced happily. The mare only looked at him with her striking blue eyes and with her eyebrow raised. “Sure, I’ve heard wilder stories.” Frost Bite took a big gulp out of the boot. He was surprised to find the boot actually usable. “Still, nothing’s gonna top what happened two days ago.” “What?” “You know, Tirek? Two days ago?” Frost Bite gave a confused look. “Who’s Tirek?” The mare blinked twice, then laughed. “Right, who’s Tirek indeed. I see you’re already moving on from that horrible event. Quite scary.” Frost Bite scratched his head. Tirek? He was sure the name wasn’t familiar and it wasn’t a pony name. “Maybe you can tell me about two days ago?” “Oh, I’d rather not. I was a victim too, you know. That old oaf can go to Tartarus for all I care.” Frost Bite wasn’t getting answers, and it bothered him. “Right. Tirek can just, uh, go to Tartarus...” “You alright? You sound troubled.” “It’s nothing. I don’t want to trouble you.” “Trouble me?” the mare questioned incredulously. “Girl, look at this place. The last thing I want to do is to stare at nothing and wait for another customer to actually talk to. Come on, I don’t bite.” Frost Bite looked at the mare. She looked eager to hear his problems, no doubt. “Okay, I might just rant whatever, I hope you really won’t mind.” “I’m all ears.” The mare started wiping the bar, starting with where Frost Bite spilled froth over. Frost Bite told the mare everything; from her meeting with Sing Song and Mango Jill, being chased out from Ponyville, being taken in by Princess Luna and learning new magic, going to Crystal Empire and getting slammed to the ground, entering a dimension of humans, returning to their dimension and his friend getting arrested, and to now. “Quite the story.” “It’s not a story, it’s what happened.” “Girl, I’ve heard my fair share of stories bartending this place. If you ask me, everything that happened is a story. It only matters if it hits you or not, even if the story’s not true.” Frost Bite noticed that the mare was also drinking from her own boot. Not a boot from her hooves, I meant the wooden ones. That’s disgusting, don’t make me think of that. “Wait, so why didn’t you just tell me the part where your friend got arrested?” “Uh… I guess I got carried away.” “Carried away? You could’ve just start with the problem.” “Huh. You’re right.” Frost Bite took another swig at his drink and emptied his mug. “My hives, this is so good.” “Another?” “Another!” The mare took his boot, filled it up, and slid it across the bar. This time, Frost Bite got it just right and took a sip. “Hey, you’re getting the hang of it.” “Thanks.” “So if what you’re saying is true, then you’re actually a changeling that got under Princess Luna’s apprenticeship and somehow you got into a crazy dimension were bipedal creatures dominated and when you returned, your friend got arrested.” “Yeah.” Frost Bite then drank. “Then give me a reason why I shouldn’t take you to the Guards right now and have you arrested too since you’re a changeling?” The mare held a sword that was from a display behind her. While it wasn’t sharp, it still looked pretty intimidating. Frost Bite froze in the middle of drinking. He realized that he spoke too much and now the pony before him was looking at him with much intensity and interest. He lowered his boot and swallowed loudly. “I know it sounds bad, but trust me, I’m not one of the bad guys.” Frost Bite kept a straight face, though his mind betrayed his looks; he wanted to run and scream for help. “How do I know that?” she asked as she started wiping the sword with the same cloth she’s been using. “I am a paying customer and, whether you believe or not, am a student of a princess. I dare you to even call the guards.” The mare glared at Frost Bite with much intensity. “Okay.” She lowered her weapon. “Really?” Frost Bite asked as his voice squeaked. “I don’t get changeling customers often, and you certainly made my first one a good experience. I guess you guys aren’t all love suckers.” The mare placed the sword back in its display case. Frost Bite let out a big sigh of relief. “Thank you for believing me! I thought for sure I was gonna be in half.” “Wait, when you said ‘Who’s Tirek’, you meant it. If you weren’t here for two days, then you never saw what happened.” “That’s true!” “Well, I guess it’s my turn to tell a story then?” The mare raised her boot, waiting for another to toast. “Name’s Champagne Barrels. Every pony calls me Champs.” “I’m Frost Bite!” He toasted with Champs and together they downed their drinks and slammed the boots onto the bar. Ombré still felt confused. He was knighted Captain of the Night Guards, his comrades were cheering for him, and now they were taking him to a pub. Everything was happening so fast that he couldn’t get his head around his new title. “What’s wrong, cap?” asked the young guard Nightingale, whose name he did not just remember just now, honest. “We’re celebrating! You should be happy!” How can I be when I don’t even know why? Ombré just smiled and nodded at his comrade. Other guards were also with them, off duty and had their armor off. “You are a hero, Ombré!” “That was amazing!” “Truly astounding!” Their praises were hollow to Ombré, but he thanked them nonetheless. Everything was moving too fast. He already tried asking what he had done and what had happened two days ago when he was gone. Their replies weren’t informative and they all laughed off his question. Obviously, something big happened that warranted Frost Bite’s protection. The happy group reached the Trouble Be Gone pub. While the place was a favorite by his comrades, Ombré didn’t share the same sentiment. Pubs never were interesting to him; you drink, sit for hours, then drink again, and possibly sit for another hour before you ran out of money. Or at least that’s what he thought. They pushed through the swing doors and Ombré trailed behind them. They settled on a large rectangular table, and Ombré sat in the middle. “Hey, Champs!” yelled one of the bat ponies. “Give us the usual! Eight servings!” “Be right there!” a voice yelled. “So Captain Ombré,” Nightingale called. “Must be quite an honor, eh?” “Uh, yes. It is quite surprising, more than anything,” Ombré replied. “Listen, can any of you guys just tell me what happened two days ago?” “Well Cap, what happened is that you saved a royal student. And from what I heard, it’s a she,” the tallest of them said as he gave Ombré a smile Ombré didn’t quite understand. “Oh yeah, I heard she’s quite a sight!” “Or bland. I’ve seen her. Nothing extraordinary, really.” “What do you think, Ombré? What is she like?” Ombré found it hard to believe he was actually with them. He wasn’t much of a socialist, and he didn’t find them intolerable. Ombré would rather read than discuss which princess was the prettiest or had the best looking a— “Frost Bite is… well, a pretty mare. She loves to eat, funny, maybe a bit forceful, bright, and probably the kindest mare I know. She’s just different, I think. She’s so genuine, and I like her for that.” As soon as Ombré finished talking, he saw his comrades just stare at him. Then, they smiled. “Princess Luna won’t be happy about this!” one of them hollered jokingly. “Huh?” “Or maybe she will, who knows? He is the captain. Could be like Princess Cadence and Prince Shining.” “Oh yeah.” An earth mare approached their table with a table balanced on her back. She reached it with her mouth and placed the tray on the table. The stallions grabbed their wooden mugs quickly with Ombré taking his last. The mare left their table. “I’d date that mare.” “Sure, if you gain the courage!” Ombré zoned out on their conversation and just thought of Frost Bite for that moment. He wondered what she was doing at the moment, but then he remembered how she was when he was ‘arrested’: confused and worried. He wanted to see her and explain he was okay. She might get worried. Was she? Ombré didn’t know how she thought of him, but he hoped she cared enough. He stared at the empty barstools. His eyes wandered to each empty seat and then he saw her. Frost Bite was laughing and smiling as she sat on a barstool. I’m daydreaming. He saw Frost Bite wave at him, and he wanted to return the gesture, but he decided not to reply to the figment of his imagination. He peered into his mug and took a big swig. “Ombré, you had a fight with, what’s the student’s name… Frost Bite, right?” Nightingale asked. “You look pretty serious there.” “I don’t want to talk about it,” Ombré answered and took another swig, only to realize his mug was empty. “Come on, Cap, the others won’t even listen,” Nightingale insisted, gesturing his hoof to the others having a good time by themselves. “It’s good to let out once in awhile.” “I don’t know, Nightingale. I might just blabber whatever from my head.” “I am all ears, captain.” And so Ombré told him everything. From his first meeting with Frost Bite and Sing Song where he guided them around Canterlot and was convinced by Frost Bite to sit with them, getting invited to parties around Canterlot, going to Crystal Empire and seeing Frost Bite receive a back slam from an Earth mare, breaking rules to look around Starswirl’s museum, getting inside a portal to a different dimension, staying at Trixie’s house, returning home after discovering magic, to his sudden promotion leading to present. “And now she’s probably worried as heck right now,” Ombré finished then drank his cider. Nightingale exhaled and faced Ombré with seriousness. “Captain.” “What?” “How many times did I tell you to stop?” Nightingale exclaimed. “I don’t know, I was on a roll.” “Exactly! There’s so much you’re telling me that I almost lost it!” Nightingale emptied his mug and slammed it on the table. “So you’re really into this mare?” “I think so.” “Then tell her, cap.” “Like she’ll believe me. Besides, she’s probably at the castle or somewhere.” “Just tell her.” “What? That I like her and she made my world a whole lot better and that I think we should go out?” Ombré took another swig. “If only she was here.” “Don’t worry cap, she’s right here.” “What, in my heart or something?” Ombré raised and emptied his mug. “No, cap. I meant she’s right here next to you.” Ombré proceeded to spit out his drink on his colleague. Nightingale blinked twice and wiped his face. “Frost Bite?” “I’ve been waving from the bar! What’s the matter with you?!” Frost Bite shrieked as she waved her hooves. “What? Wait, you’ve been here since we got here?” “I’ve been here way before that! Did all that cider went into your head?” Ombré felt like his head was frozen in a blank state. He wasn’t sure what to say or what to even do at this point. “Miss Frost Bite, it is an honor to finally meet Princess Luna’s prized pupil.” Nightingale offered his hoof. “Nightingale, a cadet of the Night Guards.” Frost Bite took his hoof and shook. “Just call me Frost Bite.” “So, I guess you heard everything we’ve been talking about.” “Yeah, pretty much.” Ombré wanted to run as fast as he could. Every second that passed, he felt warmer. Thoughts—mostly negative—swirled in his head on how this night would end. “What do you think, Frost Bite?” Nightingale asked with an eager face. “Well, I think that’s pretty…” Ombré, still frozen in his seat, braced for the oncoming rejection. His chances were destroyed in his head already, and Frost Bite wasn’t even done yet. His face formed neutrality, but his mind was already in shambles. “Nice.” Oh no, she said it was nice! Wait, nice? Ombré eyes widened. “What?” “I think it’s nice you know. To think I made some pony’s world better just by being myself is amazing.” Frost Bite sat on an empty seat next to Ombré. “I’m glad I did.” Frost Bite looked at Ombré and smiled. “But I guess we can go out more. I mean, we only did because you’re my bodyguard.” “Um, wow,” Ombré gasped. “I, uh, didn’t expect you to take all that so well.” “Wow indeed,” Nightingale said and then sipped from his mug. “Well, now that’s all settled, I guess I’ll go back to the castle now. You guys have fun!” Frost Bite got off the seat, and exited the pub but not before giving a final wave to Ombré and his friend. Nightingale waved back. “Well, cap. From being a measly single Night Guard to a Captain with a special somepony in one night. I’d say things are going well for you.” Nightingale raised his mug to Ombré. Ombré wasn’t sure what had just happened. Frost Bite seemingly accepted everything he had said. But I guess we can go out. He had a special somepony. Ombré began to smile and toasted his mug with Nightingale’s.
X: The Last RideAh, Canterlot Castle; a place where prissy ponies visit and annoy the princess with their problems originating from their own snootiness and sheer upper-crustiness. Or so Frost Bite thought. It annoyed him that Luna can’t give him a lesson due to today court’s unusual number of guests today. Tirek’s destruction apparently affected a number of properties around Equestria that the sisters had to attend to the court together and they even plan to hold the night court together as well. Frost Bite thought once he got back to the castle, he would be relaxing and Princess Luna would let her do so. Unfortunately, being a student of magic doesn’t allow for such and instead, he received piles of homework from Princess Luna. While Princess Luna didn’t really want to burden her student, Princess Celestia urged her to make sure Frost Bite doesn’t lose track of his studies. So there he was, sitting in front of a study table with piles of books and scrolls. Frost Bite already read half of it and while he did love reading, it was surely tiring. So transfiguration is all about transforming objects? Why not just call it transformation? Frost Bite pushed himself away from the table, moving his swivel chair away from it. Five books down, five to go. Frost Bite started reading two in the afternoon so when he looked outside and saw it was already evening it shocked him. What was no shock to him was his grumbling stomach. Dinner awaits. Frost Bite got off his chair, walked to his door, and upon opening the door he met Ombré’s face full of shock. “Oh hi, Ombré.” “Frost Bite, hi!” Ombré greeted nervously. “I was going to knock but I guess I don’t have to now.” “Uh huh.” “So I was thinking,” Ombré mumbled. “Since you said basically we were going out together, I want to know if you want to have dinner with me tonight.” “Ombré.” “Yeah?” “Why are you acting weird?” Frost Bite furrowed his eyebrows. “It’s our first… You know...” “We’re just going out together. Nothing weird about that.” “Right. Right.” “So, where are we going?” Ombré led Frost Bite near the borders of Canterlot. In there, there were fewer fancy establishments and ponies don’t actually stick their noses up high. It was nice for Frost Bite to see Canterlot had normal ponies for a change. Not that the upper-class ponies were annoying, but they do alienate Frost Bite most of the time he was with them. They stopped in front of a restaurant. It wasn’t posh and fancy, but it reminded Frost Bite of Ponyville. It had an homey-aura to it, and he loved it. The sign that hung in front said ‘Garden’. “The Garden?” Frost Bite loudly read. “It’s one of my favorite places here in Canterlot. I don’t really come here with the guys though.” “Why not? This place looks great!” “Well, they’d rather drink cider at the bar than actually eat dinner, so...” “Hey, don’t look so down. I’m with you tonight.” “O-of course!” The two of them entered the building and took a table for two. Inside, the interior looked entirely made of wood. Tables and chairs were too. Ponies filled few tables in the restaurant. At one end, there was a grand piano, where a pony seemed to be preparing her notes for a performance. “This place looks great!” Frost Bite commented. “I know,” Ombré agreed. “This place has always been like this. Even the ponies here.” There was a lot of things Frost Bite noticed. Simplistic wooden interiors, ponies laughing and talking, and a wall filled with different paintings and photographs that he swore looked a lot better than the ones he saw at the Canterlot Museum. “Thanks for bringing me here, Ombré,” Frost Bite grinned. “This place is sweet.” “Of course. We’re dating after all...” Ombré mumbled. “I just hope this place has food just as good.” “Oh, don’t you worry. I can vouch for this place. As the new captain of the Night Guards, I can assure you.” “What?” “Did I… say something weird?” For a minute, nobody said anything and the two just stared at each other in confusion. “Weren’t you fired or something?” Frost Bite questioned. “Isn’t that why your buddies at the bar we’re cheering you up?” “No!,” Ombré cried, waving his hooves. “We were celebrating my promotion.” “Then what’s with the depressing aura?” Frost Bite wondered. “You were talking to Night Tickle, looking so glum and whatnot.” “I’m sorry. I guess I thought you were worried about me when I got arrested.” “I was.” Frost Bite smiled then his stomach grumbled. “But enough about that, at least we got it all sorted out. For now, we’re here for some grub.” Sing Song left Frost Bite by himself to study and she didn’t want to distract him. So because of that, Sing Song just wandered around the castle, floating along the long hallways that smelled curiously of lavender. She thought of what they had been through since they first met. It was ridiculous to her that they started with almost nothing and now they got to stay at the humble abode of the rulers of Equestria. Sing Song let out a loud sigh. “Looking for someone?” Sing Song turned and saw Princess Celestia smiling at her. It surprised Sing Song she didn’t even hear the princess coming. “Yeah. Where’s Frost Bite?” “Went out with Ombré for dinner,” Princess Celestia said. “At least that’s what the guards told me.” Sing Song raised an eyebrow. “Okay…?” “You don’t sound satisfied.” “I don’t know,” Sing Song grumbled. “I thought he’d bring me with him.” “Ombré?” “No, Frost Bite!” Sing Song snapped. “Why would I be chummy with that guard?” “You did say ‘him’, so I assumed you meant a male rather than Frost Bite.” Sing Song covered her mouth as if she had uttered a swear, which earned a curious look from Princess Celestia. “R-Right… You know him, er, her… She acts so much like a stallion I forget she’s a girl.” Like that’s gonna fly. Sing Song knew Princess Celestia was already suspicious of Frost Bite and slipping now would only strengthen the princess’s doubts. “Is there something you’d like to tell me, Sing Song?” Princess Celestia asked, tilting her head. Sing Song knew what Princess Celestia was trying to do. Behind her kind facade, Princess was trying to get her to confess. “It's alright,” Princess Celestia confided. “I know Frost Bite isn't what she appears to be.” Uh oh. This can't be good, Sing Song thought. “And I do know she means no harm,” Princess Celestia giggled. “In fact, she is quite a delight to be around with. And also, quite the fast learner she is. Frost Bite really surprised me when she read much of her books in such a short notice.” “So, you don't mind her being…” “Not a student undergoing a thesis? Of course not. I did mind when I realized she wasn’t a pony.” “You knew?” “Of course. I have faced their queen and subjects two years ago. I have learned their ways since then, though I must say Frost Bite clearly wasn't the best when it comes to hiding secrets.” “Then why didn't you bust us?” “I believe everyone deserves a chance, may they be a pony or otherwise.” Sing Song couldn't help but return Princess Celestia’s smile. Nightingale leaned on the door, and behind it was Sing Song talking to Princess Celestia. Nightingale heard everything. It confused him, yet scared him at the same time. How can the princess let an enemy of the nation into the castle? When the changelings invaded, Nightingale was helpless against the horde of love eaters and was easily captured into one of their pods. In there, he could see the changelings capture more ponies and feed on their love. It terrified him, but it also made him hate them. He hated them and would not allow another changeling close to anypony, especially the ones he cared for. Ombré. No. He’s with that faker! With that thought, Nightingale jumped out of the window in the room and flew away, careful as to not make noise and not alert the foolish princess and her friend. “Best. Meal. Ever.” Frost Bite smiled with a toothpick in her mouth as she leaned back on her seat. “Knew you'd like this place.” Ombré sipped from his straw. “We should do this more often.” “That is a given.” Frost Bite felt satisfied. While the food at the castle was immaculate, there was something about the food in the place that made it so good, if not better. However, the place also had its flaws; the pianist played songs that were far from relaxing and were instead more like shanties from a pirate ship. He would’ve like that, but the songs were unheard to Frost Bite and most of the patrons sang along to the melody. Doesn’t help there also was a fight by the bar, which reminded Frost Bite that it was also a bar. A restaurant bar… Restobar? Bartorant? “That hits the spot!” Frost Bite exclaimed. “I know, right?” Ombré agreed. “I was worried you wouldn’t like it here.” “Because ‘Princess Luna’s prized pupil’?” “Well, yeah.” Before Frost Bite could take another sip, the bar doors were slammed wide open. Everyone at the bar turned to see who would make such a grand entrance. As a pony stepped into the doorframe, the doors were slammed back into place, making a loud thud. “Ow,” the pony with a hooded mellowed, hold his face with his hooves. “I hate these swivel doors...” Frost Bite looked closely at the newcomer and noticed he was coming their way. Upon reaching their table, the pony removed his hood, revealing… Another hood. “Were you, by chance, really cold out there?” Frost Bite asked. “My ears get cold easily, so yeah.” The hooded pony answered lightheartedly. “Nightingale?” Ombré finally wondered. “You’re the only one I know with cold ears.” Undoing his final hood, the armor-clad night guard Nightingale was revealed. “Captain, stay away from that mare,” Nightingale ordered. “She’s not what she appears to be.” Frost Bite felt a chill as he heard Nightingale. Am I busted? “What are you talking about, Nightingale?” Ombré raised an eyebrow. “We’re having some time together, so if you can, please knock off the joke for now.” “No! I’m not joking!” Nightingale stomped. “Frost Bite, if that is her real name, is not a pony!” Frost Bite’s sweat flowed. [Not good./i] “She’s a changeling!” Definitely not good. Collective gasps erupted from the room, with one gasp delayed from the others. “Wait, you were all listening?” Frost Bite asked out loud. “Well, with that night guard screaming every sentence she said, yeah,” a patron yelled back. “Oh, sorry I’m being too loud...” Nightingale apologize, lowering her head. “Nah, it’s alright,” said by another patron, who looked like a pirate. “Enough!” Ombré roared. “I am not taking this farce any longer!” “You have to believe me! Captain, it’s for your sake!” “I have been with Frost Bite for days, and I know for sure that Frost Bite is one of the kindest ponies I’ve met. I know how she really loves to read, to eat, and to mingle with others. She’s a genius with spells and... ” Frost Bite, while happy about what Ombré had to say about him, wanted to get away from Nightingale as much as possible. Another thing he worried about was Ombré. Would he deny all of their time together if he started to believe Nightingale? His heart pounded hard with each second passing. “But she’s a changeling!” Ombré got off from his seat and went to Frost Bite. His face was unreadable to Frost Bite, and it only added to Frost Bite’s anxiety. “Ombré?” Frost Bite called out weakly. “Frost Bite,” Ombré said in an emotionless tone. “I want you to be honest with me.” “Okay.” “Are you a changeling?” The question was something Frost Bite expected, but hearing from Ombré made it much heavier. Frost Bite never thought of the telling him. He just wanted to be with everyone. Is that so wrong? “Well?” Frost Bite couldn’t look him in the eyes. He could imagine Ombré’s glare on him. “Answer me!” Frost Bite flinched. No. “Yes,” Frost Bite whispered. “The real Frost Bite. Where is she?” “There’s no real Frost Bite. I made her up. Frost Bite is me.” “Has everything been a lie? Being a student, befriending me?” “No!” Frost Bite cried. “I just want to be like everyone else! I just wanna be friends with you, with the princesses, and everyone.” Frost Bite met Ombré’s gaze. He was going to ramble about him being a good changeling, but to his surprise, his eyes weren’t full of anger. It was instead filling with tears, but his face remained stoic, like what he always did as a guard. “Do you swear on the Princesses that you’re telling the truth?” “Yes.” “That’s all I needed to hear.” Frost Bite then got embraced by Ombré. His embrace was so tight and Frost Bite felt his tears on him. He returned his gesture. “I’m sorry I-I didn’t tell you,” Frost Bite stammered, choking up on his own words. “It’s okay.” “I’m sorry.” Tears fell from Frost Bite’s eye she apologized one more time. “It’s okay.” Silence filled the establishment as if everyone understood what had just happened. Or maybe they did. “Thank you,” Ombré whispered then let go of Frost Bite. “Why?” “I’m glad you trust me enough that you wouldn’t even lie to me. At least now.” Frost Bite smiled at that statement. Nightingale, however, did not. “HUH?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS?!” Everyone at the establishment shifted their gazes into Nightingale. “She’s a changeling! She’s probably lying to get you to her side!” “And why is that, Nightingale?” Ombré asked. “Because she feeds on love! Changelings do that thing!” “I have seen my fair share of liars, and Frost Bite is not among them.” “That’s because you love her! That’s bias!” “Hey! Not so loud...” Frost Bite became confused. Ombré loves me? Friendship does come with love… Or maybe he thinks I’m an actual female? Either way, it became problematic for Frost Bite. The gender bomb will have to wait, else Ombré will surely explode. Do I really look like a girl? “Have you forgotten the changeling invasion?” Nightingale asked, looking furious. “The terrible things they’ve to our city?” “Of course not! But you can’t blame one pony for a whole invasion!” “I bet she was at the invasion!” Frost Bite gulped. He was, but not the way Nightingale thought. “It doesn’t matter.” “Why not?!” “Because her past,” Ombré moved in front of Frost Bite as if to protect him from Nightingale. “Is not her today.” “Not from what I’ve seen of her. These past days I would have been fine being the perfect night guard, doing rounds and whatnot. After I met Frost Bite, things changed. I realized I’m not just another guard. I’m my own pony, and she made me realize that.” “That’s beautiful, bro,” a random patron praised. “Uh, thank you?” Ombré replied. “Enough!” Nightingale stomped hard, making a loud echo throughout the establishment. “You are so lovestruck that it made you blind! Why would you love her?! She’s just a spoiled little pretend pony, and I’ve always been there for you!” Frost Bite almost thought he heard wrong, but it wasn’t. Always there for you…? “I’ve been training hard just so we can get in the same squad. I’ve done everything so I can get your approval. And you acknowledge me… ” “Frost Bite, what’s going on?” Ombré asked as he turned his head to face Frost Bite. “Hey, I’m confused as you are.” “Then I had to listen to you basically confessing, pouring out your feelings for someone,” Nightingale pointed at Ombré. “But it wasn’t for me. You chose her!” Nightingale roared with his eyes closed. “Not me!” A silent second seemed to last an eternity to everyone who just heard Nightingale’s confession. After seconds passed, everyone’s jaw dropped. “WHAT?!” everyone screamed in unison. “Wait, you-you like me?!” Ombré questioned. “D-Do I have to say it for you to understand?” Nightingale whispered. “Nononononono, wait a darn minute!” Ombré shook his head furiously. “You’re gay?!” “Huh?! No! What are you talking about?!” Nightingale stomped again. “Why does that make me gay?!” “Because you said you like me!” Ombré screeched, blushing from the weird topic. “WHAT?!” Frost Bite felt like her ears were going to fall off from the loud exchange of the two bat ponies. Looking around, Frost Bite noticed everyone had the same confused look that he had after listening to the absurd conversation. “Y-you monster!” Nightingale hollered. “You don’t even see me as a potential lover!” “Of course not! I’m not like that!” “Not like what? A stallion?” “It’s because I’m stallion!” Frost Bite raised his hoof. “What?!” Nightingale asked, noticing Frost Bite. “I think we’re missing something here...” Frost Bite answered, holding his hoof in the air. “Are you in love with Ombré?” “I-idiot! Isn’t it obvious?!” Nightingale stomped angrily then looked away shyly. “Don’t make me say something so embarrassing...” Frost Bite noticed something from Nightingale. The way he looked away, biting his lips, and eyeing Ombré… “This is gonna sound crazy,” Frost Bite said cautiously, “but are you by chance a mare?” “Ha!” Ombré laughed. “Don’t be stupid, Frost Bite. Nightingale’s always been a guy. We’ve been comrades-in-arms for a long time.” “And have you noticed things that were odd during your time together as comrades?” Frost Bite questioned with a raised eyebrow. Ombré sat down on a chair next to him and thought to himself. “Well now that you’ve said it… He never goes into the restroom with me even though he had to.” “And?” Frost Bite interjected, looking a bit disappointed. “Nightingale always reject my offer to sleep in my room when he couldn’t get a ride home late. He always insists on the sofa...” “And?” Frost Bite droned, now rubbing his forehead on left front hoof. “He won’t join me in the shower room at the barracks for some reason.” “Dear Hives, save his soul,” Frost Bite muttered. “And what do you get from all those things you’ve said?” “AH!” Ombré screamed, eyes wide open. “You get it now?” Frost Bite sighed. “To think I was that bad identifying pony gender.” Ombré pointed at Nightingale. “He IS gay!” Everyone at the establishment slapped their foreheads, and it was pretty loud. After that, a collective sigh. The only one who didn’t was Nightingale and she only hung her head. Frost Bite felt Nightingale’s pain, though he was never called gay before. He never thought if he could ever like a stallion. “Y-you...” Nightingale muttered under her breath. “Huh?” Ombré turned to Nightingale. ”You IDIOT!” This time everyone covered their ears. Some were late to react and suffered the loud screech emitted by the night guard. Frost Bite wondered if her scream was louder due to her being a bat pony. After that scream, Nightingale’s helmet slid off her head, revealing her long mane, which curled nicely along her head. Frost Bite wondered how her mane kept it’s gorgeous look after being in the helmet for so long. Nightingale raised her head, showing her teary eyes, but she didn’t let it fall. Her eyebrows were furrowed, her gritted teeth were visible, and her glaring yellow eyes leered only at Frost Bite. “I, Nightingale of the Night Guard, am now placing you Frost Bite under arrest!” Nightingale then lunged at Frost Bite, to which he just teleported away from and appeared on top of the counter. Nightingale ended up on top of Ombré. “I-I—” Nightingale stammered. “Frost Bite, get out of here!” Ombré hollered without looking away from Nightingale. “I’ll hold him, uh, her off!” “That’s not fair!” Nightingale moaned then scowled and pointed at Frost Bite. “Changelings have bounties on their heads, so if anypony can bring her to me, they will get a reward!” Upon hearing the night guard’s announcement, the patrons of the bar turned to Frost Bite. “Uh, I thought you guys are on my side?” Frost Bite wondered. The patrons didn’t respond and instead took out ropes, chains, nets and other bewildering items for catching prey. “Yep, thought so.” Frost Bite then teleported into the swivel doors and made a run for it. Screams of ponies trailed behind Frost Bite as he ran from the shop and into the night. “I thought you guys are on my side?!” Frost Bite asked out loud to the crowd behind him. “Hey, we all gotta make a living!” What kind of bar that has bounty hunters as patrons? Frost Bite teleported into a corner, however, the flash of the magic made it obvious to where he appeared next. Maybe that slowed them down? He kept running past the alley and into a neighborhood. Frost Bite dodged the ponies along the street. Frost Bite wondered if Canterlot was always busy even at night. Great, I’m at the very edge of Canterlot! The castle’s too far! “Sorry. Pardon me. Excuse me. Coming through. No, I’m not interested. Oh, I’ll have one, thank you! Oh, excuse me.” After going through the crowd, Frost Bite stopped and found what she thought she would never see in her living days; two Mango ponies, standing next to each other. “So, you think we should try to sell more often in Ponyville?” asked Mango. “Uh huh. Lot’s of fruit loving ponies there,” answered the other Mango, wearing a saddle bag with a lit lamp hanging. “Okay, duly noted.” Frost Bite rubbed her eyes and ears just to make sure he wasn’t seeing double and hearing double. “Hey, Mango,” said one of mares, unknown to Frost Bite which is Jill or Jane. “Uh huh, Mango?” “That blue unicorn is staring at us.” “Which blue unicorn?” “The one right in front of us.” “Wow, that’s so rude.” “It’s very rude to stare.” “Uh huh.” Wow, they really rarely blink. Frost Bite shook her head and approached the duo. “Hey, it’s me!,” Frost Bite greeted as she walked towards them. “Frost Bite, don’t you remember?” The duo looked at each other then at Frost Bite again with unreadable faces and constant small smiles. “Ah,” the duo exclaimed together. “The one I sang with.” “The one I slammed into the ground with.” “Ahaha, that’s the one,” Frost Bite weakly answered. “What are you guys doing here?” “We’re on a break,” Mango answered. “For three days,” Mango added. “Oh, that’s nice,” Frost Bite commented but then shook her head. “Wait, I have no time for this!” “That’s sad, we just met and you’re already saying that,” Mango said blankly. “Well, I could always slam her into the ground if you want me to, Mango,” Mango suggested. “Nah, we might make a commotion.” “Guys! I’m in real trouble, okay?!” Frost Bite complained. “What kind of trouble?” Mango asked. “Probably because she was rude.” “Oh, that could be it. When I first met her, she refused my help and good intentions, even though I wasn’t asking anything in exchange.” “Ah, that is rude. When I first met her, she just hugged me out of nowhere. I slammed her to the ground as a reaction.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” “Please!” Frost Bite begged. “Look, I’m being chased by bounty hunters or something like that. Can you guys just hold them off, even just for a tiny bit?” The twins looked at each other for a second. “Uh huh?” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh?” “Uh huh.” Frost Bite could only furrow her eyebrows in confusion with the conversation happening before her. Also, Frost Bite noticed the duo was near identical except for a minor detail. Mango Jane, the one who talked about slamming him into the ground had freckles on her right cheek, while Mango Jill had freckles on her left. “Okay,” Mango Jane answered. “We’ll do it.” “Uh huh,” Mango Jill added. “You’re still a friend to me. Good singers are good friends.” “Oh, uh, okay,” Frost Bite said. “Um, thanks, Mango Jill, Mango Jane.” “No problem,” Mango Jill commented. “Are those the ones chasing you?” Frost Bite looked behind her and saw the rowdy ponies from the bar looking around for him. One of them even had a sketch of him, which really didn’t do justice to his look. Also, crayon sketch, really? “Yeah! I gotta go now!” One of the hunters turned and saw Frost Bite. “THERE SHE IS!” And with that, the rest of the ponies turned and saw Frost Bite. “That mare’s a changeling! Get her!” Ponies panicked, screamed and ran all over the place in response to the announcement. Abandoning stalls, hiding beneath tables and boxes, the place was suddenly clear of the buzzing crowd. “I’m getting a feeling of déjà vu here,” Frost Bite pondered. “We got you now!” a pony wearing an odd looking green helmet. “Get going, friend,” Mango Jill suggested as she dropped her saddle bag to her side. “They’re not getting you.” “Uh huh, not with us here,” Mango Jane reassured. “Thanks, Mango!” Frost Bite nodded then ran off away from them. “Who do you think she was thanking?” Mango Jill wondered. “Has to be one of us.” “Uh huh.” “Uh huh.” One of the hunters ran towards the direction where Frost Bite ran off, but before he could get past the duo, Mango Jane grabbed him and placed her right front leg onto his chest and slammed him into the ground. “No one’s passing through,” Mango Jane told the already knocked-out pony. “You think I overdid it, Mango?” Mango Jill grabbed another pony trying to break through, held his front leg and flipped him into the air. “Hm, I don’t know.” “You idiots! Go together! Don’t let them pick you off one by one!” screamed one of the larger hunter ponies. Four ponies went charging into the pair, only flipped and slammed into the ground consecutively. “Well, I’m not complaining,” Mango Jane commented. “Uh huh. Then let’s keep our promise to my friend,” Mango Jill mused. Champagne Barrels wiped the tables for the tenth time and turned around to see the empty pub still empty. It’s gonna be one of those nights, huh. Champagne moved back to her bar and filled a boot with a round of cider. “Benefits of a pub owner,” Champagne thought out loud and took a sip of her beverage. She then let out a loud sigh. Oddly enough, there were nights her place was filled with ponies, and then nights with an average number of ponies, and then just dead silence. Like tonight. It’s a real wonder to her how she could earn enough and then some for herself with this kind of business. Oh well. As long as I can drink and sing… And then, she began humming a tune. What a thrill~ Champagne began tapping her hoof onto the counter. With darkness and silence through the night~ What a thrill~ I'm searching and I'll melt into you~ What a fear in my heart~ But you're so supreme~! I'd give my life~ Not for honor, but for you~! In my time there'll be no one else~ Crime, it's the way I fly to you~! I'm still in a dream~ Here’s the best part, Champagne thought to herself. SnaAAA— A loud slam from her double doors made Champagne jolt and turn. She saw Frost Bite, who apparently started to make a blockade in the front doors with tables and chairs using her telekinesis. “What are you doing?” Champagne asked, furrowing her eyebrows. “Making a barricade.” “What for?” Frost Bite went to Champagne’s bar and slammed her hooves onto it. “You gotta help me!” “Not when you scratch my bar,” Champagne grumbled. Frost Bite immediately retracted her hooves off the counter. “How about now?” Frost Bite gave her a goofy grin. Champagne moved her head closer to the place Frost Bite slammed her hooves on, looking on the small scratches and dents. “You’re gonna have to pay for that.” “Okay okay fine, can you help me?” “Help you what?” Champagne raised her head. “Get to the castle.” “What?” “Look, ponies are after me and they plan to, uh, I don’t know, have me executed.” “You exposed yourself?” “It’s a long story. I mean it, don’t ask. I don’t have the time to tell you everything.” “Right.” Champagne rolled her eyes. “So will you help me?” “Why should I?” “Come on! I trust you!” “Trust goes both ways.” “Exactly! You trust me, right?” Champagne looked the Frost Bite’s desperate eyes. This is gonna more trouble than it's worth... She then let out a loud sigh. “Fine.” “Really?!” Frost Bite’s eyes lit up. “Great!” I’m probably gonna regret this. Wait, I can always ask for a reward from Princess Luna. “Champ? You’re kinda giggling by yourself there,” Frost Bite observed. “It’s a little creepy, to be quite honest.” “What?” Champagne snapped. “Oh, just thinking of a way to get you to the castle.” “Is there?” With that, Champagne smiled. Champagne took Frost Bite to the back of her pub, which was a giant storage room. It was barely lit with few lamps and rows of stacks of crates lined the room and reached the high ceiling. “Come on,” Champagne called. “We gotta get you to safety fast.” “But what are we even doing here?” Frost Bite wondered, looking at the labels on the crates as they pass them by. “I’m pretty sure a crate of cider won’t do us any good.” “Oh, we’re not here for a drink,” Champagne told, going to a giant thing covered by a larger cloth. “We’re here for this.” Frost Bite approached the large unknown object with a raised eyebrow. “What is it?” “It’s our ride.” Champagne pulled out the cover, revealing a giant carriage with what seemed to be an engine in the front. “What is this?” Frost Bite asked, walking around the contraption. “It’s our ride, you say?” “More or less,” Champagne confirmed as got onto the front that contained the seats. “I had this made for when I get stock from different cities.” Frost Bite wasn’t sure what to think of it. The ‘ride’ consisted of mostly metal parts and looked too complicated. It had a larger pair of wheels on the back, a giant compartment for cargo on the rear, and a couple of seats in front. On top of the front wheel covers were flashlights. It also had chrome-silver tubes poking out in the sides of the rear. Frost Bite looked inside of it. “I’m turning it on, so do stay away from the mufflers,” Champagne cautioned. “What—” Frost Bite noticed the thing had started to shake and looked around, only to be blinded by smoke and deafened by the roar of the machine. “So those are mufflers,” Frost Bite coughed. “No time to waste!” Champagne said. “We gotta get this thing moving.” “How fast is this thing, anyway?” Frost Bite shook her head, removing the soot from him. “Unless we’re going the speed of a night guard carriage, we’re not gonna outrun Night Tickle!” “Nightingale?” Champagne wondered. “The night guard totally gay for Ombré?” “What, no! She’s not gay.” “What do you mean she’s not— Oh, okay, now I get it.” Frost Bite got into the front seat beside Champagne. The front of the seat was covered by a window. “Okay, how does this work?” Frost Bite asked. “Alright, first you need— Oh no.” “What now?!” “Only unicorns can drive this thing.” “Then why bother getting on this thing?!” “I don’t know! This thing is faster than anything I’ve been on so I thought...” Champagne rubbed her forehead with her hooves. “Stupid Champ.” “Look, just tell me how to move this thing!” “Are you crazy?! Are you out of your mind?!” Champagne hollered, looking at Frost Bite with disbelief. “This takes weeks to learn!” “I’m a fast learner.” Champagne just stared at Frost Bite. Well, at least she looks serious. “What,” Frost Bite muttered. You know what, screw it. Champagne opened a compartment near her seat, took out a small pamphlet and gave it to Frost Bite. “Just a warning, the first time I hired a driver for this thing, he nearly crashed us into Canterlot Castle,” Champagne disclaimed. “Crashed the castle, huh?” Frost Bite chuckled. “We wouldn’t want that now, would we?” And with that, Frost Bite began scanning the document. Champagne wondered what made Frost Bite laugh about crashing. Maybe she had experience? “Um, Miss Nightingale? I think we’ve really lost them” “Keep looking!” Nightingale erupted. “They can’t have gone too far.” The hunter ponies scuttled out to look for Frost Bite once again. “These ropes are too tight.” “Uh huh.” Nightingale looked back at the ponies who stopped them from moving forward for a while. Of course that faker had tricked ponies to join her side, that’s to be expected. What Nightingale didn’t expect was for those mango ponies to be ridiculously tough. It took a while before they took them down and capture them. Ignoring the complaints of the two, Nightingale gritted her teeth as she jumped and flew into the sky, looking down for the faker. How dare she get Ombré from me! I’ve known him more than that faker did! Nightingale remembered all of the times she and Ombré spent nights at the pub together, sharing laughs and stories, getting along with him when she was still under his supervision as a fresh cadet. And yet that stupid captain fell for that no good faker. “Where in Luna’s moon are you?” Nightingale wondered to herself. Then, she heard a loud crash from one of the buildings below. When she looked at which building, Nightingale noticed it was the local pub the night guards frequent. What the hay happened there? And as if to answer her question, a large thing that looked like a carriage burst out from the back of the building. The carriage then moved to the main road and started moving fast. Too fast for a carriage. Not now. I have a changeling to find! Nevertheless, Nightingale descended and went after the speeding carriage. It was surprising for Nightingale that a carriage can reach such speed and velocity. Nightingale flapped her wings and pushed herself forward to meet the passenger seat of the carriage. Eventually, she reached the passenger seat and saw Frost Bite with the bartender from the pub. “FAKER!” Nightingale screamed. “YOU’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!” Frost Bite flinched from the sudden voice from the side. Frost Bite turned his head and saw the mad night guard baring her teeth at him. “Oh my Queen,” Frost Bite gasped. “Watch the road, you stupid driver!” “The what?” “The road!” Frost Bite shifted his gaze back to the front and saw an incoming pony. “OH SHI—” Frost Bite swerved the carriage by moving the front wheels, making it turn. “Keep your eyes on the road!” Champagne scolded. “Turn on those headlights! We wanna get to the castle on this ride, not in a casket!” “Night Tickle! She’s onto us!” Frost Bite warned as he turned the headlights on using his telekinesis. Champagne looked back and saw Nightingale speeding towards them. “Oh dear.” “So, any ideas?” Frost Bite swerved the carriage to avoid ponies and objects. “I’m not sure if we can keep going with her on our tail.” “Damn, she actually looks pretty,” Champagne commented as she observed their pursuer. “Wasted in that darn helmet of hers.” “Champagne, not the time!” “Right.” Champagne moved back to her seat and opened the compartment again. “I got something here...” “YOU’LL NEVER LEAVE CANTERLOT, FAKER!” Nightingale screeched. “Now’s a good time to pull out a MacGyver!” “A what?!” Champagne asked as she looked around the compartment. A loud thud banged from the back of their ride. Looking back, Frost Bite saw Nightingale on top of the cargo box, desperately gripping on the carriage. “I AM NOT LETTING GO!” “Champ… Night is...” Champagne turned her head and saw the mad pony hanging on the back of the carriage, her yellow eyes seemed to glow in the night. “Swerve!” Champagne ordered. “That’ll throw her off the carriage!” Frost Bite started to control the wheels again to move the carriage left and right while keeping an eye on the road, which sounded easier said than done. Due to their swerving, Frost Bite hit a small stall, spraying fruits all over the windshield. Champagne took another glance at Nightingale, now had fruits on her face as well. “Is she gone?” Frost Bite wondered. “Far from it!” Frost Bite focused on the lightened road as he swerved to shake off Nightingale. Not even Twilight was this mad! Ponies screamed as their carriage barely missed them. “YOU TOOK HIM FROM ME!” Nightingale wailed as she made herself closer by pulling herself towards them. “Let’s not get hasty around here,” Frost Bite commented. “You can’t own ponies!” “SHUT UP!” “Anything yet, Champ?!” Frost Bite reminded as she drove through another stall, this time covering their windshield with pillow feathers. “Here!” Champagne exclaimed after spitting out feathers. “Great! What is it?” Frost Bite shoved the feathers away from the windshield with telekinesis. “It’s a crossbow,” Champagne announced as she loaded the weapon with a bolt. “Whoa, you’re gonna injure her with that! Or worse—” “Of course not, you dolt! I have specially-made arrows made for cases like this.” “Being chased by a mad bat pony?” “Just keep driving! No need to swerve, I’ll knock her off the carriage.” Champagne then knelt on the seat and took aim at the struggling night guard trying to get closer. Frost Bite stopped swerving the carriage and instead dodged ponies and stalls. “WHY ARE YOU SIDING WITH ENEMY?! THAT MARE’S A CHANGELING!” Nightingale hollered at Champagne. “Sorry, but I got no time for your crazy talk!” Champagne responded as she aimed for Nightingale’s head. “Clench your teeth!” Champagne lined her aim with her target, pulled the trigger with her hoof. The arrow fired from the crossbow speedily, and before it hit Nightingale, a boxing glove appeared in place of the arrowhead. Nightingale took the hit with a loud thud and flew out of sight. “I got her,” Champagne mumbled. “I got her! Frost Bite, I got her!” “Nice shooting!” Champagne went back to her seat and put down the crossbow. “One less problem to worry about—” Another loud bang rang from the back of the carriage. The pair turned their heads, only to see Nightingale now near their seat. “THAT HURT!” Nightingale screeched. Frost Bite and Champagne screamed in terror. On instinct, Frost Bite started swerving the carriage again. Frost Bite looked ahead and saw the Canterlot Castle coming closer. “We can’t get caught now!” Frost Bite declared. “You gotta take the right!” Champagne warned. “There’s a dead end if you keep going straight!” Nightingale held onto the carriage as it swerved left. After going over a hump, Nightingale was knocked off a little to the right, making her near the wheels. “ENOUGH OF THIS!” Nightingale hissed, then punched the right front wheel. Frost Bite felt the shift of weight of the carriage, forcing him to levitate the missing portion. This is so darn heavy! “We missed our turn!” Champagne cried as she reloaded her crossbow with another bolt. “We gotta do something!” Frost Bite maintained the balance of carriage. What now? We can’t keep going this way! Frost Bite scanned the incoming objects for anything. Anything that could help them get out this. The only thing he saw was the incoming wall, and it was coming up fast. “Frost Bite, we gotta bail!” Champagne cried. “No!” Frost Bite objected. “I have an idea!” Craziest one yet. “What?! There’s nothing we could do!” Frost Bite moved the carriage slightly to the right, then, using with all of his telekinetic ability, pushed the carriage at full speed. Champagne only screamed as she held her crossbow close to her. Then, the carriage went speeding into a wagon that had its rear wheels missing, creating a makeshift ramp. The carriage flew into the air, aimed straight into Canterlot Castle. The Canterlot Castle Throne Room. It was one of the finest and beautiful rooms in the castle, fitting for a ruler to listen to her subjects and even just rest for a little while. The walls were adorned with beautiful and tall stained glass windows, each depicting significant events of Equestria. From the door to the throne was a lush red carpet, and in the ceiling hang a gorgeous chandelier of gold. Truly astounding feats of architecture. Sing Song appreciated the throne room a lot since she really didn’t have anything to do other than joining Princess Celestia in her work of addressing ponies’ problems. Sing Song sat on the armrest of the throne, while Celestia continued her work talking and smiling. It was an overtime for the princess. As Princess Celestia waved farewell to a pair of ponies, Sing Song noticed there was flowing water near the throne. Where does the water come from anyway? “Is something wrong?” Princess Celestia questioned. “I’m bored.” “Ah. Sorry you had to be stuck with me,” Princess Celestia giggled. “What’s so funny?” Sing Song wondered. “It just that most ponies, especially here in Canterlot,” Princess Celestia answered. “They would do anything to spend time with me. And here you are; bored of being here.” “They just adore you too much, if you ask me,” Sing Song said, flying over to the flowing water. Even that blue dolt. Speaking of him, where the hay is he? Somehow, not knowing where he was gave Sing Song a bad feeling. “If you’re worried about Frost Bite, I can assure you she’s only having fun with her little dinner date.” “For some reason, I’m not comforted by that.” Last time Frost Bite was on his own, he deliberately exposed himself to all of Ponyville and it caused quite a ruckus and mayhem. Fortunately, there were ponies and a dragon willing to give him a chance. Sing Song only hoped he wouldn’t cause another one. Sing Song heard a noise. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it was becoming louder and louder. And then, one of the stained glass broke into pieces and a carriage went through the open window, spreading colorful glass around the floor. The carriage landed in the middle of the room with a loud thud. A pony fell from the carriage’s back and groaned in pain as it hit the ground. “What in Celestia’s but—” Sing Song paused then looked at Princess Celestia. “I mean, what happened?” “A carriage crashed through the throne room’s window, so it would seem,” Princess Celestia observed. Frost Bite fell from the passenger seat, letting out a groan as he landed on the ground. “Frost Bite!” Sing Song called out as she floated toward him. “What the hay happened?” Frost Bite raised his face off the ground. “Well, it all started with—” “Get to the point!” “Night Tickle found out.” “About what?!” “Me.” Sing Song gave a confused look. Who was this Night Tickle? How did he or she find out? “Hey, get up!” Sing Song ordered. “Wait, go check on Champ,” Frost Bite said. “I think she’s still in the carriage.” Sing Song, still confused, floated over the passenger seat and saw a mare passed out there. She then noticed Champ’s eyes were still open from shock. “We-We’re gonna crash...” Champ muttered. “She’s okay, I think,” Sing Song said. “That’s great!” Frost Bite grinned. And then a groaning was heard from the other pony. Soon the groaning turned into screaming. “ARGH!!!” the unknown pony screamed as she stood on her rear hooves. “This is the end, Frost Bite! Canterlot Castle is the last place you’ll ever see!” Sing Song immediately got out of the carriage and saw the bat pony standing. Then, the pony fell onto the ground, passed out. “Well, that certainly was something.” Princess Celestia went to Frost Bite and lifted him up. “Are you alright?” “Yeah.” Frost Bite replied. “Well, that take cares of Night Tickle.” “You can start telling us everything now,” Sing Song sighed. Frost Bite told them right at the beginning; from the dinner to Nightingale’s intrusion to Frost Bite’s escape from the bar to encountering the Mangoes to hiding at Champagne’s to driving Champagne’s mechanical carriage to now. “I get the gist of it,” Princess Celestia said. “But I’m not sure who are the Mangoes.” “Just ponies we met before,” Sing Song assured. “So bounty hunters are now looking for you?” “Pretty much, yeah.” Frost Bite then looked at Princess Celestia. “Oh, Princess! You’re here!” “Yes, I’ve been here for a while, Frost Bite,” Princess Celestia smiled. “T-Then you now know that I’m a—” “Don’t worry, Frost Bite,” Sing Song said. “I told her everything.” “Everything?” Frost Bite asked, eyebrows furrowed. “Yeah.” “Wow, I guess this is awkward,” Frost Bite said, scratching his head. “I’ve never done anything like confessing feelings...” “What.” Sing Song blankly asked. “You told her about me having a crush on her, right?” “I did not know you have a crush on me, Frost Bite,” Princess Celestia interjected. “That is quite flattering, but I’m afraid I am not looking for a relationship, Frost Bite.” “I didn’t tell her, Frost Bite,” Sing Song added. Hearing that, Frost Bite’s expression froze and he then curled into a ball on the floor. Oh boy. Sing Song flew to Frost Bite’s place. “Hey, no time to cry over spilled milk; why the hay are you crashing castle windows?” “I’m not crying over milk, I’m crying over my feelings!” Frost Bite sniffled. “We were being chased by that night guard over there who somehow discovered I’m a changeling.” Sing Song wanted to feel sorry for Frost Bite over his rejection from his crush, but his face was so contorted and silly from crying that Sing Song held the urge to even smile at the moment. “Geez, princess,” Sing Song called. “Couldn’t you have laid it out more nicely?” “I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m used to getting confessions like that that I already have an automatic answer for all of them.” Sing Song just glared at Celestia. “What?” “Right, we have to get out of here,” Frost Bite said, sniffling and wiping his eyes. “Bounty hunters are out for me.” “Seriously, bounty hunters? How did we get from racist to full-time bounty hunting treatment?” “Honestly, I don’t know,” Frost Bite got up. “But I think it has something to do with Night Tickle’s jealously over Ombré’s time with me. I mean, if she wanted to hang out with him, she should just ask.” Sing Song looked at the other mare, now standing again on her fours. Oh no. “Just ask?” Nightingale muttered. “So easy for you to say. Especially when Ombré basically confessed in front of you. Unforgivable.” “Yep, we’re leaving,” Frost Bite rushed. “Nice being a student, Princess Celestia, but we got other plans now.” “What about Princess Luna?” Sing Song asked. Frost Bite paused. Sing Song knew how Frost Bite enjoyed Princess Luna’s company. “I don’t wanna cause trouble for them.” Frost Bite went aboard the carriage and lifted the pony inside off the carriage, setting her down beside Princess Celestia. “Princess Celestia, please take care of her. I owe her a lot.” “But what about Ombré?" Sing Song questioned. "Your lessons, your—” “I can’t!” Frost Bite screamed. “I can’t do that anymore. Ponies are gonna keep looking for me. They know how I look now.” “You can always change how you look like.” “No.” Frost Bite faced Sing Song. “This is who I am. I made this look, and it means to me as much as you all do.” “THERE’S NO WAY I’M LETTING YOU GO, FAKER!” Sing Song and Frost Bite turned to see Nightingale baring her fangs at them. Princess Celestia then walked toward her. “P-Princess?” Nightingale asked, looking confused. “I’m sorry, my little pony.” Before Nightingale could react, Princess Celestia casted a spell on her, putting her to sleep. Princess Celestia gently laid her onto the ground. “So much hate in her words,” Princess Celestia observed. “It hurts to see somepony to be consumed by rage.” “Princess Celestia,” Frost Bite called. “Could you tell her I’m sorry? And that I never meant to harm any pony?” “I intend to do so,” Princess Celestia replied. “Are you sure about leaving? I can assure your safety here, Frost Bite.” Frost Bite looked around as if seeing the place for the last time. Or maybe it is? Sing Song went to Frost Bite’s head and nestled in his mane. “The princesses’ are on our side, Frost Bite. We don’t have to leave.” Frost Bite looked at Nightingale, who had a peaceful face as she slept. “I can’t.” “Why not?” “I don’t know. Do you like it here, Sing Song?” Sing Song thought to herself. Canterlot Castle was a huge place, over-the-top with decorations, and… Well, warm. After all their wandering, the princesses welcomed them into their home. “I do. But I’m not letting you go alone. You and I have something” Frost Bite smiled at her words. Sing Song couldn’t help but smile back. “For someone as young as you, you think too much of others,” Princess Celestia said. “Is that bad?” Frost Bite wondered. “Not at all,” Princess Celestia answered. “Well, we’ll be taking our leave now,” Frost Bite announced, to which Princess Celestia nodded. “Thanks for everything.” “No, thank you, Frost Bite,” Princess Celestia walked to Frost Bite and embraced him under her wing. “Without you, I wouldn’t have known there is a chance to your kind.” “A chance?” “If there is a changeling that can be taught to love for not only his own kind but also for others, then there is always another one.” Princess Celestia tightened her hug. “You’re not alone, Frost Bite. Someday, we’ll see each other without fearing each other’s kind.” Sing Song felt her words. She hoped her words would come true. For Frost Bite’s sake. Princess Celestia let go of Frost Bite. “Won’t you at least say goodbye to my sister?” Frost Bite looked down for a second then looked back at Princess Celestia. “Okay.” Princess Luna was on her balcony when she heard a loud crash coming from the throne room. She thought of checking, but she knew her sister could handle the situation. It had been quite a while since the crash, and no guards had yet to report to her on what happened. Maybe I should go check... As she turned to leave her balcony, a flash of light burned into the room. When the light faded, Frost Bite stood in the middle of her room. “Frost Bite! A joy to have you in my room,” Princess Luna exclaimed. “But knocking would still be needed if you wanted to enter.” “Oh, sorry,” Frost Bite said. Princess Luna then walked over to his side and embraced him. “So, how are your studies? I assume you’ve already done them?” “Yeah, I’m only five books to go,” Frost Bite smiled. Princess Luna giggled. “That’s my apprentice! I wonder how fast did Twilight Sparkle finish her books?” “Princess Luna?” Princess Luna let go of her student. “Yes?” “I’m… I’m gonna have to leave for a while.” Princess Luna raised an eyebrow. “Why?” “Um, I actually have to go back home. My parents got sick and no one’s gonna take care of them.” Princess Luna noticed something from her words. She knew she was lying. Frost Bite never lied before. So why lie now? “I see.” Princess Luna turned to her balcony. “How long will you be gone?” “I actually don’t know.” Princess Luna knew she wasn’t lying there. Why does she want to leave? Am I a terrible teacher? Have my old ways made her feel uncomfortable? Then, she felt a hug from behind. “It’s nothing you did, Princess,” Frost Bite confessed. “I actually like it here. I want to be here. I want to be your student.” “Then why are you leaving?” “I can’t really tell you.” Princess Luna looked up at the moon as if the answers were written in the rock floating in the sky. “You really can’t?” “I can’t. And it hurts.” Frost Bite sobbed. “I see.” “Thank you,” Frost Bite whispered, still embracing her. Princess Luna felt the tears on her neck from Frost Bite. Princess Luna then turned and embraced her student properly. She didn’t want her to go. She wanted Frost Bite to stay. Yet… “You can always come back, you know.” “Some day. I promise.” “Pinkie Promise me.” “Pinkie what?” Frost Bite wondered, her voice choked up from sobbing. Princess Luna giggled. “It’s something I picked up from Ponyville. Now Pinkie Promise me.” “Okay.” “Cross my heart, hope to fly; stick a cupcake in my eye,” the two recited, as they did the motions. The two started laughing. They laughed at nothing in particular. Or was it the Pinkie Promise? Princess Luna wasn’t sure, but she embraced her moment together with Frost Bite. They laughed so hard they were laughing with their backs on the carpet. After calming down, Princess Luna gave Frost Bite another hug. “No matter where you are, you will always be my student.” It took a while before Frost Bite managed to grab all of his belongings from his room, which wasn’t a lot. Just a few notebooks, ink and quill, and his new journal. He then proceeded to teleport numerous times to distance himself from Canterlot. Frost Bite looked back at the Canterlot Castle and remembered everything that had happened ever since he left the Hive. His first meeting with Sing Song. Riding on an air balloon with Mango Jill. Having fun at Ponyville’s Nightmare Night. Crashing at the Canterlot Castle. Meeting the princesses and Ombré. Getting around at Crystal Empire. Going through another world of bipedal sentient creatures. Meeting Trixie and her family. It was quite an adventure, and truly an experience he would have never felt if he had never left the Hive. It was fun and at the same time scary but he knew it was worth it. Frost Bite felt a tear in his eyes. “You okay buddy?” Sing Song asked. “You’ve been staring at the castle for awhile.” Frost Bite let it flow. Tears flowed onto his face. He wasn’t sure if he was sad for leaving his friends or he was happy for meeting them. Oh, what the heck. It was both. “Wait, are you crying?!” “No! It’s just the rain!” Sing Song looked up to the sunny, clear sky. “Yeah. It’s just the rain,” Sing Song smiled. Sing Song then tapped on Frost Bite’s head. “Come on, we gotta get moving. Don’t want the Renegades to get caught now, can we?” Frost Bite nodded. “Yeah.” And with that, Frost Bite turned around and started walking down the road. “Hey!” Frost Bite exclaimed. “You just called us Renegades!” “It’s what we are now, aren’t we?” “So, where do you think this road is gonna take us?” “Does it even matter?” Frost Bite smiled. Of course, it doesn’t. It’s the journey that mattered, not the destination. Or so he read from a book during his stay at the castle. Frost Bite first was confused what that meant, but now, he kind of knew why it confused him. While the journeys he had mattered a lot, there was also something that made it much more. Journeys mattered the most when taken along with someone you care. After all, friendship is magic. Or so they say. “As long as we’re together!”
EpilogueThe Mango Sisters stood outside of the Canterlot Precinct. Both of them stared at the cloudy sky. They both stayed for a few hours in a cell, and they had a blast singing with other prisoners. When dinner time came, a pony picked a fight with Mango Jane and that pony ended up in the infirmary. Apparently the pony was one of the bounty hunters wanting to get revenge and because of that, they missed their meal. “Well, at least we got money for bail,” Mango Jill stated. “Uh huh.” “What do you say we hit a pub before we go back home?” “Sure.” The sisters began walking away from the precinct. Mango Jill looked inside her saddle bag. “What’cha looking for?” Mango Jane asked. “This.” Mango Jill pulled out Frost Bite’s journal. “I thought of returning it to Frosty if I ever meet her again, but...” “Eh, we’ll see her again.” “That’s for sure.” Mango Jill placed back the journal into the saddle bag. The sisters had a process when selecting a place to eat or shop at. They would stand in front of each shop they were interested in and just stare at the shop for a minute. In that minute, they would decide if they would go to the said shop. When they did it here in Canterlot, ponies became uncomfortable especially in the restaurants with glass windows in the front, forcing the managers to ask them to leave. It took them more than ten restaurants before they arrived at the pub with a sign that said ‘Troubles Be Gone!’ and they still took their time to stare at the establishment. “Let’s eat here,” Mango Jill finally spoke. “Okay.” The sisters filed through the wooden swivel doors. The place was empty save for the pony tending the counter. “I like this place,” Mango Jane commented. “Really?” “Uh huh.” The sisters took seats by the counter. They then proceeded to look around the interior of the pub, ignoring the bartender. “Can I help you?” said the bartender in a bored tone. With that, the sisters snapped back their glance to the bartender, which really surprised the bartender. “Do you have a menu?” Mango Jill asked. “Wow, you gals wanna eat here? That’s a new one,” the bartender said as she went down the counter. “Here you go.” The sisters took the menu and glanced at it for a while. “I’ll have a blueberry pie and an apple cider deluxe.” Mango Jill handed the menu back. “I’ll have a apple pie and an apple cider deluxe.” Mango Jane handed the menu back. “Got it. One blueberry pie, one apple, and two apple cider deluxe,” the bartender recited then left the two. “Be back in a jiffy.” Mango Jill then took out Frost Bite’s journal. The cover was leather-bound. It was heavy despite missing a large number of its pages. “What’cha got there— Oh, the journal,” Mango Jane said. “Just wondering what’s inside.” Ombré felt tired and rightly so. Holding Nightingale back was a nightmare and hearing her screech when she was apprehended at the Canterlot Castle was even more so. For now, Nightingale was detained at the Canterlot Guard Barracks. She had silent ever since. Ombré didn’t hear anything from Frost Bite since then. When he asked Princess Celestia, she assured him with a smile that Frost Bite was safe but won’t be coming back for a while. With that, he understood. Frost Bite was laying low from Canterlot. He wanted to ask the princess if she knew about Frost Bite being a changeling, but decided not to. It was one long night calling it that was an understatement. He had his first date with a mare and also his last. It was ironic that he felt like cheated by fate. He ended up in Troubles Be Gone!, the usual pub. After that, he really didn’t want to go back to the Garden. Ombré pushed through the double swivel doors and let out a sigh. Well at least this place never changes. Ombré went to the jukebox, dropped a bit into the machine, and pressed the buttons. The machine moved to play the disc. Music began from it. It was a lively piano tune and while he wasn’t really a classic lover, hearing the piece helped him ease his mind off his problems. He then sat by the counter, where the bartender was washing a boot with a cloth. Seriously, what’s with this pub’s choice of beverage containers? “Oh, Ombré,” the bartender called. “What’cha having?” “Whatever that can make my troubles be gone.” “One apple cider deluxe, coming up,” the bartender giggled. Ombré wondered what the bartender was giggling about. Then he placed his forehead on the counter. “Here’s your— Long night, huh?” the bartender asked, putting his drink beside his head. “I guess you can say that.” “Anything I can do to help?” Ombré raised his head and saw the bartender looking at him smiling. “What’s with the offer?” Ombré raised an eyebrow. “You usually just leave the customers unless they bring something up.” “Just like you,” the bartender poured herself a drink. “I had a long night.” “I’m betting it’s not as crazy as mine.” Ombré took a big slurp from his drink. “I’m betting my darn helmet even.” “Well, I’m betting my...” the bartender looked around the pub. “My jukebox.” “This should be interesting.” Ombré took another chug. I’ve been wanting those discs for a while. “Should you go first?” “Screw the ‘ladies first’ thing. I wanna hear yours first.” And so Ombré told the bartender of his night, beginning with his date with Frost Bite up to restraining his colleague. “I’ll admit, that is crazy.” The bartender chugged her drink and slammed it to the counter. “But I think I win this one.” The bartender, whose name was Champagne Barrels, told him of her friend going to her pub and asked her to bring her to the Castle. Champagne told him every detail of the crazy ride up to the crash into the castle’s throne room. ”Even after all that, I got off with no charges and the princess even offered to fix my carriage, PLUS a reward for helping my friend.” Champagne held her nose high, looking smug. “You win.” Ombré took off his helmet and placed it onto the counter. “That is true,” Champagne agreed as she grabbed the helmet. “A fine display, don’t you think?” “Yeah, yeah,” Ombré took his boot and noticed it was empty. “How about another one?” “Another bet?” “I’d rather get another round of cider.” Champagne took his boot, refilled it, and refilled hers as well. “You know what, the refill’s on me.” Champagne placed his drink before him. “Really?” Ombré took his boot. “You’re not just pitying on me, are you?” “There’s that,” Champagne giggled. “But talking about that just now really made me feel better. I don’t know what I got to gain by helping that pony.” “We all have our crazy moments, huh?” Ombré raised his boot. “To crazy things.” “Crazy things indeed.” And they clinked their boots together and chugged their drinks. After they emptied their drinks, Ombré noticed a pair of ponies, or rather twins reading together. He recalled one of them back then in Crystal Empire, where Frost Bite got assaulted. Ombré got off his seat and approached them. “Excuse me,” Ombré called out. Both of the mares turned their heads fast, still chewing their food. “Do you this pony, Mango?” one of them asked the other while chewing. “Oh, this dude tried to arrest me when I slammed your friend into the ground,” the other answered, also chewing. “Right...” Ombré sat next to them. “You ponies know Frost Bite?” “Not me,” said one of the twins. “We were singing travel buddies, even it’s just for a while,” said the other. “Do you where she is now?” Ombré asked eagerly. “Last time we saw her, she was being chased by nasty ponies,” one of them said. “Very nasty.” the other one added. “We had to stall them so she can away.” “Wait, you ponies talking about Frost Bite?” the bartender said as she walked to their spot. “I was talking about her too.” “Wait, the pony you escorted to Canterlot Castle was Frost Bite?” Ombré turned to the bartender. “Yeah.” “Well, this makes a weird meeting of Frost Bite’s acquaintances,” one of the twins said. “Uh huh,” her twin added. Ombré peered into his drink. That’s one heck of a coincidence. “So, none of you know where she is now?” “Like I said,” the bartender said. “I don’t know where she went after the crash.” “We got arrested for beating up nasty ponies, so we don’t know,” one of the twins said, to which her twin nodded. Ombré let out a sigh then smiled. If she had this much ponies caring for her, then she’s got to be safe. Plus, I think Sing Song’s still looking out for her. “What are you smiling about, Ombré?” the bartender asked. “Nothing.” Ombré proceeded to empty his boot. “How about another one?” Frost Bite sat in front of a bundle of sticks for bonfire while Sing Song hummed a tune, watching Frost Bite trying to cast some sort of fire spell as she sat on a rock. They’ve been walking for awhile and decided to take shade under some high trees for rest after being long ways away from Canterlot. Sing Song stopped humming. “Say, Frost Bite,” Sing Song called out. “Yeah?” Frost Bite replied as he levitated a spellbook that contained a firestarter spell. “I still don’t get why we had to leave Canterlot like that.” “I already told you; I’m gonna be a burden if I stayed there,” Frost Bite answered. “Not to mention, Night Tickle and those bounty hunters are gonna be on alert with changelings.” “And the princesses don’t mind the burden,” Sing Song said. “You really think they’d let you get caught?” “Of course not,” Frost Bite admitted. “Why is this spell hard?” “We didn’t have to leave,” Sing Song muttered. Frost Bite lowered his spellbook. “Yeah. I know.” Frost Bite just stared at the firewood. “Did you wanted to stay?” “Not really.” Sing Song looked down. ”I know you wanted to.” Frost Bite lifted up the spellbook again, trying to focus on the firestarter spell. Frost Bite wanted to stay. Of course. “You know, if we had faced bounty hunters when we first met, you’d be shaking and crying.” Sing Song looked up. “No I wouldn’t!” Sing Song let out a hearty laugh which made Frost Bite smile. Would I be really that scared? A spark ignited the firewood, lighting a fire. “Yes!” Frost Bite jumped. “I did it!” “Still a princess protege, huh?” “Duh!” Frost Bite flashed her necklace to Sing Song. “Wouldn’t be wearing this if it wasn’t for that!” Frost Bite looked up into the night sky and then to the moon. I wonder what’s she’s doing now? Frost Bite couldn’t help but think of the princesses. They had been so nice to him and patiently taught him magic. He was very grateful for that. Frost Bite took out a leather bound notebook. No, this is my new journal. The cover had Princess Luna’s cutie mark. Frost Bite levitated an inkwell and a quill. Dear Princess Luna... (Cue the ending theme)
The Gallery of the RenegadesHere are some old images, close up photos from the thank you images and more! Made them myself. Enjoy! The Misadventures of the Renegades cover: III: Trust Issues - Frost Bite getting lectured by Sing Song about prejudice Frost Bite: An earlier version of Frost Bite, where she attends the Grand Galloping Gala. This is before she was called Frost Bite and before the fanfic's creation: In the middle is Frost Bite's Equestria Girls look. The other two are my friends' OCs. Again, this is before she was called Frost Bite and before the fanfic's creation: Here is an old art where Frost Bite is hugging Lazy Afternoon, a very old OC I never used and Champagne Barrels: Sing Song: Mango Jill: Mango Jill's suggestive face: Mango Jill's first art: Mango Jane: The Mango Sisters: Champagne Barrels: Old Champagne art: Champagne meme face: Champagne hates barrels: Champagne's What: Ombré's helmet(now Champagne's) Ombré: Ombré's HA!: Nightingale: Nightingale's HA!: The Thank You Image without the greeting:
EXTRA: Under The Violet Hood Hi! Now many of you would be wondering 'why are you publishing a chapter after all these years?' Well, this chapter was supposed to be a story arc of Frost Bite exploring Manehatten but I never really got anywhere past this chapter. I still think this was an interesting chapter. Give me your thoughts on the comments below after reading! Happy readings! Ah, Canterlot Castle; a place where prissy ponies visit and annoy the princess with their problems originating from their own snootiness and sheer upper-crustiness. Or so Frost Bite thought. It annoyed him that Luna can’t give him a lesson due to day court’s unusual number of guests today. Tirek’s destruction apparently affected a number of properties around Equestria that the sisters had to attend to the court together and they even plan to hold the night court together as well. It was then Princess Luna decided to send him to Manehatten, the city that never sleeps, or maybe took naps between hours. Luna said to him that he had to look into a problem that the city had for two weeks. Frost Bite didn’t get most of what Luna said, but he was sure it was very important and he had to say Luna sent him. Frost Bite laid down on his comfy gigantic bed in his hotel room. The only other homework Luna gave him was Princess Twilight’s lessons of friendship. The first batch of the letters were the lessons that made him gag as he read through icky friendship goodness. He realized that maybe Twilight was a bit naive before she was a princess. Some of the lessons he read were just obvious, while some were quite interesting. He had one favorite, and it was the one where Pinkie Pie wrote it. Today I learned it's not good to jump to conclusions. You have to find out all the facts before saying somepony did something. If you don't, you could end up blaming somepony for something they never did. This could hurt their feelings. And it could make you feel really foolish. So from now on, I will make sure to always get all the facts. Which he also found hypocritical, since Pinkie Pie did launched him with a cannon. Nevertheless, he liked the lesson from the scroll. He wasn’t sure what to do after reading them. Part of him was just glad that he got to the city that never slept. Frost Bite wasn’t quite sure why Manehatten was called that. After all, cities weren’t alive, and they certainly didn’t need sleep. Frost Bite loved how the city never seemed to stop. Walking the sidewalks, Frost Bite noticed that every pony seemed to be headed somewhere, ignoring the sheer number of them altogether. The streets were littered and rushing with carriages pulled by ponies, few by magic engines. It was so different from Canterlot and Crystal Empire. Sing Song read the other scrolls too, and she had the same gag as Frost Bite. She wasn’t as thrilled to be in the city as much as Frost Bite because of the amount of dust and dirt that flew along the breeze of the city. For her, the ponies seemed to ignore each other as they went along their business. It felt heartless for her. At least the Canterlot ponies said hi to each other, no matter how pretentious and posh they did it. “Sing Song,” Frost Bite called out with a parchment on his face. “What?” Sing Song said blankly. “Why were we sent here again?” “Something about congratulating a friend of Princess Luna with his business or something. It’s happening tonight.” “Must we go?” “It’s your job.” “Why can’t I have something interesting for an assignment?” Elsewhere… The moon shone bright across the sky, and the streets often became silent, or at least in this particular part of the city. Littered with trash and filth, it was surprising to see such place was connected to the ever progressing city of Manehatten. In an alleyway, lit by a flickering light from a post, family of three walked. They had just come out of the movie theater, and parents’ child was delighted having seen the motion picture; the parents, not so much. It wasn’t really for them, and for the most part of the movie, it had too many MG(magic-generated) graphics, and the dialog was just awful. The parents’ had the same sentiment; this prequel was a disaster. The original trilogy was a lot better. A shadow emerged from the darkness, and by shadow, I meant a pony and by darkness, I mean the dumpster. The stallion levitated a knife with his magic and threateningly pointed it at the father. “Give me all your valuables. Now.” “You two, get behind me,” the father told his family. “Look, I’ve given you what you want, just don’t hurt them.” He then tossed his wallet on the ground. “Give me your jewelry.” The mother quickly removed her earrings and tossed them as well. “Good.” The thief levitated the items. “But I can’t let you go after seeing my face. Goodbye.” The knife moved quickly and lunged to the father. The mother screamed and waited for her beloved’s scream of pain. She covered her son’s eyes and shut her own. They waited, but the sound never came. She opened her eyes and saw a pony before them. The pony wore a purple body suit and a flowing cape over, covering all over her body, and her hooves covered in darker colored boots. The pony turned to them, showing a face covered in a mask that also hid her eyes. The knife merely floated before her. “Run,” she said with a low voice. Confused, the mother pulled her husband and child away from the situation. The kid, when his mother pulled him, saw the new pony. “Mare Do Well!” The pony, known as Mare Do Well, turned to the evil-doer. Her eyes, though covered, managed to show its glare to the criminal. Mare Do Well tossed the knife aside. “Oh no, not the costumed freak!” The stallion started running in the other direction. Mare Do Well took something from her waist and tossed it to the escapee. The object exploded and turned into wires, covering the escapee in it and he fell to the ground. Mare Do Well approached the wired pony. “Who the hay are you?!” She only looked down at the criminal, but as heard the police sirens from a distance, she fired a grapple gun upwards from her hooves and pulled herself away from the alley. An hour later, Frost Bite decided to do more exploring and do the congratulating thing. He hadn’t been to Manehatten, and it was an opportunity for him to see new things. He took Sing Song (literally) and stuffed her into his mane and went to the Maneway subway. The thought of railroads underneath the gigantic city really blew Frost Bite’s mind. A number of ponies also surprised him, even though he already expected it. It was a speedy travel from the previous subway to the next. Frost Bite, during the ride, pointed outside. “Sing Song, look!” “What?” “We’re underground!” There arrived at the famous shopping district. The place was rushing with ponies, transportation, lights and noise; even the air seemed different—dirtier,perhaps. While Frost Bite wanted to see the stores and whatever the place had to offer, Sing Song reminded him about their task at hoof. Frost Bite sighed almost at every shop he wanted to visit as they walked the busy streets. They then arrived at their destination: Manehatten Convention Center. The place made Frost Bite think as to why a large building was shaped like a gigantic popcorn bucket. From the vertical lines of white and blue of it, it made him thought that maybe they were at the wrong place and maybe they were at the movie theater, but the address they had on them was clear and it had the same name plastered on the building’s front. There were several carriages unloading ponies by the front, and they all walked along. the red carpet. All of the ponies who walked wore clothes. “I have a feeling I need some sort of clothing.” “Who cares, every pony is usually naked,” Sing Song blankly stated. “Maybe if I can get a hat or a tie…” Frost Bite looked around and saw a hat stand. “Forget about it, let’s just go the thing and—Oh, of course.” Frost Bite walked to the shop and looked at the varieties of hats that were hung. Baseball caps, top hats, and some he didn’t recognize… but then he saw one that caught his gaze, and Frost Bite knew it was the one. “Invitation, please.” The stoic and tall stallion stood beside the glass double doors. Behind the bouncer’s pair of shades, Frost Bite can feel his gaze and silent judgment. He handed his invitation to the bouncer. The shades stallion handed the invitation back after a second of just staring at it. “Please,” the stallion then gestured Frost Bite to come in. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t have gotten in because of your hat,” Sing Song said as she pointed at Frost Bite’s headwear, which was a felt cap that looked like a glass turned upside down. “It’s a fez. It looks cool, and the bouncer thought so too.” Frost Bite stepped into the large room. Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, fancy paintings decorated the walls, and fancy tables and chairs were at the side, and next to it were tables filled with food. The buffet seemed too glorious for Frost Bite to ignore, but he decided to act with grace. No need to rush. In the center was a ballroom, and beyond it was a stage where ponies played smooth classical music, and a pony was singing in a baritone voice. The room filled with ponies of different colors, chatters, and good music permeated around the room. “What now?” Frost Bite asked. “I don’t know. Mingle, be fancy.” Frost Bite decided to just eat. After all, he was hungry and dinner stared him right back whenever he took a glance at the buffet. He made his way to the buffet. Upon reaching the table, Frost Bite looked at the options laid before him. There simply was too many to just pick; he wanted to sample them all. “I can’t decide...” Frost Bite placed his hoof on his chin. “Perhaps I can be of help?” a voice asked from Frost Bite’s right. “Really? That’ll be—” As Frost Bite turned and saw the origin of the voice, he froze. “Is something wrong, darling?” It was Rarity. Twilight’s friend. Which mean she could be here too. Frost Bite’s eyes widened and his mouth shut tight. He shook his head quickly. Sing Song took cover in his fez. “Oh, I must be intruding on you. I meant no disrespect, but I overheard you having trouble over selecting?” Frost Bite nodded. “Well, allow me to lend a hoof! I have quite the palate if I do say so myself.” Rarity then levitated a plate from the table. “So, do you have any preference? Or maybe dislikes?” Frost Bite shook his head. “I see. No need to be shy, you can talk to me. I won’t bite.” Sure, but you’ll probably call the guards if I talked. “How about I just give you a sample of everything?” Frost Bite nodded again. “I can see you have quite the appetite. I’m Rarity, by the way,” she said as she filled the plate with different morsels of delight. Frost Bite looked around, hoping to come up with an excuse to leave Rarity, but it was futile. Instead, he gave a smile at her. “Cat got your tongue?” “Thank you all for coming!” a voice boomed from the stage. The artists had just finished playing, and a brown stallion now was at the side of the stage, levitating a microphone. “We’re pleased to have you all here with us tonight, and I’m sure Ms. Cloverheart appreciates all of you for this night...” Frost Bite drowned out most of the stallion’s words and looked at Rarity, who seemed to be listening to the speech. Seeing this, Frost Bite slowly walked away from her, but not without taking a huge slice of a cake on the table. All of a sudden, the lights turned off. One light turned on. The spotlight turned to the center of the stage, however, there was no pony to be seen. Gasps can be heard by the audience, wondering if this was part of the program. Then, smoke started to fill the podium, and then it exploded, revealing a unicorn in a very suggestive pose, who wore a red tight suit and a red butterfly mask. Even her horn was covered in red. “Fine evening, fillies and gentlecolts!” she announced. “All of Equestria’s prissy and posh ponies have gathered tonight, I see.” Faces of shock and terror and whispers spread across the room. The band ponies behind the masked ponies stood up and pulled off their coats and revealed that they were also wearing the same tight suit, only not red. Each of them held a sort of melee weapon, one being a mace, another a flail, and another a single ninja star, which really perplexed Frost Bite. “No need to be alarmed, my little rich ponies. The Crimson Papillon is here!” the costumed mare announced. “Now, all I want is your gems, and if you all do that, maybe I’ll let you go on with this party.” Crimson Papillon grabbed with magic and walked along the stage. “Oh, I wouldn’t bother trying to go outside. I got every passage covered. Try anything funny, you’ll be, how can I say this without sounding mean, in the hospital for more than a month.” “Frost Bite,” Sing Song called out from the fez. “What now? We’re not crime fighters! And we don’t have valuables!” “Yeah, and they’re barely armed. What can they even do?” “And who you might be talking to?” a voice asked beside him. The mare calling herself the Crimson Papillon apparently had teleported to Frost Bite’s side. “No one,” he immediately answered, keeping a neutral face. Frost Bite felt his sweat increased. “I don’t like liars, honey,” Crimson Papillon said. She then eyed the Lunar chains around Frost Bite’s neck. “I’m not really into jewelry, but yours simply looks lovely. Hand over the necklace, darling.” Frost Bite’s eyes widened. He looked down at his necklace; the very gift from Luna. “It’s a knockoff, you won’t be able to sell it,” Frost Bite hastily uttered. “Oh? Well, you seem desperate from your voice, so I’ll be taking that.” Frost Bite felt the mare’s magic envelop the necklace, preparing to pull it away. Before he could even blast a random spell, a loud noise of breaking metal came from the ceiling, and a figure dropped between Frost Bite and Crimson Papillon. “Back off, gruesome,” the figure growled in a deep feminine voice. Frost Bite observed the newcomer; she was covered in purple clothing and boots. What Frost Bite thought initially about her was that she had a sweet flowing cape. “You?! How? I made sure no one can enter!” Crimson Papillon said then teleported back to the stage. The mare covered in purple didn’t answer, but instead moved fast towards the red criminal. Unfortunately, she teleported away, leaving the purple hero alone in the middle of Crimson Papillon’s hench ponies. “Take her out!” Crimson Papillon’s voice bellowed. Ponies panicked, screams were heard, and they started to run towards exits. Frost Bite was in the middle of the chaos, and the purple-covered mare had started beating the goons of the red criminal, doing fantastic jumps and flips and dodges and kicks. What Frost Bite never expected to see was Rarity joining the purple pony in the fight. With a flying kick, Rarity had knocked out one of the goons, which was the one holding a small ninja star. Frost Bite can’t help but feel sorry for the pony since she never had a chance, holding a tiny blade. She might as well have shaved for all it’s worth. “I’ll have you know Mare Do Well’s design is mine!” Rarity bellowed to the purple pony as she held a fighting stance. “I don’t know who you are, but that costume is no public domain item.” “What?” the heroic pony, apparently dressed up as Mare Do Well, asked as she blocked attacks from a pony swinging a mace with levitation. She then disarmed the pony and landed a hoof into the face of the goon. “Not the time to be worried about design copyrights, lady.” Frost Bite can’t help but be at awe seeing Mare Do Well and Rarity kicking asses literally. Flurries of kicks were thrown and most of them were dodged by Mare Do Well and Rarity and only theirs were the ones that landed on their targets. Soon, the goons started running away, seeing that they are no match to a vigilante and a seamstress. Mare Do Well, however, pulled something from her belt and tossed it to the escaping ponies. It hit the target and the ponies fell down, knock out cold. A small metal ‘M’ returned to Mare Do Well, and she then returned it to her belt. “Wow,” Frost Bite said. “Wow what?” Sing Song wondered, trying to open the hat from her end. “What happened?” Rarity and Mare Do Well tied up all of the ponies with cloth from curtains. It was Mare Do Well’s idea, and Rarity first was very against that. Mare Do Well didn’t listen to her, and just did what she had to. After all the ponies had been tied up, Mare Do Well began investigating the blown-up podium. Frost Bite shook his head and teleported beside Mare Do Well. He thought of approaching Rarity first, but he still wasn’t sure if she recognized him from Nightmare Night. “Um, anything I can do to help?” Frost Bite asked. “No. Leave and call the cops,” Mare Do Well bellowed. “This podium. It’s not from this building.” “What?” Frost Bite asked. “The wood on this podium didn’t match the rest of the furniture in this building.” Mare Do Well picked up a piece of wood from the remains of the podium. “This building has been at least two decades old, and it never buys any furniture from just any store. If I can match this wood to a certain manufacturer, then I can tell which place they got the podium from.” Mare Do Well placed the piece of wood into her belt. Frost Bite only stared. “What?” Sing Song poked out of Frost Bite’s hat. “What what?” “I said what first.” “I can’t answer that; I was in this hat the whole time.” Sing Song then saw the masked vigilante. “Great, it’s Nightmare Night already.” Mare Do Well turned to leave the area, but she only found Rarity standing in her way. Rarity had a fierce look. “I don’t think you know whose property it is you’re wearing.” “No.” Rarity’s eyes widened at the mare’s answer. “Well, I’ll have you know that I designed that outfit and that no pony other than me and my friends should wear it. I suggest you remove it.” “And. If I don’t?” “I’ll have you arrested.” Rarity then looked at Frost Bite. “You, call the guards.” Frost Bite gulped and obliged. Seeing that Frost Bite followed her order, Rarity faced the vigilante, only to see her disappeared without a trace nor sound. “What?” Frost Bite then howled from the entrance as he left, “I said what first!” As for continuation, I can't say. I only pulled this one out of my archives and follow up chapter for this is really incomplete. Maybe if there is demand for it, I might try to complete it but this story is too old to gain traction again I think. But I do hope you enjoyed another adventure with Frost Bite and Sing Song. Thank you for reading! Drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts!
Words from the Author (Trivias and Acknowledgements)The end. It's over. Wow. The Misadventure of the Renegades started with a simple thought: I want to write comedy. My idea was to focus shenanigans around a changeling and a breezie, something I thought was never done in FimFiction(but to my dismay, there already are fics like that and more popular too). Initially, the story was supposed to follow the current flow of episodes airing, turning it into a continuous story and possibly endless due to MLP not ending. But alas, I couldn't really write chapters fast, and back then I could only do one chapter per month. Considering I only thought of doing three thousand words minimum, I was slow. Here's a bunch of Renegades trivia: There were a lot of scrapped chapters, most of which I've already lost due to reformatting of my laptops I've worked on. The first lost chapter was the Renegades meeting with Zecora and messing around with Poison Jokes, and that chapter was something I don't really wanna remember because of Poison Joke's effect on Frost Bite. Another lost chapter about the Renegades was meeting with Doctor Whooves and have an adventure through time and space. Another lost chapter dealt with the child of the moon, and it was an ambitious story arc but I've never really gotten around it. There is a pair of chapters that I still have but incomplete; it deals with the Renegades going to Manehatten and meeting a new Mare Do Well who protects the city from crime. I'll let you all guys in a secret; Frost Bite's design wasn't really his back then. The blue pony with white mane you see today was a gender-bend of my OC Book Worm(the blue dude you see in my profile). Another secret is that Sing Song's design wasn't even made until I made the cover. I feel ridiculous not even attempting to make Sing Song's look back then. I made Mango Jill, thinking that there was no mango ponies to be seen around the fandom(which, surprise, there is actually a popular one and a sexy one at that). Her full name is MangoJill Ann Sullivarez. Before even Renegades, I've already assumed Mango Jill's personality which is seen in the story. Her twin Mango Jane was only made when I wrote the chapter in Crystal Empire. I made them twins 'cause I'm lazy and can't be bothered to create another mango pony design. Sue me. Not really a secret, but Champagne Barrels is one of my mascots of my FimFiction page and makes her first fiction appearance in this story. Champagne is my first ever OC I made a picture for. The secret with her is that she's actually made with General Zoi's Pony Creator. You can even make her there now, if you click the link. Ombré is an OC, but was inspired from my very first MLP roleplays I've ever done, in Omegle too. I used an OC named Jack who was a mare without her cutie mark(potential story right there) and that roleplay took hours and I really had a blast, but the other stranger disconnected all of a sudden. The Ombré from the roleplay wasn't a bat pony, and I'm having a hard time remembering the details since I've lost the chat log, but I would never forget his name. Ombré is an homage to that person. If you're there, Ombré, thank you for giving me a great roleplay experience. I never really gave thought to Nightingale when I first typed her name in her first chapter, and worse, I never thought of her as a 'her'. When I decided she's a she, I made it a point that I would make her gorgeous. Her mane and tail took time than most of my other OCs. I also realized that her mane reminded me of Maki from Love Live and it was too late when I realized that. I didn't intend to create anime hair, but there you go. I also noticed Princess Luna had changed with her recent appearances, unlike her appearance in season two from Nightmare Night, which kind of saddens me. I can't believe this took *checks fic's date stamp* almost three years to finish! If there is an ending song for this story, it would be Not Afraid by Francis Vace and Cherax Destructor. I'd like to thank my brother for being my first proofreader with this fiction. Without him, I would've sounded like a moron with those glaring grammar mistakes and spellings such as 'pruncess'. I would like to also personally thank you all for reading my story and making it to this chapter. I actually laughed when I came up with the jokes and scenarios so it makes me happy that people actually like what I've done for this fiction. Would the Renegades return? Absolutely, but I don't know when. Thanks for reading, peeps! This was a fun fiction, and I hope you'll read my future works as well.
The Renegades TimelineSeason 4, Episode 16: The breezies have returned from their migration Frost Bite leaves the Hive Sing Song leaves the grotto Season 4, Episode 18: Maud Pie arrives at Ponyville, meeting with Pinkie Pie’s friends Frost Bite meets Sing Song and becomes travelling buddies, with Frost Bite naming themselves ‘The Renegades’ Season 4, Episode 19: Sweetie Belle ruins Rarity’s dress for Sapphire Shores The Renegades meet Mango Jill Season 4, Episode 21: Rainbow Dash studies for Wonderbolts Reserves entrance exam. Days later, the Renegades arrive at Ponyville Season 4, Episode 22: Twilight Sparkle and her friends arrive at Rainbow Falls for the Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange to trade various items. The Renegades arrive at Canterlot Castle Frost Bite is recognized by Princess Luna as her personal student of magic The Renegades meet Ombré and he is tasked of being their bodyguard Season 4, Episode 25: Twilight Sparkle and her friends are back at the Crystal Empire to welcome the duke and duchess of Maretonia. The Renegades arrive at Crystal Empire and meet Mango Jane The Renegades and Ombré are sucked into the mirror, a portal to the Human World Season 4, Episode 26: The Renegades and Ombré meet Trixie Lulamoon of the Human World Frost Bite meets Vice Principal Luna Twilight Sparkle loses Golden Oaks Library and grows The Friendship Castle The Renegades and Ombré returns to Equestria The Renegades leave Canterlot Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Season 6, Episode 25: Queen Chrysalis learns of Frost Bite’s connection to Princess Luna and uses it to conquer Canterlot, capturing both princesses
