Changeling Return
The Changelings are gone. Forever. According to public knowledge. 'Rumors' spread, 'truths' fly around. Only one thing is true though.
You can't separate a parasite and it's favourite food for long.
Chapter 1: Harmony
One year on, the couple were due to celebrate their 1st anniversary. Back to Canterlot from their mountaintop retreat, back to the ceremony hall and the Princesses. Back to bad memories and déjà vu. The Elements of Harmony, or just Twilight, outdid herself last year. Saving Equestria against all odds and against everypony. The Changeling population seemingly vanquished. Celebrations ran for weeks, just for life to return to its original state of harmony. Twilight went back to her research (although she was still nervous about the Changeling threat) about and the others went about their jobs. Rainbow received special attention from the Wonderbolts after a royal performance, and agreed to work part time at big festivals. Fluttershy kept on nurturing her animals and was training to become a vet. Rarity was even busier than usual, and Applejack was rolling in bits after royal endorsement. Pinkie was now into DJ'ing with Vinyl. Everypony was content.
Friday, 15:45
"Cadance, dear. We agreed to go see Twily tomorrow!"
"Ok! I'm not trying to stop us! You sound as if you are telling me. I know, darling. I was there when we said we'd visit."
"Sorry. I'm just a bit stressed."
"Over what? We are here, atop Canterlot mountain, in a warm, cosy cottage together! There isn't anything to stress about!" Candance walked over to her husband and muzzled him.
"I wish you were right..." Cadance looked up at him.
"What's wrong?" Shining Armour walked over to the window.
"Canterlot is back on high alert."
"But wh- Oh no! Tell me it isn't! Tell me!" Cadance rushed to him and gently sobbed into his shoulder.
"The Changelings are back in Equestria."
"But... No! No! No!!" Cadance shut the blinds, one by one, and locked the door. "I couldn't take it again! I'll break! We need to leave-"
"I've already discussed it with Celestia."
"Yes?"
"The train leaves tomorrow at 10:30."
Chapter 2: Twily
Saturday, 10:20
"Where is he? He promised not to leave me! Again!" Twilight paced the house. "For Pony's sake! He doesn't even live far away!"
"Calm it! Sheesh! He'll come alright."
"Spike!"
"What?!"
"....Shut the hell up!"
Spike sat there in silence. Twilight walked out. She would visit him instead! If he wouldn't show his face, she'll make him!
"Is that it?"
"Yes... I've packed everything... I still find it hard to believe the Princess just said you could go."
"Cadance... Exactly a year ago somepony much more important than my job came into my life..."
"You- you quit? But who took your place? I can't believe you would give it up!"
"I didn't really. I got paid off. I was too caught up in you to do my job as well as I was previously. Not that that is a bad thing!"
"How much did you get? I mean I'm a Princess! We have plenty!"
"I got a job as Leader of Military in Manehattan, up north. The Changelings are coming from the south - Canterlot is our first line of defence."
"You mean- we are leaving Canterlot as bait?!
"Only if necessary. Troops are being sent south here, but if we are apparently losing then Canterlot is lost. We fall back to Phillydelphia. Then Manehattan. If it does manage to take Canterlot, we have a weapon."
"Okay... I'll try to come to terms with this... You can explain more on the train."
The couple picked up their bags and headed towards carriage 46, as dictated on their tickets. The station was busy, busier than usual. Canterlot Central was usually quite busy though. They were stopped by a colt in a conductor suit.
"Hello! May I take your bags?"
"Erm... I don't see why not."
The unicorn lifted up the bags and went inside, leaving the duo on the platform.
"Did you see-"
"Yes. Cadance, we are leaving." Shining Armour grabbed her hoof and ran out the station. In time for carriage 46 to explode in flames.
Twilight was re-analysing what the Queen said, while up in her suite.
"In my heart there is no room" - did this mean there was a King? Another threat? Twilight being Twilight she wasn't convinced by Canterlot's official statement.
"The Changelings are gone, and no longer a threat to Equestria - thanks to Twilight and her friends"
"Horseapples!" Twilight said out loud, after reciting it in her head. After her outburst she decided to keep talking aloud to herself "How did the Queen even get in Canterlot in the first place? Shining Armour's spell was active from the moment they noticed the threat... Unless she was already inside!" Twilight closed her books, packed them in her saddlebags and ran outside. Straight into Cadance.
"Twily! Thank Celestia you're okay!"
"Cadance! BBBFF! What happened!?"
Shining Armour looked up to Twilight.
"We are leaving."
"But why?! You cant just leave!"
"Celestia has already approved it. I'm afraid we can and will."
"You would never leave your post without good reason. Tell me the truth - why are you leaving and going... Wherever!"
"Shhh! Go inside! I need to talk to you." The trio walked inside, gingerly closing the door behind them.
Chapter 3: Change
"Their back?! I knew it!"
"How? Official matters are only allowed inside-"
"Enough with the political crap! A nationwide crisis isn't an official matter! It's a big problem Everypony should know about!"
"Look. I came here after an assassination attempt at Canterlot Central."
"Oh my gosh! What happened?!"
Cadance stepped forward. "A 'conductor' offered to take our bags. The unicorn took them - with green magic."
"They're already here?! Dammit!"
"Twily. Whatever you've worked out in the past year is invaluable. I need-"
"I'm not leaving."
"...Fine. Just tell me what you know."
Twilight explained about the tell-tale signs of future invasion, about her heart and how Queen Chrysalis was already inside Canterlot.
"Twily... Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"
"I'm not leaving Canterlot defenceless, especially in a political scheme to essentially use it as bait! I'm staying an fighting!"
"Okay... Okay. I'm not stoppi-"
"I need the next train to Canterlot. I have investigating to do."
"-ing you. Go. Just, please, be careful." The trio exchanged hugs and words of wisdom and went their separate routes. Twilight couldn't do this herself. Who better to help her on the anniversary of the Liberation of Canterlot than the ones who actually helped, one year ago. Although, Princess Luna and Celestia had some explaining to do, and some aid to give.
