Rose In The Teeth

By closing time, she had swallowed her situation. She had fallen in love with a changeling, and said changeling, Lithid, had revealed herself to the botanist. Lithid was from across the ocean, and had known the real Colgate until she died in a fire. Lithid then took Col's place, and managed to get by until she got the Gala tickets. What worried her most was the fact that they were natural enemies, and if she was found out, she would probably be executed. How would this work? Probably like it has so far. It was closing time, and Lithid would probably be back from the dental clinic any time now. She went to the door, turned the sign to face CLOSED out the door, and went back to her bed. She hadn't gotten the paper yet today, she realized, and went to go outside. She pushed passed the door, and picked up the paper, and read the headlines with increasing horror.

"CHANGELING LANTERNS CATCH 2"

She just stood there, pale, and after what might have been seconds or hours, read on.

"A baker, by the name of Derpy Hooves, was recently revealed by the newly-installed changeling detection lanterns. The changeling tried to fly away, but was instantly subdued by the unicorn guard stationed there. The fate of her 'little sister', Ditzy hooves, is still being decided. She could be either put with foster parents, or tried and executed for treason. Knowing Celestia, the former is much more likely. Similarly, a changeling taking the place of Colgate, a world-known dental surgeon, was revealed. however, this changeling successfully escaped and is now being hunted down personally by Looking Glass, a unicorn private investigator. Looking Glass also has full military and local support in hunting down the monster."She knew exactly where she might be, and took off running for the nearest cab.

She just arrived at the inn where they had stayed for the Gala. Many a pleasant memory here. She walked in and greeted the keeper.

"Hello, has anyone been in room 24 lately?"

"Why, no. Would you like to check?"

"Yes please." She was given the keys.

"Be back soon. please." She nodded, and went up 2 flights of stairs. She found the 4th room, unlocked it, and entered. Instead of checking every corner, she tried calling out.

"Lithid? You in here?" She was greeted by small, blue pools from around a corner.

"How'd you find me here? Were you followed?"

"No, but I think you need a place to stay. Could you change into some foal maybe? That would work for my idea." She could tell that Lithid stifled a whitty remark, and turned into a small, white unicorn with a black mane and tail. No cutie mark" She then gestured for her to follow as she went back down.

"Okay, now act as if your in more trouble then ponies were when your kind invaded the castle." The now somber little filly had a tear in her eye, getting the point. She then shot her best teary puppy dog eyes. "Perfect." Rose then put on the most anger-suppressing face she could muster. As they walked out, Rose initiated the plan she had.

"Do you have ANY idea how worried your mom was? She was absolutely freaking out about you. Ugh." A pause as she approached the counter. "Here's the keys." She politely nearly snapped, best malice in her voice that she could muster. Once they were out, and the door was closed, she nudged the filly.

"Okay, quit it. Act normal, and lets go home, okay?" Lithid nodded, and she boarded the nearest cab. She paid the ponies pulling and soon they were on their way back home. It was a decently short ride, and they were to the train station before they knew it. It was a much longer train ride, but was silent. They couldn't really talk right now. Once they got to ponyville, they walked across the small town, opposed to carriage ride, and arrived to be greeted by royal guard carriages in front of the shop. Rose instantly turned around, and pushed the little filly with her.

"Halt! Roseluck, you are requested for interrogation." Rose jumped, and wondered why he didn't acknowledge the little filly, until she noticed a distinct lack on one.

"Oh, right. Okay." She then heard the distant, authorative call that made Rose nearly go into a coma.

"WE GOT IT!" Rose stiffened, and completely went into shock. She stayed in this state and thought she heard some thrashing, than snapped out of it when she heard a shriek, and felt like a bond of something inside her was cut. She wasn't feeding love anymore. Her whole world had been tossed, turned, and put through hell up until now. Everything was just settling, but now, she was shattered. She logically couldn't be sure, but she knew, Lithid was dead. She heard the guard say

"Nevermind. Be on your way, mam.", but she couldn't move. Mentally, she couldn't move. Physically, she was ice. Her life was dead. There would never be anypony who would ever care for her anywhere near like she did. After what seemed like a few eternities, but was really an hour or so, she shakily made her way back to the store. She shuffled through a cabinet with a still hoof until she found what she was looking for. A greenvine rope. She tied a knot in both ends, got a stool, hooked it up in the ceiling, put her neck through it, and kicked. Her life flashed before her, and after the painful memories finished flashing, everything seemed to just stop for her. In an instant, she was on the ground with a hoof on her soldier. She opened her eyes, and saw a large pony, cloaked in tattered black from head to hind hoof.