"To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."
-Sun Tzu, Art of War

I step outside of my Mustang, surrounded by both a cloud of dust that was kicked up by my car and a mob of Changelings. The bug-ponies glared at my every movement, setting me on edge as they looked like they were going to pounce at any minute. To my left, Applebloom was shaking with her eyes clenched, waiting for something to happen. When nothing happened, she peeked one eye open, and looked to where the queen had been launched. The dust around the building settled, leaving a large hole inside that one building that sold quills and sofas. Noticing the scary queen was nowhere in sight, she looked up to see me. I must have looked like a hero to her, but that might not matter now. After all, we are still stuck in the middle of the equivalent of a bunch of soldier ants, and I just attacked their queen.

Murphy is not a glorious bastard.

***Edgar's POV*** **four minutes ago**

Oh...

my...

GAWD!!!

I fangasmed all over the inside of my car when I looked up toward the castle balcony and saw the Mane Six. I mean holy shit, it's the real life Mane Six! I almost couldn't hold in my excitement from how awesome this is. It's like looking at Superman in the flesh, or Mickey Mothafuckin' Mouse. I know I shouldn't be this psyched up since I already met The Great and Powerful Trixie, but when I first met her I was still a little dizzy from the impact. Even after, I suppose that almost getting eaten by a dragon together, sharing a couple glasses (ok, bottles) of wine together, and her orgasming all over your pants is a wonderful icebreaker. I still can't believe that she was drunk enough to do that. Back to the point, that's different from actually seeing a real life main character from a movie or television show. Honestly, how would you react to seeing your favorite comic book or movie hero?

That didn't last long when I noticed the looks on their faces. Gone were the normal proud and lively looks they usually had, and in their place, just the look of defeat. They seemed argue back and forth for a minute or so, until suddenly the Queen turned... I don't know what exactly to call that. She got mixed emotions her face and then she... oh...

Oh my god.

She just killed that guard...

And I just watched it happen.

This isn't anything like the normal plotline I have seen during the show I've come to know and love. Sure, My Little Pony had its sad and exciting moments, and it even has some questionable moments like the perverted stuff that most the bronies saw during the season four premier. Sure, Sombra enslaved his ponies. Sure, Chrysalis went all "Little mermaid" on the Canterlot wedding episode. But there was never anything as horrifying as what is happening right now. It was meant to be suspenseful, but nobody died.

That was some terrorist shit that you'd see online on like liveleak or something. That was awful.

The reality that life could be taken so easily, even in what used to be such an innocent place caught me off guard like a ton of bricks. The fact that I just sat here and watched it happen weighed down on my conscience. Trixie told me to stay put and stay safe, but will it matter if everyone finds out I just sat here in my mobile suit of armor? I'd never be able to look anyone in the eye after that.

My contemplation was cut short when the Queen pointed at some changelings and said something that I would expect to not bode well for the other captives. As she started walking a couple steps away from the spot where she murdered the soldier, sheathing her weapon, the changelings she just commanded started walking toward the crowd of prisoners. They stopped by the Cutiemark crusaders and picked up a familiar banana-yellow filly with a red bow.

No... that's gotta be...not Applebloom!

Big Macintosh probably had the same thought since he tried to get up and bullrush the changelings to get to Applebloom. There was only so much he could do when he was being hindered by the green goop and the five other changelings that piled on top of him. He was pleading with the changelings to leave her alone, but they paid no mind as they placed her right where the guard was killed. Applebloom clenched her eyes as a can of clear, brownish liquid was being poured on her. The queen changeling turned over to face Applebloom and the balcony where the Mane Six were. She then said something to the girls, which sounded like muffled yelling to me due to being in the car, and then a small flame appeared at the top of her horn. As soon as I saw it, her intentions became very clear. She was planning on burning Applebloom alive.

With my heart beating frantically, I look over to Twilight, waiting for something to happen. Any last minute idea that she might have that could help save the endangered filly, but there seems to be some turmoil going on up on the balcony as Applejack is being dogpiled by everybody but Twilight.

"ONE!"

A refined, aggressive voice boomed. I look back over to the changeling queen who is currently fixated on the trembling filly right in the front. She's counting , that much is for certain. Im just going to assume that she's counting to three, since five and ten would be too generous for a villain type. I glance up to Twilight, my heart frantically beating as the drama unfolds.

What the hell is she doing just standing there? Ponyville is in danger and she is just gawking at the scene before her... and looking around frantically... and on the verge of tears. What is wrong with her? She's acting like she's never been in a situation like this bef-...This feels oddly familiar.

I mean sure, she and her friends have been in dangerous situations before, but there was always a happy ending. What this Queen is threatening to do however was not something they might have been used to either. Maybe if I could do something about that intimidating leader right there, then it might convince all the others to go and help. I can't be sure that they won't just sit there and watch while I get murderized out there, but I can't just watch this happen.

"TWO!"

came the posh, sinister voice that interrupted my thoughts.

Fuck, I got wrapped up in my thoughts. I look over to the changelings and I look back to the balcony. Not only does Applejack look about as fragile as Fluttershy right now, but both Trixie and Twilight, with tears in their eyes, look like they are about to just let this happen. Looking back to Applebloom, I start to give myself a pep talk.

"♪TWO AND A HALF~♪!"

Fuck, no time.

"OK Edgar, this is it. Any famous last words?" A moment passes in the car. Suddenly, I turn my keys and rev up my mustang's engine, giving myself a nervous nod. Upon hearing the roar of my engine, the changelings and the queen appeared to be momentarily distracted as they looked toward my direction still unable to see me.

"...Yea, I really wish I had a better idea then this!!!" I say as I floored the gas pedal, speeding up toward my intended target.

***Edgar's P.O.V***
**present time**

Come to think of it, it was impressive how close I just cut it with saving Applebloom. That might not matter as these changelings are staring at me. I look over to Applebloom, who is still looking at me. My car pretty much blocked her from everyone's line of sight, so I decided to try and get her out of whatever is covering her. Given that she's pretty much in arm's reach if I were to kneel, I do exactly that. She seemed scared at first, leaning away from me while she mewled in uncertainty. I put my hands up in a disarming manner, and I speak in a soft, hushed tone.

"Hey shh shh shh, its going to be okay." I say in a comforting tone. It was more to comfort myself then her to be honest, but she needs it a whole lot more. "I'm going to help you get out of this. Is that alright?" I asked as I placed my hand on her bindings. They had a really sticky, rough texture, almost like bunch of smooth rocks mixed with Elmer's glue and rubber gloves.

Applebloom still looked at me a with fear on her features, but softened considerably when she saw that I was not hurting her. She looked into my eyes and gave me a nod, wonder still prevalent in her eyes.

"Thank you for trusting me. Now just hold still for a moment Applebloom, and I'll get you out of this" I say in a quiet tone.

"Are you an angel?"

"What?" I asked as I fiddled with her bindings, a subtle smell of a gasoline-like substance permeating the air around Applebloom. Her bindings were strong, but there wasn't as much used on her as I've seen on other captives. I guess it was probably due to her size. After about a second of messing with them, I pretty much said fuck it and opt to tear it off her. It felt like tearing a small but thick stack of papers apart.

"An angel. I heard from Granny that they go to ponies and save'em when they're in trouble." She explained in a hushed tone, stretching her limbs after being freed from the goop. That was one of the cheesiest things I have ever heard.

Okaaaay. Another blatant Star Wars reference. Getting a little weird now, but got bigger things to worry about...like not becoming an angel.

As flattered as I felt by the adorable filly, that's going to have to wait. We are still in the middle of the road, many eyes of both captives and changelings were focused on me. The dust was still high enough to conceal Applebloom though, but it was fading fast.

"Applebloom, you're being such a brave filly, but I'm going to need you to be brave one more time." I begin in an encouraging tone. "Ok, I'm going to make a distraction, and when I do I want you to run as fast as possible to the side of that building right over there. The dust is high enough and the dust is small enough to hide you while you run. " I pointed to a house with a ruined flower garden and a purple roof. Applebloom looked towards the house, focusing it intently. Due to my panic, I probably butchered what I was trying to say, but Applebloom seemed to get the idea when she nodded and turned back to me. "Atta girl. Now get ready."

"But what about you?" She asked me with concern.

"Hey, I'm an angel, remember?" I say with convincing confidence as I leaned into the car. I knew there was a very big chance of me dying, but if I'm lucky, maybe the Mane Six will come to the rescue. At least there was a chance of going out with a blaze of glory while maybe saving a life. I went through my glove compartment, finding a CD. Any would do, since I just want a distraction. I stumble across one that says "Good music fo' dancin", and decided that that would do. I put in the disc in the slot and motion for her to get ready. She gives me a nod, and I raise the volume and press play.

As I walked over to the trunk of my car, I thought that I must be making a pretty good distraction since as soon as the music started, Applebloom bolted to the building without a single changeling going after her. The music actually seemed to reverberate across the entire town, which was surprising since I know my speakers are not that loud. I don't even think it's even being loud, it's like everyone could hear it clearly. That's the good news. The bad news was that they were still focused on me. As the part where the singer spells out the word "saftey" echoes across the deathly silent town, I take my black bokken out my trunk and place it inside of one of my belt loops. I then take out my White oak Jo staff and walk to the front of my mustang, hoping that the changeings and I just stay in a staring contest.

I know what you're thinking. "Golly gee Edgar, I know that you're the best around, and nothings gonna ever keep you down, but this seems very dangerous. so why aren't you going to hide in your car like a normal person? Or better yet, why don't you drive off?" Well, now that I think about it, that might have been smarter. But i didn't want to get stuck in the middle of a bunch of changelings punching through my windows and divebombing my car. If that happens, I'm practically canned food.

I looked at the changelings who are now slowly advancing on me, heads bobbing to the beat of the song. Atleast they have good taste in music. Gaining a combat stance as relaxed as I possibly can with my jo staff, I sing to myself some of the lyrics of the song in attempt to calm my nerves in the face of impending doom.

"We can dance if we want to." I say in a shaky breath. I take one last look over to the balcony where the Mane Six and Trixie was, but they were nowhere to be seen. As my last hope of possibly surviving this left me, I say the last line in a fearful tone while very un-manly tears threaten to spill. "We can leave your friends behind..."

"...cause your friends don't dance and if they don't dance-" A voice from the back calls out in... in a pitch perfect imitation of the lead singer's voice. That shocked me to say the least. All of a sudden, every voice, both changeling and pony called out in unison. "-Then they're no friends of mine." How did they know that song, and why are they singing? I took an experimental step to the left then to the right. To my surprise, the bug-ponies mirrored motion in unison.

All of a sudden the changeling mob start to shuffle back and forth, in a sort of rhythmic motion and smiling in a trance-like state. Looking more closely at them, I noticed that they added seemingly rehearsed footsteps to their...dance? Oh my God, they ARE dancing. They are not the only ones moving and singing to the beat, and in a stark contrast to their previous states the Ponyville citizens were all smiling with closed eyes and bobbing their heads from left to right in rhythm in a synchronized rhythm. If they weren't tied up or imprisoned, I think they would all be dancing without a care in the world...Like a musical!

I'll be honest, I did not see that coming.

As they continued there seemingly mindless display, a stupendous idea works its way into my head. It's so amazing...it's so amazing that... I can't come up with a phrase that will show how amazing it is. I guess I will have to put this idea into effect in order its amazingness to shine.

I put my staff and bokken into my passenger seat, stepping to the beat all the while. I take a seat in the car, and I drive at a snail's pace for like a couple feet, just to test something. Luckily for me, the changelings started to follow me, slowly starting to make a conga line. I then drive at a pace that each one could follow at, leading them out of town and toward the green empty field I passed by.

I felt like the Pied Piper, leading these changelings out of town. While the changelings followed along at a decent speed, I couldn't help but wonder why I'm doing this by myself.

Where the hell were the girls?

***Trixie's P.O.V***
**Six minutes ago.**

"You had ONE job, Edgar." I muttered angrily under my breath.

We were all currently standing on the balcony, staring wide-eyed at the scene before us. Not even thirty seconds ago, Queen Telsona was going to roast the earth pony's little sister, but Edgar just absolutely had to act like a hero and knock her into a building. All he had to do was stay inside the car, was that so much to ask?

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that the little filly is safe and unharmed. I'm glad somepony actually did something now since we were practically stuck in the shield. If Edgar didn't act out, we would probably be stuck here watching as she let loose tragedy by tragedy. The only problem I have with this was that now he was getting about a hundred angry stares from very angry changelings. Or, it's more like his car is.

"Uhh, Twilight darling, what is that thing?" Rarity questioned with fascination.

"I have no idea Rarity." Twilight began as she studied the newfound creature with caution. "I have never seen a species of Dragon that could have scales as large as that. It's almost like plates of armor. And are those wheels? Trixie, is that the friend you were talking about earlier?"

"Yep, and his name is Edgar. And he's not a dragon." I say with a mix of pride for my new friend and irritation at his foolhardy actions. They must have all been curious, since they never seen anything like it before. To be honest, it felt good knowing something that Celestia's prized student didn't.

"I don't care what he is, he better keep his teeth off Applebloom." Applejack said, not very trusting of the Mustang. Turning her red-eyed glare towards me with wet streaks still visible on her face, she lowered her voice in a dangerous tone. "Ya got that, Trixie?"

Gulping, I weakly nod.

"D-don't worry, he won't hurt her." I say with an embarrassing stutter.

"Well whatever he is, he's gotta be pretty awesome if he took down the queen that fast. I mean he's not as fast as me, but still pretty fast and tough." Rainbow Dash said as she hovered in place. "Heck, those changlings gotta be small fry compared to him. He'll wipe the floor with'em." She said in a confident tone, not realizing how wrong she was. He said he was just a High School student, so there's no way he could handle an army of vicious changelings... like the one he is currently right in front of.

"Twilight, we have to help him. He might have beat Telsona, but he's in a bad shape. He can't take on an army by himself!" I say, pleading with the pony that I used to hate. I can only hope we have enough time to help him before it's too late. Goddess I hope I'm not too late.

"Oh course...those wheels must mean he lost his legs at some point..." Twilight looked at the building Queen Telsona was launched through, contemplating something. Then, with a look of inspiration and hope she turned to her friends. "Spike, get ready to send a letter. Now that Telsona has been dealt with, I think we can finally send one to the princesses." She began as she started to jog towards the stairs. "Spike, write down that-"

"I know, I know. You had me write it down twenty times, remember?" The purple dragon interrupted with a huff. Twilight nodded at spike, then looked back toward her group of friends.

"Alright girls, let's head out."

As we started to gallop down the stairs toward the main gate with a portion of the guards that were still left, I begin to think about my luck here. From almost getting eaten by a dragon, to molesting somepony I like and making him feel like the guilty one about it. After all that, I finally got to the place I've been trying to get to only to have to go against an army to do what I wanted to do in the first place. Even something like that would be difficult with the hostility that the Pegasus was showing me. I almost wanted to be the old me, just to do whatever I wanted to her for a good three seconds. Oh, and don't even want to get started on Twilight...

Nope, too late. I just need to get this off my chest, so bear with me.

[b]Arrrrrgggg, that mare was really making it hard for me to ask for forgiveness. I'm trying to change and be a good pony, I really am. But does she find it necessary to one-up me EVERY! SINGLE!BUCKING time I try to do something?!?

I go in to town to make some bits with my magical talents, she puts an ursa minor to sleep to show that she was better then me. I become more powerful then her using the Alicorn amulet (which was bad, I admit), and she proved she was better then be by not even really using magic to beat me. I come back to apologize and show her that I learned my lesson became good at magic on my own, and she becomes better then me by default by turning into a BUCKING ALICORN PRINCESS!!! What the actual buck?!?

Did Edgar know about all this? Ohhhhh, I bet he did. Just wait until I get my hooves on him. If he somehow survives all this, I'll shove my leg so far up his flank, he'll be spitting horseshoes for a week. Why didn't he tell me about any of this, and what else does he know?

Shaking my head, I continue to run and try to catch up with Twilight and the others.

Maybe I'm being a little harsh. I just hate not knowing anything and feeling so helpless most of the time.

I couldn't linger on these thoughts for long, since I had a more important priority right now. As we ran toward the castle entrance, I started to hear some...music? It was muffeled by the building and shield, but it was still clearly music. Nopony but me and Twilight paid attention at first. The farmmare was galloping faster then all of us, probably to save her sister. But before she could bust through the gate, a purple aura of magic surrounded her.

"Twilight, put me down or so help me I'll kick ya so hard, you'll turn back into a unicorn." Applejack began with an aggressive tone, struggling against the magic that she was currently holding her in. Her ponytail was frazzled and her eyes were still red and puffy from crying a couple minutes ago."You already almost sentenced mah sister to death once, I won't let ya do it again!" She said, making Twilight wince as her friends trotted beside her.

"As much as I disagree with her tone, I agree with her words. Twilight, why are you still trying to stop Applejack?" A quiet butter-colored mare gently but sternly asked.

Twilight's ear twitched as she looked around the room. "Don't you guys hear that music?" She asks everypony. As they all swiveled their ears, they all nodded.

"It sounds funky. I love it!!!" The hyper one said with excitement, shuffling from left to right rhythmic motion. "Its giving me dance fever right now, and I just wanna shake my groove thang now!"

"Exactly Pinkie, dance fever is pretty catchy. In fact, I'm sure all of you want to just start dancing right now, don't you?" She questioned as she slowly lowered Applejack to the ground. I wish she would stop being so cryptic.

"Please Sparkle, just get to the point." I asked with a certain annoyance, tapping my hooves. I probably could have asked nicer, but I not going to just sit here while Edgar is outside.

Twilight looked apprehensive at first, she then took a glance at my hooves. She then pointed, as if to prove a point.

"Trixie, look at your hooves."

I didnt get why she as so interested in my hooves at first, but as soon as I looked down at them I understood why. The hooves that I were previously tapping out of annoyance had adopted the same beat that the music had, and were moving in a pattern of left, right, left, right. I tried to stop my hooves, but I just couldn't. It's almost as if they had a mind of their own.

"AHH, Makeitstop Makeitstop Makeitstop!!!" I yell out in fear, trying to stop myself from the involuntary movements of my hooves

I heard laughing from Rainbow Dash as she swooped by. "Oooh my gosh, that's priceless!!!" She snickered as she held her stomach. Well I'm glad somepony is having enjoyment at my expense. She's probably going be the hardest to get along with.

"I hate to burst your bubble darling, but you're doing it too." Rarity said as she pointed out that Rainbow Dash's ears were twitching to the beat of the music, in a left-right pattern similar to mine.

"Okay Twilight, what the buck is going on?" The tomcolt said in an aggravated tone as she tried to hold her ears still with her hooves.

"I think that's Melody magic outside." Twilight explained as she put another spell into the barrier that surrounds the castle.

"Melody magic?" Rarity said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, Melody magic, first discovered by Dr. Soundwave in 14 B.L.B. It's a phenomenon that happens when Harmony that is colliding with a voidzone is triggered by both strong bursts of emotion and a certain phrase or action. Many ponies that are affected tend have certain side effects, ranging from hearing music in the background to singing and dancing without realizing it or having control over it. The only ones that do have control over themselves are those that are either strong in magic, or in will during most cases. Even with the shield minimizing the Melody magic, you guys look like you're having a hard time controlling yourselves." Twilight explained as she looked at the door with scrunched eyebrows, trying to think of a solution to some new problem that only she knows about.

"Care ta' say that in Equish, Twi?" The frustrated farmmare said with a huff. This is the second time she got stopped from trying to get to her sister, so I'm not surprised that she is frustrated.

"I could explain more later, but the point is that unless you wanna become hypnotized by the music, we have to stay here until it fades." Twilight told Applejack with a heavy heart. The poor mare just keeps getting roadblocks before saving her sister, while Twilight probably feels awful giving this bad news time and time again.

"Just...buck it all." Applejack said with sad tone as she slumped down to the floor, weakly beating the tile as she took her frustrations out on it. All her friends went up to her and hugged her to comfort her, leaving me just standing their awkwardly. Good news is that I finally got control of my hooves.

Don't just stand there, do something.

I stand there in my spot thinking what I could do. She had her friends that she had known for a long time, but what did I have to offer? I walked up to Applejack, and paused in front of her. When she looked up at me with tired, watery eyes to see what I was doing, I took off my hat and waved my hoof around the rim. I then reached inside, and pulled out an a blue handkerchief.

"...Ta-Da." I say with a comforting smile, waving it in front of the grief-stricken mare as an offering. At first she just looked at it, sniffling all the while. Then she reached up and took it, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose into it. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the rainbow-maned pegasus that scrutinized me earlier looked at me with a newfound respect. All the other mares gave warm smile as they turned back to Applejack.

" *sniff*...Thanks." The farmmare said with a grateful tone as she looked away from me. It felt pretty good to do that, even after the hostility I was shown originally. Small thuds soon became more noticeable and louder it sounded like something was coming closer.

Spike, the dragon from earlier came running back back to us holding a scroll, out of breath as he tried to speak.

"Twilight.. ha... the Princesses responded. Celestia is staying in Canterlot to guard it while... Luna is coming with... ha... a battalion of whoop-ass. They'll be here in like, thirty minutes tops." Spike said with hope in his tone. All the other mares seem to relax as a look of relief came across their features. Looking back at door, I can't help but worry for Edgar.

I just hope they come in time.

**Twilight 's POV**

After a couple minutes of waiting we finally stopped hearing the Melody magic, and after a couple more minutes of waiting, we finally made our way outside of the gates of the castle. We would have left sooner, but when I asked Discord to check how many changeings were outside at the moment, he said that they left a while ago with the "Edgar" creature Trixie wanted us to help. When I asked why he didn't tell us sooner he said, and I quote, "How was I supposed to know you wanted to know where the changelings were until now? You never asked.". I swear my mane almost caught on fire out of pure rage. The reasons I wasn't outright yelling at him were due to Fluttershy being right there and the fact that he said everyone else besides a couple soldiers and that one guard, Private Spoon, had been moderately unharmed.

Private Spoon...

"Honestly, such brave and loyal martyrs like him are wasted on a selfish mare such as yourself…"

No, I can't think about that right now. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one, and as a Princess of Equestria I have to make sure Ponyville is safe first. Looking around at the carnage before me, I start to think of a plan to help those that are still captive.

"Alright Trixie, where in the Sam-hell is Applebloom?" Applejack said while looking around the area. Come to think about it, neither her sister nor the black creature is around. Applejack walked right up to Trixie, getting right up in her face. Trixie is looking around for "Edgar" frantically. She didn't seem to have an answer as she just stood there, mouth opening and closing almost like a fish. "Well, Where is she???"

"Applejack!" I said trying to get her attention. She looked over to me, frustration still prevalent her eyes. "Please settle down. We'll find your sister and get through this together." She seemed to force herself to calm down after I said that. With a plan now concocted in my head, I turn to Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow Dash, I need you and a contingent of Pegasi guards sweep the area for any survivors and changelings that might be still around." I say to the her in a commanding tone. I never liked to talk with my "Princess tone", but right now the situation called for it. Rainbow Dash didn't seem to mind though. In fact, she was probably used to it considering her time with the Wonderbolts.

"You got it, Twilight!" She said in an excited, brash voice. Turning to the Pegasi that came with us, She channeled her inner drill sergent and commanded the Pegasi with a sort of leadership ability she was born with."Alright ladies, you heard the mare. we got ourselves a search n'rescue mission with a Bug-Hunt to boot. Stay in cloud formation and shout when you see something. Move out!!!" As she sped off with the guards, I turned toward Applejack.

"You do the same thing Applejack, take a group of earth pony guards and scour the inside of buildings for anything, whether it be your sister and Edgar, other residents, or changeling." Unlike Rainbow Dash, there was nothing to be said. She just gave a determined nod toward me, a whistle to the guards, and a cloud of dust in her wake as she took of off, presumably to find her sister. I wish that she would understand. I had no choice...right?

"Rarity and Fluttershy, I want you and two other unicorn guards start freeing the captives and help tend to any injuries. Try to free doctors,nurses, and guards first so they can help tend to Ponyville." I told them.

"Okay Discord, now you be good and listen to what Twilight says." Fluttershy told him in a stern manner. When she got an affirmative nod from the Chaos Spirit, she and Rarity went off to the alleyways where the population was being held.

"Pinkie?" I asked, trying to get her attention.

"...Yeah?" She looked at me, hair still straight from when she saw Private Spoon di-... leave this world.

"Go with them and...be Pinkie. Please?" I said, mentally preparing myself for what might happen. I knew her Pinkie-sense would be very helpful in seeing if somepony was a changeling or not, but that ability came with Pinkie Pie being... well, Pinkie Pie.

Upon hearing this, she placed a hoof in her mouth and blew very hard into it, puffing her cheeks for a second. The puff then moved to the top of her head, and then settling into her hair and tail, making them all poofy again. She then bounced off, humming a toon that she probably just made up.

"Twilight, dontcha think that Rarity and the others might need more protection? You know, from changelings and such." Spike asked, obviously trying to hint that he wanted to go with Rarity.

"Hmmmm, you may be right." I said coyly, Spike visibly brightening at this."...Flashbang, go follow them for extra support." I commanded as one of my personal guards trotted off toward them.

Spike's stared slack-jawed as his head turned to follow the unicorn stallion. After I got my amusement at looking at his face, I used my magic to nudge him, urging him to go along with Flashbang. Seeing that I was just messing with him, he jogged along with my guard. While now might have not been the best time to joke around, I just needed to lighten the mood. It's probably why Princess Celestia likes to joke around a lot.

It's the little things in life.

"Discord, I want...what are you doing?" I questioned the now sunbathing draconequus. He was in a blue and white striped bathing suit, complete with sunglasses and a tanning mirror.

"Oh don't mind me, do go on." Discord insisted as he rubbed suntan lotion all over his body in a...sensual manner?

"Discord, I need you to- ugh, STOP THAT!!!" I shouted as he started to run towards me in slow motion, flipping his hair like a model. Stupid,sexy Discord "This is serious. I might need your help. Telsona could still be inside Quills and Sofas. I don't know if I want to risk taking her on alone." I explained to him. Even without the same level of magic that Chrysalis had during the Canterlot invasion, I don't want to risk a fight I could lose.

"If you need help Twilight, I'm sure that the Great and Powerful Trixie could be of assistance." Trixie said in an extravagant fashion. To be honest I forgot she was even here, but she brings up a valid point. She might be less powerful then me, but she is still strong nonetheless, as she demonstrated from not only being able to teleport through my shield, and bust through a marble wall.

"I don't think that will be quite necessary, my third-person limited friend." Discord began as a smile crept up his face. "She ran out of there a while ago."

"Wait, does that mean she is could still be around here?" Trixie asked, suddenly getting little more antsy then usual. Discord didn't show too much concern, however.

"I doubt it, otherwise we would still be able to feel her, true?" He said nonchalantly. I almost started to grind my teeth at this revelation.

"That would have been important information a while ago. So WHY exactly haven't you told us?" I interrogated. Discord simply started to smile wider.

No

"You really wanna know? Discord asked innocently.

Don't you dare!!!

"...You never asked." He said with a cheeky grin.

If Fluttershy hadn't come to interrupt me I would have screamed.

"Um, Twilight? Fluttershy asked. My anger almost completely melted as soon as in saw her. Who could stay mad after seeing a face like that? "I don't know if you can or not right now, but I think you should hear this."

Nodding my head, I went to follow her. Aside from Pinkie, Fluttershy is probably the most perceptive of us all. If she had something to say or saw something, it was probably very important.

With Trixie right behind me, I followed Fluttershy to the ponies that were being freed. Discord tried to follow us, but I gave him a new job: Get started on cleaning Ponyville. He tried to object, but with Fluttershy giving him puppy dog eyes he had no choice but to agree. Donning a Prench made outfit, he went to work on the houses. The sight brought a smile to my face.

Score one for me!

As I walked through Ponyville I couldn't help but have the smile fade from my face from when I looked around. Many stalls were turned over as the smells of both fresh fruits and flowers contrasted the atmosphere. A group of ponies we walked by just looked at us, some of them still shaking from the experience they just had. Rarity and Pinkie were doing the best they could to comfort them. Rarity by handing out blankets and food to the downtrodden souls, and Pinkie by trying to cheer everypony up. Their efforts seem to be paying off as the ponies they helped all seemed more at ease then they should have been. They are the element bearers for a reason.

As we walked on by, I spotted the pony Fluttershy took me to see. The familiar city official being tended by Dr. Stable as he wrapped her head.

"Mayor Mare, is everypony alright?" I asked her.

"Well aside from a few bruises and the fright we all have had, I think we are all okay, your Majesty." Mayor Mare said, coughing a little from after she said that from the dust.

"Um, Mayor Mare, you said you had something important to say?" Reminded Fluttershy.

"Uh a-what? Oh, right." Mayor Mare said. She then took a deep breath and began.

"It first started when I was walking home from work. When I got to my front door i heard somepony call my name. When i turned around I saw myself, looking at me with a blank expression. I then felt a something hit the back of my head and then all I saw was black." She looked up toward me took a breath and continued. "When I woke up, I was in an alleyway with a lot of other ponies. I think they used my identity and my home for their plan."

It might be a good idea to check her home later for anything that might help us.

"Thank you, Mayor mare. I will put this information to good use." I started to walk away, but a voice stopped me.

"Th-that's not all, your Majesty." Mayor mare continued. "What I wanted to talk about all about came after Queen Telsona killed that...oh by goodness. She MURDERED that poor colt. He didn't have to die but she still kil-" Mayor mare started hyperventilating as she looked like she about to puke. Nipping that in the bud, I tried her back to what she was trying to tell me.

"Mayor Mare, please focus. Now's not the time for that. What were you going to-" I was interrupted by the sudden sarcastic remark by her.

"Ha, now's not the time? It's YOUR fault he died in the first place!" She said, anger prevalent in her tone as her blood rushed to her face." You just sat there in your shield while killed stabbed him! Why couldn't you have done something!?!"

"Honestly, such brave and loyal martyrs like him are wasted on a selfish mare such as yourself…"

A bunch of eyes were looking toward me as the drama unfolded and everywhere it was dead silent except for the breath hitching in my throat. Rarity motioned for Pinkie to go over to another group to cheer them up, but she stayed put as she watched the scene.

"Mayor Mare, you know that's not what-" Rarity said to try and calm her down before things escalated, but Mayor mare didn't relent on her verbal assault.

"And what's worse is that you almost let a little filly burn to death. All because you wanted to hide behind your shield." She heatedly berated, hooves shaking from under her. "Were you going to let the same happen to us?"

"Please...stop it." I pleaded to the mare, teardrops threatening to break through. I was put in an impossible position, there was no way I could have made the right choice with what Telsona wanted.

"Some princess you turned out to be." The Mayor spat out bitterly, her own voice starting to break.

That last one cut me deep, and it would have broken the dam for me if Fluttershy hadn't intervened.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Fluttershy shouted at the official as she stared her down. Shocking the Mayor, she continued standing up for me. "There was nothing she could do there. If she let the shield down, then there would nothing to stop the queen from doing whatever she wanted. Now you apologize right now!"

Getting told off by a pony half her age was not something that happened often in Miss Mare's life. She was about to reply with vigor until she looked back toward me. I don't know how I looked to her, but her angered expression softened completely as it turned into one of guilt and regret.

"Your majes-...Twilight, I'm so sorry. Please, I'm- I was just so angry, but I didn't really mean any of that." Mayor Mare pleaded as she bowed her head down, begging for forgiveness as I wiped my eyes. I saw a few teardrops fall from behind the her hair onto the ground below, leaving a few dark spots.

Don't let them see you cry. You're a princess, remember?

There would be plenty of time for later. Right now, I have more important things to take care of. Using a calming method I learned from my sister-in-law, I took a deep breath while holding a hoof to my chest. After about a second passed, I released my breath while moving my hoof outward. I like to think of it as saying goodbye to my problems. Turning back to Mayor Mare, I gather what resolve I have and continue my duty.

"It's okay, I get that you didn't mean any of it. You were just scared, just like everybody else is right now. Even I was scared." I revealed. Ok, time for some diplomacy. "I was scared of what could have happened to all the friends I made here if I made the wrong choice. I still am right now, and I need to know any anything you can relay to me. I need to protect the ponies that I hold dear. Can I trust you to help me protect your city?" Mayor Mare nodded. " Thank you, now please tell me what else you saw."

"...after the black beast appeared, I started to hear music. It sounded like something the young colts and fillies would listen to, but it was so very catchy. Then it felt like I fell asleep again, only I could feel my body moving. When I started to wakeup from what felt like daydream, I saw a figure leave the hole in that building over there carrying a sword." Mayor Mare described as she pointed toward the hole in Quills and Sofas. "Then it moved to the road going west." Mayor moved her hoof from the building to the road going toward the field. The road itself was littered with hoofprints and two wagon-wheel lines going that direction. Rarity walked up to me and whispered in my ear.

"Great job, darling. You handled that like a paragon of patience." She said as she gave a hug.

"Yes, but there is still one more thing I need to find out." I explain. Turning to Mayor Mare, I start to ask her my question. "Could you tell me what the figure looked like?" I think it could be the changeling queen, but she probably changed her form to make it harder to find her.

The Mayor looked as if she was questioning herself, but then settled with what she was certain of.

"Uh, yes. This may sound crazy, but she actually looked just like you..."

***Edgar's POV***

Okay, so you know how when you're at your friend's house and you wanna show them the most hilarious video in the world? While looking it up you spend so much time talking about how funny it is, but when he or she finally watches it they don't laugh one bit. They just keep waiting for the funny part, but the entire video was the funny part to you, so when it's over they just stare at you like you're a dipshit?

Yea, that's probably gonna happen right about now since I probably overhyped my plan. To put it in layman's terms, "imma just run'em over with mah car. 'MURICA!!!"

Now before you get all bent out of shape, just hear me out.

I was currently driving my car to the field, Changelings following close behind. I had to rewind the song like five times though just in case the song ended, but I managed to get them out here. Looking at my rear-view mirror and confirming that they were right behind me, I sped up a bit while turning. While I couldn't run over a mob of Changelings, I could definitely do one at a time while they are in a conga line. It's like playing snake, only I have to actually hit my line.

You know, probably.

As soon as I was lined up perpendicular to the Changeling conga line I sped up even more, running over two changelings in front of me. Because Trixie had to cut me out of the car I had no seatbelt. I had to brace myself when hit them. While my elbows buckled a little it was nowhere near how the Dragon was. As I felt and heard the large thud, I watched as they skidded across the grass. The droplets of green blood splattered the windshield, making me cringe a bit. Reflexively, I turned on my wipers and soon the blood was gone.

Two

Doing an immediate 180° drift with my car (which I admit, was pretty fucking cool), I spend up to pretty much rinse and repeat. This is gonna take a little while...

Three

***Edgar's POV***
**some time later**

Forty-seven

Ok, so it didn't take as long as I thought, since I had like two more changelings to hit. Changelings littered the ground as I started to finish up. My car had many dents across the hood and a green tint across the windows. I guess my window wipers could only do so much with all that changeling blood. I took a quick look at my gas meter, and noticed it was like a third of the way full. I can't really worry about that right now, since i have to focus on running ove-Applebloom?!?

Scratch that, I guess I only have one to hit.

Flooring the breaks, I came to an abrupt stop about six feet from the filly in question. She didn't seem to react at all as she bobbed her head and hooves in a rhythm to the song.

What the fuck is she doing way the hell out here? I asked her to stay hidden behind the one building I pointed to, and she followed me anyway.

Bringing myself back to the matter at hand, I saw that her eyes were open in a blank stare and she had a trance-like grin on her muzzle. Didn't the ponies in Ponyville get sucked to this musical stuff too? I'm guessing that they too would have up and followed me if they weren't tied down.

Well, I guess couldn't have expected everything to go perfectly, but this just sucks. I know I'm the one who freed Applebloom, but what if she starts freaking out? I could have actually ran her over if some of the other changelings transformed to look like anypony here.

Turning off the engine, but leaving my car on so the music keeps playing, I leave to go and grab Applebloom. In the back of my mind I thought that she could have been a changeling. Thankfully, I soon smelled the familiar scent of gasoline when I got closer to her. Picking her up, I made my way over to the passenger side of my car. She wasn't that heavy, considering that she was the size of a suitcase. Opening it with one hand and putting Applebloom in with the other, I moved my training weapons to my driver's side and placed her into the car. She must really be into the music because the entire time I was doing this, she did not acknowledge my presence one bit. After I put her inside, I move to my side and turn the keys to the ignition.

...

I turn the keys to the ignition again, hoping the car will start this time.

...

I turn the keys again and again, frantically trying get this stupid car to start, but all I was getting were "pa-toots" and screeching noises.

This is getting really bad! The car engine was already pretty beat up when I ran into that dragon, so it couldn't have been much better after running over like forty plus changelings. The music is still going strong right now, but this is starting to worry me. Since the engine died, my mustang is currently running on the car battery, which is only running cause Trixie gave it a jumpstart this morning. It's only a matter of time before the car runs out of pow-

Almost as if on cue, the mustang died. Because the car died, the music stopped. Looking outside of my driver side window, I saw that the last changeling I had to hit. Before long, it's head bobs started to slow to a stop. It looked just like any other changeling from the show, but it also looked considerably more aware then before. It seemed confused at first as to why it was right there, and then it was examining the bodies of its comrades while making a sound that reminded me of a very loud cicada. I place my hand on the bokken that I had in my front seat, hoping that it wouldn't think to look this way just a little while longer.

"Mr. Angel?" A young southern voice asked in confusion. "What am ah doing here?"

Applebloom, breaking out of the trance-like state, now looked around in an apparent curiosity. I don't think she had ever seen anything like this before. She looked out of the passenger window, but thankfully all the Changeling corpses were on my side of the car, so she didn't see anything too gross.

"You fell under the same spell that the changelings fell under." At least I think it's a spell. I don't know exactly what happened, I just rolled with it. As soon as I mentioned the world "spell", Applebloom's ears perked up.

"Spell? Ya mean like magic?" She asked in a interested tone. She turned her head toward me, eyes full of wonder. "Ya must be like a wizard or sumthing".

My inner geek cheered in victory when she said that. She looked and sounded so sincere that I almost forgotten about the changeling outside. I was reminded of it when I noticed that there was distinct lack of Cicada sounds. Turning my head toward the changeling, I see that it had stopped looking at its fallen companions and is now has his nose toward the sky. It's almost like it's trying to sniff out something.

What is it looking for-...Emotions?

The Changeling stopped sniffing the air, and leveled his head toward the horizon. It then slowly turned its head toward our direction, neck making a sickening cracking sound that I could hear from inside the car. It's gaze soon came to look upon my car, which is covered in green blood. The look itself was very unsettling, since its look gave no indication on emotion. It's green eyes lacked any pupils, and its muzzle was closed. Emotion soon was visible on its face as its started to bar it's teeth and made the same Cicada sound it was making earlier, only in a faster tempo.

"What's that noise?" Applebloom asked as she tried to peer over my window. When she did she saw a lot of dead changelings and one living one standing right there in an aggressive crouch. She let loose a small scream in fear and she scrambled to try and get to the backseat. In her panic, she accidentally kicked the center of the wheel, honking the horn. The changeling jumped at this, then lowered his head so that his horn was level toward the car, hitting its hooves against the ground in the way that a charging bull probably might.

I know that the Cutiemark crusaders had a habit of messing up situations, but this is really fucking ridiculous. This is the second bad situation I have been put in today, and it's not even fucking lunchtime!

I placed one hand on my bokken, and another hand on the door handle. I don't think I will get lucky this time like I did with the Dragon. I might actually have to fight my way out of this. I'm decent with a staff or a bokken, but I don't know exactly how I would fight something like a this. I've only seen these guys in one episode and again today, and so far they're two for two in places captured. I'm probably in over my head on this one. I almost felt like giving up, but then I heard whimpering in the backseat of the car. I looked back and saw Applebloom, crouching on the floor between the front passenger seat and the back passenger seat trying to make herself as small as possible...and something changed.

It's not just my life stake, it's Applebloom's too. I have to fight it, cause I was the only one who could...

The bug-pony outside my door was now starting to charge, with the intent of ramming either the door or the window. I don't know which, but I don't want to take any chances. As it picked up its speed, I readied myself to fight it. As soon as it was in range I opened my door to try and attack it with my wooden sword.

*thump*

"HIYAAAAAAAaaaa...aaah?" I gave a loud battle cry as I slammed my door open, about to strike it. My battle cry died down when I looked to see the changeling on the ground next to my front left tire, and It wasn't moving. For a second, I was wondering why it was laying there, but then I looked toward my door and saw a medium sized dent roughly the shape of the changeling head. I must have hit it with my door when I slammed it open. It's a good thing I opened my door a little late if I opened my door little earlier, I might have had to fight it. Letting out a relieved breath, I gave a small chuckle in disbelief.

I'm alive... I took out an entire army and I'm alive. Holy shit, I'm alive!!!

"HELL YEA!!!" I gave a small cheer as I fist pumped the air.

Applebloom popped her head outside the window as she looked around.

"Is it over?" She asked.

"Yea, it looks like it. Phew, just... just wow." I responded, still not believing what just happened. Here I was, about to face an army, when all of sudden I go all Cuban Pete on them. I take out said army only to have my car stall right before I take it the last changeling. Out of shear dumb luck, I end up taking out changeling by opening my car door.

"Mr. Angel, can ah go home now?"

"...Yea, yes you can." I told her.

"...Hey, yer alright. Wanna come meet mah family? They might invite ya over for supper. You might even git to meet all mah friends too!" She said with her adorable accent. Applebloom glanced behind me and gave a wide smile. "Hey, there's one of my friends now. HEY TWILIGHT!!!" Applebloom yelled as she waved behind me.

What?!? Twilight's here? How did I not hear her? Shit, is my hair okay?

I turned around ready to greet her, but instead of the purple pony, there stood a changeling. It was a considerably larger, more feminine looking, and horribly familiar changeling with greenish hair starting at the base, then slowly turning a very light pink. She had crushed cricket cage strapped to a ruined saddlebag on her hip, and she was carrying an ugly katana.

Her pink irises eyed me with an almost predatory leer, but her smile seemed... vaguely innocent.

"Hello...Friend." she called out from afar in a pitch perfect Twilight Sparkle impression. "I must congratulate you on your fine work in dealing with these monsters, but you seem to have missed one." She said as she trotted toward the changeling that I hit with my car door. "Normally, Changeling chitin is very strong, but you've done so well in taking out this army that I guess it's not much of an issue for you. "

"Applebloom, go inside the backseat and hide yourself." I whisper before she gets too close. What the hell is she doing. She just killed someone like thirty minutes ago, and now she's acting all buddy buddy.

"But why? It's just Twilight." she said as she looked very confused. I looked toward Applebloom in disbelief.

Is she crazy or something? How can she not see the changeling right in front of us?!?

Looking toward Applebloom, I also notice my dulled reflection on the metal door. In the distance, slowly coming toward us is the image in the shape of Twilight. Double-checking behind me, I still only saw the changeling walking toward us. All of a sudden, the queen having Twilight's voice and Applebloom thinking she was Twilight made sense.

...she can't see that it's a changeling.

Looking back towards Applebloom, I try to convince her one more time.

"Because my Angel sense is tingling, now get in there!" I whisper with urgency. "You could get a cutiemark in hiding from changelings." I add, hoping she will listen. Thankfully, that seemed to have done the trick as she went closer inside.

As the queen came closer, I manually locked the door of my mustang, grabbed my Bokken, and shut my door. She didn't seem to give this any mind, as she spoke reassuringly.

"You don't have to worry, this changeling is in no condition to fight. You must have hit him very hard to knock him out like this." she said, lightly kicking the unconscious creature. " Nonetheless, we can't take any chances. I can take care of this one for you."

A tiny, sickly green orb started to form at the tip of her horn, and inside the orb was a dark black oval. The orb continued to grow until it was the size of my fist, and then when it seemed adequate enough for her, she released it. It floated slowly downward unconscious changeling, landing right on top of it. It paused for a second, and then it sinked into its body. At first, nothing unusual happened. All of a sudden, it's eyes shot open as it started to convulse violently, foaming at the mouth.

"That was a killing spell. I hoped I never had to use it, but these animals don't deserve to live." she said convincingly as she leaned toward the changeling with a menacing glare as its convulsions became smaller and smaller. "That was for the guard, you bastard." She whispered in an aggressive tone, watching as the convulsions stopped. She was probably trying to seal the deal and remove any doubt that she was anypony but Twilight. I actually almost would have believed that she meant it for a second due to how convincing her entire act was, but I know that Twilight would never act so vengeful. She obviously needs to do more research on her roles.

Taking her katana into a magic grasp, she turned me while false regret was subtle upon her features.

"I only wish we could have caught the changeling responsible for the tragic attack on Ponyville. Sadly, all we found was her sword." She said as she threw her sword on the ground. "Horrid thing."

She definitely had story straight. While she was acting out of character for Twilight, I probably still would have believed it if I couldn't see that she was a Changeling.

She took a step towards me, making me tense up with my practice sword. I kept my bokken raised in a cho-dan stance, handle near my center while my body was facing directly at the oblivious Changeling Queen. As calm as I was trying to be, I couldn't stop my hands from shaking. I had like two hunks of wood in total, and she had an ugly, considerably sharper sword. Taking notice of this, she widened her eyes and spoke in a calming tone.

"It's okay, I'm not going hurt you. My name is Twilight, Twilight Sparkle. I'm a princess of Equestria and I came to thank you for saving my ponies." She said in a disarming tone. "What's your name?"

I stayed silent at first, not sure how to respond to this situation. Raising an eyebrow, she spoke once more.

"Can you even understand me?" She asked. Pointing a hoof towards herself, she spoke very slowly, trying to get me to talk. "Me Twi-light. You?" She said the last line pointing toward me. I don't know why, but while I thought of letting her know I could understand her, I didn't think giving her my real name was wise. I came up with the first name that came up in my mind that I liked. Pointing to myself, I spoke to her.

"...J-Jon Snow. My name is Jon Snow." I said with a frightened stutter. To be honest, this bitch is scarier then you would think, being so detailed. I kept thinking back towards those people she killed. That one guard, the changeling,... almost killing Applebloom. I took a little comfort in the name that I chose. In the Game of Thrones series, Jon Snow is one of the few Starks that stayed alive in shitty situations, so his name gave me a little comfort. It might even bring me good luck, right?

"Ah, so it CAN speak." She said as she gave a friendly smile. "Do I frighten you or something? You don't have to worry, I don't bite..." and that friendly smile turned lustful as she adopted a sultry gaze . "... much."

She started to walk forward slowly, swaying her hips as she did.

"You know Jon Snow, I can think of a couple ways to thank you for your bravery. But first, I have to take the filly in your contraption home to her family." She said , still mimicking Twilight's voice, giving me what looked like a bug version of puppydog eyes. "Could you be a dear and open it so that I can get this done sooner?"

Those puppy dog eyes just flashed for a second.

"...I don't think that's a good idea right now." I said hesitantly, worried about what she might do. She looked very surprised at this, and then she gained a more determined look.

"I said, Can you open the door so I may get the filly?" She demanded as her eyes flashed a brighter pink light once more. I shook my head, and readjust my stance. "You don't want to deny royalty, do you?"

"How do I know you're really Twilight?" I asked, already knowing both the answer and what I probably just did.

"Come on, I'm an Alicorn, isn't this proof enough?" She said while flexing her wings. " Just look at my crown, it has my Cutiemark on it." She said as she turned her flank towards me, pointing at her crown while she did. I did not see any Cutiemark on her, nor did I see any crown different to the changeling one she had on her head. It must be something that only she could have seen.

"Alright, what's the filly's name?"

"How should I know? I'm a princess. I can't be expected to know every one of my subjects. Now hoof her over, or face the wrath of Equestria!" She demanded, stomping a hoof on the ground in frustration.

"The real Twilight Sparkle would have known the name of someone that visited her during Twilight time. You're a changeling." I stated in a serious tone.

She seemed positively flabbergasted and when I said this.

"Twilight time? Bu- I- Alico-... Oh buck this! Cower before my true form, whelp!" She said in frustration as a shroud of green flames soon developed at her hooves. It rose across her body, and as the flames subsided... nothing changed. Standing there was the same changeling I've been talking to for the past five minutes. She gave a wicked grin as she leered towards me, speaking in an excited but fancy sounding voice. "It is I, Queen Telsona. The Sting of The Swarm. Now open the door."

"Why exactly do you want her. What's so important about her anyway?" I question, not taking my eyes off her. The wicked grin she had was wiped off her face, and in its place was a sort of "are you fucking kidding me" look.

"...Did you miss the part when I turned into the deadly Changeling queen who was threatening you with your life?" She deadpaned with annoyance as she pointed at herself. "You were already shaking like a wet dog when you saw me as Twilight, yet you're no more scared then you were back then?" She questioned while shaking her head. "*sigh* Males... Look, just give me the filly and I will be on my way."

"You never said why you wanted her." I shot back, hoping to get her to monologue.

"I have a distinct feeling that you're trying to be difficult. If you must know, it's because frankly you just botched months of planning, and I'm not going back empty-hooved. I just want another bargaining chip." She looked to her left and leaned inward, pressing her face into the window of my mustang. Applebloom, whom I just noticed was watching the scene from the window the entire time froze, staring back at the Changeling queen. Seeing an ample opportunity, the Queen flashed Applebloom a malicious, fanged grin. While the filly scrambled away from the window in fear for her life, the queen turned her head back towards me.

"You know, I respect you."

...What?

"Its true. I met a stallion earlier today who was about as brave as you are being right now. It's funny... it's almost like a weird case of deja vu." She said in an ominous tone. "Fortunately for you, I have a proclivity to honor and bravado. A..."soft spot", if you would."

"Oh?" I say, trying to keep her talking. The longer she keeps talking, the longer it is before something drastic happens.

"Indeed. Not only did you take on the remnants of my entire army, but you're standing up to me. That takes some serious cahones, which is why I'm going to offer you a deal." She levitated her sword in front of her, and spoke in a low volume tone. "You are afraid to die, but I can tell from the way you are holding that stick that you don't know how to take a life. You don't have to die for some pony you probably just met today. Give her to me, and you can still live a long life. You can even tell anypony who asks that I took her by force. I'm sure they would understand. It's not like just any pony can challenge a Changeling Queen and live to tell the tale." She took one step closer with a look of pity etched on her face, almost as if to offer something sacred and invaluable. "You're not a hero. You're not a soldier. You don't even look particularly strong. So please, make the smart decision and don't defy a power like mine."

I'm hoping that you won't judge me to harshly, but I would understand if you did. I seriously considered her offer in just giving her Applebloom. I hit her with my car hard enough to send her through a building and yet she still got up. If that couldn't kill her, what chance did a teen with a wooden practice sword have?

I almost handed Applebloom over, but before I did that I looked over to Applebloom and what I saw I wouldn't forget anytime soon. The way she looked at me... she looked at me with such hope, like I could do this with my eyes closed. Like I could stare death right in his beady little eyes and laugh. I looked away from her face, and saw from her hair that it was hanging down, still drenched in the foul smelling fuel from earlier.

All of a sudden, I knew exactly what might happen if I gave her Applebloom. I might end up like that guard if I open the car for her, and Applebloom... I don't wanna think about what could happen.

"Well?" Telsona asked as she loses her patience, tapping her hoof on the ground as she watched her sword whirl in mid-air out of boredom.

"...No."

She stopped twirling her sword and she looked towards me.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you correctly. Did you say no?"

Nodding my head, I continued.

"There is no way I can trust you. You almost burnt a child alive for your own sick amusement, and now you're asking for her back? Beside, from what saw earlier, you would probably just kill me after I opened the door."

The Queen gave a small chuckle at this as she shook her head.

"Ok, guilty as charged. You got me all figured out."

"You are a heartless monster who would probably kill anyone in her way. You're literally worse than Chrysalis was. The worst she would do is just impri..." I wanted to continue what I was saying for as long as possible, but the words died right in my throat when Telsona did...something with her face. It honestly looked like she had an angry seizure as her face contorted into many emotions ranging from anger, doubt, happiness, major annoyance, and finally settling on an eerie neutral as her left eyelid twitched twice. I recognized all that from earlier from when she... oh no.

I take a couple steps back, griping my bokken in fear for my life.

"Don't EVER..." she said in a dangerously low tone, a cicada noise slowly getting louder as her wings started to beat faster and faster.

Oh Shit!

"...Presume to find me comparable with that Miserable Failure!!!" She screamed as she bursted towards me with her katana.

Author's Note

Sorry if the last chapter was a little dark compared to this one, but that was being done for a reason.

And also i'm sorry this took so long to get out, my job was being a little rough on me. Feel free to tell me what you think of this chapter

Shout out to Portal82 for some really great ideas. If you are reading this, mad props to you for helping with my writers block. Speaking of which, I wouldn't mind some more chapters of that.