The Cobwebs Of Ignorance

by H123G

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Changelings, Original Character, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Adventure
Length: 117769

Changelings. Feared, hated, and above all: misunderstood. When the Canterlot Invasion fails and the Changeling Commander is stuck alone in the forest, the CMC get the chance to find out just what lies beneath the chitin.

While out on a cutie mark crusade, the Crusaders happen upon a lone changeling on the edges of the Everfree Forest. After a scuffle the changeling finds itself injured and trapped in Ponyville. Seeing an opportunity to earn their cutie marks the girls take the changeling in, planning to teach it about Equestria.

However what they don't know is the changeling is actually the Commander to the Changeling Empire, and he has his own plans in mind.

But soon events play out for the four as they endure the aftermath of the Canterlot Invasion, and perhaps toughest of all: Each other. Lessons are learned and stories are shared between one another, leading the changeling to question its motives, and itself. Leading it to ask the biggest question of all:

"Can creatures that's special talent is to change its appearance, change in other ways...?"

Published 2012-06-02 02:54:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-01-22 13:49:17 UTC

Prologue: Awakening

“Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.”
--Mahatma Gandhi

~*~*~

The fireworks roared in the skies. The wedding had ended, Canterlot was safe, the changelings were gone, and all was well…

For the ponies of Canterlot it was.

Deep within the dark reaches of the Everfree Forest, a lone changeling was left unconscious in the tall grass. A faint breeze blew by. The cool feeling of the wind flow across its face, causing the disoriented changeling to stir.

Slowly, the creature began to open its eyes. It blinked a couple of times before sluggishly getting up. As it stood the changeling then started scanning the unfamiliar surroundings of the forest.

Where was it?

How did it get here?

Like a punch to the face the realization dawned on the changeling, as the memories of their attack on Canterlot came back to it. All of which could be summed up in one simple word:

Failure…

Hours earlier over the skies of Canterlot, an army of mighty insects known as Changelings floated above the dome that shielded the city from their march. The dome was beginning to show signs of damage however. It wasn't going to last.

The lone changeling watched as his brothers and sisters ruthlessly bashed against the shield. Ordained in his royal armor, which consisted of a dark chest plate and helmet, the Commander watched with a cold emotionless look as his troops were getting closer and closer to breaking the shield. Then, something caught his eye.

Looking down he saw... them! What his kind referred to as, The Element Bearers.

Letting out a small chitter, he gestured his troops attention towards them. Many gave small grins of pleasure as they saw the clear fear in their eyes. This only strengthened their determination as they stepped up their attacks on the shield.

Finally with one… last… hit…! The dome shattered.

“GRRRRRAAAAAWWWWWCCCCCKKK!!!” The Commander released a loud shriek as his army descended upon the city. Gesturing his hoof towards the Element Bearers, he quickly ordered a group to go after them.

Following his command, they rocketed towards the ponies like comets falling from the sky. While they distracted the ponies he gestured another group to follow him. Giving a small nod they complied. Flying ahead toward the bridge that lead to where the Elements of Harmony were stored, the Commander and his troops touched ground. He gestured them to hold their position.

They obeyed, but were antsy. He could hear their low growls and snarls of anticipation. He couldn't blame them. The day they trained for was finally here. The day the changelings would claim a new land.

Along with it, a new future.

As predicted, the six Element Bearers appeared only to come to a halt as they spotted the Commander’s group. The six mares soon found themselves surrounded by changelings. Shock and fear gripped them, except for one of them. A rainbow colored one. She bashed her hooves together as she proclaimed, “Looks like we’re gonna have to do this the hard way!”

She came forward only to be blocked by... herself. In a manner of speaking.

The doppelganger soon started mimicking her every move until finally shoving the pegasus.

“How did he--?”

Soon green flames were going off everywhere as every changeling started changing into a one of the Element Bearers. The Commander joined in as well, taking the form of the orange pony with the funny looking hat. Their strategy was simple: Take the form of a loved one, and your opponent will hold back.

Looking toward the rainbow colored pegasus, the purple unicorn answered, “They're changelings remember?”

“THEY'RE CHANGELINGS, REMEMBER?!” the other changelings mimicked, mocking the purple unicorn.

Getting into a fighting stance, the unicorn shouted to the other ponies, “Don’t let them distract you! We have to get to the Elements of Harmony! They're our only hope!”

They all charged and a fight ensued. In the midst of all the dust and chaos, the Changeling Commander wore a menacing grin of pleasure and anticipation. Technically the orange pony he was mimicking was.

Finally… after all the years of training, his skills would be put to the test. Not only was the he in a battle, but also he was in a battle with The Element Bearers! He was fighting for something! Not for survival, but for the future. He would make his Queen, and his people proud.

He charged forth ready for anything, only to find himself at the business end of a… horn? Looking forward he found the pink pony holding onto the purple unicorn like she was some kind of tool. One that fired PROJECTILES OF PAIN!

Before he had time to react, the commander, along with three other changelings were struck and sent flying out of the fight and off the bridge. Acting quickly he shifted back to his original form and started buzzing his wings. His quick thinking proved resourceful as he safely landed to the ground.

"UGH!"

"OOF!"

"ARGH!"

The other three didn’t fare so well. Ending up in a pile on top one another. The commander shook his head in disapproval and shame at them. He focused his gaze back towards the bridge.

With a snarl of anger he took flight and flew up at high speeds back toward the fight.

"Forget shape shifting, I’m gonna--!" When he reached the top he found the beaten and unconscious bodies of his soldiers littered throughout the area. He missed the fight.

How did they--? He suddenly realized what was missing amongst the mess: THE ELEMENT BEARERS!

The armor-wearing changeling took off and flew as fast as his wings could manage toward the building, only to come to a halt. At the entrance to the hall were the six mares from before. Completely surrounded by a company of his warriors.

The commander gave a small growl of frustration for missing his chance. Giving his wings more strength, he flew high over the mob until he was right above them. Looking down he saw the six ponies, each one looking back and forth at themselves and the creatures that surrounded them. They wore expressions of confusion and worry. They were so close, yet so far.

“COMMANDER! Commander Dead Ringer!” a low shrill voice called.

The commander dubbed Dead Ringer turned his attention toward the source of the voice to find a small group of changelings flying towards him.

“What shall we do with them sir?” one changeling asked, gesturing towards the six ponies. Dead Ringer turned his focus back to the six mares to find their attention now focused on him, having heard every word. He merely stared back, narrowing his eyes menacingly at them.

“I have few IDEAS for them…” another changeling spoke. His voice was nasal high, but raspy. His tone however held mixes of anticipation and pleasure as he moistened his lips. Dead Ringer gave the following response:

WHACK!

By punching him in the horn.

“I’m in charge here, and I decide what we shall do! Got it Shadow?!” the Commander ordered, his voice raspy but strong and radiating with authority.

The changeling dubbed Shadow nodded in response while rubbing his hurting horn. "Oh bu-but of course sir!" he stuttered. "I-I wouldn't dream of disobeying you. I live to serve!"

“Good.” Dead Ringer then turned his gaze back to the six ponies. “Take them to the Queen!" he ordered. "She can decide their fate!”

The changelings below nodded as they converged on the six. The small swarm flew off towards the castle with the six ponies in tow. The purple unicorn was silent the rest of the way, but the other five were a different story.

“You bugs won’t get away with this!”

“Let go of me ya critters!”

“Unhoof me this instant you brutes!”

“Um... Can you please fly a little slow? Please…?”

“WHHHHHEEEEE!!!!!”

Dead Ringer’s expression faltered a little as he heard the five cries. Those were the Element Bearers? The ones who saved the land of Equestria twice? Besides the purple unicorn the rest seemed like jokes!

Suddenly feeling all eyes on him, he turned his attention to the remaining changelings that awaited his command. Quickly adjusting his helmet he faced his remaining troops.

“YOU ALL KNOW WHAT HAS TO BE DONE! NOW GO! FOR THE HIVE!”

His changelings below bowed to their leader before flying off in different directions, leaving Dead Ringer alone. Setting his sights toward the inner city, he flew off.

Chaos filled the streets as mixed shouts of ponies screaming and changelings shrieking filled the air. Guards were being captured, families were being cornered, and there was no Princess or Element Bearer to stop them.

Victory was assured.

Dead Ringer watched it all from above, perched on top of a roof of some fancy mansion. He soon started giving the air a sniff. Another thing was pervading the air, and it wasn’t just noise. No it was… emotions.

The changeling could smell mixed emotions of fear, worry, and uncertainty coming from the fleeing ponies down below. It gave him a slightly disgruntled look. Changelings fed off positive emotions, not negative emotions. Then again, it wasn’t becoming a very positive day. For anyone.

His gaze falling Dead Ringer breathed a sigh. He'd seen enough.

The soldier was about ready to fly off to the castle to join up with his Queen, when something caught his eye. A bright light was glowing in the castle where the wedding was being held. Covering his eyes, Dead Ringer tried to make out the source of it.

“What is that?”

Suddenly, what resembled of an explosion of some kind flung the unsuspecting changeling into the air with great force, then flying out of the city at intense speed. He struggled and tried to fight against the current, but whatever magic was propelling him was just too strong. Next thing he knew he felt the sharp pain of branches and twigs scraping him as he fell. Then the blunt trauma of impact, followed by…

Darkness…

Dead Ringer shook his head along with a shudder as he tried to make some sense over what happened. What went wrong? he wondered. Was that the power of the Elements? That couldn't be possible! His troops captured them before they got to them! So what happened?! What went wrong?!

His confusion and frustration building made the disgruntled soldier roar in anger. All this thinking was adding more stress to an already throbbing headache. He placed his hoof on his head to try and numb the pain when he realized something. He was touching his BARE head…

Placing both hooves to his head, he came to the startling realization:

“My helmet! It's gone!”

Another thought dawned on him as he examined his chest area. His chest plate was gone as well! He began looking around frantically to try and see where it could have landed. “If the Queen sees me like this, she’ll--”

He stopped dead sentence when he came to the biggest realization:

The Queen… THE SWARM!!!

Listening carefully, he tried to make out the distant sounds in the forest. All Dead Ringer could hear were the sounds of crickets chirping, owls hooting, frogs croaking, but not one sounded changeling.

In desperation, he let out a loud shriek into the forest, the loudest he could make. Hoping in vain one of his own would hear. He waited quietly, listening for anything. The animals of the forest were all quiet now. The call itself was enough to frighten the nearby creatures to go silent.

All that could be heard now was the echo of the screech and the flutter of birds escaping it. Dead Ringer tried listening again as he heard, to his displeasure, nothing. No growl, no shriek, no sound of wings buzzing, nothing… Which led the unsettled soldier to the depressing conclusion: He was alone.

Looking toward the ground he could make out an imprint in the dirt from where he landed, but it was only one imprint. Wherever he landed, he landed alone. The changeling’s expression slumped into a frown as everything dawned on him.

He’d failed to lead his kind to victory, he was lost in a foreign land with no clear distinction on how to get home, he was most likely a wanted fugitive in this land, he was alone, and he lost his armor, which was as good as declaring him a failure. Besides the fact he was unwanted in this land, how could he return to his homeland? He was the leader in this attack, so he rightfully shared the blame for its failure. Not only that but returning there alone, broken and naked without his armor, would only ruin what little honor he had left to his title.

“AH!” the changeling let out a groan of agony as he finally felt the pain his body was producing. Giving his body a thorough look, he could see cuts and bruises all over. He was bleeding, but not by much. He was in no condition to be invading anytime soon however.

“This day just keeps getting better and bett--” He shut himself up when he realized what he had been doing the entire time.

Panicking. Complaining. In other words, acting weak. And he was anything, but weak!

“What am I doing?!" he shouted to himself. “I’m Commander Dead Ringer! Commander of the Changeling Empire! I may be down, beaten, and naked! But I am NOT finished! I will return and find some way to restore my honor!" He may have failed in one of the biggest events in his people’s history, but he wouldn't let that ruin what he was! What made him commander!

“DO YOU HEAR ME EQUESTRIA?!” he shouted to the heavens. “YOU WON’T MAKE A FOOL OUTTA THIS SOLDIER!!!”

Feeling his point was made, the changeling took a step forward towards… he had no idea. However, it was better than just standing there doing nothing. The changeling was done embarrassing himself. He will return to his kind, he will return to his Queen, and he will find some way to make her and his kind proud. He held his head up high as he felt his confidence starting to return. Which is why he didn’t notice the hill he was about to tumble over

“WHA?!”

Rolling down the hill with incredible speed, the changeling fell to end of the hill and into a nearby mud swamp. Surfacing with a gasp for air Dead Ringer splashed against the water, desperately trying to stay afloat.

He might've drowned right then and there if it weren't for a long branch that hung over the muddy waters. Using what little energy he had left he was able to leap for it, taking hold of his savior with the sharp edges of his teeth.

Clinging to the branch for dear life, Dead Ringer started climbing. As he reached the top he made a blind jump and hit the ground. He was already too tired to worry about whatever pain it brought him.

Picking himself the hurt soldier wobbled as he tried to breath. A feat that proved difficult for some reason as Dead Ringer found himself gagging all of a sudden. Almost as if there was something lodged in his throat.

“RIBBIT!”

With one huge cough, the object lodged in his throat finally came out. To Dead Ringer’s disgust, it was a frog. The amphibian gave one last annoyed croak to the changeling, as if to voice its anger for almost being dinner, then started hopping away.

The changeling just waited there in silence as he watched the frog hop away. He was now wounded, soaking wet, and now a horrible taste polluted his mouth.

“Well,” he said to himself as the frog left his sight. “There goes what little honor I had left.” With one last groan, the changeling collapsed from exhaustion, and soon darkness took him again.

Author's Note

Since changelings feed on positive emotions, I theorized that they can smell it too. Farfetched as it may seem to some, I feel it adds a level of intimidation to them. Think about it: Being able to smell the fear off your prey, to smelling the happiness off them, it just seems to fit these creatures.

Encounter Between a Rock and a Hard Place I

“Adventure is just bad planning.”
--Roald Amundsen

~*~*~

It had been an entire week since the incident in Canterlot. Since then things have been different in the settlements of Equestria, especially Ponyville. However, it certainly wasn’t ruining a day at Sweet Apple Acres. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, the birds were chirping, and the apples were fresh for the picking.

Out in the apple fields Big Macintosh and his sister Applejack were collecting apples for the farm. Out on the front porch Granny Smith was snoring away as she rocked back and forth in her chair. While inside the house little Apple Bloom, dressed in her Cutie Mark Crusader cape, was in the kitchen preparing for the first ever, Cutie Mark Crusader Picnic.

“Hmm, let’s see…” she said to herself. “Scootaloo likes the crust cut off her daisy sandwich.” Slowly and carefully Apple Bloom did so to said sandwich before.

After the last piece was cut, she smiled proudly at her handy work, then wrapped the sandwich up and placed it in the picnic basket next to her. “Now all that’s left is the juice boxes and that should be--”

“BOY HOWDY!”

On cue a sweating Applejack walked into the kitchen. “Boy I tell ya them apples trees get tougher and tougher every harvest! It's takin’ me two bucks just to shake ‘em,“ she announced wiping her dripping forehead with her hat.

Apple Bloom responded with a simple nod as she hopped off her stool and headed over to the fridge for the drinks. Walking over to the sink Applejack proceeded to wash the sweat and dirt off her hoofs, until she noticed the basket. “Whatcha got goin’ on here sugarcube?”

“It’s ma mimic askit!” Apple Bloom responded with a juice box in her mouth.

“Huh?”

Balancing the other two on her head she hopped back on the stool and propped the three juice boxes on the table. “Ah said its mah picnic basket. It's for me and mah friends. We’re havin’ our first ever, CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PICNIC!”

Trying to rub the sound back into her ears Applejack responded, “You don’t say…”

“Eeyup! It was Scootaloo’s idea!”

With the ringing in her ears going silent, Applejack slowly started eyeing the basket curiously. “So where y’all having this picnic?”

“Sorry sis, its top secret! Only official cutie mark members can know!” Apple Bloom started placing the juice boxes into the basket as Applejack slowly closed in wrapping her foreleg around her sister.

“Aw c’mon now. This is yer sister Applejack! You can tell me anything!”

Closing the basket up Apple Bloom gave her sisters request a ponder. “Hmm… Nnnope.”

“APPLE BLOOM!”

Sighing in frustration Apple Bloom responded in a sincere tone, “Ah’m sorry Applejack. I couldn’t tell ya even if Ah knew.”

“Ya don’t know where y’all meetin' up?”

“Naw we know where we’re meetin’. We just haven’t decided where we’re a havin’ the picnic. We haven’t exactly been seein’ each other that much.”

Five days to be exact. After the attack on Canterlot, the Crusaders along with the other six older ponies stayed in the city for about two days. Twilight and Spike went to see Celestia to try and help her assess the damage. Rarity tried to see what fashion shops were intact. Rainbow Dash tried to meet up with the Wonderbolts. Fluttershy went to see if the animals that inhabited Canterlot were unharmed. Applejack meanwhile kept trying to aid the ponies stationed with cleanup. Telling them all: “A little elbow grease is what y’all need!”

While thankful for the offer, most of the cleanup crews relied on magic to help with cleaning the mess. As for Pinkie Pie, well… she just did what she does best: Sing, dance, and have a party!

All while trying to cheer up the distraught ponies that were upset over the attack of course. As for Apple Bloom and her friends, they were forced to remain in their room. With the damage to the city and the possible threat of lingering changelings, the older ponies didn’t want them wandering around unattended. It was a rather boring and uneventful time.

Finally Applejack and the others decided to head back to Ponyville, all except for Twilight. With Shining Armor away on his honeymoon and Canterlot still in ruin, Twilight felt it was her duty to her brother and Celestia to try and help out in repairing the city. Plus she didn’t feel comfortable leaving her parents with the condition the city was in.

After a few long goodbyes the others headed back to Ponyville. Even though it was untouched from the attack Ponyville was feeling the effects of the changeling threat. Upon exiting the train station they found the Mayor was holding a town meeting. Curious to see what the fuss was about they joined in. They could already tell by the resident’s faces that they were all worried.

The Mayor decreed that by order of Princess Celestia, all residents were to report any suspicious sightings in the area, remain in doors after sundown, and above all else, she made sure to make this last one clear: Keep your distance from the Everfree Forest!

Confused by such a decree Apple Bloom had to ask Applejack about that last one. She responded that while their reasons were unknown to them, Celestia and Luna believed that the Everfree Forest was where any remaining stragglers were headed. To avoid possible confrontations it was best for their subjects to just stay away from the forest for now.

Once the rally was finished it was time for the ponies to head home to their families. The crusaders realized there was a chance they might not see one another for a while. Knowing the older ponies, they wouldn’t want them leaving their homes unattended until school started, and school wasn’t supposed to start for another six days. So the three crusaders made a pledge to one another. They pledge that on the day before school started they would meet at the clubhouse for a Cutie Mark Crusader Picnic.

Back home Apple Bloom tried to entertain herself as best she could. She read, she colored; she tried earning her APPLE JUGGLING cutie mark. That so did not end well. For most of the time Apple Bloom just wondered around the house wondering what her friends were doing. Sweetie Belle was probably back home hanging out with her parents, telling them of her time in Canterlot with Rarity. Scootaloo was probably… doing whatever it is she did at her house. Thinking about it, Apple Bloom realized she didn’t really know much about Scootaloo’s family - or where she lived for that matter - but she didn’t let the thought linger as boredom once more ensued.

Although she lived in a house with three other ponies Apple Bloom really didn’t have much company around in the day. Applejack would leave to sell apples in Ponyville, Big Mac would be outside collecting apples, and Granny Smith just slept most of the day. While once in awhile she would spin a tale about "Back in her day", but there really wasn’t much in conversation, at least until Applejack came home. Apple Bloom would ask her how her day went and most answers were the same: "Not much action." Most ponies stayed in doors except to work their jobs. Even then not many would go out unless they needed food or supplies.

As for changeling sightings there were none. Not even anything suspicious or abnormal happened in town. The only interesting thing that happened was last Friday when a pony named Colgate danced around town singing a song on the Importance of Hygiene, but nothing really out of the ordinary.

By Ponyville standards.

After five days of boredom Apple Bloom was eager to get out of the house as soon as possible, and nothing, not changeling nor her sister, was gonna stop her from seeing her friends. Grabbing the basket by the handle with her mouth Apple Bloom hopped off the stool and started heading for the door. “Phee ya!”

“NOW HOLD IT RIGHT THERE MISSY!”

Apple Bloom let out a sigh as she placed the basket on the floor; she was hoping to avoid this. “Aww, c’mon Applejack! Ah wanna see mah friends!” she pleaded.

“Ah know, Ah know,” Applejack said with a understanding tone. “But Ah’m just not sure Ah’m comfortable with y’all goin' out there by yerselves.”

“But it’s been a week! We haven’t seen hide or hair of them varmints! And you told me yerself, ain’t nothin’ strange happen in these parts since that blue pony did the dance of the toothbrush!” Apple Bloom finished doing her best Applejack impression.

“Well… she could have been a changeling in disguise… Who was STRANGELY obsessed with toothpaste…” Applejack retorted with an unconvincing grin. Apple Bloom just responded with an unamused look. Giving a sigh Applejack continued. “Look… Ah just don’t think that--”

“Please Applejack…” Apple Bloom interrupted doing the biggest, saddest pout she could muster. “Please?”

“Ah don’t--”

“Pleeeeeeaaaaaassssss…”

“It just--”

“…eeeeeeaaaaaassssss…”

“What if--?”

“…EEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSS…”

"Apple Bloom..."

"...EEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSS…!”

“OKAY!”

Apple Bloom immediately let out a gasp, as she looked right up to her sister's eyes in anticipation. “Really?”

Applejack responded with a simple nod. “Yippie!” Apple Bloom gave a leap of joy, then immediately bent down to picked up the basket and was ready to head off.

“IF, you promise me.”

Only to stop in her tracks as she turned to her older sister. “Promise me you’ll stay close to Ponyville and won’t go anywhere near the Everfree Forest. Deal?”

Giving her older sister a smile, she lifted up her hoof, spitted on it, and extended it toward her. “Deal.”

Smiling back Applejack returned the gesture and the two shook, sealing the deal. The two then embraced in a quick hug. “Alright now,” she chuckled, nuzzling her little sister’s hair. “You best be gettin’ along. Yer friends are probably waitin’ on ya!”

“Thanks Applejack!” Immediately she grabbed her basket and ran out of the house. Applejack followed after her, stopping at the porch.

“AND REMEMBER!” she called to her fading sister. “BE BACK BY SUPPER! THE WEATHER PONIES SCHEDULED A STORM TONIGHT, AND AH DON’T WANT YA COMIN’ BACK WITH A COLD NOW! YA HEAR?!”

Stopping at the fence, Apple Bloom turned back and gave her sister a quick nod as she headed out into the apple trees. Applejack just stood there, watching as her little sister disappeared from view. A part of her wanted to go after her, but she knew she had to let her go. Nopony wants to stay cooped up in house all week. She deserved to see her friends. The thought made her wonder what her own friends were up too.

THUD!

“OOF!!!”

The sound of the thud and her brother grunting broke Applejack’s train of thought. Looking over she saw her brother, neck deep in apples.

She let out an aggravated sigh as she muttered, “I’ll get the cart…”

At Sugarcube Corner Sweetie Belle was waiting impatiently in front of the counter. “Come on! How much longer is it?”

“Now, now, now, you can’t rush perfection!” Pinkie Pie replied.

Sweetie Belle responded with an agitated groan as she continued to pace back and forth, her Crusader cape fluttering as she moved. With the lingering changeling threat, not many customers were buying and staying at Sugarcube Corner. Most would just come, order, and leave. Which is why the current residents of the store were just Sweetie Belle, Pinkie Pie, and the Cake Twins who were off playing in the corner.

“Oh come on you silly filly! I know waiting's no fun! Except when you're waiting for a surprise, but it’s the kind you know is coming you just don’t what where and when the surprise is! So you start to wonder and wonder and wonder until you feel like your head is about to explode! And…“

Pinkie continued to ramble on about being ‘surprised’ and ‘excitement’ as Sweetie continued to wait impatiently. She really wanted to get going to meet up with her friends. After spending an hour explaining to her parents on the picnic she'd immediately headed to Sugarcube Corner to obtain three of Pinkie Pie’s ultra deluxe, extra delicious, super spectacular cupcakes. If there’s one thing that makes a meal complete, it's a treat from Sugarcube Corner, and nopony makes a cupcake better then Pinkie Pie.

“…not that exploding with excitement can be bad thing either but--!”

DING!

With quick reflexes Pinkie immediately took the three cupcakes out of the oven, decorated them with frosting, then tossed them in a box and wrapped said box up.

All in five seconds.

“Cupcakes are ready!” she cheered.

Sweetie Belle just stood there with her mouth hanging open for half a minute while Pinkie Pie stood there holding the box with a her usual happy grin.

Snapping out her daze Sweetie Belle quickly took the bits she brought with her and tossed them onto the counter as she grabbed the box and headed out the door. “Bye Pinkie, thanks!”

“Anytime!”

“Let’s see rope? Check! Harness? Check! Helmets? Check! Looks like that’s it.” Tossing her saddlebag on, and adjusting her Cutie Mark Crusader cape, Scootaloo was ready to go. Slowly she made her way downstairs. If she was stealthy enough she could make her way out without anypony noticing. Carefully she tiphoofed down stairs, trying to not make a single sound. Slowly she approached the knob. She did it! She was home free!

“Scootaloo.”

Releasing her grip on the knob Scootaloo gave a soft groan as she turned to the source of the voice. Sitting at the table a lone shadowy figure in the shape of an earth pony sat comfortable with a teacup in front of her. “So, where are you off to my dear?” she spoke in a soft fragile tone.

“You know where…” Scootaloo responded with a slight hint of annoyance.

“Yes I do, the picnic. But I’ve never been to a picnic that needed ROPES and HELMETS before.”

How does she do that?

“Scootaloo I know you’ve been bored around here, but is it really necessary to start jumping back into ‘crusading’ so soon?”

“You can’t stop me from trying to find who I am!” Scootaloo snapped back. The figure placed the tea on the table as she let out a soft sigh.

“Scootaloo…”

Realizing her rude outburst she lowered her head in shame. “I’m sorry, I-I didn’t--”

The figure raised her hoof gesturing her to be quiet. “Scootaloo come here.” Doing as instructed she slowly walked over and took a seat in front of the earth pony, still averting eye contact. Slowly looking up Scootaloo could make out a small smile on the pony’s wrinkled face.

“You’ve always been the adventurous type my dear. But just promise me dearie, promise me you’ll be careful.”

Scootaloo responded with a sigh. “But Mother--”

“I know you don’t like me mothering you,” the earth pony interrupted. “But I’m just looking out for you, okay? Now promise me.” After a short pause Scootaloo slowly nodded. “Good,” the earth pony answered with a smile. “Now get going.”

Smiling Scootaloo hopped off her seat and trotted to the door, but then immediately stopped when she realized what she was forgetting.

“You’ll find your scooter outside, to the left by the bushes.”

Opening the door Scootaloo stopped dead in her tracks. There was her scooter, right where she said it be.

Seriously, how does she do that?!

Letting the thought go with a shrug she hopped on her scooter, propped on her helmet, started up her wings and took off.

Deep in the Everfree Forest, a cocoon containing a healing changeling hung from a tree. After the scuffle with the green reptile, Dead Ringer decided he was in no condition to travel until his wounds were healed. Thankfully changelings were gifted with the ability create cocoons. While they were used to store prey for... feeding purposes, the cocoon’s shared a second purpose. Changelings could store themselves in their own chrysalis for healing. While in them, the changeling inside would go into a self-sustaining coma while the cocoon healed its wounds.

There were two downsides to this tactic however. The time it took to heal, depending on the severity of the damage, could last for days. The other was the one stored inside was vulnerable to creatures and other hostile threats. While back home changelings in cocooned stasis were kept safe by their own people, out here the cocoon was vulnerable. However Dead Ringer was willing to take that risk.

Slowly the changeling started to stir as he opened his eyes. With a swift slash of his horn the cocoon opened as he slowly floated to the ground. Giving his body a quick examination he was met with satisfying results. The cuts were healed, his bruises were gone, and the discomforting pain along with it. Dead Ringer gave himself a confident smile, proud that his survival tactics had work, proving his superiority to adapt and survive.

“BHLEAH!!!”

Sadly the week in the cocoon had done nothing to get rid of the foul frog taste that still contaminated his mouth.

The tree house, or as the crusaders referred to it: Cutie Mark HQ. Here is where they’d meet and plan their next big crusade for their cutie marks. Here is where their great tales of adventure start. Here is where excitement and wonder come alive!

“Gosh Ah’m bored...”

A bored Apple Bloom sat at the center of the clubhouse with the basket seated next to her. She’d been waiting there for over half an hour, hoping for her friends to show up.

Maybe they ain’t comin'… Apple Bloom thought with a frown. Maybe they--

“APPLE BLOOM!!!”

Almost instantly Apple Bloom found herself tackled to the ground with two forelegs wrapped tight around her. The tackler was none other then her loveable friend Sweetie Belle!

Apple Bloom happily returning the embrace. “Ah missed ya!”

“I missed you too!” Sweetie Belle replied with joy.

“Huh. Well what’s this, a tea party?" another familiar voice asked.

Releasing each other they turned their attention to the entrance. There stood an orange pegasus named: “SCOOTALOO!” both ponies shouted as they embraced their friend in a tight group hug. “WE MISSED YOU!!!”

“Uh… yeah, I missed you guys too,” Scootaloo replied, awkwardly returning the hug. She didn’t mind being hugged; she just really wasn’t into that whole namby, pamby, stuff.

“Alright, enough namby pamby stuff.” Scootaloo squeezed out of the hug and started walking to the center of the clubhouse with a face full of anticipation. “Time to get down to business.”

“Business…?” both ponies asked looking at one another.

“But what about the picnic?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“What, you mean the cover-up?” Scootaloo responded like it was the most obvious thing in the world as she dropped her bag.

Both ponies looked at their friend like she grew a second head. “Scootaloo," Apple Bloom began. "What are you--?”

“ATTENTION!”

On cue both ponies stood at attention as Scootaloo walked back and forth in front of them like a drill sergeant. “Crusaders! As you are aware, our time away for the royal wedding took us away from our much-needed crusading time. We knew this risk when we took the job as designated ‘Flower Girls’. But what we did not anticipate was the unforeseen attack by the changeings, changegings, change… Uh…”

“Changelings…?” Apple Bloom answered.

“Yeah! The attack by the changelings was not something we anticipated. Because of this, after the attack we were forced into captivity. Forced to fend for ourselves! Forced to endure cruel punishment! Forced to--!"

“We were forced by our sisters to stay in our hotel room, with free room service might I add. And I don’t think playing ‘Go Fish’ counts as cruel punishment,” Sweetie Belle interrupted with a deadpan expression.

“… As I was SAYING,” Scootaloo eyed Sweetie Belle for a second before continuing. “Our detainment in Canterlot was unforeseen, as was our house arrest.”

“Detainment? House arrest? Where’d you learn all these words Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked, completely baffled by her friend's vocabulary.

“Oh, I read the dictionary.”

Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle’s jaws fell to the floor.

“Well its not like I had anything better to do! Which brings me to my point. We’ve lost too much time we could have used to earn our cutie marks! That is why we are here, to plan our future crusades!”

“Ah thought we were gonna have a picnic, and ya know, catch up? Wasn’t that the original plan?” Apple Bloom asked.

“No! That was just a cover-up to tell the older ponies so they’d let us out!” Scootaloo answered, loudly. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just tilted their heads in confusion as they stared at the vague pegasus. “Didn’t you see me ‘wink’ when I brought up the idea?”

The two just continued to stare in silence.

“Remember? ‘I know girls, lets meet at the clubhouse for a picnic.’ WINK! WINK!’” Scootaloo gave two winks as she retold the event.

Slowly the gears in the two ponies head pieced together the puzzle. “Oh…”

“So wait a minute, if we aren't havin’ a picnic, what are we here for?" Apple Bloom asked.

Scootaloo face hoofed as she let out an aggravated groan. “Have you not been listening to anything I’ve said?!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both took a step back as Scootaloo closed in. “We could have been out crusading while instead we lounged around! We have to make up for lost time! So from here on out if we’re not eating, sleeping, or at school, we’re crusading! Got it?!”

Both ponies answered with a nod. “Good!” Scootaloo said as she turned back to her saddlebag. She started unzipping it as she spoke. “Now we don’t have much before the day’s over, so we’ll try one crusade then meet back here to--”

She stopped mid-sentence when she saw the sad looks on her friend’s faces. “What is it?”

“It's just,” Apple Bloom began in sad tone. “Ah was really lookin’ forward to seein’ y’all. And Ah really worked hard on our meal”

“Me too,” Sweetie Belle joined in. “I even bought cupcakes for each of us.” She pointed to the string tied box that sat next to the picnic basket.

Scootaloo eyes moved back and forth between each of her friends. Both just wanted one simple thing, to spend a relaxing time with one another. That’s all.

Then the thought dawned on her. This was the first time they were ever forcibly kept apart. Since forming the Cutie Mark Crusaders they’ve been together through thick and thin. They did everything together, shared everything together.

…Well, almost everything, Scootaloo thought, her gaze falling to the floor.

Looking back up to her friends, she saw them both still looking at the floor with sad expressions on their faces. Wow… They really missed each other. Scootaloo was so distracted during the week focusing on their next crusade; she never took into account how much she missed her friends as well.

But then again, I’m used to distracting myself from the sad truth…

She easily pushed those thoughts away. She knew she wasn’t supposed to think like that. Besides, there were more pressing issues to deal with. So operation: Cheer Up Friends, was a go!

Nothing came to mind.

Come on think, THINK! She pounded her head. What would Rainbow Dash or the others do?

“…!” A smile forming, Scootaloo trotted to her friends. “Come guys cheer up! There’s no reason we can’t have the picnic while on the crusade!”

Both ponies’ faces instantly lit up. “REALLY?!”

Scootaloo nodded.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PICNIC IS A GO!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle cheered high hoofing. Scootaloo breathed a sigh of relief. It was nice to see her friends starting to smile again.

“URG!”

Scootaloo let out a grunt as she found herself in another group hug, only tighter. “Thanks Scootaloo…” both her friends said tenderly.

“Too… tight…” Scootaloo strained feeling the color fade from her face. Seeing this her friends let her go. Scootaloo let out gasp for air, trying to catch her breath. Despite almost choking, she gave a small smile, happy nonetheless to see her friends acting like their old selves again. “So… ready to get to work?”

Both ponies nodded. “Alright then, here’s the plan! And trust me, I’ve got a good feeling about this!” Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle leaned in with anticipation. “Today, we’re gonna earn our cutie marks in…”

Scootaloo paused for dramatic effect.

“MOUNTAIN CLIMBING!”

A long silence fell on the room.

“…That’s it?" Sweetie Belle asked, her anger slowly rising. "You spent this entire time planning our next crusade? And all you could come with, was something we’ve ALREADY tried?”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Scootaloo replied earning another confused look from her friends. “I’ve spent all week at home crunching the numbers, and running calculations. And I’ve come to the conclusion… That there is a difference between climbing a mountain, and climbing a stubby ten foot tall rock!” Scootaloo proclaimed proudly.

Hoof immediately met face as both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle responded with an annoyed groan.

“I’m serious you guys, “ the pegasus continued. “I really think this will work. I’ve even picked out a mountain to climb!”

“Scootaloo we climbed that STUBBY rock because it was the only one we were ALLOWED to climb!” Sweetie Belle explained.

“I beg to differ,” the filly spoke proudly while pulling out a map.

“Huh?” both ponies asked.

Scootaloo placed the map on the ground as her friends gathered around it. “This is a map of Ponyville I made. These areas around here are mountains,” she directed her hoof to the crudely drawn areas that represented mountains. “I’ve done my research and believe I’ve found the shortest, safest mountain for us to climb.”

“Where?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Right here,” she pointed to the mountain that was circled with red crayon. This caused the two fillies to gasp.

“Scoot--! Scootaloo! Do you know where that’s located?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. Scootaloo simply nodded. The location Apple Bloom was referring to was the area she, and all ponies in Equestria were forbidden from going.

The Everfree Forest.

“Seriously? Out of all the mountains in Ponyville, you choose the one that’s located where the changelings live?!” Sweetie Belle asked in a loud tone.

“Would you have preferred I choose the one named, Mount Kiliponyjaro? A mountain that’s at least twenty thousand feet high?" Scootaloo responded with a deadpan expression. Sweetie Belle just rolled her eyes in response.

“Besides that, Ah don promised mah sister Ah wouldn’t go anywhere near that place!” Apple Bloom added.

“Oh come on! Its not like we’re going IN the forest! We’re just gonna be climbing a small steep mountain without any adult supervision!” Scootaloo reassured.

Both ponies just stared at the pegasus with unamused faces. “Come on girls! I brought the rope, and gear, and everything," Scootaloo pleaded, showing a rope and helmet with a pout.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle started whispering to one another, giving Scoot’s idea a ponder. Scootaloo leaned in with anticipation. Hoping to hear them say:

“Okay,” both said in unison.

“Really?” Scootaloo asked, her wings buzzing with excitement. The two just nodded as a response. Immediately the two were pulled into a tight hug from the over joyous pegasus. “Thanks girls! And don’t worry,” Scootaloo let go and started packing up her gear. “Once we reach the top, we’ll have that picnic!” Sweetie Belle let out a cheer as she and Apple Bloom picked up their stuff.

“Ready?” Scootaloo asked.

“Ready!”

“Ready!”

“Alright then, CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, MOVE OUT!”

Author's Note

I'm well aware that changelings don't live in the Everfree Forest. Although in my version, their homeland is located near it. Hence the reason why Equestrians are forbidden from going near the forest. I've always imagined the Everfree Forest being larger then what we've seen.

Encounter Between a Rock and a Hard Place II

He was not alone.

As he walked through the dark forest, Dead Ringer knew he was being followed. With each step he took the sounds of grass crunching in the distance followed with. That, and he could make out another sound: breathing. Whoever, or whatever was following him was breathing heavily.

There are three of them, possibly a hunting pack. Have to keep my distance, don’t want them to out maneuver me. But I can’t run! Can’t risk them getting a leg up on me either!

Despite the threat, Dead Ringer kept a cold, neutral expression as he walked through the forest. Unlike changelings, animals could smell only one emotion: FEAR. A hint of sweat, or any sign of fatigue, and the creatures would take it as a sign of weakness and strike. And right now Dead Ringer wasn’t looking for a fight; he just wanted to find his way home. He decided to choose walking over flying for two reasons. One, the cover of the dark forest would keep him safe from the eyes of Equestria, and two he had a better chance of locating other changelings in the forest than above it. However if whatever followed him attacked, he would have to change that strategy.

If the other changelings were smart they would be traveling through the dark forest to mask their escape back to their homeland. With some luck Dead Ringer would run into them.

As of right now he had no idea where he was going. The only chance he had was hope of finding any trace of his kind. So he kept all his senses high on alert. He kept his eyes scanning the forest for anything that showed signs of a changeling passing through. He kept his ears listening for the buzzing of their wings. He kept his nose alert for any trace of their scent.

SNIFF!

SNIFF!

Dead Ringer stopped in his tracks as his nose started picking up a scent. It wasn’t the scent of a changeling, nor the scent of emotion. No, this scent was something else. It smelled almost like...

“Water.”

The changeling made out the familiar smell as fresh water. Immediately he could feel his throat dry up. A chance to rehydrate was tempting, and maybe he could wash out the frog taste as well. He might even find other changelings there too.

It’s worth a shot.

Choosing to follow the scent Dead Ringer returned to his walking pace, but this time with each step he took he could hear the stalking creatures becoming more and more distant.

Why aren’t they following me? What could--? Dead Ringer stopped mid thought and dead in his tracks as the reason why appeared before him. Just a few feet away was the source of the water. OUTSIDE the Everfree Forest. Now he knew why the creatures aren't following him, he was exiting the forest! The creatures of the Everfree Forest tended to stay in the forest, especially during the day. The strange creatures that inhabited it were mostly nocturnal or just preferred the dark.

Dead Ringer just stood there, frozen. Right now he was conflicted. The pond was in a foreign land. The second he exited the forest he would be in Equestrian territory. The very territory he should be fleeing from. This was a bad idea. I shouldn’t... The changeling turned around and was about to leave, until the water caught his attention again.

The water sparkled from the shine of the sunlight, basking it in a heavenly glow. The more and more Dead Ringer stared at it, the more his thirst grew. It was practically begging him. The changeling slowly examined the area around the pond. Other then the sounds of birds chirping in the distance, he could make out no other creatures in the area. The pond may be part of Equestrian land, but it was still near the borders of the Everfree Forest, and Dead Ringer knew no pony would be stupid enough to go near it during this kind of time.

Giving into his temptation the changeling took a deep breath as he approached the exit. As he neared it, Celestia’s shining sun was becoming brighter and brighter. So bright he was nearly blinded. He had to cover his eyes as they adjusted to the new scenery. He came to a complete stop as he reached the point where shadow of the forest ended. This was it… Dead Ringer was going to enter the land he was alien to. The very land his kind was unwelcome.

Does this count as invading? I mean technically-- ALL TO TARTARUS WITH IT! Dead Ringer took a step forward slamming his hoof down into the dirt. The Changeling Commander officially re-entered Equestria.

Slowly step-by-step, he made his way over to the beckoning water. The changeling stopped at the edge of the pond as he slowly lowered his head to the rippling water in front of him. He gave it one final sniff before lowering just enough to start drinking.

As he drank a few thoughts entered his mind. This was the first time he ever drank from a pond without any fuss. Back home in the canyon there so were so few ponds (more like puddles) topside to drink. To make matters worse there were always four or five changelings fighting over who drank from it first. While given a few extra privileges as commander, Dead Ringer preferred to obtain his water from the same areas the drones did. He didn’t like the drone changelings feeling he was above them. The drones happily shared with him, the soldier class changelings however put up more of a resistance with their share. The mere thought made him shudder. While some were worthy of their titles, to him his other soldiers were no different from children.

Feeling his thirst quenched Dead Ringer stood up and wiped his mouth as a cold breeze blew over him. A calm feeling suddenly passed over him as looked at the scenery around him. He had to admit, this land was rather tranquil. It was no wonder his Queen chose this land for their people.

The Commander decided to examine his surroundings further. To his left was a dirt road that lead somewhere, possibly some pony settlement. To his right was a small rigged mountain. A thought slowly came to him. If he flew up to the top he could get his bearings, maybe even get a better idea for where to go.

From that vantage point I might be able to--

“CHARGEEEEEEEE!!!”

Before the changeling had time to react he found himself under attack by-

“-the Cutie Mark Crusaders! On a quest to find out who we ARE! And we will NEVER stop the journey! Not until we have our CUTIE MARKS!”

“Uh, Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah?”

“How much farther?”

“Shouldn’t be too far. We should be there soon.” Scootaloo nodded as she went back to singing, off-key, the Cutie Mark Crusader theme song. The two ponies riding in the wagon let out a groan. They didn’t know what was worse, that they still weren’t there or that they had to continue to listen to their drivers... UNIQUE singing voice.

To pass the time the two youths played a guessing game with the clouds. Whenever a cloud passed over, the one to shout what they thought it looked like earned a point. “That one looks like a muffin!” Sweetie Belle called out.

“Aw…” Apple Bloom moaned. Sadly she was losing three to fourteen. Immediately spotting one she cried out, “I spot one that looks like muffin!”

“Hey that’s the one I called out!” Sweetie Belle accused.

“Nuh-uh!” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Yers was shaped with blueberries on it, this one has nuts!”

“Oh yeah, it does. I--” Sweetie Belle stopped mid-sentence for another cloud. “I SPY A...! Muffin?”

“Wha?” The earth pony asked raising an eyebrow. “Come to think of it, didn’t you spy a muffin cloud when we first started this game?”

“Yeah I did...”

“Where the hay are all these muffin clouds comin’ from?!”

Sweetie Belle lowered her eyes to Apple Bloom, “You don’t think--?”

“MOUNTAIN APPROACHING!” Scootaloo announced to her passengers, ceasing her singing. Both ponies forgot about the game and the strange ‘muffin patterned clouds' as their faces lit up with excitement.

“Alrighty then! Now all we got to do is-- OOF!” Apple Bloom let out a grunt as the wagon jerked. They had come to a complete stop. Looking over at their driver, they could see her staring off with shocked expression.

“Scootaloo what’s--?”

“QUIET!” Scootaloo cried as she threw her hoofs over both Crusaders mouths, signaling them to shush. “I don’t think it saw us,” she whispered.

Pulling her friend's hoof off her in aggravation Apple Bloom asked, “What in tarnation are you talkin’ 'bout--?” Scootaloo immediately signaled her to shush again. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were about to interrupt when their expressions of annoyance turned into concern when they noticed the rising fear in their friend’s eyes.

Slowly she directed their attention to the pond that stood near their intended destination. There, walking toward the lake was an ebony colored pony like creature with dark eyes, bug like wings, and large fangs. The same creature they remember from the royal wedding, the same creature that sent all of Canterlot into chaos, and the same creature that left Equestria in utter fear.

“That’s… that’s… that’s…” Apple Bloom sputtered with rising fear. “A Cha cha cha cha! Changeling…!”

“What’s it doing here?” Scootaloo asked.

“Gee, I don’t know what its doing near the Everfree Forest. It's almost like changelings LIVE there,” Sweetie Belle replied in a sarcastic tone. Scootaloo just responded by giving her a scowl.

Apple Bloom squinted her eyes as she got a better look. “It looks like it’s… drinkin’?” Immediately the two arguing ponies turned their focus back the changeling. As Apple Bloom said, there it was taking a drink from the pond.

As they watched the changeling drink a thought popped into Apple Bloom’s head. “Hold on a moment. Ah thought these things travel in large groups. Why’s this one all by its lonesome?”

Exchanging a look with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle turned her attention back on the changeling. Slowly her ears lowered along with her expression. “Maybe it's lost,” she said with a small hint of sadness in her voice.

Scootaloo just rolled her eyes at her friends’ sappy response. Suddenly, like a light bulb lighting up, Scootaloo was struck with a bolt of inspiration. “Oh this is too perfect,” she said, rubbing her hooves together in anticipation.

“What’s perfect?” Apple Bloom asked, turning to the pegasus.

“This is!”

“Scootaloo, you’re not making any sense. AGAIN…” Sweetie Belle joined in.

“Don’t you two get it?” Scootaloo asked, climbing out of the wagon. “Forget the mountain climber cutie mark! I’ve got a better cutie mark in mind,” she finished directing her hoof toward the changeling.

Slowly the gears in the other crusaders heads pieced together where the pegasi was aiming. “You’re not suggesting…?” Apple Bloom did not like where this was going.

“OH I AM,” Scootaloo replied with a huge grin. “CUTIE MAR--!” she stopped when she realized how loud that sounded. This time in a quieter tone, “Cutie Mark Crusaders, Creature Catchers...”

“You want US, to catch a changeling?” Apple Bloom asked. Scootaloo merely nodded with a smile. “It's official, you’re a dodo...”

“Oh come on! This can’t be a coincidence! This is fate! Maybe we’re destined to be Creature Catchers?!”

“Well, what would we do if we even caught it?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“That’s the best part. Once we catch it, we can turn it over to the Princess. We’d be heroes! I can see it now,” Scootaloo extended her hooves, holding an imaginary newspaper. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CAPTURE DANGEROUS CREATURE AND EARN THEIR CUTIE MARKS! In other news, Apple Bloom is a dodo.”

“Hey!”

“Come on Scootaloo, be serious! It's not even doing anything. It's just drinking!” Sweetie Belle said directing their attention back to the general topic.

Looking over, there was the changeling, just standing there by the pond, still drinking. Scootaloo started tapping her chin in ponder. “Well… Maybe it’s a spy sent here to try and discover our weaknesses, and it’s using water to enhance its magic so it can grow even more powerful, and take over Ponyville!"

“…” Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom’s mouths hung open as they tried to comprehend the sheer audacity of that idea.

Scootaloo shrugged. “…It could happen!”

Ignoring their friend's ludicrous story, they went back to watching the changeling. It had finished drinking and was now looking around its surroundings.

The nature view observation was soon obstructed by a pleading pegasus. “Come on you guys, it could leave any second!”

“Scootaloo, even if we do catch it, mah sister’s gonna find out and Ah’m gonna be in a heap of trouble,” Apple Bloom noted.

“Sure she’ll be a little upset, but I bet she’ll be even more impressed that you managed to catch a changeling and earned your cutie mark all in the same day!” Scootaloo proclaimed. Slowly bringing a hoof to her chin, Apple Bloom took what Scootaloo said into consideration. She didn't want to upset her sister, but such a idea was tempting.

Still uncertain she turned to Sweetie Belle. “Ah don’t know, what do you think Sweetie Belle?”

The unicorn looked to Apple Bloom, then turned back to the changeling, still wearing a expression of uncertainty. “I don’t know. How would we even catch it?”

Clearing her throat, Scootaloo directed Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to the rope she pulled out of her saddlebag. “Yer gonna hogtie it?” Apple Bloom asked raising an eyebrow.

“No. YOU'RE gonna hogtie it!” Scootaloo announced tossing her the rope.

“WHAT?!”

“Yeah, me and Sweetie Belle are gonna try and keep it from escaping while you tie it up.”

“I think y’all have me confused with mah sister,” Apple Bloom spoke while trying to untangle the rope she somehow got tangled up in.

“How are WE gonna keep it from escaping?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Simple, I’ll go for its wings while you go for its horn.” Scootaloo tossed Sweetie Belle her now empty saddlebag. “You cover its horn with this so it can’t use its magic."

“Are you sure about this?” the unsure unicorn asked.

Scootaloo gave a proud smile of reassurance. “I’m as sure as Rainbow Dash is awesome!”

After helping Apple Bloom with her little rope accident the three got into position. Like snakes through grass the three crawled closer and closer to the pond, not making a sound. The changeling’s attention was now focused on the mountain, so he didn’t see the three approaching ponies.

“You ready crusaders?” Scootaloo asked with a face full of determination. The two gulped as they nodded. “Alright then…”

“CHARGEEEEEEEE!!!”

The two crusaders charged off leaving Apple Bloom alone, struggling with the rope.

Before having a chance to react Dead Ringer felt the weight of two creatures launch onto his back. One took hold of his wings, pressing them to his back. The other stood on his neck, blinding him with some kind of sack.

Assassins!

“Come Apple Bloom throw the rope!” he heard one voice shout from behind.

“I’m trying! I’m trying!” another more distant voice shouted back.

Apple Bloom...? Why kind of a name is that for an assassin?

The two crusaders were holding on for dear life as the changeling started thrashing from side to side, trying to shake the two off.

“APPLE BLOOM!” Scootaloo shouted. “THROW IT ALREADY!”

“M ot ure,” she responded with the rope dangling from her mouth.

“YOU CAN DO IT APPLE BLOOM! WE KNOW YOU CAN!” Sweet Belle shouted, trying with all her might to keep the bag covering the changeling’s face on without falling off herself.

After a short pause Apple Bloom narrowed her eyes in determination. She eyed her target. A small bead of sweat traveled down her forehead as she mentally prepared herself. This is it Apple Bloom… You can do this! You’ve seen Applejack do this hundreds of times! So make her, and the Apple Family proud!

She started swinging the rope high above her head. Alright Apple Bloom, this is it!

Then with full force she reeled her head back, and tossed the rope with all her might, sending the rope hurdling in the air…

A whole one-foot away.

“Aw…”

Even with the changeling thrashing back and forth, the girls still managed to facehoof for their friend’s failure. Feeling his attackers still holding on, Dead Ringer tried the next thing that popped into his head. If I can’t throw them off, I’ll ride them off!

The changeling let out a neighing shriek as it took off with full speed. Where? It didn’t know, but its passengers sure did. Straight for the mountain!

The two crusaders held on with all the strength they could muster, with Sweetie Belle hanging on by strap of the saddlebag and Scootaloo hanging by the changeling’s wings. Doing her best to reach the changelings ear Sweetie Belle shouted, “HEY! DO YOU REALIZE WHERE YOU'RE HEADING?!”

“NO…! BECAUSE I CAN’T SEE ANYTHING!” the changeling shouted in annoyance.

“Oh…” Slowly she extended her hoof to remove the bag, before losing her balance and falling off the changeling’s head. With an “OOF!” she landed on the ground, leaving Scootaloo alone on the creature. Realizing this she gulped.

Feeling the weight of the ‘assassin’ off his neck, Dead Ringer focused on the bag that blocked his view of the world. He didn’t want to stop; he couldn’t risk his attackers getting the leg up on him. Curses what now! Wait… Why don’t I just blast the bag off?

“AH!!!” Dead Ringer screamed, completely enraged by his own ineptitude. With one shot the bag was incinerated and his view of the world was clear.

BLAM!!!

Just in time to run face first into the side of a cliff.

Finally catching up with the others Apple Bloom found Sweetie Belle on the ground rubbing her aching head. “Sweetie Belle! Thank Celestia yer alright!”

Still rubbing her head she turned to her worried friend and gave a small smile to show she was alright. “Yeah, I’m fine. But I don’t know if--” Sweetie Belle stopped talking when she realized who was missing.

The two locked eyes as they realized it simultaneously. “SCOOTALOO!!!” They both raced to the mountain as fast as their hoofs could take them. Coming to complete stop they looked on in horror. There laying unconscious was the changeling, and next to it was a little orange ball of fur known as:

“SCOOTALOO!” they cried out as they raced to help their friend.

Her eyes slowly opened. “Wha...?”

“Scootaloo are you alright?” Apple Bloom asked with voice full of concern.

“That depends,” she answered in a groggy tone. “What do our cutie marks look like?”

There was a short pause. “They're blank Scootaloo. They're all blank,” Sweetie Belle answered, with small hint of sadness and disappointment in her voice.

“Aw!” Scootaloo groaned in annoyance as she stood up. “I was sure we had it! I mean--!”

She immediately stopped talking when she heard it… growling. Turning their attention to the changeling, they could see its body slowly rising. It gave its throbbing head a shake before it started sniffing the air.

Shock, mixed with confusion. They're afraid, good... Slowly he turned his attention to the source, bearing his teeth with a face full of anger and malice. "When I get my hoofs on you little… children…?"

Dead Ringer’s expression turned into confusion as he looked at his attackers. He was expecting… anything but children!

Children? I was attacked by children?! The four just stood there in utter silence. The girls slowly smiled awkwardly at the changeling they just tried to hogtie and capture. Dead Ringer just continued to stare at the three ponies in confusion.

Who are these ponies?

Tap!

What are those patches on their capes?

Tap! Tap!

What do they mean?

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Are they part of some organization?

TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!

WHAT ARE THOSE NOISES?!

Looking down he could see pieces of rocks rolling past his hooves. Turning around, to his and the other fillies horror, they could see other rocks sliding down the mountain which were soon followed by bigger rocks, and even more bigger rocks! Which lead to only one conclusion: “ROCKSLIDE!!!”

The girls dove out of the way, leaving the changeling alone to bear the rocks. Narrowing his eyes he started blasting falling rocks left and right. The problem was for each large rock he shot, they would just break into even smaller rocks to shoot. Dead Ringer kept this up until the mother of all boulders came flying down. Without enough time to react he dove out of the way.

The entire area was then engulfed in a cloud of dust as the rocks collided with the earth. Coughing up chunks of dust Apple Bloom cried out for her friends. “SWEETIE BELLE?! SCOOTALOO?! YOU OUT THERE?!”

“We’re over here!”

Running blind through the dust she could make out two figures approaching. “GIRLS! YER ALRIGHT!”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo let out a cough. “It takes more then a avalanche to take out the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

“Yeah… About that,” Sweetie Belle said, walking up to Scootaloo with a miffed expression, as she looked her dead in the eyes. “I thought you said you ‘researched’ this mountain? Saying ‘it’s the shortest, SAFEST, mountain to climb’?”

Scootaloo scratched the back of her neck as she struggled to find an answer. “Well it MIGHT have said it was prone to rock slides when disturbed…? She finished with a embarrassed shrug.

“IT MIGHT HAVE?!”

"Okay, okay! I dropped the ball on this one! How the hay was I supposed to know we'd run into a changeling and chase it toward a mountain?!"

“Oh…! You mean the very same mountain on the edges of the EVERFREE FOREST?!?" Sweetie Belle shouted.

“Well I--!”

“URK…!” Their argument was interrupted by a cry. It was a mix of aggravation and… pain?

As the dust started to clear the source of the cry was found. There stood the changeling, repeatedly thrashing back and forth as if pulling on something. Upon closer inspection the Crusaders could make out the changelings right wing was stuck under the large boulder and it was pulling as hard as it could to free itself, no matter how much it hurt.

“It’s stuck…” Apple Bloom said.

“So… does this count as catching it?” Scootaloo asked trading looks with her friends.

“I think it caught itself,” Sweetie Belle responded.

“LOOK!” Apple Bloom cried. At the top of the boulder that trapped the changeling was another rock that dangled on at the rim of the boulder. The rock was gently rocking back and forth. Using mathematics, and the law of gravity and inertia, Apple Bloom came to the simple conclusion: “It's gonna fall on it!”

“Should… should we do something?” Sweetie asked.

“I… I don’t know,” Scootaloo responded in an unsure tone.

“But Scootaloo, if we don’t do somethin' the poor thing's gonna be crushed under that rock!” Apple Bloom announced with concern.

“POOR THING?” Scootaloo shrieked, not believing what she was hearing. “It’s a changeling! You know? The ones that tried to take over Equestria?! The bad guys?!”

“Yeah, but it is kinda our fault it's in this mess. For all we know, it was just drinkin',” Apple Bloom responded.

Turning their attention back to the changeling they could see still it trying to free its wing with little success. It just pulled and tucked, trying to ignore the pain that shot throughout its body.

Finally it ceased its futile attempts and collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. Trapped… Trapped like an animal… I have no choice, there’s only one thing left to do...

The changeling slowly rose to its hoofs as it then took aim with its horn. His target: his own wing. The crusaders all let out a gasp. “You don’t think it's gonna--?”

The changeling’s horn glowed with a fiery aura. He didn’t want to do it, but the boulder was too big for him to break on his own. Plus he was too weak to destroy an object of such size in his condition. This was his only option if he was to escape. This is it. It’s either the wing, or you… Dead Ringer closed his eyes, shaking with hesitation.

Do it! DO IT!!!

Finally he released the horns discharged and… Nothing. Opening his eyes, he saw his wing still attached, still trapped. He turned to his horn. It let out a green sputter as nothing happened. What! How did--?! Then it hit him. He knew he burned up a lot of energy to take out the rocks during the rockslide, but he didn’t realize he burned up that much!

He couldn't believe it. He was trapped, no magic, no swarm, no nothing. No changeling knew where he was, and no changeling was coming to help him. He was alone.

Giving up he dropped to the ground and buried his face in his hoofs in utter contempt for himself. Dead Ringer always felt in control in the past. It's one of the few things that gave him confidence. But now, he never felt more helpless in his life.

Watching the whole thing the Crusaders faces fell. They did this to it. They used it for their own personal gain. This… was their fault. The one that felt the worst of all however, was Scootaloo.

She just stared at the changeling as it lay there. What caught her eye the most was the expression it wore. She knew that expression, that feeling of hopelessness. Of complete and utter loneliness and abandonment.

Abandonment… She knew that it hurt. And nopony, NO! No one deserved to feel that way! She shook her head as a new feeling washed over her. “All right!” Scootaloo announced bumping her hoofs together in resolve. “Let do this!”

“You mean…?” the other Crusaders asked with growing smiles.

“OPERATION: CHANGELING PERSONAL RESCUE IS A GO!” she shouted raising her hoof.

Given cheers all three high hoofed. They turned to the changeling in need with faces of determination and resolution, ready for action! “So… what do we do?” Scootaloo asked. Said determination fell when they realized they had no clue how they were gonna help the changeling, let alone rescue it.

“Maybe we should get some help…” Apple Bloom said in defeat.

“We can’t!” Scootaloo shouted, not taking her eyes off the wounded creature. “In the time it takes to find somepony, it might already be too late!”

“She’s right,” Sweetie Belle joined in. “We’re gonna have to put our heads together.”

A short pause followed before Apple Bloom shouted, “Ah got it! Wait here!” She trotted off.

After a few seconds Apple Bloom returned pulling Scootaloo’s scooter along with the wagon. Unhooking it from the wagon she tossed the scooter over to the confused pegasus. “How’s my scooter gonna help?”

“Effi!” Apple Bloom replied with a mouth full of rope she took from the wagon. She dropped it to Scootaloo’s hoofs as she continued, “We’re gonna tie you to one end of the rope, and the changeling to the other end!”

Scootaloo gave an expression like somepony just told her to go jump into a lake… full of piranhas. “You're gonna WHAT?!?”

“Yeah! We’ll tie yer scooter to the changeling, and you use yer scooter to pull it free!” Apple Bloom responded like it was the simplest plan ever.

“AND YOU SAID I’M THE DODO?!”

“I don’t think that’s going to be enough Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle said.

“That’s where we come in,” she answered. “Y’all remember when Rainbow Dash got trapped under that rock durin’ her ‘pet race’?”

“Yeah...” Sweetie answered recalling the tale well.

“And how she got freed because that turtle--?”

“Tortoise,” Scootaloo corrected.

“Whatever,” Apple Bloom groaned rolling her eyes. “Anyway, y’all remember how she got freed?”

The others just nodded as an answer. “And…?” Scootaloo asked.

“And… That’s exactly what we’re gonna do!”

“We’re gonna use Rainbow Dash’s pet to free the changeling?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“NO! While Scootaloo’s pullin’ it, we’re gonna be diggin’ its wing free!” Apple Bloom spoke with a voice full of optimism.

“That might work!” Sweetie Belle cheered.

“Am I the only one who’s against the idea of TYING me to the CHANGELING?” Scootaloo asked with a hint of fear.

“C’mon Scootaloo, what’s the worst that could happen? It can’t use its magic, and it sure as sugar won’t be able to use its wing after this,” Apple Bloom replied.

Scootaloo just groaned as she rubbed her head, still not believing how much of a day this has been. “There’s just one fatal flaw in your plan. The plan involves us getting near the changeling. What makes you think its gonna wanna cooperate?”

Both fillies exchanged gulps as they realized the downside to helping the changeling: Getting near it.

It wasn’t that they were scared of the changeling itself. It was the changeling they just took for a joyride, which caused it to become stuck under a rock they were afraid of.

He was never going to see his homeland again. Hear the buzzing of the hive in motion, nor the screech of a newborn hatchling. He wasn’t dying protecting the throne, nor sacrificing his life for his people. He was dying like a trapped animal. And worst of all, he was going to perish in a foreign land that was alien to him and his kind, alone. I’ve failed you my Queen. I’ve failed our people. I’ve failed our home. I've failed my family, and I’ve failed myself…

“I’m disappointed…” another voice echoed in his mind. Only this voice was not his own. Dead Ringer recognized it though. It was the last words Dead Ringer ever heard from him. The last words of his-

“Uh… Hi there!”

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by another voice, only this one was unfamiliar and was filled with nervousness. That and the source was coming from right in front of him! Opening his eyes he found the source of the voice. Standing about a foot away were three little ponies, each staring at him with an awkward smile.

Immediately Dead Ringer rose to his hoofs in a battle stance, ready for anything the three fillies had in store for him. “What do you ponies want…?” he asked with voice full of anger and steel.

“Easy now…” Apple Bloom spoke trying to calm the injured creature. “We’re not gonna hurt ya.”

“Too late for that!” Dead Ringer yelled bearing his teeth, referring to his wing.

“Listen, you don’t have to be afraid. We’re here to help you,” Sweetie Belle said stepping forward.

Afraid?! These children think they could inspire fear into I?! Dead Ringer?! And help me…? These brats are the reason I’m in this mess!

“Changelings do not know fear! Nor would one accept help from a pony!” he spat, anger still looming in his tone. Sitting down he turned his attention away from them. “Now leave...”

Having enough, Scootaloo walked right up to him, her awkward smile was replaced with a look of anger and annoyance. “Look, you can just sit there and mope all day, or you can accept our help!”

In a split second the changeling locked eyes with the pegasus, staring her down. She recoiled for a second, but just stared back. “Y-you don’t scare me.”

Dead Ringer gave the air a deep sniff. “Your emotions say otherwise,” he responded in a grim tone. The two Crusaders watching just stood with worrying faces. Too scared to move.

The changeling and the orange pegasus just stood there, staring at one another, neither one backing down. As Dead Ringer stared at the young pony, he noticed something, something that was outta place. While she was afraid, that much was certain, she just stood there staring him back.

I don’t understand... She’s nearly terrified. And yet… Her eyes… Despite the fear the little pegasus was feeling, there wasn’t a single sign of it in her eyes. Dead Ringer had fought against many opponents, changeling and other creatures. Many of them were experienced fighters and hunters. During some of them he had locked eyes with his opponent. Seeing their resolve, their determination, and their confidence. However, in some he saw their naivety, their insanity....

Now here he was, locking sights with a new opponent. Only this wasn’t a challenger, or creature invading his homeland. It was a child. Terrified of him, and yet standing her ground. The sides of his mouth rippled, as if masking a smile. She’s got bravery, I’ll give her that… She almost reminds me of--

CLUNK!

“Ow!” Dead Ringer cried, rubbing his head. The stare off was interrupted by a chip of rock falling on the unsuspecting changeling in the head. “Where did that come--? WHAT?!”

High above, looming over the group, was a tilting rock that was a few feet from falling over. How did I miss that?!

“You see?” Scootaloo pointed out. “If you don’t work with us, that rock’s gonna crush you like a bug!”

This left Dead Ringer speechless. He narrowed his options. Accept the children’s help or not? Live to fight another day, or get crushed? He shook his head wiping that last grim thought away. He couldn’t believe he was going to do this.

“Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay! I accept your help, but we’re gonna need a plan first.”

“Don’t worry, we got one,” the orange filly reassured.

“Well let’s hear it.”

“Okay, first we’re gonna tie this rope around you,” Apple Bloom spoke as she approached with the rope. The changeling let out a snarl. It clearly didn’t like where this was going. The little earth pony took a step back. “Easy now… Remember we’re here to help.”

“How does tying me up HELP?”

“We’re not gonna tie YOU up, we’re gonna tie one end of the rope to you, and the other end to Scootaloo’s scooter,” she answered, directing Dead Ringer’s attention to the orange filly with the wooden board, or SCOOTER as it was.

He merely tilted his head questioningly at the orange filly identified as Scootaloo. “And YOU’RE okay with this?”

“Hay no!” she answered quickly. “But…“ she spoke again only this time in a more quiet, gentle tone. “If it helps you, I’m willing…”

“…” Dead Ringer just stared at her. He was the enemy, yet she wanted to help him. In a split second he swore he felt something. Something deep in his chest…

A warm, feeling of some kind…

What was that?

Ignoring it he turned his attention to the yellow earth pony with the rope. After a short pause he gave a small nod of approval. Accepting it, Apple Bloom slowly tied the one end of the rope to the changeling’s body. After making sure it was fastened she and the orange filly proceeded to tie the other end to the scooter. ‘Scoo...ter...?’ What does that even mean? Dead Ringer thought.

Once that was done Scootaloo gave a salute as she rode about as far as the rope would let her. “Okay! I’m all set!” she called.

“Alrighty then!”

“If you don’t mind me saying,” Dead Ringer interrupted. “I don’t think her or her, SCO-O-TER," he tried pronouncing, "Is going to be enough to pull my wing free.”

“That’s where the two of us come in!” Apple Bloom said, pointing to herself and the white unicorn. “While she’s a pullin’ we’re gonna be diggin’ yer wing free!”

“It’s the perfect plan!” the little unicorn cheered.

Dead Ringer just shook his head. “No, it isn’t.”

“What? Why?”

“You failed to take into account the large boulder seated behind me,” he directed to said boulder. “The second you start digging, that boulder is gonna start sinking into the hole you make. And if that doesn’t get us,” he pointed to the rock above. “The rock hanging by its tilt will…”

Both fillies expression immediately fell, realizing the real FATAL flaw in their plan. Seeing this Dead Ringer let a sigh, his chances of freedom were looking slimmer and slimmer…

“We’re doin’ it anyway!”

“What?” he asked staring at the two fillies that were now wearing the same expressions of determination their orange friend wore a few moments ago.

“Ah said we’re doin’ it anyway! We don’t leave jobs half finished, and we don’t leave our messes unclean!”

The white unicorn’s expression slowly faltered. “Except that one time with Discord…”

“Oh!” the yellow earth pony reacted giving a blush. “Yeah… heh heh…”

The gears in Dead Ringer’s brain immediately stopped. He did not just hear that. Did… Did she just say Discord? As in Discord the God of Chaos...? The same Discord from those old tales?! Who ARE these ponies?!?

He was about to speak up until he found himself staring at the same eyes he just stared into before. The ponies knew the risk; they knew what they were getting into. They didn’t care. All they cared about was helping him out the mess they caused.

After a short delay he gave them a simple nod. “Very well… but we better be quick. I don’t think that rock’s gonna stay up there for long.”

“Yay!” both ponies cheered as they got into position.

“Alright we should probably dig right… HERE!” the white unicorn said marking their dig spot.

“Alrighty then! Is everypony ready?” Apple Bloom called.

“I’m ready!” called the pegasus.

“Same here!” announced the white unicorn.

All eyes fell on the changeling, waiting for his response. He slowly turned to the yellow earth pony and gave small simple nod. “Ready.”

“Alrighty. On the count of three!”

“One…!”

Scootaloo’s wings fluttered in anticipation.

“Two…!”

Balls of sweat were traveling down the Crusaders heads. Dead Ringer narrowed his eye. This was it…

“THREE!!!”

The pegasi’s wings buzzed with all the speed she could muster as she pulled the changeling. The other two Crusaders were digging like there was no tomorrow.

“C’mon on Sweetie Belle, dig!" Apple Bloom shouted to the unicorn.

“I’m trying, I’m trying! Oh… when Rarity see’s my hoofs, she is gonna flip!”

“I thinks its working…” Dead Ringer strained. He noticed a bit of his wing loosening from the boulder’s grip, but he also noticed the rock on top starting tilt more and more over the edge. It won’t hold out for much longer. Hurry ponies...

Scootaloo’s wings were tiring. She didn’t know how much longer she they could keep up.

Come on Scootaloo! Rainbow Dash could’ve pulled this changeling out and took it from here to Canterlot in a minute! She wouldn’t tire out, will you?!

“NO!” she cried as she flapped faster and faster, ignoring her aching wings.

She pulled and pulled, still refusing to relent. Until…

“OOF!” Scootaloo's found herself knocked over by something. As she picked herself up, she looked at what hit her.

It was the now free, but slightly disoriented changeling! “We did it! We did it!” she cheered jumping up and down. “Guys we did it!”

“Yay…” both ponies cheered in between breathing. They were tired, they were filthy, but they were happy.

Scootaloo’s smile immediately fell. “Look out!” Looking up, both ponies saw the rock was close to falling over. They quickly got up to escape its reach, only for Apple Bloom to trip.

“Huh?” she asked as she looked over. Her tail was stuck between the ground and the boulder! The changeling was right; it would sink into the hole! “Girls! Ah’m stuck!” she called.

Stopping in her tracks, Sweetie Belle immediately ran back to help her friend. She tried pulling her free, but was unsuccessful. “I can’t do it alone, Scootaloo help me!”

“Hold on I’m coming!” she shouted charging to them, passing the dazed changeling on the way over.

Slowly he raised a hoof to his wing as it finally dawned on him. “Success! I’m free! I--!” his celebration ended when he saw the rock about to tip over, with the three fillies under it!

The two crusaders pulled their friends hoofs with all their might. “Just forget about me…” Apple Bloom said on the verge of tears.

“No! Friends don’t abandon one another!” Sweetie Belle shouted while pulling.

“And neither do Crusaders!” Scootaloo added.

They pulled and pulled, but they just weren’t strong enough. They drained most of their energy freeing the changeling.

Before they had the time realize it… the rock fell. Without enough time to get away, and not wanting to leave one another, the three friends embraced one another… Waiting for the end.

Ah'm sorry Applejack... Ah should’ve listened to you. Ah’m so sorry. Ah’ll... Ah’ll tell Mama and Papa how much you and Big Mac miss ’em.

Rarity… I wish… I wish we could’ve had more time together. I--I love you so much… No matter what, you’ll always be my big sister.

I’m sorry girls… I’m so sorry! This is my fault! We should’ve just had that picnic together! There’s… There’s so much you don’t even know about me… I wish, I could tell you. I wish I could you everything… If only--

“GRRRRRAAAAAWWWWWCCCCCKKK!!!”

Huh?

Before Scootaloo knew it, she saw a dark, dry, foreleg with holes in it wrap around her, pulling her with immense speed away from the falling rock. In a split second the rock collided with the ground and the area was once again engulfed in dust.

“OOF!” Scootaloo grunted as she was dropped to the ground. “Ow…” she said rubbing her aching head. "What just happ--?"

“Scootaloo…?” interrupted a familiar voice. Looking to side she saw two faces that reduced her to tears. There, sitting next to her were her two bestest friends in the whole wide world, completely unharmed.

“GUYS!” she cried as she wrapped her forelegs around both them in a tearful hug. “I thought I wouldn’t see you anymore! I’m so glad you're alright!”

“Too… tight…” they choked.

“Oh…” she said releasing them, giving a small blush. “Sorry…”

“What happened...?” Apple Bloom asked bewildered. “Ah mean one minute we're under that rock the next-- Gah!" she cried when she noticed the fourth party next to them.

Looking down at them was the changeling, wearing a neutral expression. The three backed away slowly until a thought dawned on Sweetie Belle. “Wait a minute. Girls, I think it pulled us away from that rock…”

The changeling made no reaction.

“She's right,” Apple Bloom said in awe. "You saved us…" Smiling she walked over extending a hoof as show of gratitude. “Thanks!” The changeling just looked at her hoof, then back at her face. It didn’t make any movement whatsoever, nor did it say a word. It just continued to stare, causing Apple Bloom to give a awkward chuckle as she pulled her hoof away.

“Okay then! Well…” Apple Bloom spoke trying to find her words. “We better get goin’. Ah mean you probably wanna get home and have that wing looked at,” she said in a nervous rush as she grabbed Scootaloo’s scooter from outta nowhere and tossed it to her. “So… bye!” she waved.

The changeling didn’t move, it just stood there staring at them.

“Okay girls, just slowly back away…” Apple Bloom whispered through her teeth to the others.

“Uh Apple Bloom…?” Scootaloo began.

“Not now Scootaloo…”

Slowly they started walking backwards from the changeling, but as they started walking, so did it. With each step they took, it took one as well.

“It's following us…” Sweetie Belle whispered.

“Just keep going…” Apple Bloom whispered back.

“Uh girls…” Scootaloo began again.

“Not now Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle answered.

GLANK!

Looking behind the three noticed they bumped into their wagon. Facing forward they saw the changeling, still standing in front of them.

“Okay, get ready run.” Apple Bloom whispered.

“Girls?” Scootaloo asked.

“Why’s it following us?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Girls…” Scootaloo said with annoyance.

“Ah don’t know? Maybe--”

“GIRLS!” Scootaloo cried.

“WHAT?!” the two asked, their patience for their orange friend's constant interruptions wearing thin.

“It’s still tied to my scooter...”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle's eyes practically burst from their sockets. The two followed the rope tied around the scooter to the other end, which was as Scootaloo said, still wrapped around the changeling.

“Oh…!” the two cried realizing their error.

"Y’all probably want that off,” Apple Bloom began with a nervous smile. “Here, let me--” She was stopped by the changeling snatching the rope from her hoofs. It examined the object in front of it for about a moment. Then in a split second it took a bite out of the rope, cutting it in two.

The three Crusaders just gave a nervous chuckle. “Nice trick…” Apple Bloom said.

After cutting himself free of the rope, Dead Ringer just continued to stare at the three ponies. The entire time he’d been wrapped up in an internal dilemma. Asking himself, why? Why did he save these three fillies he knew nothing about?

Why? I owe these ponies nothing. I’m not their father. Why should I care if a rock crushes them?

SNIFF!

What the? Where’s that smell coming from? Dead Ringer smelled a fragrance in the air. A positive one. He started sniffing the air around the fillies, even getting up close to their hair.

“Hey! Cut it out!” Scootaloo said, finding the changeling’s invasion of personal space more annoying then weird.

He stopped sniffing and started frantically looking around the area. Where is that enormous fragrance of positive aroma coming from? We’re all alone out here!

Sweetie Belle eyed him curiously before smiling, “Oh I get it! Your hungry!” Immediately she turned around and started fiddling with the brown bag that sat in the metal wagon, pulling out what looked to be two pieces of bread, riddled with white flowers in between them. “Here, have a daisy sandwich!”

“Hold on! Yer givin’ it one of mah sandwiches?! I-- MUMF!” Scootaloo blocking her mouth with her hoof, interrupted Apple Bloom as she and Sweetie Belle just gave an awkward smile to the changeling approaching the sandwich.

Dead Ringer slowly examined the foreign substance. While it wasn’t the source of the positive aroma, he considered giving it a try. After all he hadn’t eaten in over a week.

Daisies… I’ve heard of them. They only grew in the gardens around Equestria. I suppose, a nibble wouldn’t hurt. Slowly Dead Ringer opened his toothy jaw exposing the razor sharp teeth in it, earning a shock of awe from his young audience. His jaw closed down on the foreign food, chewing it.

“BHLEAH!!!” Then immediately spat it back out. How do ponies eat this?! Well, it still tasted better then the frog at least.

“Uh… maybe a peanut butter sandwich would be better?" Scootaloo suggested.

“Well,” the young filly pondered. “Maybe it might be-- Hey!” Distracted with their conversation they failed to notice the changeling approach their wagon, sniffing and invading the contents in it.

Smelling nothing in the wooden bag, Dead Ringer turned his attention to the colorful box that sat next to it. Giving one sniff he immediately froze. He sniffed the box a few times before pulling it out of the wagon.

Why is the aroma coming from this square object?

As he sniffed it he failed to notice the white filly approaching. She gave him an awkward smile as she placed her hoof on the box opening it for him.

Looking down Dead Ringer could make out three colorfully coated, cup-shaped objects in it. Each decorated in different colors of orange, yellow, and white. The aromas stronger now…

Slowly Sweetie Belle reached down and picked up the cupcake. She slowly extended her hoof to the changeling. “Here… It’s called a CUPCAKE. I guarantee you’ll love this. There isn’t a creature alive that can stand one of Sugarcube Corner’s cupcakes! Especially Pinkie Pie’s!”

Slowly Dead Ringer gave the ‘cupcake’ a few sniffs, before slowly taking a nibble. Immediately he froze. His cheeks slowly stretched back as his mouth contorted.

“Is this thing, smiling…?” Scootaloo whispered. Sure enough it was. The girls were witnessing a changeling smile! Granted it wasn’t a smile of happiness or sincerity, it was more a smile of pleasure and bliss.

I feel like I just took a bite out of ‘pure’ happiness… With one swift CHOMP! Dead Ringer took an entire bite out of the whole cupcake. He chewed it all the while keeping a pleasure filled grin. Slowly his horn started glowing with a dim flame, feeding on the happiness of the treat.

Failing to notice this, Sweetie Belle just stared at the changeling who looked like it was in its own little world, as if it forget they were there. Hatching an idea she whispered quietly to the other Crusaders. When she was finished they each gave a nod of understanding.

Finishing the cupcake, Dead Ringer licked the frosting of his lips, still holding his goofy grin. So much positive energy, all in one treat! Who could have--?

His thoughts were interrupted as the white unicorn pushed the box containing the remaining treats toward him. His goofy grin changed to confusion as he eyed her questionably. “Here, you can have the rest,” she said with a smile.

Immediately Dead Ringer attacked the box chewing on two full cupcakes. Already the grin he had before returned to his face, the sensation of happiness filling him. The sensation was so much his eyes shut, as he tasted the creamy filling of pure bliss. The glow his horn emitted was now growing brighter. Already he could feel some of his strength returning as the cupcake filled not only his stomach, but also a little of his magic.

Queen Chrysalis told us this land was filled with love and positive energy, but I didn’t know their food was full of it as well? I wonder how--? Once again Dead Ringer’s thoughts were interrupted, but this time it was from nothing. Because that’s what there was, nothing. He was completely alone!

Dead Ringer anxiously looked around the entire area. His eyes caught sight of tire tracks in the dirt where the three ponies wagon was parked. They lead from there all the way back to the dirt road.

"Blast it! They must have taken off while I was eating! How did they even manage--?!" Looking down, he noticed the frosting from the last two ‘cupcakes’ still smeared on his face. Giving a annoyed grunt he licked it off.

"Great! Not only did I make a fool out of myself, but now those three are probably going to run off and tell their Princess what happened! I’m going to be a laughingstock in my homeland, and now this one! I swear I--”

“ARGH!!!” his rant was interrupted by the painful sensation that his wing was producing. Examining it, the outlook was not good. There were tears on sides of the wing, cuts were stretched across it as green blood oozed out. Dead Ringer tried giving his wings a buzz to see if it still could function. The left one lifted up, but the right wing just hung there in limp.

“Broken! Now how am I going to make it back?!” he cursed at his broken wing. Before he could rant any further, the Commander noticed it was starting to get darker. “What the? The sun can’t be setting this quickly?” Then he heard the sounds of wings flapping, pegasi wings…

“I’ve had my fair share of ponies for today!” Not wanting to have another encounter with an Equestrian, he dove for cover behind the very rock that nearly crushed him earlier. Peering over he saw what looked to be two pegasus ponies arranging dark clouds in the sky. Their work done, they high hoofed and flew off.

“What were they doing?”

As if answering him a clap of thunder roared as rain fell from the skies, falling on the now soaked, and annoyed changeling. “The second time I come to this land, and once again its ends with me beaten, broken, and humiliated…”

As the rain fell on him he turned his attention toward the Everfree Forest. Giving his wing one final look he decided there was only one thing to do. This earned a long sigh from him. He was going to need another few days in the cocoon to fix his damaged wing. “So much for finding my way back,” he groaned, feeling a little depressed that his chances of returning home was now delayed.

As he approached the entrance he came to a complete stop. Looking deep into the dark shadows of the forest, he could make out dark glowing eyes in the distance. The hunting pack from before was still there, waiting for him. This sent a small chill down his back. He was wounded, they knew that. The second he walked in there they’d attack without relent, and he was in no condition to fight back.

“What now?” he asked hanging his head. Slowly Dead Ringer’s attention fell towards the dirt road leading where the thunder clouds hung over. Where there was rain, there were plantations to feed the rainwater to, and where there was plantation, there were settlers.

Maybe I could--

“NO!” Dead Ringer shouted, shaking his head at such a thought. “I’m supposed to be heading away from settlements, not going near them!”

Dead Ringer turned his eyes to the dark forest, the hunting pack of whatever were still there, staring at him. It started looking less and less inviting. He then turned back to the dirt path. He was hurt and needed to rest, and he was a changeling. If he ran into somepony he’d just need to do a quick change and fake it. However the rain would make it difficult for him to heal. Changeling cocoons were difficult to form when wet. A fully formed one could endure the rain no problem, but when forming they were difficult to mend when wet. Not to mention his cocoon would be exposed and at risk of being discovered.

Take my chances in the forest, or the pony settlement? Risk getting caught, or risk getting eaten?

Taking one last look to the forest, his full attention fell on the path that lead to wherever. Giving a small gulp, he started walking. Relax Dead Ringer, you’ll be fine. Just stick to the shadows and you’ll do fine.

And so the changeling made his way toward the path, where it leads, he had no idea. Hopefully somewhere safer then the forest right now, and hopefully someplace dryer. He’d worry about his wing when he was stronger; right now he was focused on finding one thing now, shelter.

The three Crusaders rode into town, soaked to the bone. The streets were empty, and the sun was down as the only sources of light were from the street lamps.

Deciding to stop at a gazebo, the three fillies ran inside to dry off. “Well,” Apple Bloom began twisting her hair dry. “That certainly was a crusade Ah don’t think Ah’ll soon forget.”

Scootaloo just sat there, staring at the floor as her hair dripped water down her face.

“Ugh! My parents are gonna lose it when they see me!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

“How ya think Ah feel? Ah gotta deal with Applejack when Ah get home?"

Scootaloo still sat there, ignorant to the argument over who was going to be in more trouble when they got home. A puddle was starting to form from the water dripping from her hair. It was big enough she was able to see her sad reflection.

“Scootaloo…?” Apple Bloom asked, placing a caring hoof on her friend. “Are you crying?”

Realizing they were looking at her she quickly rubbed her eyes of her dripping tears. "NO!" she cried, a little louder then she meant too. "Its the water, it's... getting into my eyes!"

She couldn't let them see her cry. She wouldn't! She promised herself she would never cry! Especially in front of her friends. Feeling her tears wiped she slowly she tilted her head up, looking her two concerned friends in the eyes. In her mind she was buzzing with questions. But, should I tell them? Is now a good time? Would they even understand…? ...Do I even?

Scootaloo moistened her lips before she slowly began. “Girls I… I… I’m… sorry, for what happened. That crusade tanked, and it’s all my fault. We... we shouldn’t have gone there. I’m... I’m so sorry...” she finished with a sniffle.

Slowly she felt the wet, but caring forelegs of her friends wrap around her in a comforting hug, one she eagerly returned with a smile.

“Its alright Scootaloo…”

“We don’t blame you….”

“Thanks guys…" Scootaloo said warmly. "You’re the best.”

After hugging the three decided to head home. As for their encounter with the changeling, they decided it was best to keep shut about it. Besides the threat of punishment for defiling their families and Celestia, they doubted anypony would believe that a changeling they tried to capture rescued them.

When they returned home to their families, each Crusader received a scolding for returning home late, and being soaking wet. They just listened, then hugged their caretaker, thankful to be alive and seeing them again. While confused, their caretakers returned the hug. They cleaned and dried themselves up, and soon went to bed, happy to be home. While lying in their beds, each Crusader thought of one thing, whatever became of the strange changeling that saved them? Did it return home? Did it get back safely? Was it still in Equestria? Perhaps they would never know. All that mattered was that they were safe and toasty. Their friends were okay, and they were home with the ones they loved.

As the rain poured, the lights across Ponyville grew dark as everypony turned in. All residents were housed in their homes, safe, warm, and comfortable.

All except for one new resident.

“I hate this place already…”

Dead Ringer found himself lost in a plantation of some kind. Somehow he lost his way along the path and was now in an area filled with trees growing some kind of red fruit that was foreign to him. The freezing rain beat down on him, sending little pricks of pain along his wounded tired body. He needed shelter, anything.

“Ironic, I come from the land with barely enough water. Now, I can’t get ENOUGH OF IT!” he grumbled to himself. “Why I--! OW!” Dead Ringer rubbed his head as he looked at what he hit. It was some kind of a wooden path that lead up to, something he never thought he see.

“Is that a house...? In a tree?!”

To his surprise, he was correct. There built around a tree was small house. Curious, he trotted up the wooden path as he approached the small door. “No lights, the owners might be out, or asleep.” Carefully he peered through the small window. The room was pitch black, but he could make out varying shapes of boxes littering the area, a few hanging flyers, a small table, a ladder, but no ponies. Deciding that was enough the changeling burst through the door. Ensuring he was completely alone he collapsed to the floor, breathing heavily.

He was tired, he was wet, he was wounded, but all in all he was content have found shelter from the rain, at least until the owners of the ‘house tree’ came home. He’d worry about it later. All he cared about was getting some sleep. As he lay there a thought came to him. What became of the three fillies he rescued? Would they tell their government of the changeling they encountered? Or would his act of kindness be enough to make them keep silent? And what was that strange feeling he felt after that orange pegasus spoke to him? It felt familiar, but also new, almost like a small spark. But the more and more he thought the more he grew tired. Slowly his eyes closed as sleep took him.

A couple of clouds moved revealing Luna’s hanging moon. Its light shined brightly elevating some light in the dark room. Had Dead Ringer been awake, he would have able to make out some of the varying objects in the room, like the one poster that read:

‘CUTIE MARK CRUSADER HQ!’

Back to School

“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
--Confucius

~*~*~

The bell rang signaling the start of a new day at Ponyville Elementary School. Standing there at the door with a bright proud smile on her face, Cheerilee welcomed her returning students.

“Hello!”

“Good to see you!”

“Welcome back!”

“Twist, your new glasses look lovely!”

“Thanks’th Mis’th Cheerilee!” the filly responded with a lisp voice.

After welcoming a few more children the schoolmare quickly did a headcount of her students. To her surprise; she was short three students. “Now who--?”

“WE’RE HERE!” a voice cried. Appearing at the door in a sweaty huff, Apple Bloom entered with Sweetie Belle following from behind.

Giving a smile, Cheerilee greeted them. “Apple Bloom! Sweetie Belle! Its so good to see you!” Slowly her smile faltered as she noticed the group was short one pegasus. “But, where’s Scootaloo?”

“Ya mean…” Apple Bloom said between breaths, “…she ain’t here yet?”

“No she hasn’t--”

“LOOK OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!” Steering out of control Scootaloo slammed on the brakes, or rather she started buzzing her wings backwards in an attempt to slow down. She was too late to stop herself though, as she crashed with a SLAM! Rubbing her aching head Scootaloo looked down to see what stopped her scooter. To her shock, it was her teacher.

“MISS CHEERILEE!” Immediately she jumped off as Cheerilee helped herself up. “I’m so, so, SOOOO sorry!”

“Scootaloo…” Cheerilee began in a stern tone. “What have I told you about scooters on school grounds?”

The orange filly responded with a sigh. “They're not meant to be ridden on school grounds during class hours,” Scootaloo quoted like she purposely memorized it with an annoyed monotone voice.

“Excellent,” Cheerilee responded, her smile returning. “Now leave it outside, class is about to begin.”

“Yes Miss Cheerilee.”

Before following her teacher in Apple Bloom stopped, causing Sweetie Belle to bump into her. “What is it?” she asked the young earth pony.

“Look at Scootaloo.”

Sweetie Belle turned her focus to the orange filly that was busy trying to find a place to leave her scooter, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. “What? I don’t see anything.”

“Look at ‘er eyes.”

Still not getting what Apple Bloom was getting at, she focused her eyes on Scootaloo’s. What she saw caused her to pause with a, “Huh?” The orange pegasus was squinting and rubbing her eyes fruitlessly, making it difficult to notice, but Sweetie Belle finally saw it. “She’s got bags under her eyes.” Giving each other a look they walked over to their tired looking friend.

Finally finding a spot the pegasus stood up, ready to head to class, only to be blocked by her two friends and fellow crusaders. “Scootaloo are you alright?” Sweetie Belle asked with a small hint of confusion and concern in her voice.

“Me? Yeah I’m fine! I’m chill! I’m cool as a cloud!” the pegasi responded, standing proud and tall with a grin full of confidence and energy only to immediately slump over with a tired yawn.

The two just stared at her, not buying her act for one minute. “C’mon Scootaloo, what’s really goin’ on? Ah know you, yah never crash yer scooter. NEVER!”

Scootaloo let out another yawn as she passively answered, “It's nothing, okay? I just had trouble trying to sleep. That’s all.”

“Whatcha mean?”

Scootaloo hesitated a moment before answering, “I… had a nightmare.”

“A nightmare…? About what?” Sweetie inquired.

Scootaloo didn’t respond. She just glanced off to the side, rubbing her shoulder. Noticing this, Apple Bloom slowly connected the dots, leading her to one conclusion. “Was it about the…” cautiously she looked around making sure nopony was listening, “…changeling?” Looking back at them, Scootaloo somberly nodded.

“Are you okay?” Sweetie Belle asked concerned.

“Guys… It’s nothing-” Scootaloo waved her hoof, “-it was just a dream, nothing more.” Her friends just continued to stare with looks of concern and uncertainty.

“I’m FINE… okay? Now let’s hurry and get to class before we’re all in trouble.”

The classroom was filled with the sounds of children conversing, talking about how one missed the other, or asking what the other did over the break. Walking to the front of the room Cheerilee quieted the class. “Okay students settle down, we’re about to begin.” Immediately the room fell silent as all eyes fell on the schoolmare. “Thank you.”

“Now then, I originally planned on having each student come up and share with us how they spent their break, but recent...” Cheerilee paused trying to find the best way to word this, “… events, have changed things.”

The children all knew what she was referring too. Already looks of fear and nervousness appeared on their little faces. “Now, now, now…” Cheerilee spoke in a calm reassuring tone. If the lessons for this week was going to go by smoothly, she was going to have to make them feel comfortable. As a school teacher it was her job - no the duty - to make her little flowers feel safe and secured. “I know a lot of you are worried about the rumors that have been flying around town. But I can reassure you, you have nothing to fear here.”

Slowly the looks of fear in their eyes faded at the tone of their teachers’ kind words. Seeing this, she continued, “Which is why one of our topics for this week is gonna involve changelings.”

“WHAT?!?” Nearly every student fell out their desks at their teacher’s UNIQUE topic of choice.

“Now hold on, hold on.” She was afraid this might happen, but she couldn’t back down now. “I think this is a excellent time to discuss other cultures outside our own.”

The room then filled with mixed whispers of what culture was and what their teacher was even talking about. Their short whispers were interrupted by the sound of chalk hitting the blackboard. Written was: WHAT IS CULTURE?

“Now,” she said putting the chalk down, “who can describe to me what a culture is?”

“OH! OH! I KNOW!” Twist cried throwing her hoof in the air.

“Yes Twist?”

“It’s what makes a certain race unique,” she answered.

“VERY GOOD!” Cheerilee beamed. “A culture is the ideas, values, and traditions shared by a specific race, every pony race has their own. Unicorns have their magic, Pegasi have their weather manipulation, and Earth ponies have their connection to nature.”

“But not just ponies. Every intelligent race out there has they’re own. Zebras, Griffons, even Donkeys have their own traditions and values they believe in.”

Sweetie Belle raised her hoof with a question. “But Miss Cheerilee, what does any of this have to do with Changelings?”

“Well my dear, even THEY have their own culture. The difference is that unlike other races they’re more…” Cheerilee paused once again trying to find the right words, “…distant from ours, which is why we know so less about them.”

“I heard that they’re cursed ponies that were once powerful alicorns but become corrupted for their greed. So now they’re doomed to forever live a life feeding on other ponies feelings,” Snip’s interrupted.

“I heard that they cocoon ponies up so they can suck out your emotions, ESPECIALLY little fillies with unique talents,” Ruby Pinch added with terror in her voice.

“That’s absolutely ridiculous, there’s no way that’s true!” Diamond Tiara responded with a scoff.

“Really?”

“Of course.” Diamond slowly grinned. “They’d probably prefer blank flanks more.”

“HEY!” cried the three Crusaders, knowing full well that was directed at them.

“Well I heard that they use us to procreate more changelings, they have a second mouth, AND that they have acid for blood,” Truffle Shuffle added. Nearly every eye fell on the pudgy pony, wearing expressions that said, ‘ARE YOU FOR REAL?’

Having enough, Cheerilee spoke up. “That’s quite enough students! And Truffle, you’re far to young to be watching those types of films.”

“Aw…”

“Class, its not right to spread those kind of rumors. If you keep spreading them, others will start to think they're true.”

“But how do you know what’s true and what isn’t?” Snip’s asked with a raised hoof.

“Simple, you go the source. Which is why I’ve asked a professional to come in on Friday to discuss his research on Changelings.”

“Hold it! Hold it! Hold it!” Scootaloo interrupted. “Somepony, actually went out… and studied them?” she asked, her mind trying to fathom what could possess somepony to WILLINGLY go out and study those dangerous creatures.

“Mhmm,” Cheerilee nodded. “His name is Professor Con McFabricator, and I’ve asked him to share his findings and he’d said he be delighted to come over.”

“What kind of a weirdo spends his time watching slimy bugs?” Diamond Tiara whispered to her companion Silver Spoon. They both snickered to themselves.

“Diamond Tiara…” Cheerilee said, her rising tone causing the little pink filly to sit up at attention with an awkward smile. Cheerilee just sighed, deciding to turn her attention back to the class. If she was gonna get these students invested, she was gonna have to get them to understand.

“Students, do you remember the tale of Hearth’s Warming Eve?”

The class exchanged looks with one another, wondering how the story of the founding of Equestria had to do with this. Going along with it they nodded. Smiling Cheerilee continued. “And do you remember how the other pony tribes treated one another?”

They all remembered it well. The pegasi, the unicorns, and the earth ponies, all were unfriendly and hated one another. Again, still wondering where she was going with this, the class just responded with a nod.

“Then tell me, what’s different from their situation and ours with the changelings?”

“Uh, not much. They were separated and didn’t like each other.” Scootaloo responded with a raised hoof.

“And why was that?” Cheerilee asked, sporting a knowing smile.

Every student exchanged looks with one another until one unicorn named Dinky spoke up, “Because they didn’t understand one another and couldn’t work out their differences?”

“And what were those differences?” Cheerilee asked, her smile growing with anticipation.

Slowly the pieces fell into place as every student cried out, “CULTURE!”

“RIGHT!!!” Cheerilee cried clapping her hoofs, her face beaming. “Ahem!” She blushed when she realized how loud that came out. “I mean, that’s right.”

“What was normal to one tribe was abnormal to the others. However they soon learned they needed to put aside their differences in order to survive, which soon lead to the founding of our Equestria.”

“Now look where we are, it’s been thousands of years and we’ve all stayed joined hoof in hoof. Who knows where the future leads? In another thousand years, a future class of little ponies and changelings might be discussing our current relationship with them and be just as shocked as you all were about Hearth’s Warming Eve.”

The children took pause at this. When they learned of the Hearth’s Warming tale they were shocked to learn of how their ancestors were so unkind to one another. Could the same happen with these strange shape shifters?

“Miss Cheerilee?” Apple Bloom asked with a raised hoof. “Are you ‘a sayin’ that one day we might actually become friends with them changelings?”

“Anything’s possible Apple Bloom,” Cheerilee spoke with a tone full of confidence. “There may come a day when one might realize they might need to consider other alternatives. But only until they decide to stop remaining isolated and ignorant to the outside world”

“Ignor-what?” the filly asked.

“IGNORANCE,” Cheerilee corrected. “It’s basically being ill-informed on things. For this case while we don’t know anything about them, they don’t know anything about us. And unlike you all, they don’t have a teacher willing to tutor them of other cultures outside their own.”

“Ah bet if they had somepony as special as you for a teacher they’d be informed,” Apple Bloom said. This caused the schoolmare to give a bashful smile.

“Or fed…” Silver Spoon whispered to Diamond.

“Silver Spoon…”

GULP! Finding herself in a similar position like her friend, Silver Spoon just gave an awkward smile, hoping her teacher would spare her. Giving a sigh Cheerilee said, “Perhaps we will save our discussion on changelings for Friday when the Professor arrives.” It was probably for the best; maybe her students would listen to a professional better.

Like weight being lifted nearly every student relaxed and wiped away a bead of sweat, happy to be off the subject.

“But one last thing.” Cheerilee paused once she was sure all eyes were focused on her. Her usual happy smile was replaced with a neutral and serious expression. “You can’t judge a whole race based on past mistakes. If we did, then Equestria wouldn’t be what it is today. Look at what happened with Nightmare Moon, or Zecora. If you let fear consume you, then you might miss out what could be something wonderful.”

“The unknown might seem frightening and strange, but when you understand it, when you really listen to it, you start to see it for what it really is, and you never know what you might find.” A long silence filled the room, as the students soaked in what the schoolmare said.

The bell ringing broke the silence. “Lunch time!” Cheerilee announced, her large smile beaming outta nowhere. “Have a good lunch, and remember to be back when the bell rings. When we get back we will discuss the Zebra Tribes of Afhoofica.”

While walking into the playground to find a place to eat, Scootaloo contemplated her teachers’ lecture. It made her think of the changeling her friends encountered yesterday. Despite taking it for a joyride and nearly crushing it, the creature saved them from danger. Which made her come to the next question, was it right to just leave it there?

Not exactly the best way to welcome a visitor, Scootaloo thought. But it was not like they could just take it with them, any sort of help they brought it would just cause it to flee. Hay it probably would even scare away the help. But still, she wondered… Was it okay? Did it get back home? Where was its home? How far is it? Maybe when that Professor-what’s-his-name shows up I can ask him.

“HEY! HEY SCOOTALOO OVER HERE!” a familiar voice called. Following the source Scootaloo found her two friends Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle beckoning her over to their table.

Trotting over she plopped her brown lunch bag on the table and sat down. “Hey guys.”

“Hey Scootaloo!” both fillies replied.

Opening her lunch bag Scootaloo found a ripe plump apple with her name written all over it (figuratively). She readied her mouth to take a bite, only to stop when she saw the staring eyes of her two friends. “What? You want a piece?” she asked referring to her apple.

“Aren’t you gonna tell us?” Sweetie Bell asked.

Scootaloo just tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what she meant by that question. “Tell you what?”

“The nightmare,” Apple Bloom answered. Scootaloo released a frustrated groan. She really, REALLY didn’t want to do this, especially when she was eating!

“GUYS… I told you, it was--!”

Scootaloo stopped mid-sentence when she realized something, the lack of noise. They were in the playground, at school, and there was no noise. No sound of children laughing, no sounds of students asking others to trade snacks with, no sound of Snail’s trying to take Dinky’s muffin, again. Nothing. Scootaloo slowly started looking around the playground in an attempt to solve this mystery. “Girls is it just me or-- GHA!”

“Scootaloo what are you-- GHA!”

Looking over to their right, the young Crusaders found the entire student body waiting in front of the table with eager faces. “So’th… are you gonna tell us’th?” Twist asked.

Does the entire school want to know about my nightmare?! Scootaloo shouted in her head.

“Uh, tell y’all about what?” Apple Bloom asked, just as confused as the others.

“Duh! About the changelings, tell us!” Snip’s proclaimed.

“YEah! TeLL uS!” Snail’s drawled.

“WHAT?!?” all the Crusaders screamed, exchanging worried glances with one another.

“Wha... what are you talking about?!” Scootaloo stammered trying to mask her nervousness with a grin.

“Don’t hold out on us, we know where you were!” Snip’s answered with a knowing smile. This made the Crusaders even more nervous as their minds raced. How did they know about yesterday? Did somepony see them? Did one of them blab?

Sweetie Belle couldn't take it anymore, the suspense was killing her! “You all know about yesterday?!”

“Yesterday?” Dinky asked with a raised eyebrow. “The Royal Wedding was days ago.”

“The weddin’?” Apple Bloom asked, wondering what the hay they were referring too.

“Yeah, you three were the flower girls weren’t you?” Berry inquired. Immediately the realization dawned on the three as they breathed a sigh of relief. Their classmates were asking about their encounter with a changeling, just the more known encounter.

Her fear wiped away, Scootaloo sported a cocky grin that could give Rainbow Dash a run for her bits. “Oh… yeah... We were there. We were even front row center to see the Changeling Queen appear.”

Sounds of ‘oohing’ and ‘awing’ filled the air as the students reacted.

“Well don’t hold out on us! Tell us! Tell us! TELL US!” Dinky cried jumping up and down in excitement.

The girls opened their mouths ready to recall their tale at the Royal Wedding. “OH PLEASE…” Only to be interrupted by a familiar and unwelcoming voice. This voice belonged to none other than the self-proclaimed ‘Little Princess’ known as Diamond Tiara. Accompanied with her was her close friend Silver Spoon. The two walked past the group wearing eager grins, as if looking forward to mocking the three former flower girls. “They probably hid under the brides table the second that dirty slimy bug queen showed up!”

“We did not!” Sweetie Belle snapped. “For your information, we hid under the buffet table,” she finished with a confident smile, failing to realize that what she just said wasn’t really something her other two friends were proud of.

The sounds of what started as snickers soon turned into full-fledged laughter as every student laughed their flanks off. Confused Sweetie Belle turned to her friends, only to find them blushing and trying to hide their embarrassed faces behind their hoofs. “What’s the big deal we--?” Suddenly what she just said moments ago dawned on her. “Oh…” she answered, her ears drooping with her sad pout.

Trying to catch her breath, Diamond continued her verbal onslaught. “I knew it! I bet they’ve never even seen a changeling!”

“Yeah,” Silver Spoon joined in. “I bet they’d probably wet themselves the second they saw one,” Silver then turned to Scootaloo with a mocking grin, “or in Scootaloo’s case lay an egg.”

“Oh ha, ha, ha!” Scootaloo responded in a sarcastic tone. “I’m a chicken, like I haven’t heard that joke before!”

“Who said I was joking?” Silver Spoon responded, her amused grin never leaving her face.

“Hrrr…!” Scootaloo growled in anger, wanting nothing more then wipe that smug look off the grey pony’s face. However before she could do anything her farm pony friend stopped her.

“Don’t let ‘er get to ya Scootaloo, that’s what she wants.” Apple Bloom patted her back in an attempt to calm her.

“Well it’s WORKING…!” Scootaloo exasperated through her grinding teeth.

“Look, lets just--” Before she could finish Silver Spoon snatched Apple Blooms bow right off her head. “Hey! What are ya--?!”

Silver Spoon wrapped the bow around her head to imitate the yellow filly. “Oh… please, don’t eat me changelings!” she said mimicking Apple Bloom’s accent in a fearful tone. “Ah don’t wanna die a blank flank, I do declare!” Though it was coming off more as a southern belle. Still she and Diamond found it hilarious, unlike their audience.

“Hey! She doesn’t sound like that!” Sweetie Belle accused. “Right Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle got no response. “Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle turned her attention to the yellow pony and what she saw startled her and Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom just glared at the two fillies with an anger that looked like she was ready to maul them. Sweetie Belle could’ve sworn she saw her eye twitch in anger. But Scootaloo saw what Apple Bloom was really doing: Fighting back tears. The filly jumped off the bench and marched right up to the laughing duo. “Give. Me. Back. Mah. Bow. NOW!” she demanded in a threatening tone.

“What… this?” Silver asked innocently. Apple Bloom just nodded, her eyes never leaving the filly that held her special attire. “Okay.” With a flick of the hoof she tossed it clear across the playground. With gasp Apple Bloom broke off her glare and trotted off after her bow.

Scootaloo furrowed her brow. That was the last straw! Standing up she hopped off the bench and walked right up to the bullies until she was nose to nose with them. “You think you’re so funny?! Well it just so happens not only did the three of us meet a changeling, but we also CAUGHT one!”

“WHAT?!”

“WHAT?!”

“WHAT?!?”

Diamond, Silver, and just about every student exclaimed in utter shock. “That’s right!” Scootaloo boasted with a smile of confidence. “Yesterday we-- MPHF!“

“Played a GAME!” Acting swiftly, Sweetie Belle silenced her blabbermouth friend with a hoof before she could go any further. “YEP! A game! We invented it just yesterday! It’s called uh… ‘Find the Changeling’! It's like Hide and Seek, only one pony’s the hider and the others are the seekers! YEP! That’s what happened!” she finished, smiling with a large grin to cover her nervousness.

“So what you're saying is you’ve never seen a changeling?” a white pegasus named Cotton Cloudy asked with a raised eyebrow.

“NOPE!" She shook her head. "No changelings! Sorry!” Sweetie Belle replied, trying her best to keep her fidgeting friend quiet.

“Aw…” the students all groaned as the group disbanded, leaving only Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon behind.

“Well we better get going,” the pink filly said to her friend. “I don’t wanna be around when changelings come hunting for fresh blank flanks. Toodles!”

Apple Bloom returned to the table with her bow held safely in her mouth. “That’s a lie and you know it Tiara!” Apple Bloom called out to the departing filly while trying to retie her bow. “Besides, they’d probably prefer cupcakes over us any day!”

“APPLE BLOOM!” Sweetie Belle shrieked.

“Oops… Sorry…”

Once she was sure all the others were out of earshot Sweetie Belle released the orange pegasi. After gasping for air she then turned to her friend with eyes full of anger. “What… the… HAY?! What’s your problem?”

“Oh don’t use that language with me missy!” Sweetie Belle scolded, waggling a stern hoof. “What’s YOUR problem? Are you trying to get us caught?”

“Yah! What she said,” Apple Bloom added.

“Well I…” Scootaloo paused trying to find her words. “I couldn’t just…” She stammered for a bit trying to think up the right words, but they didn’t come. Realizing she was fighting a losing battle Scootaloo just lowered her head, sighing in defeat. “I’m sorry…”

“Look…” Apple Bloom said in an understanding tone. “Ah don’t like wha’ Diamond did anymore then you do.” She adjusted her bow to double check it was secured, and to reassure herself it was still there, and safe. “But we can’t just go talkin’ about wha’ happened no matter what! Otherwise the adults might find out. And if they find out they’ll ground us till we’re thirty.”

“Maybe thirty for you, mine will ground me till I’m sixty!” Sweetie Belle said with small smile, partly joking but also a little serous. However it did earn a little chuckle from her two friends and it did help lighten the tension.

“Okay...” Scootaloo said between giggles, her aggravation now gone. “Lets get back to eat--” The ringing of the bell interrupted Scootaloo, signaling the end of the lunch break. This earned an ‘Aw…’ from the three ponies, upset over missing their lunch.

Back inside the students all took their seats as they waited for Cheerilee to exit her office. They could make out sounds of chatter coming from inside. Their teacher was definitely not alone.

After about a minute the schoolmare exited her office with her usual cheery grin attached to her face. “Students, I hope you all had a happy lunch, because I have special guest for us today.”

The students all listened in with anticipation as Cheerilee continued. “While you were all out I was busy greeting our speaker for today. For the rest of the week I plan on having a different speaker come in and tell us about their people’s customs, with the exception of the Professor for the changelings of course.”

While the students all chatted about how interested that sounded, Apple Bloom paused as she put two and two together. So if we’re a talkin’ ‘bout the zebra tribes… A smile slowly formed on her face. That means--!

“So please, put your hooves together for… ZECORA!”

On cue the zebra known as Zecora entered with a smile as she was greeted with applause. “A fine greeting to you Cheerilee’s class, it warms my heart to be here at last.”

Over the next couples hours Zecora talked about her village, Nzuri Afya and its traditions. She talked about her people, their songs, their arts, even on their herbal expertise. As a gift to the class, she brought a fruit only native in her homeland known as, a Papaya for each student. Which made the students, especially the starving Cutie Mark Crusaders, very happy. Up until Snail’s accidentally squirted himself in the eye causing an allergic reaction. Thankfully Zecora was able to calm the upset student, plus one overly distraught teacher. “Fear not little Snail’s, come tomorrow I will have something to help cure you what ails.”

“ThANKS MisS ZEcoRA!” the puffy eyed Snail’s replied with his trademark goofy smile.

“Yes, uh… Thanks.” Cheerilee said with a forced grin. Great… Our first visitor and already we’re close to a lawsuit. This is going to be a LOOOOOOOOONNNNGGGG week, the teacher thought to herself as her face collapsed to the desk. “Snail’s, you’re excused from class, go get your eye washed out.” Cheerilee said deadpan tone, her voice muffled by the desk.

“YEs MiSs cHeERilEE.”

As the young colt departed Zecora took notice of the time. “Speaking being on the way, perhaps it’s time I say to you ‘good day’.”

“Oh! Is it time already?” Cheerilee asked as her head shot up to look at the clock. “Alright then. Students, thank Zecora for being thoughtful enough to come down here and share with us.”

“THANK YOU ZECORA!” the students all cheered with applause.

Zecora gave a humbled smile as she bowed. “Thank you, it’s been a pleasure, to share with you the culture I treasure. But now there are other things I must attend to, so for now I bid you all adieu.” And with that Zecora took her leave.

Straightening up, Cheerilee took out a purple folder, which contained the weekly schedule she had planned. ”Now, before we all go I would like to go over the schedule for this week,” she announced. This earned a small groan from the class.

Ignoring them, Cheerilee read down the list. “Tomorrow we will discuss the Griffon tribes of Grifhalla. Wednesday we will go over the Donkey clans of the Great Gorge. Come Thursday we will talk about the majestic and mysterious Dragon race. And Friday we will finish our discussion on the changelings with Professor McFabricator.”

As she finished the list the students took this as a sign to start packing up, “OH! One more thing!” Cheerilee announced as she reached into her desk drawer, which lead the students into another class groan.

Dropping her head on her desk, Scootaloo decided to preoccupy her time by balancing a pencil on her nose. Zecora’s tale was interesting and all but it was a lot to swallow, and she was anxious to get going. She had a lot of planning her and the Crusaders needed to get to.

Pulling out a sheet of paper from her drawer, Cheerilee’s eyes scanned the paper as she read. The sheet contained the faces of all her students with little boxes next to them, some checked and some blank. “It’s time to choose the next student to bring a family member for this Fridays Family Appreciation Day!”

Scootaloo just rolled her eyes and slightly scowled at this. Oh boy… I can’t wait to have a Professor go on and on about his research into something I’ve actually met but can’t even talk about. AND listen to somepony’s relative bore us to sleep about their work in… in… What was that thing Diamond’s father does…? Ah who cares, Family Appreciation Day is stupid!

As for Sweetie Belle, she was actually smiling with glee. Oh boy! I hope it’s me! Maybe I can convince Rarity to come?! Oh I bet she lovvveeeee to talk about her work in fashion! Oh… please be me! Please be me! PLEASE BE ME!

“And it looks like this week’s student will be… Hmm,” Cheerilee paused as she scanned over the sheet one last time before making her decision: “Scootaloo!”

“WHAT?!?” Scootaloo cried in a slightly shrill voice as she nearly toppled over her desk. Before things could escalate the ending bell rang.

“There’s the bell! Have a good day students!”

Not wanting to risk another interruption preventing them from leaving, the students trotted out in a mini stampede. “Oh! And remember I want you all to have a three sentence essay on-what-you-learned-today-FINISHED-NO-LATER-THAN-TOMORROW!” Cheerilee finished in a quick pace, hoping to Celestia they heard her. With a heavy sigh she turned her attention to the remaining students in the class.

Slowly Scootaloo tiphoofed toward the door. If she was careful, she might able to make it out before somepony stopped her.

“Oh Scootaloo! Can I see you a moment?”

Crud!

“Uh… I can’t right now Miss Cheerilee,” Scootaloo said with a forced grin. “My friends and I got a loooooot to do, and I’m sure they don’t wanna wait for me.”

“Naw…! We’ll wait for ya!” Apple Bloom said as she hopped off her desk, Sweetie Belle following her to the door.

“Yeah! We’ll meet you by your scooter. Bye Miss Cheerilee!” Sweetie Belle said with a wave.

Double Crud!

The schoolmare gave a warm smile as she waved back to her two departing students. “Now then,” Cheerilee began, facing Scootaloo while resting her hoofs on the desk. “Scootaloo I’d like to discuss who you’ll be bringing his Friday.”

“But Miss Cheerilee,” Scootaloo whined, “why are we having Family Appreciation Day this week at all?”

“Well Scootaloo, I’ve looked over the remaining students that haven’t gone yet. And according to the list unless we start by Friday, not every student will get a chance to go until after our next break.”

“I’m cool with that!” Scootaloo blurted out, nodding her head furiously. “Just give somepony else my turn! I don’t mind!”

“Scootaloo…” Cheerilee started with a soft smile and a reassuring tone. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m sure whomever you bring will be just fine.”

Cheerilee’s expression faltered as she studied the little pegasi. The little filly just stared at the floor, as if her mind were lost in another world. Her teacher instincts were telling her something wasn’t right. “Scootaloo… Is everything alright at home?” The filly didn’t answer. She just rubbed her shoulder as she tried to find her words, but again nothing came out.

Cheerilee gave a soft sigh. “Scootaloo, I’m your teacher. If there’s something bothering you, you shouldn’t be afraid to tell me.” Scootaloo continued to remain silent as she contemplated her teacher’s words.

After a pause Cheerilee pressed on. “You have my solemn promise as teacher that anything you say here will not leave these walls.”

Scootaloo slowly raised her head as her eyes met Cheerilee’s. Suddenly she felt like she was back at the fallen rock with the changeling. Only now there was nopony to back her up. She was completely alone here. And somehow she felt even more helpless than before. Because that’s what she was, alone.

Slowly she moistened her lips. “Miss Cheerilee…”

“Yes Scootaloo?”

“I-I… I...” Taking a deep breath she slowly exhaled. “I'm--”

“MISS CHEERILEE! MISS CHEERILEE!” Scootaloo’s and Cheerilee’s conversation was suddenly interrupted by a distraught unicorn named Snip’s.

“Snip’s what is it?” Cheerilee asked the upset colt.

“Snail’s got his horn stuck in the hose!”

“Again…?”

He answered with a nod, “Again!”

“Oh Celestia…” the schoolmare sighed rubbing her head with a slight hint of annoyance in her voice. “Okay. I’ll help him, you go find Mr. Greenhooves.” Snip’s saluted as he ran out.

“Scootaloo…” Cheerilee turned her attention to the orange pegasi. “We’ll…” she paused, feeling a little guilty for leaving her student like this, “continue this another time.” With that said Cheerilee trotted out, leaving a slightly flabbergasted filly behind. Scootaloo just stood there, staring at the doorway with her mouth hanging open.

I almost told her… Scootaloo’s sat down on her flank as her mouth closed. I almost told the others yesterday. Slowly she shut her eyes as she bit down hard on her bottom trembling lip. Why…? Why can’t I--?

Her eyes shot open as she felt something. The filly slowly placed a hoof below her eye as she touched her cheek. Pulling her hoof back she saw it, a single teardrop. She was starting to cry.

Scootaloo then rubbed her eyes furiously, trying to remove any signs of her tears. Come on! Just thinking about it causes me to--?! She immediately threw her hoofs around her head as she tried to force out those unwanted thoughts. She didn’t like thinking about her situation with her family or personal life. It brought to many… unwanted feelings to the surface, which made her feel scared. Scared to face the truth. Scared she would lose her again. Scared she would be alone again.

Why was this happening now? She was doing just fine ignoring it for this long. She only got like this around special occasions, like that one time with the Sisterhooves Social.

What changed?

Wait! Change…

Then it hit her, the changeling! When she saw that changeling, that’s what made those unwanted feelings resurface! Her world was perfect. Here she was on a crusade, one of the few things that gave her purpose and made her not focus on… those things, and that creature comes along and made those thoughts resurface! It’s the reason she’s been getting emotional! It’s the reason she had that nightmare. Scootaloo shook her trying to forget that weird dream. But the fact still stood, she blamed it for this! It came into her perfect world and caused those feelings to stir. Immediately her feelings of sadness turned into hatred. Hatred for that changeling. I’m glad that things gone! I hope I never see it again!

All right Scootaloo, this is a new start! From this moment on if those thoughts resurface, just block them out! If something comes along to triggers those feelings then you just avoid it! No more having those thoughts, and no more trying to find an outlet in others! That’s weak! That’s for namby pamby ponies and their families! From this moment just ignore them no matter what! You rely, on yourself! Just like Rainbow Dash! No matter how hard things get, just look proud and stand tall!

And from this moment you tell nopony! Absolutely nopony! Her eyes slowly fell to the floor as the voice in her head grew quieter and quieter as everything sank in.

Nopony… Nopony…

Looking up her eyes fell on the board as her teachers’ lecture played through mind. She gave a small “HMPH!” as she started leaving.

“In this case Miss Cheerilee, ignorance is bliss…”

Walking outside Scootaloo was greeted with two smiling ponies. “So… who are you bringing?” Sweetie Belle asked with a smile of anticipation.

Scootaloo exchanged looks with her two friends. She was confused. “Wha…?”

“For Family Appreciation Day o’ course!” Apple Bloom replied jumping up and down in joy.

Scootaloo let out a groan. I think I liked it better when they were pestering me about my nightmare.

Scootaloo just ignored their questions as she walked past them to her scooter. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom followed after Scootaloo, skipping all the way. “Ah can’t believe it! Ah’m finally gonna meet somepony from yer family!”

“Yeah…” Scootaloo replied with an uncaring demeanor. “I can’t believe it either.”

“So tell us, what do they do?” Apple Bloom asked continuing to follow the pegasus, oblivious to the fact she wasn’t paying attention.

“Yeah, we haven’t seen any orange pegasi around here so we’ve been assuming your folks must work outta town,” Sweetie Belle chimed in. Scootaloo slightly cringed at her words, but she powered on through as she continued toward her scooter.

“So what do they do? Are they real-estate ponies? Travelin' sales ponies?” Apple Bloom looked around to ensure nopony was looking as she whispered, “Are they secret agents?”

Scootaloo stopped, finally acknowledging the fillies. She just stared at them wearing the same expression she gave Truffle Shuffle a few hours ago. Shaking her head she answered, “Yeah, sure whatever.”

“Which?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yes.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie exchanged confused looks for their friends’ vague responses. FINALLY reaching her scooter, Scootaloo started securing her helmet. “So…” she began coyly trying to change the subject. “Who’s ready to try and earn their cutie mark today?”

“What?” Sweetie Belle said stopping her tracks, forgetting about her original question. “You wanna try again?”

“After wha’ happened yesterday?” Apple Bloom added.

Scootaloo just nodded. “Well… yeah! If we gave up every time we almost got hurt, we would’ve stopped being Crusaders after that whole cocka-bird-thing incident.” Her two friends gave shudders after the mere mention of that creature. “Besides,” Scootaloo continued with a more stern tone, “I said if we’re not eating, sleeping, or at school, we’re crusading. And I meant it.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded as their heads lowered. They understood it, but they didn’t feel comfortable with it. “But…” Scootaloo began with in calmer tone, causing the two to raise their heads. “Maybe we’ll crusade for something a little less… risky?” She gave a nervous grin.

Apple Bloom tapped her head in thought. “How ‘bout… Cutie Mark Crusader Dentists?”

“BLEAGH!” Scootaloo stuck her tongue at that idea. “Yeah, I want my special talent to involve pulling ponies teeth all day.”

“How about, Cutie Mark Crusader Mechanics?” Sweetie Belle proposed.

“Hmm…” Scootaloo tapped her chin. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“Yah!” Apple Bloom cheered in agreement. “But how're we gonna earn them?”

“Maybe we could watch Mr. Doodads the town mechanic and do what he does,” Sweetie Belle proposed. “I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“That sound like a plan everypony?” Scootaloo asked her two friends. They both nodded in agreement. Scootaloo smiled. The Crusaders were back!

A quiet pause then followed.

“YAY! CUTIE MARK CRUSADER MECHANICS!!!” they all cheered at the top of their lungs.

“Aw yeah!” Scootaloo proclaimed jumping on her scooter. “We’re back in business! We’ll head over to the clubhouse to drop our stuff off, then head over to Doodads Fix It R’Us.”

Scootaloo was about to fire up her wings, “Uh… Scootaloo,” until Apple Bloom caught her attention. “Ya sure you don’t wanna just walk?” After what happened with Cheerilee today, Scootaloo’s friends didn’t think it was wise to let their friend ride today. It’s like they say, ‘friends don’t let friends drive drowsy’.

Scootaloo just waved a hoof. “PFF! Relax… I’ve could drive this baby with my eyes closed.” Firing up her wings she took off, going the distance.

BLAM!

“OOF!”

A whole three feet…

“Drive it with your eyes closed huh?” Sweetie Belle quoted smugly.

Scootaloo pulled herself off the ground, then shot a disgruntled looked to the mocking unicorn. “Oh yeah? I--!”

“Oh…” a frail old voice groaned. Immediately the three stopped their bickering when their eyes fell on the body of the poor pony Scootaloo hit.

“MR. GREENHOOVES!!!”

The three rushed to help the old garden pony up while Scootaloo apologized up and down. “I’m sorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryI’M SORRY!”

After wiping some dust off and adjusting his hat, Greenhooves gave a hard stern look at the orange apologetic filly. Scootaloo recoiled in shame. She paused when she heard what sounded like, chuckling? Looking at the old pony his angered expression was replaced with a modest smile. “Its alright junior…” he said while messing up Scootaloo’s hair, “I’m tougher then I look.” While slightly annoyed by the hair nuzzle, Scootaloo was happy nonetheless that Mr. Greenhooves was all right.

“Thank you sir.”

“Alrighty then,” he hacked up some saliva then spitted to the ground. “I was told by some little colt that his friend went and got his horn stuck in the hose again?” The three pointed him in the direction of the disgruntled schoolmare who was busy trying to tug a hose off a puffy eyed yellow colt.

Greenhooves just sighed. “I swear… You figure with all they teach ya at this school, somepony would have the decency to tell you tikes not to stick your horns where they don’t belong.” The girls just nodded in agreement. “Well, I better get to work. You three have a good now.”

“BYE MR.GREENHOOVES!” the Crusaders waved in unison.

With that out of the way, Scootaloo once again hopped on her scooter. “Well, we better get go--”

“AHEM!”

Feeling the eyes of both her friends staring through her, Scootaloo sheepishly replied, “Y’know it's such a nice day, I think I’ll walk my scooter for now.” Both her friends gave approving smiles. Two accidents were enough for one day.

As the three started leaving school, Apple Bloom took one last look at old garden pony and his empty flank. “Ya think we’ll ever end up like that?”

“Like what?” Scootaloo asked.

“Like Mr. Greenhooves.”

“What? Old?” Scootaloo asked as she pondered the mere idea of the three of them getting old. “Nah…”

“No," Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "I mean a blank flank like him."

This caused Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle to take another glance at the old pony as it dawned on them. “Hey, she’s gotta point. How come he doesn’t have his cutie mark already?”

Scootaloo replied nonchalantly, “Maybe he’s just not good at anything.”

“SCOOTALOO!” the two exclaimed at the pegasi’s rude comment.

Scootaloo merely shrugged. “What? I’m just saying.”

Clubhouse Guest or Pest?

“Anger ventilated often hurries towards forgiveness; anger concealed often hardens into revenge.”
--Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

~*~*~

Dead Ringer’s eyes slowly opened as Celestia’s sun shined through the window. He let out a groan as he stretched his legs before slowly standing up. “What happened last--?” Dead Ringer immediately grabbed his aching wing while giving a hiss as the memories of yesterday painfully came back to him. He then gave a growl of annoyance. This was Deja Vu all over again.

The Commander’s eyes were drawn to the window as he studied the sun that loomed over. Judging by its distance in the sky, it was sometime in the afternoon. “Hmm, must’ve overslept.” The changeling then examined the room that was his shelter for the night. Assortments of boxes were littered in areas around the room. A lantern hung from the rope in the ceiling. The wall with a window was fashioned with a frilly cloth and a hanging photo of some silhouetted pony, both used to probably brighten up the room. Next to it hung a mirror. Standing in front of it the changeling took a good long look at himself.

He almost barely recognized himself. Dead Ringer wasn’t used to being seen outside his armor. It made him feel… exposed.

The back of the room contained a huge chest, next to a small table with assortments of tiny colored cylinders and random drawings on top. Dead Ringer approached the table as he gave one of the red colored objects a sniff. Curiosity getting the better of him, he took a small bite out of it. Within a split second he immediately regretted it.

As hacked out the remains, Dead Ringer made a mental note to try and not investigate the unknown by taking a bite out of it, no matter how non-threatening it seems. Coughing the last piece out, Dead Ringer’s eye caught sight of something on the wall. A large sheet of paper hung like a poster, written (poorly) in color were the words: CUTIE MARK CRUSADER HQ!

He tilted his head at this. “Cu-tie, Mark Cru-sader what…?” he read out loud. His eyes fell on his empty flank as he tried to piece together what it meant. Dead Ringer didn’t know much about Equestria or its creatures. All he knew was from his Majesty's teachings. If he remembered it correctly, cutie marks were the symbol of a pony’s special talent, which when they realize them, there appears an image which represents or symbolizes what said talent is on the ponies flank.

Slowly Dead Ringer’s mind pieced it together. The cutie mark is on the flank. The flank is the rump of a pony.

“… Hindquarters?” This just puzzled the changeling even further.

Deciding to ignore the… strange poster, he turned his attention toward the chest. He lifted his hoof, but hesitated a moment. Do I DARE look in it? he thought, fearing what he might find given that so far the ones who lived in the place were starting to come off as some strange ponies.

Opening the chest, Dead Ringer found assortments of random trinkets. He saw what looked to be three strange clothes with strange colors of random stripes on them. Looks like something a goblin or ghoulish figure would wear. There were other random items that possibly held some premature value to the owners, but what caught his eye shook him to his very core.

Dead Ringer had seen a lot of unique things throughout his life, some weird, some horrifyingly scarring, but this…? He didn’t know what to make of THIS! Slowly he picked up of what looked to be rainbow colored hair. In a fit of shock he throw it to the ground.

“What kind of a sick mind keeps someone’s hair in a chest?! No, that’s not what I should be asking. The real question is HOW did they get it?! And WHAT… in the name of Queen Chrysalis... is the reasoning behind that banner?! What messed up ponies lives here?!?”

Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle made their way into the apple plantation, which would lead them toward the clubhouse.

“Ah’m just saying it’s a little strange is all,” Apple Bloom said.

“And I’m saying he probably just didn’t try hard enough for it,” Scootaloo responded.

“As RUDE as that sounds.” Sweetie Belle eyed Scootaloo “Maybe Mr. Greenhooves just couldn’t find the time to earn his mark?”

“Or maybe some ponies never find their talent,” Apple Bloom gloomily added, lowering her head a little.

“Hey, don’t think like that,” Scootaloo reassured, placing a hoof over her friend. “We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders! We won’t stop until we find out who we are! And if we can’t find the time, we’ll make it!”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle joined in beaming. “And if we wanna use that time right, we have to try everything!”

“Especially everything that’s fun!” Scootaloo finished with anticipation. This brightened the farm filly’s mood up as she gave each of her friends a smile of appreciation.

They continued along the path until their clubhouse soon came into view. “We’re here!” Sweetie Belle announced, walking ahead. “Now lets talk about-- OOF!” An orange foreleg blocking her path interrupted her. “Scootaloo?” The pegasus didn’t respond she just narrowed her eyes as she stared at the window.

“What’s wrong?” Apple Bloom asked.

Turning to her friends she pointed to the window. “I think I saw something.” Her friends just raised an eyebrow before turning toward the window. They just stood there staring for a moment.

Finding this to be ridicules Apple Bloom was about to speak up until something caught her eye. A shadow of a large figure passed by their window. It was too quick to make out what it was, but they saw it. There was no denying it. Somepony, or something, was in their clubhouse.

They each exchanged looks of confusion with one another. “Maybe its mah sister?” Apple Bloom proposed.

“Doesn’t she work at this hour?” Scootaloo answered.

“Oh… right…” Apple Bloom answered sheepishly.

“Or maybe, IT’S A ROYAL GUARD PONY SENT HERE BY CELESTIA TO ARREST US BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DID YESTERDAY?!” Sweetie Belle said in a panic.

“Oh come on! That’s ridiculous!” Scootaloo scoffed.

“Really?”

“Yeah…” she responded with a smile. “Its probably just some wild animal that hid here during the night.” Silence soon fell. Scootaloo’s immediately smacked her hoof to her face when her mind just registered what she just said.

Looking up the three just continued to puzzle over what could be in there. They never got visitors at their clubhouse. They only got visitors during Scootaloo’s club meetings, and she hadn’t planned any yet.

“Well,” Apple Bloom began, “we’re not gonna find out just by waitin’ around here.”

“Yeah! Apple Bloom’s right!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders! We single hoofedly took on a changeling! There’s nothing we can’t handle together. So lets do this!” All three took one step forward with confidence in their eyes. “So who’s going first?” Then immediately took one step back with uncertainty in their eyes.

Who was going to up there first and face the unknown entity that was in their neck of the woods?

“Well Ah think we should have one of them diplomatyic votes,” Apple Bloom proposed.

“I vote Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo announced.

“I second that!” Sweetie Belle agreed.

“WHAT?!”

Up in the treehouse Dead Ringer slowly walked around the hair, his eyes never leaving it. Suddenly something caught his eye. Looking down, he noticed a small tag hanging loosely from the edge below it. Squinting his eyes, he made out the words: ‘Made at Ace Wig Store’. Tilting his head, the changeling tried to comprehend the words. He didn’t know what a ‘wig’ was, but the word ‘made’ he understood.

Swallowing his pride he picked up the hair and gave it a closer inspection. He sniffed it. To his surprise there was no scent, no odor, nothing. Looking at the bottom where the tag was hanging, he saw a large gap in the hair; it almost looked like it could fit on someone’s head. The changeling froze as his mind put two and two together.

Made.

Hair.

Made, means created.

Created hair.

FAKE HAIR.

“Hmm…” he pondered. “So they create hair in this land?” And here I thought ponies were capable of growing their own. What strange creatures... He was about to cast the strange forgery aside until something about it caught his eye. This hair looked familiar, like he’d seen somewhere, but where?

“Looks like we’re gonna have to do this the hard way!”

Dead Ringer’s eyes practically shot from their sockets as he came to the startling realization. The rainbow colored hair was an exact match to the hair of colorful pegasus pony, or as his Queen referred to: the Element Bearer of Loyalty!

Ground level, the girls were still debating over who should go up first.

“Alright, y’all ready?” Apple Bloom asked, a stern look on her face. The unicorn and pegasus both nodded with serious looks. They came to a conclusion on how they would settle this. It was an age-old way that goes back generations, to even before the days of Nightmare Moon. It has been used to settle debates, bets, and even greater conflicts. This is how they will settle theirs.

“Hoof! Wing! Horn! Shoot!” they called in unison.

With a childish game of Hoof, Wing, Horn. It was simple game, requiring at least two players. Using their hoof, and their wings or horn, the players make a gesture with one of them and call it out. Each one defeated one gesture, while another could defeat it. The game was rather confusing for those that lack the extra… accessories.

“Hah!” Apple Bloom cried triumphal. “Hoof beats horn!”

“Hold on!” Scootaloo interrupted. “Wing beats hoof!”

“And horn beats wing!” Sweetie Belle cut in.

The three looked at each, and then released sighs of annoyance. They were at a stalemate.

“Best two outta three?” Scootaloo proposed sheepishly.

Sweetie Belle just groaned. “What’s the point? We’ll just end up with the same.”

“Hey! At least y’all have two choices, Ah only got the one option here!” Apple Bloom pointed out, waving her hoof around.

“She has a point,” Scootaloo commented. “Come to think of it, how do you actually play this game?”

The three just stared their hooves. The game didn’t really give many options for those that lacked wings or horns. As the girls thought more and more about it, they started to wonder: What kind of a sick mind creates a game that’s nearly unplayable for normal ponies?

In Canterlot Princess Celestia was busy in her private quarters, overlooking the recent influx of paperwork she had been receiving. With all that’s been happening, keeping up with requisition orders and damage reports was enough to put a lot of strain on a princess. Thankfully she had a nice box of chocolate truffles to help mend the stress, graciously donated by her dear sister Luna.

The doors behind her suddenly burst open as Luna barges in. “TIAAA!!!” she shouted, anger lingering in her eyes. Turning over Celestia greeted her sister with a gentle smile.

“Why my dear sister, what a pleasant--”

“Don’t, ‘DEAR SISTER’ ME!” she shouted. “You know full well why I’m here!”

Her smile not faltering, Celestia asked innocently, “Why, whatever do you mean?” Luna only answered by pointing a hoof at the box of truffles. “Oh…” Celestia realized, blushing. “Well… I, needed them, to help deal with the papers and…” She paused when she saw her sister still standing there, not amused in the slightest. Immediately Celestia threw her hoofs over eyes and started weeping. “And it helps me deal with the thought of my POOR subjects! All out there, with no--!”

“That may have worked on getting you the last slice of cake yesterday, but that won’t work again.”

“Oh…” Celestia lowered her hoofs in defeat. “Well you can’t blame a princess for trying.”

“No, but I can blame you for thievery!” Luna accused. The box was then enveloped in a blue aurora as it levitated to its original owner. She opened the box to access the damage. “And another thing, I-- WHAT?!” Luna cut off her long and thought out berate when she saw the remains of her truffles. Her mouth was left ajar. There was nothing left, the entire box had been licked clean.

Luna took a deep breath, fully ready give her sister the biggest riot act ever, when suddenly her eye caught something. There it was, in the corner, waiting for her. The last survivor from the sweets-apocalypse known as Celestia.

Suddenly the truffle was enveloped in a yellow aura and flew over the sun goddess. “Well if you’re just going to stare at it, there’s no sense in letting it go to waste.” Celestia opened her mouth, ready to join to the truffle with the rest of its family.

“Unhoof that at once!” Luna declared, taking a step forward.

Her sister just smiled knowingly. “It seems we’re at an impasse my fair sister. Fortunately I know a way we can settle this.” Luna raised an eyebrow, wondering what her devious sister was scheming.

“Shall we decide with an old childhood favorite?”

Luna knew what she was referring too. In annoyance she shook her head with a sigh. “Honestly sister this is juvenile even for you.”

“So you concede?” Celestia said, raising an eyebrow with a smug grin.

Luna narrowed her eyes, slowly forming a grin of her own. “Very well, so be it.” The two sisters walked to the center of the room, their eyes never leaving one another as they prepared for the rematch of the millennium.

“Hoof! Wing! Horn! Shoot!”

Back inside the clubhouse, Dead Ringer was pacing around the room while he was trying to wrap his head around this. What was a replica of the Loyalty Bearer’s hair doing here? What does this mean?

As he walked and thought he didn’t notice the table he knocked over. The table flipped over and papers went flying everywhere. Dead Ringer stopped, and looked at the different drawings that hit the floor. There were varying crude drawings of shapes and objects with the words, What My Cutie Mark Will Look Like! written on them. There were even some drawings of ponies.

Familiar looking ponies.

Dead Ringer came in for a closer look at one of the drawings. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The orange pony with the strange hat, the Bearer of Honesty! But that’s not what shocked him the most. What shocked him was who was standing next to her, a younger looking yellow pony with a red scribble on her head. On top of the drawing were the (poorly written) words, Me aND My sIsTeR!

Time seemed to slow down for a moment as Dead Ringer stared at the drawing. The resemblance was uncanny. There was no denying it. One of the Element Bearers shares the same blood, with one of the fillies he encountered yesterday. First the hair and now pictures? All the changeling was left with was one question: Who REALLY lives here?

The girls took their time as they made their way up to the clubhouse. Seeing that democracy failed them, and the complicated game wasn’t solving their problems either, they choose to just go up together.

“So... what’s the plan?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“We need a plan?” Apple Bloom responded.

“Well, if there is something up there, what do we do?”

“How do y’all know if there really is some kind of critter up there?”

“Hey if there is, maybe we could try out for our creature catcher cutie marks again!” Scootaloo proposed with a hint of anticipation.

“Scootaloo after what happened with that cocka-whatever, and that changeling, Ah really don’t think we’re cut out to be creature catchers.”

“TCH! Your're such a buzzkill sometimes!”

Apple Bloom simply responded by rolling her eyes.

Reaching the entrance to the clubhouse, Sweetie Belle was the first to peak her head in, and within a split second, her jaw nearly hit the floor. “No… way…”

“Well wha is it? Ah wanna see”

“OW! HEY, WATCH IT!”

Hopping on Sweetie Belle’s back, Apple Bloom poked her head in. “So what’s the--? No way…”

“Yeah…” Sweetie Belle said with a grunt, feeling the weight of the earth filly weighing down on her. “That’s what I said. Now could you-- ERK!”

“OW!”

Tired of waiting, Scootaloo buzzed up her wings and landed on Apple Bloom. “What’s the holdup? What’s in our--?” Scootaloo suddenly froze. Like the others she was stunned, but for more reasons.

There it was, in their clubhouse, looking over their stuff. The damaged wing matched the description. There was no denying it; this was the same changeling from yesterday, in their town, in their clubhouse. They couldn’t believe their eyes; they were absolutely stunned. Well Sweetie Belle was more aggravated for the enormous amount of weight from the pony tower that was standing on her.

“What’s it doin’ here?” Apple Bloom whispered to the others.

“How the hay should I know? Sightseeing?” Scootaloo chided, looking down at the yellow filly.

“Girls…” Sweetie Belle strained. “I don’t think I can--”

“Well there’s no need to get snippy with me!” Apple Bloom snapped, looking up at her passenger.

“Are you even list--?”

“I’m not being snippy, I’m being obvious!”

“Seriously I can’t--”

“So bein’ obvious includes bein’ rude?”

“Are you calling me rude?!”

“Ah ain’t callin’ ya for dinner!”

“Girls stop fidgeting or I’m gonna--!”

“Now you listen here, I--! WHOA!” Scootaloo found herself nearly falling over as her support suddenly shook. “What the hay are you doing down there Sweetie Belle?”

“You’re both too heavy and your fighting isn’t exactly helping! I'm-- Uh-oh…” Suddenly the filly tower rocked back and forth as Sweetie's hooves tripped over each other as she scuttled from side-to-side, trying to keep her passengers from tipping over. However the support and weight became too much for little filly to handle, and she along with the other Crusaders came tumbling down, all hitting the floor with an “OOF!” landing in the clubhouse in a big pile on top one another.

Sweetie Belle groaned in frustration. “Next time I get to be at the top!” Her friends didn’t answer. “Girls…?” Confused, she shifted her eyes to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to find them staring up at something. She was confused at first, until she remembered what her friends were doing there in the first place. Joining her friends, she looked up and saw what was keeping them quiet. Her eyes met with two dark and empty voids staring back. The creature towered over them menacingly, looking down at them with a cold expression; its face was completely unreadable.

While it was unreadable to them, Dead Ringer’s mind was puzzled. I didn’t want to believe it, but here it is. How is it out of all the houses, in all the trees, in all of Equestria, I find the one belonging to the little monsters that did this to me?

The four just remained there staring at each other, in complete silence. Four different beings from two completely different lands, all in one room.

“Uh, hi… again,” Apple Bloom stuttered, breaking the silence with a nervous smile. “So… how ya--?”

“WHAT THE HAY ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” Scootaloo demanded, shocking not only her two friends, but also even causing the changeling to tense up a little. Pulling herself out of the pile Scootaloo walked right up to their intruder. “I said, what the hay are you doing here?”

As Dead Ringer looked at the little pony he could see - including smell - the rage that was burning off her. The biggest evidence of this was shown in her eyes. This puzzled the changeling even further. These weren’t the same eyes he locked with yesterday. No these were filled with utter rage, rage that was directed at him. For what reason he didn’t know. What had he done to upset her so much? This couldn’t be over the fact of him using what he assumes is they’re home for a shelter, or examining their belongings. No this kind of anger was more than that. This was hatred.

Scootaloo continued to stare at the foreign creature, ignoring her friend’s pleas for help with untangling their manes, she was absolutely furious. She made a promise to herself to avoid the things that reminded her of her... issue, and now this creature being here complicates things. The pegasus didn’t even care if it was bigger then her, stronger then her, or even if it was smarter. She wanted to know right then and there why did it come back!

“I said, what the--? MPHF!”

“I’m really sorry!” Grabbing her friend, Sweetie Belle started stepping back from their… guest. “She’s not thinking straight today, you see she didn’t really sleep well and I kind of think it caused her brain to go on the fritz!”

The changeling just continued to stare.

Popping up from behind the young unicorn struggling with her pegasi friend, Apple Bloom said, louder then how she intended, “YAH! So uh… why don’t ya make yerself at home, while we go talk over there.” She started backing away slowly. “To the faaaaaaaar end of the room.” The changeling kept watching them with every move. Apple Bloom just kept her forced grin as she and her two friends headed for the corner.

As the three turned around to converse, Dead Ringer caught eye of something. The young fillies flanks, they were blank. Turning back to the poster he read the words to himself. Cutie Mark Crusader HQ…

Pushing Scootaloo into the center of the corner Sweetie Belle prepared to read her the riot act. “Why are you constantly blabber mouthing today?!” she whispered in anger.

“Why are you constantly suffocating me today?!”

“Don’t change the subject Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom stepped in.

“I…” Scootaloo paused to find the right answer. “Was being direct, because… that’s what Rainbow Dash would do! Yep!” She nodded, loving her answer. “I was just trying to be like her! You know me!”

“Well why--?”

“Excuse me…”

All three immediately froze as their eyes fell back on the main topic at hoof. The changeling was standing right in front of them. He lowered his head so he was at their eye level. “Why don’t you have cutie marks?”

“… Say wha?” Apple Bloom tilted her head at the strange question.

“Your flanks,” he pointed, “they're empty.”

“Tell us something we don’t know,” the upset pegasus snapped.

“Scootaloo don’t be rude to our guest!” Sweetie Belle scolded, trying her best to help avoid a incident.

“Guest?!” Scootaloo’s voice practically cracked. “It broke into our clubhouse, our-our personal headquarters! That’s not exactly what I would call guest! More like a pest!”

Dead Ringer slowly furrowed his brow. “You make it sound like I chose to be here--? Wait…” He paused. “Headquarters?” Dead Ringer turned his head toward the poster, the words starting to make a little sense. “Cutie Mark Crusader… Headquarters?”

“Yeah! This is our clubhouse, and our personal headquarters! What’d you think HQ meant?!” Dead Ringer wasn’t going to answer that. Scootaloo continued. “This is where we discuss important business!”

“What, how to nearly kill yourselves?” he chided. “Or how to leave a changeling stranded?!”

“Wait,” Apple Bloom interrupted. “Stranded?”

Calming down a little Dead Ringer directed their eyes to his limp wing. “I can’t fly, and I wasted most of my energy during that rockslide. There’s no way I can survive in the forest as I am.”

“And with the weather yesterday…” Sweetie Belle was slowly connecting the dots.

The changeling gave a somber nod. “Correct. I required shelter. Your… house-tree provided me with that.”

“House-tree?” Scootaloo said ready to burst into laughter. “Are you serious?”

Dead Ringer responded with low snarl. “Watch what you say pegasus…”

“Hey its not my fault you don’t know the difference between a clubhouse and an actual house.”

“Well its not my fault three little monsters tried to assassinate me while I was drinking!”

“Well it’s not my fault you ran into the side of a mountain!”

“Uh… Scootaloo, it kinda is,” Sweetie Belle pointed out.

Scootaloo snapped her head the unicorns' direction, shocked and aggravated by her words. “WHO’S SIDE ARE YOU ON?!”

“ENOUGH!!!” Dead Ringer slammed his hoof as silence filled the room. He looked down at the girls with a stern and slightly agitated look. “I don’t like being here anymore then you do, but I’m low on options right now. So…” Dead Ringer really had to swallow his pride for this next line. “If you permit me to stay for just a little longer, I swear no negative repercussions will befall you.”

The three fillies stood there in silence his words hung in the air.

“Wait a minute,” Apple Bloom shook her head as her mind tried to register this. “Are you askin’ to stay here?”

Dead Ringer couldn’t believe what he was asking either, seeing as how these children shared some kind of relationship with the Element Bearers, talking to them was being risky enough as it is. Figuratively speaking, talking to any pony was risky, but he was low on options, and low on energy. And by being discovered, his options were getting slimmer and slimmer. Unless his wing was repaired, he wasn’t getting far. As much as it disgusted him, and it really, reaaaaally did, he had no choices at the moment. Answering the filly he merely nodded.

The Crusaders exchanged looks with one another, shocked and confused by what was happening.

Apple Bloom was the first to speak. “Well… maybe--”

“You're not actually considering this, are you?” Scootaloo interrupted.

“Well… it did--”

“Break into our clubhouse and touch all our stuff?” Scootaloo finished. “Yeah, I just noticed.” Walking over to the mess on the floor, Scootaloo surveyed the damage. “Did you take a bite outta one of our crayons?” Scootaloo asked, not believing it herself.

All eyes fell on the changeling. Dead Ringer’s eyes shifted from side to side as he stood there in silence. “It… had a, scent to it.” The three just continued to stare, still finding it odd that the changeling’s first instinct was to taste it. Getting slightly agitated he asked, “If its not for eating what’s it for then?”

“Colorin’, what else?” Apple Bloom simply answered.

“Coloring? What’s this, coloring?” Dead Ringer asked looking over at the yellow filly.

Apple Bloom exchanged a glance with Sweetie Belle. Rubbing the back of her neck, her mind strained as she tried to grasp how she was going to explain something as simple as coloring to someone. “Well… it's taking something and filling it with a new color. It’s for fun.” The changeling just tilted his head with a slightly puzzled expression. “Please don’t tell me Ah gotta explain fun to ya? C’mon, don’t yer youngins color?”

Dead Ringer stared off into space as he contemplated her question. By youngins, she was probably referring to the hatchlings of his kind, and judging by her use of the word coloring, this was possibly some form of pony-like activity the children of this land partake in. Slowly his eyes fell to the floor. “No…” he answered quietly.

“How come?” Apple Bloom questioned, raising a curious eyebrow.

Suddenly Dead Ringer’s head shot up as he gave the young filly a hateful look. “That’s none of your business…!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both took a step back at the changeling’s sudden outburst. “My Dash wig!” Breaking the awkward moment, all eyes fell on the orange pegasus.

Picking up her wig that resembled her idol, Scootaloo surveyed it for damage. She turned over the changeling, baring her teeth in malice anger. “What the hay were you doing with it?!”

Dead Ringer raised an eyebrow. “Well what the fang do YOU do with it? You have hair.”

“She wears cause it makes her feel like her idol,” Sweetie Belle answered. “Plus she thinks it makes her look cool.”

“Hey! It totally does!” Placing the wig firmly on her head, Scootaloo shot a toothy grin and struck a Rainbow Dash like pose. “C’mon, look at me! You tell me my coolness levels haven’t gone up?”

Everypony, and changeling, just stared at the filly with deadpan looks. The clubhouse became silent, but Dead Ringer could've sworn he heard what sounded like chirping somewhere.

Ignoring the deluded filly, Dead Ringer turned over to the other two. “So I’m guessing she does this for… fun too?”

“Well… yeah.” Sweetie Belle answered like it was common knowledge, well common knowledge here.

Dead Ringer merely shook his head as he muttered to himself, “Strange creatures…”

“I heard that!” Scootaloo called out. “We’re the strange ones? Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

Dead Ringer looked at the mirror, then back at her. “Yes.”

“It’s a figure of… Oh forget it!”

“Sheesh, you don’t know what a treehouse is, you thought crayons are food, you don’t know what colorin’ is, and Ah probably don’t even wanna know what was goin’ through your head when ya saw that wig.” The changeling shifted his eyes the side, giving a low growl in response. Apple Bloom continued, “Y’all don’t really know much about children do ya?”

The changeling didn’t answer; he just shifted his head and gave the filly a glare before looking off to the side. The more and more she looked at the creature, the more Apple Bloom started thinking back to her teacher’s lesson. “If you don’t mind me askin’, do you even know anythin’ about Equestria?”

Not even looking at her, the changeling muttered, “What’s there to know…?”

Apple Bloom stared at the changeling, both shocked and offended. “Why you ignor--” She stopped her berate when the memory of her conversation with Cheerilee came back to her.

“Ah bet if they had somepony as special as you for a teacher they'd be informed.”

Apple Bloom slowly rubbed her chin as she stared at their ignorant guest. “Somepony special…” Her eyes then fell on her empty flank. A smile grew as the filly slowly evolved a plan. “That’s it!” she shouted leaping into the air.

CLANK!

“OW!”

Which the young pony immediately regretted once she banged her head into the hanging lamp. Apple Bloom rubbed it to numb the pain. “We really oughta stop jumping whenever we're around the thinkin' area. That’s the eighth time that’s happened.”

“So, what exactly is it?” Scootaloo asked.

Ignoring the question Apple Bloom ran up their clubhouse, visitor. “Uh, Mr. Changeling? About that offer o’ yers?” The changeling simply stared at her, slightly taken aback by the little pony’s sudden change in perk and energy. Also slightly bewildered for being called Mr. as well. “Just give me and mah friends a moment.”

“Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo asked, slightly concerned where her friend was going with this. “Just what are you--?”

“CRUSADERS, HUDDLE UP!”

Reluctantly following her orders, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo huddled up with Apple Bloom in the corner, to speak in private.

Dead Ringer stared at the three ponies questionably, pondering what they could be planning. His eyes then fell back on the poster as he read the words to himself, this time only the first three. Cutie Mark Crusader… Hmm… Slowly his mind put the pieces together. Crusading for cutie marks?

Back at the private huddle, the Crusaders conversed. “So what’s the plan, we gonna kick this thing out?” Scootaloo asked.

“Actually, Ah have better idea, one that works for all four of us,” Apple Bloom revealed, confidence dripping from her tone. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exchanged confused looks with one another, trying to figure out what was going through that apple pony’s mind. “What if we let it stay--”

“WHAT?!?” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle practically screamed, Scootaloo being the loudest.

Apple Bloom raised a hoof, signaling them to relax. “Hear me out. We let it stay, and work with it to get our cutie marks.”

“Say what?” Scootaloo asked, her mind trying to grasp this far-fetched idea.

“What do you mean? Like, changeling caretakers?” Sweetie Belle questioned.

“No, no, no.” Apple Bloom shook her head, until she stopped, giving the idea some thought. Cutie Mark Crusader Changeling Caretakers does create a cool abbreviation (CMCCC). Shaking her head again she got back on topic. “Look, our… guest clearly doesn’t know much about Equestria.”

“That’s an understatement.” Sweetie Belle added as she stole a glance at the fourth party in the room. “I don’t think it even cares.”

“Exactly,” Apple Bloom pointed out. “Do y’all, remember our lesson today on ig-nor-ance?” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo nodded. “And remember what I said to Miss Cheerilee?” Apple Bloom continued. Again, the two just nodded. The farm filly slowly formed a smile. “Well…” Apple Bloom said, shifting her eyes towards their guest, trying to give them a hint.

Scootaloo wasn’t getting it, neither was Sweetie Belle, but she still answered, “You want Cheerilee to teach it?”

“Yea- what?!” Apple Bloom’s smile faltered. “No! US!” She pointed at all three of them to specify her point. “Ah mean us!”

“But…” Sweetie Belle shook her head reluctantly. “We’re not teachers.”

Apple Bloom formed a knowing grin. “Not yet…”

“Wait a minute. Are you saying…? WE teach it?” Scootaloo questioned.

“Eeyup! We could teach it our history, our way of life, basically everythin’ it means to be a pony. Who knows?” She looked over at the changeling giving it a small smile. “Maybe afterward it won’t be so darn grumpy.”

A small pause followed as the young unicorn and pegasus took this in until it was broken by Scootaloo. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you think I’M the dodo?”

“Oh come on!” Apple Bloom proclaimed. “Bein’ a teacher could be fun! Ah mean look at Cheerilee, she loves it!”

Scootaloo gave a deadpan look, failing to see the resemblance here. “Cheerilee teaches little ponies, not full grown monsters.”

“Well another thing to bein’ a teacher is bein’ responsible. And right now that monster as you call it, is our responsibility.”

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow, curious what she was meaning. “How?”

“We’re the ones that hurt it, we’re the reason it’s stranded here, so it’s our own fault.” Apple Bloom gave Scootaloo a stern look. “And big ponies like Cheerilee and Rainbow Dash take responsibility for their actions.”

“I am a big pony!” Scootaloo whined. “And I am responsible! So there! NA!” To prove her point, she stuck her tongue out.

Ignoring the childlike gesture, Apple Bloom leaned in closer. “Well tell me this, if we kick it out, where’s it gonna go? What if it gets caught, what then? The older ponies will find out what we did to it, and then we can forget about crusadin’ ever again.”

Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle gulped, they hadn’t considered that. They’re the reason the changelings stuck here. If they get caught, their caretakers will find out where they were and what they were doing. Then its goodbye Cutie Mark Crusaders!

They’d been on thin ice as it is with their crusades in the past. After that whole incident where they tried for their cannonball cutie marks with Pinkie’s 'borrowed' party cannon, or that other time they tried for their time traveler cutie marks by attaching a engine they ‘borrowed’ from Mr. Doodad to Scootaloo’s scooter, only instead of going through time they ended up going through Miss Derpy’s window and setting half her home on fire.

Sweetie Belle shuffled her hoof as she gave the idea some thought. “Well… maybe we--”

“Sweetie Belle?!” Scootaloo asked. “You're actually considering this?!”

“Well, maybe teaching could be fun.” Sweetie Belle slowly started to smile, finding the idea more and more interesting. She nodded. “Yeah… It’d be nice to be the one giving the lessons for a change.”

“Exactly!” Apple Bloom nodded. “And its like y’all told me, we have to try everythin’, specially everythin’ that’s fun! And our teachin’ cutie mark is somthin’ we ain’t tried yet!”

Giving each other a nod Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom’s eyes soon fell on Scootaloo. She exchanged looks with both of them as she gulped. It was two on one here. “Well… it-it could get hostile with us,” she stuttered.

“Nuh-uh.” Sweetie Belle dismissed, shaking her head. “It said it was outta magic, and it’s wings broken so flying is out of the question.”

“Yeah… but…” Scootaloo’s mind raced as she tried to come up with another excuse. “But did you forget those razor sharp chompers we saw yesterday?!”

“Oh c’mon Scootaloo. Don’t let what Diamond said get to ya." Apple Bloom chuckled. "We’re as big as its head, how’s it gonna gobble us up? Besides, don’t forget, this is the same changeling that helped us yesterday. The worst Ah imagine it’ll give us is its attitude.”

Shot down again the young pegasus pounded her head for ideas. Finally a brilliant thought struck her. “Okay! Then explain how are we gonna feed it?” Scootaloo smiled, feeling proud of her reason. But Sweetie Belle was prepared.

“Oh that we got covered.” Sweetie Belle shook a hoof. “I might not know much about changelings, but I think after yesterday it's safe to say changelings have a fond taste for cupcakes, or Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes anyway.”

Crud. Crud! CRUD! Scootaloo cried in her head. This wasn’t fair. Her friends and fellow Crusaders were now on this thing’s side. All she wanted now was for things to go back to the way they were. Things were so much better before they went to that stupid mountain!

“Scootaloo…” Sweetie Belle said softly. “Is this all about that dream…?” Looking her unicorn friend in the eye, Scootaloo remained silent.

“Look, Ah can understand if yer afraid.” The moment Apple Bloom said ‘afraid’ Scootaloo looked at her like she insulted her. “Ah know, Ah’ve had dreams that made me afraid of things in real life too. Like this one time, Ah had a dream where Ah was attacked by a giant pony-eatin' apple orchid. After that, Ah couldn’t go near a apple orchard for weeks.”

Trying (trying being the key word here) to ignore Apple Bloom’s… bizarre story. Scootaloo defended herself. “I’m not afraid of anything!”

Tired of beating around the bush, Sweetie Belle stepped in. “Well if you're not afraid then what’s your real reason for hating the changeling? Yesterday when we were helping it you were practically nicer to it then we were. Then you have one nightmare and suddenly you treat it like it broke your wing.” She paused as a thought came to her. “Come to think of it, all day you’ve been acting weird.”

Scootaloo slowly recoiled. She really did not like where this was going.

Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle took a step forward, preparing to ask the question that’s been on their minds since the day started. “Scootaloo, what really happened in your dream?”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah, mah sister said that dreams can sometimes sym-bol uh… symbileeze, uh…”

“Symbolize…?” Sweetie Belle corrected.

“Yeah, yeah, that!” Apple Bloom nodded. “So tell us, maybe there’s more to it then ya think.”

Scootaloo bit the bottom of her lip and closed her eyes as the memories of her nightmare came back to her.

Alone in a dark forest.

Abandoned.

Alone.

No one there to help.

Then out of the shadows…

IT appeared...

Opening her eyes Scootaloo took a deep breath as she answered in a weak voice, “Just… forget about it…”

“But--”

“I SAID FORGET ABOUT IT!” the orange filly shouted, starting to get defensive.

Exchanging startled looks with one another; Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both let out a quiet sigh, acknowledging they would drop the dream. The three fell silent as Scootaloo just rubbed her shoulder, lost in her own little world. It was clear to them Scootaloo didn’t wish to continue on this topic, and as her friends they would respect her privacy. But they knew better. They knew something was going on with their friend. She was hiding something. Something they were going to find out.

Eventually, at least... Right now they had to deal with the issue at hoof.

Apple Bloom took another glance at their guest. “You know, the more Ah look at it, the more Ah feel sorry for it.”

This caught Scootaloo’s attention. Looking at farmer friend, she raised a puzzled eyebrow as she asked, “Why?”

“Well think about it. All by its lonesome, in a strange land, nothin’s familiar, no friends, no family. Hay, for we know it was abandoned out there.” The orange filly started to freeze up as the words cut through her.

“Ah can’t imagine how that feels.”

Scootaloo’s eyes fell to the floor. She gave a heavy nod. “No… no you don’t…” Immediately she shook her head. Trying again to force out those unwanted thoughts that were coming up again.

Seeing this, Apple Bloom concluded her words were reaching the stubborn pegasus in some way. She decided it was time to move in for the kill. “So…?” she asked, leaning in, blinking her big eyes cutely.

Slightly gagging at this, Scootaloo slowly looked at the changeling. As much as she hated to say this, and she really, reaaaaally did, her friends seemed set on this plan. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, as long as she kept her distance from this thing at least. With a heavy nod, she answered, “Okay…”

“And…?” Sweetie Belle asked, mimicking Apple Bloom’s actions.

Scootaloo knew what she was asking for. It was sort of Cutie Mark Crusader policy to do this. It had to be done. And maybe it might help lighten the tension. “Only for you guys,” she said giving them a smile.

“YAY! CUTIE MARK CRUSADER TEACHERS!!!”

The plan ready, the three faced the changeling and… it wasn’t there. Looking around the room they saw no trace of it. It couldn’t have left, they would have noticed. Apple Bloom looked around finding nothing to give them a clue. “Ah don’t get it, where could it ha--”

“Uh… guys?” Scootaloo said catching their attention.

“Yah?”

“I found it.”

“Where?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Instead of responding Scootaloo just pointed at the ceiling. Looking up they found a frightened and shaking changeling clinking to the roof.

Dead Ringer didn’t know what happened. One second the fillies were whispering, the next he was met with their loud shrieks.

“Uh… sorry if we scared y’all like that,” Apple Bloom apologized.

“Scared?” Looking down at three, Dead Ringer gave them a glare. Jumping down he landed on the floor with ease. “You did not scare me,” he firmly corrected, “You startled me. Fear and shock are two completely different feelings.”

“You always shiver when you’re, shocked?” Scootaloo pointed out with a mocking grin, which was soon diminished when the changeling started baring its teeth.

Stepping forward Apple Bloom smiled. This slightly bewildered the changeling, enough that it even retracted its teeth. “Listen, we wanna make a deal.”

Confused, Dead Ringer asked, “A deal?”

“Eeyup!” Apple Bloom nodded. “We promise to let you stay long enough until yer healed and to tell nopony about you, if you let us teach you.”

“Teach me?” Dead Ringer shook his head, his confusion growing. “Teach me what?”

“About… well,” Apple Bloom paused for second to find the correct word, “us!”

Dead Ringer lifted a brow. “You…?”

“Yah, ya see we’re crusaders! We work everyday!

“And night to find our special talent!” Sweetie Belle added.

“And who we are!” Scootaloo also added.

“And right now we’re workin’ for our teacher cutie mark!” Apple Bloom finished hopping up and down with glee. “So wha’ ya say?”

The changeling turned away from them and started walking to the back of the room, taking in what just happened. Slowly he bared his teeth in anger. I? Commander Dead Ringer? A pupil to mere… ponies?! Why I--! Dead Ringer stopped his inner rant as he stepped on something. He looked at it, seeing the same drawing of the yellow pony standing there with the Element Bearer of Honesty, or her ‘sister’ as it was.

Wait…

Slowly the gears in his militia mind turned as he was struck with an idea. An idea that would lead to his kind’s retribution, and his own. A small toothy grin grew on his face. He knew if these three share a connection with the Element Bearers, even one in some way, then perhaps sticking around for a little longer could yield some interesting… benefits.

So you three want to earn your cutie marks so badly that you're willing to take in a stray changeling? All right ponies, I’m game.

“Very well ponies.” Dead Ringer turned and faced them with a straight look, hiding his deviousness. “I humbly accept.”

Apple Bloom beamed, looking like she just won the lottery. “Really?”

“Yes,” Dead Ringer answered.

“Really really?”

“Yes.”

“Really really really?”

“Yes…”

“Really--?”

“I SAID YES!” Realizing his outburst Dead Ringer collected himself as he tried to calm down.

“Well okay then.” Apple Bloom raised her hoof and gave it a spit. She directed her hoof towards the changeling, waiting to seal the deal.

Dead Ringer disgustedly retreated. “What are you doing?! Is this…” he gestured to her foul hoof, “…some kind of a pony thing?!”

“What?” Apple Bloom said, looking like what she was doing was an everyday occurrence. “Its how me and mah family do things?”

“Apple Bloom nopony wants to touch a hoof that has somepony else’s spit on it,” Scootaloo pointed out. “Apparently changelings included.”

Sweetie Belle stepped forward, deciding somepony had to take charge if they were going to move this along. “Besides, if we’re gonna do this we’re gonna do this right.”

“How?” Apple Bloom asked.

Giving a smile of deviousness she answered, “With a Pinkie Promise.”

“A what promise?” the flummoxed changeling asked.

“Ah! Yer first lesson!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, her excitement ever growing. “Ya see around these parts we have this thing called a Pinkie Promise.”

Still confused the changeling turned to the other two fillies. Sweetie Belle decided to try and clarify. “It's a special way of making a promise, we make them as a guarantee they won’t be broken. A pony named Pinkie Pie made it, so we call it a 'Pinkie Promise'.”

Starting to get the idea, Dead Ringer was left with one question. “What happens if one breaks this, Pinkie Promise?” The three ponies all gulped as they exchanged nervous looks with one another. Dead Ringer could see the fear in their eyes.

“The last pony to break a Pinkie Promise,” Sweetie Belle paused as she tried to force herself to speak these last words, “was never heard from again.”

“Wait a minute,” Scootaloo interrupted. “Wasn’t she relocated to Cloudsdale? Come to think of it, the only promise she broke was she said she be there by Monday instead of Tuesday.”

“Oh yeah…” Sweetie Belle realized. She gave a small blush.

“Despite that, let’s just say the pony who invented it tends to get…” Apple Bloom stopped as she tried to say this nicely, “…angry when they’re a broken.”

“Angry?” Scootaloo chuckled, finding that be an understatement. “From what I heard, more like a demon that escaped from the pits of Tartarus.”

“Hmm…” Dead Ringer pondered; even he was starting to get a chill over this pony. Whoever this Pinkie Pie is, she’s clearly a force not to be trifled with. Despite the small chill, it did not matter. If doing this 'Pinkie Promise’ was required, then he would play along. “Very well, how does this Pinkie Promise work?”

The yellow filly came forward to explain the ways of the Pinkie Promise. “Well first ya say what yer promisin’, then ya hold up yer hoof like this.”

Dead Ringer nodded as he watched the yellow fillies movements.

“Then you say, ‘cross mah heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye’.” As Apple Bloom spoke she demonstrated the corresponding motions that went along with the words. “Ya got it?”

Dead Ringer just blinked at the strange procedure. “But… I can fly.” His eyes fell to his hurting wing, giving a small grumble. “Well I used too.”

“Its just how it she made it.” Apple Bloom simply explained.

After a short pause the changeling gave a sigh with a nod. “As you wish. ”

Apple Bloom smiled. “Alrighty then! Crusaders? Line up and raise yer hoof!”

The two fillies lined up side by side with Apple Bloom as they each raised a hoof, Scootaloo though was reluctant at first. The changeling took notice of that.

“Okay now y’all repeat after me,” she said, “Ah promise…”

“I promise..." the two repeated.

“Ta not tattle or reveal our secret crusade,” Apple Bloom looked to the watching changeling, giving it a small smile, “or our new student ta nopony.”

“To not tattle or reveal our secret crusade or new student to nopony,” the two recited in unison.

“And to let Apple Bloom be head teacher and do whatever she says because she’s the smartyist, thinkingist, pony outta the three of us,” Apple Bloom finished with a grin.

There was a short pause as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at one another. “And to not beat up Apple Bloom for being so stuck-up.”

“Hey!”

“Can we please get a move on?” Dead Ringer groaned. He was already having second thoughts over this.

Apple Bloom groaned, feeling the fun already being sucked out of this. “Fine… fine. Cross mah heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye.”

Smiling for their small win, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo proudly recited, “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

All eyes fell on Dead Ringer. It was now his turn to recite. After a short pause he gave a low sigh. “Very well.” Slowly he raised his dark, pierced, hoof as he collected his thoughts as for his promise. “I promise, for as long as I’m here, no harm will come to you. And… to be your pupil, till I’m healed.” Dead Ringer made sure to emphasize that last part. Once he was healed he was outta here. He looked as his hoof as he tried to remember the unique ritual.

“Cross my… heart,” Dead Ringer paused as he tried in vain not to gag for saying that line as he continued with the motions. “Hope to fly again, stick a cupcake in my-- GAH MY EYE!” Dead Ringer screamed in pain. He got just about every part right; except for the part even Twilight couldn’t get right.

Scootaloo chuckled to herself, enjoying the little show she was given. She leaned over to her companions and whispered, “Nopony gets it right their first try.” They both raised a hoof ordering her to shush.

“Now then,” Dead Ringer said, as he tried to rub the feeling back into his eye, “I’m assuming you three have names, so perhaps some introductions are in order?”

“Introductions?” Apple Bloom asked. Slowly a grin formed on her face as she looked to her friends. They all grew grins as well. They've wanted to do this for some time now, and this changeling just gave them the green light! “Alrighty then,” Apple Bloom announced. “Crusaders? Fooooooormation!”

The three quickly trotted out of the room, leaving a confused changeling behind. Is this customary? He wondered. Suddenly the front of the room started filling with smoke outta nowhere. Dead Ringer stepped back, but kept on his guard, ready for anything. But nothing could have prepared him for what would come next.

In the smoke three silhouetted figures began performing various choreographed dancing. Well to them it was dancing. To Dead Ringer it looked like different forms of twirls, swinging, and skipping. Technically he didn’t even know what dancing was.

Suddenly one of them hopped out of the smoke. “I’m…” the white filly did various forms of twirls, jumps and other things her mind interpreted as dancing, before landing and striking the most dramatic pose she could manage. “Sweetie Belle!”

“I’m…” the orange filly leaped out while performing a front flip along with various judo kicks and punches to the air, before landing beside her friend striking her own dramatic pose. “Scootaloo!”

“And I’m…” the yellow filly leaped out and... fell flat on her face. Her two friends would’ve face hoofed if they could. Picking herself up and shaking off the headache she got the young pony posed with her friends. “Apple Bloom.”

“AND WE’RE…” The three ponies stood on their back legs as they held out their forelegs high in the air, wiggling them in a dramatic fashion to the sounds of fanfare, cheering, and firework explosions. The ones in their heads at least.

“THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!!”

The room became utterly silent as Dead Ringer just stared at them. A large bead of sweat slowly travelled down his head. He could’ve sworn he saw some tumbleweed fly by behind them. “Uh…” he stuttered, his mind still trying to interpret what the flying rock he just witnessed. “My... Wha-what a entrance.”

“Hah!” Scootaloo exclaimed proudly. “And you guys said it was crazy to keep that old smoke machine!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, you were right,” Apple Bloom replied uncaringly. “Now could ya turn that thing off? It’s getting’ hard to see in here.”

“Fine…” The orange pegasus muttered as she went to turnoff the well-hidden smoke machine. “And by the way you missed your landing again.”

“Ah know, Ah know, Ah’m workin’ on it,” Apple Bloom reassured.

“So now that you know who we are,” Sweetie Belle began. “What do we call you?”

The changeling paused, but nodded. “I am Co--” he stopped himself before continuing any further. Revealing his title was dangerous. To them he was just a mere grunt. He had no idea how they would react to knowing the changeling before them was the current commander of the Drone class and Soldier class changelings.

If they knew who he was they might suspect something, and given their possible connection to the Element Bearers, the danger was ever growing. It was too risky. It could jeopardize his plan. However, he saw no harm in giving away his born name. Title or not, he was not gonna be referred to as ‘Mr. Changeling.'

“I go by the name, Dead Ringer.”

Apple Bloom, along with her hair, tail, and bow, frowned, looking like she just saw a ghost. “De-De-De-Dead Ringer…?” she stuttered in fear.

Dead Ringer eyed her, slightly confused by the child's sudden terror. “Yes…?”

“That’s uh… quite a name ya got there,” Apple Bloom spoke, trying to force a smile.

Dead Ringer just sighed. Guessing the word ‘dead’ must’ve played a part in this filly’s awkwardness. “Listen… Crusader Apple Bloom?” She nodded confirming him, although she was a little confused by why he referred to her as ‘Crusader Apple Bloom’. Dead Ringer continued. “Among my kind it means, exact duplicate.”

“Actually,” Sweetie Belle spoke up, “it’s the same here I believe.”

“What are you, a dictionary?” Scootaloo asked.

“First off, I learned it from my sister.” Sweetie Belle defended in aggravation. “Second, this coming from the pony who said she read one?!”

“Well…” Scootaloo sheepishly began. “Maybe it was less read and more, looking up big words to sound fancy?” She gave an awkward grin.

Sweetie Belle along with Apple Bloom and a confused by what was going on Dead Ringer stared at her. Apple Bloom was the first to speak up. “Ya spent a whole week doing that?”

“Well that and looking up the different ways to say awesome.” Scootaloo then scoffed as she continued, “Did you know in that entire dictionary, the word awesome is only said in one way? That Noah Web-hoofs-whoever must’ve been a complete moron!”

“Who?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Oh, he’s the pony that wrote the dictionary book I think.”

“Book…?” Apple Bloom echoed. Immediately she was struck with a shocking realization. “BOOKS!”

“What?” a startled unicorn asked.

“Books! We need books!” the shrieking pony proclaimed. “What kinda teacher ain’t got books?” If there was one thing they knew about teaching, was the source where they got their info. “Quick Sweetie Belle how much bits y’all got?”

Sweetie Belle shrugged as she responded, “I didn’t bring any.”

“Scootaloo?”

“I…” Scootaloo looked away slightly bashful. Dead Ringer eyed her. Her friends might’ve failed to notice the emotions she was feeling, but Dead Ringer knew. Sadness, mixed with… helplessness? He tilted his in slight confusion as Scootaloo finally finished. “Don’t have any.”

“Well that’s great! How the hay we gonna find books now?” a frustrated Apple Bloom exasperated.

“What about the library?” Sweetie Belle proposed.

“It’s still open?” Scootaloo asked.

Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yeah, Spike’s been running it while Twilight’s away.”

Her resolve renewed Apple Bloom immediately went from upset to beaming with joy. “Alrighty! We’ll head over there, get as many books as we can carry, then head on over to Sugarcube Corner!”

“What for?” Scootaloo questioned.

“Well we can’t let our student starve now can we?” Apple Bloom directed to their student Dead Ringer.

“As…” Dead Ringer coughed, “grateful as I am, I assure you water is the only sustenance I require.” This puzzled Scootaloo a little. Didn't changelings need love in order to survive? Or, could they make substitute with something else? They lasted this long so they must've found some way to feed off each other. But what? What emotions could a changeling feel? They didn't seem like the loving type so that was out. From what she's seen they don't seem very happy either. So what other positive emotions out there could they possibly live on? Shaking her head Scootaloo decided it was pointless to dwell on it. Or pointless to care.

“Are ya sure?" Apple Bloom tempted with an eager grin. "The baker makes a mighty fine cupcake."

Immediately the memory of the cupcakes from yesterday floated back to him, nearly causing the changeling to swoon. The taste, the fragrance, the feeling it gave him, it all came back. Seeing them all staring he stood up at attention. “Well… perhaps I could make do with those as well.”

Apple Bloom grinned deviously. “Ah thought so.” Turning to her to the entrance she headed out. “Well times a wastin’ so let's get it rollin’!”

As they left one by one, Scootaloo stopped mid-exit. She slowly turned to the changeling staring. He just stared back. Once again the anger from before was in her eyes as she stared. Dead Ringer furrowed his brow as he matched her, staring coldly. A child wouldn’t intimidate him.

Anger, mixed with hatred.

What was he doing that upset her so much? Why does this filly despise me? His train of thought, along with their staring contest was interrupted by the sounds of Scootaloo’s friends calling for her.

“Scootaloo, you coming or what?”

Looking down she shouted back, “I’m coming!” The pegasi gave one final stare before she heading down to meet her friends.

Dead Ringer was now alone. He sat down as he contemplated what just happened. He didn’t understand it. The other two - while shocked and a little frightened - showed no signs of hatred towards him. So why did this pony? He shook his head as he forced out those thoughts. Why should he care? What one pony feels towards him was irrelevant. Right now there were more important matters at hoof.

Looking out the window, the changeling watched as the three Crusaders trotted off into the forest, towards their settlement. Slowly a pleased and devious smile formed on his face. “That’s right, run a fast as you can.”

Looking away, he turned to the drawing of the yellow pony and her sister. “But know, with each step you take, brings me closer and closer to the Element Bearers.”

Using what little magic he had left, he levitated it into the air. “And closer and closer to my people’s retribution.” Suddenly the drawing was engulfed in a dark green flame, as it was soon reduced to nothing but ashes.

“And my return to glory...”

Dead Ringer may have promised no harm to the Crusaders, but the Element Bearers he made no such promise. After all, he had another promise to keep, to himself. When he was healed he would return home, to his people, to the land where all changelings thrived. The land where Queen Chrysalis rule was dominant. The Asphodel Canyon.

But he wasn’t returning alone.

“For the Hive…”

Author's Note

Based the Asphodel Canyon, off the Asphodel Meadows. More info will come later.

Teacher Supplies and Student Cries

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”
--Winston Churchill

~*~*~

Running up to the library, Apple Bloom stopped at the door. “C’mon!” she called to her friends. “Will y’all hurry up?!”

“Don’t get your tail in a mangle!” a frustrated Sweetie Belle cried back. “You’re the one who made us go back for the wagon.”

A bored, and slightly annoyed Scootaloo pulled the wagon as she followed Sweetie Belle from behind. “We would have been there and back sooner if we just took my scooter.”

“After how you’ve been drivin’?” Apple Bloom shook her head. “No way hozay.”

“Ahper ooh een iving, oh ay ozay!” Scootaloo mocked.

Not finding that the least bit funny, Apple Bloom headed inside with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo following after. Upon entering the library, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were met with tiny colorful glass riddling the floor. “What is this?” Scootaloo asked reaching for a piece.

“DON’T MOVE!”

Immediately the three froze as the shrill voice of a small baby dragon stopped them. Twilight’s number one assistant Spike appeared from behind a shelf brandishing a broom along with a pan in both hands.

“Spike? Why’s there glass on the floor?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Did you break something?”

“Actually,” Spike chuckled as he picked up the biggest piece and chucked it into his mouth, “its the remains from breakfast.” The young dragons then started sweeping.

“So how ya been Spike?” Apple Bloom asked, making friendly chit-chat.

The dragon’s demeanor shifted to annoyance as he simply answered, “Bored.”

“Bored?” Sweetie Belle brow raised. “How’s it been boring?”

“Well he works in a library,” Scootaloo silently noted to the two ponies. “What’s fun about that?” Immediately the two shushed the pegasus. Thankfully Spike didn’t seem to notice her comment as he finished sweeping.

“Nobody’s visited for days,” the dragon glumly said as he dropped the gem shards into the trash. “And with Twilight away in Canterlot, I’ve barely found much to do.”

“No visits?” Apple Bloom softly bemoaned, feeling bad for the young dragon. “So y’all just been waitin’ here all by yer lonesome? That’s awful.”

“It’s alright,” he reassured, “Pee Wee and Owlowiscious have been keeping me company. Right guys?” The two pets of Twilight and Spike sat perched on an empty shelf side by side. Pee Wee replied with a happy chirp, Owlowiscious replied with a simple hoot. “Uh… that means yes.”

His mess cleaned the purple dragon tossed the cleaning supplies back in the closet, dusting his hands of any grime. “So what brings you three here?”

“Well,” Sweetie Belle began with a smile, “we’re here looking for books too--”

“Hold it!” Spike snapped, pointing an accusing finger at the startled unicorn. “I know where this is going! Every time you three borrow a book for one of your crazy, hair-brain ideas, something bad happens!”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes in frustration. She knew what he was referring too. “Oh! That one time with that Hearts and Hooves Day book!”

“And the Arsenal book,” Spike noted, counting it off a finger.

“Okay,” Scootaloo said in defeat, “and that time with the Arsenal book.”

“And the Time Traveling book,” he counted off another.

“And that other time with the Time Traveling book.”

“And the--”

“Okay! Okay! Okay!” Scootaloo said with frustration. “We’ve made a few mistakes in the past!”

Spike crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “A few?”

“A couple?” Sweetie Belle offered with a nervous smile. Spike just tapped his foot, clearly not buying it.

The three slowly lowered their heads in shame. “A lot…” they said in unison.

“Mhmm.” He nodded. “And because of that Twilight has a new rule.” Pulling a large book from out of nowhere titled, Ponyville Library: The Official Rule Book, Spike slowly read out loud: “From now on all members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders can borrow only ONE book a week.” Immediately the three fillies displayed their displeasure toward that new rule with groans and mutters of annoyance. Trying to ignore them the baby dragon continued. “And they have to sign a binding contract stating their main and/or possible reasons for checking out said book, along with a liability release form waving Twilight Sparkle and her assistant Spike from any and all possible consequences from their actions in the foreseeable future.”

The three just blinked, their mouths agape in utter shock.

“…You’re joking,” Scootaloo bemused, breaking the silence.

From behind his back Spike pulled out a sealed scroll. “Pony, I don’t joke when it comes to Twilight’s crazy ideas.” With one swipe of his clawed finger the scroll unrolled as page after page unfolded, revealing blank boxes for signatures, big wordy things the Crusaders couldn’t make out, and signed at the top was Twilight’s official signature decreeing it.

“Bu-but, our crusadin’ missions are top secret!” Apple Bloom complained.

“This is completely lame!” Scootaloo shouted.

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle added.

Spike just shrugged as he put the book along with document on the table. “Sorry, can’t help ya.”

The three Crusaders moaned in unison. Their crusade was over before it even began! Sweetie Belle watched as the young dragon started moving books around on one of the shelves. Slowly she grew a devious grin as her mind hatched an idea. “Follow my lead,” she whispered to her fellow Crusaders.

Slowly she nonchalantly strolled over the young dragon as she leaned against the shelf next to him. “Y’know,” she said coyly, “I just notice you really have your work cut out for yourself Spike.”

Pausing for a minute Spike looked at her, slightly confused but the filly’s sudden change in demeanor. “I... do?”

“Yeah.” The young unicorn nodded. “Tell ya what, how about the three of us help you out with re-shelving?”

“What?!” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom wailed in utter shock, wondering what in Celestia’s name was going through that unicorns’ head.

“Wow,” Spike smiled a loss for words. “Thanks, that’s... that’s really nice of you.”

“Oh sure, what are friends for?” she answered with a smile. She then rubbed her chin as if she was pondering something. “In fact, this gives me a idea.”

Spike froze, dropping all the books he was carrying. “An… idea?” Already he didn’t like where this was going.

“Yeah…” Sweetie Belle winked. “Maybe our special talent has something to do with books?”

Spike started to tense up as he gulped. “It-it does?”

Turning to her friends Sweetie Belle subtly asked, “What do you say girls?”

Scootaloo gave the following response to the chance of working as a librarian. “NO WAY! I think I’d rather go for the dentist cutie mark-- OOF!” Giving her a subtle nudge, Apple Bloom gave her wink. Getting the hint Scootaloo quickly retaliated with awkward smiled. “I-I mean sure! Us! Cutie mark! Library! Awesome!”

Spike was starting to sweat bullets. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, messing with the library’s books? TWILIGHT’S books? This had ‘disaster’ written all over it.

“Well,” Sweetie Belle slowly strolled over to her companions, “it looks like we’re…” The three Crusaders grinned in unison. Spike immediately shut his ears. He knew what was coming.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER LIBRARIANS, YAY!!!”

Spike fell to their hoofs, pleading to the three, “Come on you guys, this isn’t funny! You-your joking right?! Like ‘ha ha’?”

“Dragon,” Sweetie Belle began lowering herself to his eye level with a devious knowing smile, “we don’t joke when its comes to our crazy ideas.”

Spike sighed. They’d bested him. He just hoped to Celestia this didn’t come back to bite him. “Fine… But try not to--” Immediately the three little ponies attack the bookshelves, tossing books left and right.

“Make a mess…”

Looking at one book, Apple Bloom immediately tossed it aside. “No.”

Then another one. “No.”

And another one. “No!”

And another one. “NO! Consarnit, where’s the big pony books?!”

Picking up after their mess, Spike slowly started stacking the discarded books. “The what?” he asked.

“Y’know, the kind a smart pony like Twilight or Cheerilee would read?”

Sighing, Spike walked over to the needy Crusaders, hoping to end this before they created a bigger mess. “What exactly are you looking for?”

“Books,” Apple Bloom simple replied.

Raising one eyebrow, Spike pressed on. “Books on what?”

“On things that big smart pony’s like Twilight and Cheerilee would read, duh!” Apple Bloom scoffed, finding it hard why the dragon was not getting it. Spike face-palmed, this was getting him nowhere.

Getting an idea, he motioned the three ponies to follow. The Crusaders jumped off their unhelpful shelves and followed him. “I don’t know where you're going with this,” the young dragon said. “But if you're looking for the kind of reading an egghead like Twilight would like, I’d recommend this shelf.”

The four stopped in front of the largest shelve in the library. Books of different sizes and colors filled it. Apple Bloom slowly scanned the books, trying to make heads or tails of them. “Well, what kinda readin’s ya got here?”

“Eh,” he shrugged. “History books, old literature books, y’know basic big wordy books Twilight reads in her free time.” Immediately he stopped when he realized what kinda books they could be looking for. “If you thinking you're gonna find any of her spell books you're barking up the wrong tree!” he accused. “She keeps those books locked up in a special place. One where you wouldn’t find them in a billion years!” Spike crossed his arms as he smiled feeling satisfied.

“You mean that safe under her bed with your birthday as the combination?” Scootaloo noted half-heartedly as she examined the shelf.

“Uh…” Spike stuttered as he tried to not look suspicious or nervous. “NO!” Suddenly a realization dawned on him. “Wait a minute how do you even--?!”

His investigation was interrupted by the sound of the library door opening, and the call of a familiar voice. “Hello, is anypony home?”

“Cheerilee?” Spike answered.

“Cheerilee?!” Scootaloo nearly screeched. What was she doing here? Did she know Scootaloo was here? Was this about their conversation today? She did not want to continue this discussion, especially with all her friends here, AND especially in front of the dragon that lived with the know-it-all unicorn that considered herself a certified therapist! Looking around for a place to hide she hid behind the only thing near her, Sweetie Belle.

Walking in the schoolmare noticed her young flowers in the room. “Oh, hello girls, what brings you here?”

“Sorry Cheerilee,” Sweetie Belle responded, not noticing the hiding pegasus. “Official Cutie Mark Crusader business. Top secret.”

“I see...” she answered with a humble grin.

I’ll warn the mayor.

“Anywho I’m actually here to talk to you Spike.”

“Me?” he asked bewildered. “What for?”

“Well I’m teaching my little flowers about the other intelligent inhabitants of our world, so I was wondering if you might drop by and share us your knowhow of dragons.”

“Me?” he stuttered taking a step back. “Share? Dragons?” When it came to dragons, Spike hadn’t exactly had positive history with them. Mostly because everyone he’s met has tried to burn him, or crush him. But he did learn a few things here and there about them during those occasions. Plus the chance to get out of the library sounded too good to pass up.

“Uh… Sure. I’ll gladly do it,” he finally answered.

“Excellent!” Cheerilee exclaimed. “We’ll see you Thursday!”

“Wow,” Spike almost had to sit down as he took this in. “Me lecturing.” He’d be teaching others about what HE knew. He’d be just like Twilight during her lectures, minus the him being in trouble part. Wherever she was, he was sure she would be proud of him.

He stopped his inner contemplation as he came to a startling realization. He was gonna be in front of an entire class of fillies. He had to look professional! Looking at his claws, he was shocked to see how, as Rarity would put it, ‘uncouth’ they were. “Oh man, I’m gonna need a clawicure! Probably gotta get my scales polished, have my teeth shined…” Spike continued his monologue as he headed upstairs, leaving three busy fillies and a monitoring teacher behind.

Apple Bloom started stacking books. “Sweetie Belle, go get the cart ready.”

Sweetie Belle gave a stern salute before heading out the door. This unfortunately removed the only cover Scootaloo had, exposing the hiding pegasus.

“Scootaloo…?” Cheerilee called, confused why the little filly was hiding from her of all ponies.

Trying in vain to hide her nervousness, Scootaloo quickly put on the biggest fake grin she could muster. “Uh… hey Miss Cheerilee.” She let out a nervous chuckle. “Wh-what’s up?”

The teacher didn’t answer; she just stared at the clearly tense filly for a minute. She then motioned her over the other side of the room where they could talk in private. Scootaloo reluctantly followed, leaving her yellow friend alone with the bookshelf. Once they were there, Cheerilee faced the nervous pegasus, her sunny expression replaced with a stern but sincere one. “Scootaloo,” she began, “isn’t there something you wanted to tell me earlier?”

“Uh… nope,” she shook her, “Nothing comes to mind.”

Cheerilee tilted her head as her mind interpreted what she just heard. This made Scootaloo even more nervous. What was she gonna say?

The schoolmare let out a heavy sigh as she simply replied, “Alright then.”

Scootaloo was shocked. Cheerilee didn’t want to press on? Did she believe her performance? Is Scootaloo’s special talent acting? Or did she simply respect Scootaloo’s privacy? Either way after a small smile and a wave goodbye Cheerilee started heading for the door. “Wait.” Until she was stopped by Scootaloo calling for her. “Miss Cheerilee?”

Turning around and facing her young student Cheerilee acknowledged her. “Yes?”

“You're,” Scootaloo paused as she awkwardly rubbed her hoof like a misbehaving child who got caught stealing from the cookie jar. “You're not upset over the whole scooter accident are ya?”

“Upset? Oh Scootaloo of course I’m not upset.” She smiled warmly. “All water under the bridge.”

This relaxed the orange pegasus a little. “Good.” She may not have been able to read her teachers feelings, but at least she knew she wasn’t in any sort of conflict with her.

With a humble nod the schoolmare started heading out the door, only to stop half way out. “Oh by the way! I’m looking forward to reading your five-page essay on the importance of school safety by next week! Ciao everypony!” With that said the beaming teacher was out the door.

Yeah... She’s upset.

“Alright, Ah think that’s it.” Apple Bloom said to herself as she stacked the last book she needed. “Scootaloo help me get these into the cart before Spike gets back.”

“Sheesh!” Scootaloo exclaimed at the book stack. “You think that’s enough?”

“Hmm.” the yellow filly pondered. “You're right, maybe one more should do it.”

Scootaloo face-hoofed. “That’s not what I--” Suddenly the sounds of approaching footsteps were heard. Spike was coming down.

Hearing this as well Apple Bloom grabbed one end of the book stack. “Quick!” Working together the two picked up the tower of books and headed for the door.

Spike decided it was probably in the library’s best interest if he kept an eye on the curious Crusaders. Only instead of finding three ponies he found something more shocking. “What the flank?!” The entire bookshelf was licked clean!

“Hey!”

Hearing the dragon’s approaching cries, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo started pushing the wagon full of books with all their might. Sitting at the top of the pile of books, Sweetie Belle cheerfully waved goodbye to the flustered dragon. “Bye Spike! Thanks for the books!”

“But-but-but-you have to sign--!”

“Don’t worry, we’ll bring them back once we’ve earned our cutie marks!”

Spike just stood there as her words hung in the air. They not only took the entire shelf of Twilight’s favorite books, but they didn’t plan on returning them until AFTER they get their cutie marks? Spike had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach he wasn’t gonna see those books again.

“Twilight is gonna kill me.”

The bored changeling slumped against a wall. Dead Ringer hated waiting. The only thing he had to do was stare at his surroundings. It was only thing he had at the moment to stop him from focusing on the pain shooting up and down his wing.

He didn’t know what was worse, the fact that it hurt or the fact that it was broken. What kind of a changeling can’t fly? And he wasn’t just any changeling; he was the Commander for his Queens sake. Not being able to fly made him feel weak, like he did back then.

“…!” Dead Ringer flinched.

It made him feel like he did all those years ago, back in those days. Back when he was a minor grunt, still in training. Living in the catacombs of the hive, deep below the canyon.

He was young, no more than four. Honing his skills into being the soldier that was expected of him, expected from all his brothers and sisters of their shared class. Sadly he progressed... slower than them. He had trouble trying to fly. Which in changeling standards being flightless at such an age was not a good sign. Flying was one of many survival skills a changeling needed in order to survive their land. Not only that but it reflected badly on him.

And it displeased his former predecessor.

Dead Ringer slowly shut his eyes in scowl as the memories from the past slowly echoed back.

He hung on to the jagged rocks, struggling to make it up the cliff, cuts and bruises covered his body. Looking up he saw his older siblings looking down at him with mixtures of uncertainty and pity. Others just looked at him with disdain and animosity.

An older changeling with a long scar across his eye watched from above, wearing the midnight blue armor of his title. Looking down at Dead Ringer, the commander shook his head with utter contempt.

Ashamed and slightly intimidated by the looks he was receiving the young soldier looked away. Trying in vain he tried flapping his wings, but all they did was just move without lifting him up. They were practically worthless. Mustering all the strength he could manage he tried to climb up further. A task that was proving more and more difficult. His body was tired, too weak to continue in his condition. All he could feel was the pain and ache coursing through his body. High above the commander shouted at him, his voice echoing throughout the cliff.

“Get up!”

“Failure is not tolerated in her Majesty’s Empire!”

“Do not fail me Dead Ringer!”

“I AM NOT A FAILURE!” Dead Ringer cried to… no one he realized.

The distraught changeling fell to his hoofs, breathing heavily. He looked around the room to reassure himself where he was. He wasn’t... there anymore. He was topside, in the fresh air. Wiping his forehead, Dead Ringer could feel a cool liquid moisture rubbing against the back of his hoof.

He was sweating.

Slowly he massaged his head to try and calm himself, thinking in vain that it would be enough to force those memories away. He couldn’t believe he wanted this but he hoped those three ponies would hurry back soon. At least with them around his mind was preoccupied with their strange behaviors.

He needed to find something, anything, to keep his mind focused!

Suddenly Dead Ringer’s started sniffing. His senses went haywire as he picked up a scent. It wasn’t the scent that was familiar to this room. It didn’t match his or any of the young ponies that were permeating throughout the room. This was a new scent.

Something else had entered the room.

Turning around Dead Ringer’s eyes met with the unknown intruder. It stared at him, and he stared back. Slowly he smiled with a rictus of pleasure. Looks like he found something to keep himself preoccupied.

“Well my unfortunate plaything, you should be enough for me to... kill time...”

“C’mon you guys, put your backs into it,” a content Sweetie Belle said as she lounged on her book tower.

“We’re…” Scootaloo strained as she pushed the wagon. “…Trying.”

“Well try harder. Sugarcube Corner is just around the,” Sweetie Belle paused for a second, “corner.”

“We’re doin’ the best we--” Apple Bloom stopped as a thought just hit her. “Hey, wait one apple pickin’ minute! How come you get to sit on top, while we push?!”

Looking down from her tower of books Sweetie Belle simply replied, “Because I said next time I get to be on top.”

Sharing a glance with each other Scootaloo and Apple Bloom simultaneously stopped pushing, causing the wagon to grind to a halt. The sudden rock from the stop caused the books to wobble, before it came tumbling down, unicorn and all.

“OW!” Sweetie Belle cried as a couple of books fell on her.

Pulling herself out of the pile Sweetie Belle stared daggers at the two smug looking ponies. “Hey, you did that on purpose!” she accused.

Ignoring her Scootaloo proudly announced, “Hey look we’re here!” She headed inside followed by a smiling Apple Bloom and a grumbling Sweetie Belle.

As she walked in, somepony she didn’t expect to see greeted her. Somepony who instantly put a smile of shock and awe on her face. “Rainbow Dash, you’re here?!”

Turning from the counter, the one and only Rainbow Dash greeted her number one fan. “Hey squirt.” She paused as she suddenly noticed the dark bags under the excited pegasi’s eyes. “Whoa, what happened to you?”

“Uh,” Scootaloo stuttered, nervously rubbing her eyes. “Its nothing.”

Sweetie Belle walked in, looking just as shock as Scootaloo was. “Rainbow Dash?” she asked. “What are you doing here?”

Leaning against the counter in a cool manner the rainbow colored pegasus answered, “Pinkie Pie needed some help with some cupcake recipes she was trying out.” Sporting one her proud grins she coyly brushed her hoof against her chest as she boasted, “So being the good friend I am, I agreed to help her.”

“Wait a minute,” Apple Bloom interrupted. “Weren’t ya suppose ta help mah sister with the apple harvestin’ today?”

“Uh…” Rainbow Dash stuttered. Her proud grin replaced with a slightly nervous one as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her mane. “Well…”

“That isn’t very loyal of ya,” the yellow pony firmly noted.

“Hey now, I have a very good reason!” The three just stared; waiting for said ‘good reason’. Seeing them waiting the rainbow colored pegasus mind raced. “Thi-this wasn’t an easy choice,” she uttered firmly as she defended herself. “I-I was, very conflicted. Help my good honest buddy Applejack with her apples, or aid my humble friend Pinkie with her cupcakes. If I could I’d help both of them.”

“But alas,” she bemoaned in a almost Rarity like fashion, “there is only one Rainbow Dash in the world, so I was forced to make a difficult decision.”

“Yah…” a not so convinced Apple Bloom muttered. “Ah bet it was a reeeaaal hard one.”

“Glad you agree.” Rainbow Dash smiled proudly.

Looking around, Sweetie Belle noticed how quiet it was. No singing, no laughing, no sounds of things breaking. It sounded, so... un-Pinkie. “Where’s Pinkie Pie?”

Rainbow Dash gestured upstairs. “She’s upstairs putting the twins down for a nap.”

“Well how long till she--?”

“Here I am!” Pinkie Pie chimed, appearing from behind the counter from seemingly nowhere.

“How does she do that?” Scootaloo whispered.

Ignoring Scootaloo’s question, and whatever Pinkie Pie really was doing behind the counter, Sweetie Belle decided to ask, “So what’s this about you making new recipes Pinkie Pie?”

“Oh?!” Pinkie beamed with utter joy. “Well lately, everypony in town has been all sad and down. And that just made me feel so bad.” The pink pony’s usual happy grin was replaced with a pout sadness, which then quickly shifted to a look of stern determination. “So then I thought, Pinkie you have to do something. And then I asked, how Pinkie? And then it hit me!”

“Let me guess,” Scootaloo quipped. “A party?”

“Nope,” the party pony simple replied.

Silence, absolute silence filled the room. The Crusaders mouths hung open as they just heard the words they- Nay! Anypony never would’ve dreamed in a million billion trillion years they’d ever hear. Pinkie Pie, party planner extraordinaire, wasn’t planning on solving Ponyville’s great depression with a party?

Seeing this, Pinkie Pie giggled loudly. “Wow! That’s the same funny face Rainbow Dash made after she asked me the same thing!”

Scootaloo slowly inched her way over to the strangely passive Rainbow Dash. “Are you sure she’s not a changeling?” she whispered.

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Trust me, I thought the same thing.” She turned to Pinkie as she continued. “Pinkie, tell them what you're really planning.”

“I’m planning, the biggest, most bestest bash this town has ever seen!” proclaimed with energy. The Crusaders all responded with a sigh of relief. They forgot that when it comes to Pinkie, simple questions with her don’t always lead to simple answers.

“Everypony’s invited!” Pinkie paused as if forgetting something. “Oh, which reminds me.” She reached into her hair pulling out three invitations before handed them over to the Crusaders. “Here, please RSVP!”

The three fillies just stared at one another, a little bewildered by how Pinkie had three invitations - their names written on each one - already with her. “Um, sure…” an awkward Apple Bloom responded.

A thought came to Scootaloo as she took her invitation. “So why haven’t you thrown it yet?”

“Because I said everypony’s invited silly,” Pinkie simply answered. “I couldn’t throw one unless all my friends were there. It wouldn’t be the same without Twilight.”

“Plus,” Rainbow said with mirth. “It wouldn’t be a party if she wasn’t there to show off her maaaad dancing skills!” Pinkie and Dash both shared a laugh as the thought of their educated unicorn on the dance floor again. The Crusaders on the other hoof were slightly confused by what was so funny.

“So is that why yer tryin’ new recipes with Rainbow Dash?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Mhmm.” Pinkie nodded. “I plan on inventing a whole new flavor of cupcake just for the party! But with the Cakes away for their annual baking convention, I was short of taste subjects.”

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you just taste them yourself?”

“Duh!” Was all Pinkie could respond. “Where’s the fun in baking if it’s by yourself you silly filly?”

“Wow,” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, awed by Pinkie’s energy. “You really love baking Pinkie.”

A thought suddenly hit Apple Bloom. “Yah…” she said coyly. “You must really put a lotta hard work and love into it.”

“Of course! The secret to any perfect batch of cupcakes is a baker who loves doing it!” The pink pony paused as a thought came to her. “Which reminds me, how’d you like the ones I made you yesterday? Were they every bit as good as they looked?” Pinkie was never one to boast, but if there’s one thing she loved more than making cupcakes (and eating them) was seeing how much her friends enjoyed them. To her dismay however, the looks she got from the three were not that of joy or pleasure, but of uncertainty.

“Uh,” a shy and nervous Sweetie Belle began. “Not exactly.”

A confused and slightly hurt, Pinkie asked, “Why?” She knew there was no way they didn’t like them. There isn’t a pony alive that’s tasted a cupcake from Sugarcube Corner and disliked it!

“Well ya see,” Apple Bloom paused for a moment. “We met someone who, kinda needed them more than we did.”

“Oh?” The party pony asked, her expression going from hurt too surprised. While inside she was cheering and celebrating her cupcakes were not a flop. “Well, did they like it?”

“Trust us,” Sweetie Belle stifled a giggle as the faces the changeling made came back to her. “I don’t think it-- I mean he, ever tasted anything like them.”

“Well I’m glad your friend got to enjoy it.” Pinkie wore a proud face. While she was proud her cupcakes were enjoyed, she was also proud to know Sweetie Belle and her friends were willing to share them. “So who’d ya share them with? Somepony from school?”

Each Crusader started shuffling awkwardly as they thought how to answer that question. They’d been coy up to now, but this complicated things a little. Technically the one they shared (or distracted) with wasn’t a pony.

“Um…” Scootaloo said trying to respond. “No...”

Going further Pinkie asked, “Somepony from around town?”

“No,” Sweetie Belle answered. “To be honest he’s not really from around here.” While she wasn’t giving the full truth, she technically wasn’t lying.

“WAIT! Someone new is in town?!” Pinkie exclaimed in utter horror. “And I wasn’t there to greet them?!”

The Crusaders each took a step back. What they, or Sweetie Belle had forgotten was the golden rule of Ponyville: Pinkie Pie always, ALWAYS greets the new visitors. “This will not stand!” Pinkie stomped a hoof emphasizing her point. “Rainbow Dash,” she commanded, her voice firm with authority like a captain preparing for war, “fetch my party wagon.”

“Uh,” Rainbow Dash responded giving the command some thought. “No.”

Pinkie’s serious expression was soon replaced with a goofy pleading grin. “Please…?”

“Pinkie,” Apple Bloom intervened catching the older ponies attention. “As much as everypony loves your parties--”

“Which is who we’re talking about!” Sweetie Belle interrupted, feeling the need to emphasize. “He IS a pony! That’s who he is!” Though her need to emphasize such a thing was met with confused looks plus one facehoof.

Eyeing her worry-ridden friend for a second, Apple Bloom continued. “Ah don’t think our friend--”

“Acquaintance,” Scootaloo firmly corrected. There was no way in Celestia’s name she considered their new student a friend.

“Our, acquaintance,” she empathized, shooting a glare at her orange friend, “Ah don’t think is the partyin’ type.”

“Oh...” Pinkie softly replied, her usual perky attitude faltering a little. “Okay.” If she’d learned anything from her little excursion with Cranky Doodle, was that some friends like to be left alone. Which as a friend you have to respect.

“But he is the reason we’re here,” Apple Bloom reassured.

“Oh?” Pinkie replied, some of her perk returning.

Seeing this Apple Bloom happily continued. “Those cupcakes o’ yours really left a impression on him. So we was wonderin’ if ya could make us another batch? Exactly like the ones from yesterday?”

Pinkie tilted her head. “Exactly like yesterday?”

“Exactly,” Sweetie Belle nodded. “With extra love and happiness if you can.” Hearing those words all eyes fell on the unicorn for her rather, strange order. She shrank a little realizing her blunder.

She thanked Celestia when Scootaloo broke the silence. “How exactly do you put love into food?”

Within a split second Pinkie Pie released a gasp that caught everypony off guard, then immediately jumped into Scootaloo’s personal space. “Are you saying you actually wanna watch me bake!?!”

Stepping back from the over excited pony, Scootaloo awkwardly responded, “Wait, I didn’t mean--”

“Oh my gosh! Wait here! I’m gonna get the kitchen ready!” Within another split second Pinkie was off the counter and in the kitchen. Sounds of crashing, plates breaking, and what could only be described as a jackhammer buzzing was heard from the kitchen.

“Gonna need this!”

“No not that!”

“Aha!”

Pinkie leaped out of the kitchen with an over-excited grin. “Okay I’m alllllllll set!” She then threw her hoof around her rainbow colored friend. “And Rainbow Dash here can be my assistant!”

“What?!” she exclaimed. “Why me?”

“Because you agreed to be my helper for the day!” Pinkie reminded. “Duh!”

“Yeah,” Rainbow reluctantly agreed. “But I thought I was just gonna be--”

“You did agree Rainbow Dash…” Sweetie Belle said with mirth as she waved a hoof.

“Fine…” she grumbled to herself. She chose to help Pinkie to avoid work, that and get free cupcakes. “Lets get this over with.”

“Hold on!” Pinkie positioned her hooves together like a director trying to visualize a scene as she examined her new assistant. “Something’s missing...”

“I know! Wait here!” Pinkie quickly headed down into basement. More sounds of crashing and objects falling were heard as she searched. The Crusaders shared a confused glance with Rainbow Dash, who just shrugged showing she knew as much just as they did.

“Tada!” Coming out of the basement, Pinkie held up an apron with a cheerful grin.

Rainbow Dash looked on in absolute horror. She had never seen anything so wrong, so disturbing, so horrifying in all her life! Slowly she retreated. “I am not… wearing… that!”

Pinkie’s ears drooped, hurt by her friends words. “Why not?”

“Look at it!”

Pinkie looked at the apron then back at Dash. “What’s wrong with it?”

Her expression of horror shifted to annoyance as she directed her hoof to the words on the apron. “It says ‘Hug the Cook’,” she answered half-heartedly.

Pinkie examined the apron. The apron she held was pink with white words Hug the Cook written on it. Something she made herself, but barely found the time to use, until now. “Oh come on Dashie. Please…?” Pinkie pleaded, batting her eyelashes cutely.

“No! Way!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed crossing her forelegs as she looked away, showing her mind was made up.

“Oh…” Pinkie answered softly as her smile, along with her ears frowned. Even her hair and tail deflated. “Alright.”

Rainbow slowly shifted her head catching a glance at the scene. She bit her lower lip, trying in vain to ignore her guilt. Finally she groaned while muttering a few annoyed words to herself. Reluctantly holding out her hoof she glumly demanded, “Give it here--”

“THANK YOU!” Immediately Pinkie’s smile, along with her hair returned to its original perkiness as she shoved the apron into her new assistance hooves.

As she reluctantly started putting the apron on, Rainbow Dash’s head snapped to the watching Crusaders. They were grinning from ear to ear, trying in vain to not burst into full-fledged laughter. Giving them a stern look she pointed at hoof at them and crooned, “There’s a storm cloud with your names written all over it if you breathe a word of this to anypony.” The three just nodded, acknowledging they got the picture.

Leaning over Sweetie Belle silently whispered to the others, “Wait till Spike gets a load of this.” The others snickered in response. Technically Spike wasn’t a pony, so they weren’t breaking any promises.

“Okay! Everypony to the kitchen!” Pinkie started skipping to the kitchen only to stop, realizing she was forgetting something. “Oh, but first,” she pulled an unsuspecting Rainbow Dash into one of her trademark tight hugs proclaiming out loud, “HUG THE COOK!”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Oh for Pete’s sake…” She was now considering going through with the apple-harvesting plan was the better option.

With a giggle she released her and started toward the kitchen. “Well?” She turned to Crusaders beckoning them to follow. “Come on!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle happily followed the hopping chef and grumpy assistant. Scootaloo sighed and reluctantly followed, wondering how in Celestia’s name buying cupcakes lead to this?

The entire kitchen looked like something from a cooking show. There were lights positioned in the corners facing the baking table, and there were six chairs stationed in front of the table like a viewing audience. As impressive as it was to the Crusaders, all Scootaloo was wondering is how Pinkie was able to afford all this?

Before they had chance to marvel at the scenery any further the three were immediately picked and dropped into the upfront seats. The lights went out leaving nothing but a spotlight directed at the baking area.

“Now,” Pinkie’s voiced spoke through what sounded like a microphone. “Everypony put your hooves together for… BAKING WITH CHEF PINKIE!!!”

Pinkie popped up from the behind the baking counter sporting a chef's hat. She waved and blew kisses to the sounds of cheering and applause from some unknown audience the Crusaders couldn’t seem to find. “Thank you! Thank you! Its great to be back! I’m Chef Pinkie and I’ll be your baker for the day!” Reaching behind the counter she pulled out her reluctant assistant, who gave a nervous wave to the audience, the ones she could see at least. “And this is Rainbow Dash! She’s my assistant who wears the apron and asks the obvious questions!”

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom both applauded looking forward to the show. Scootaloo on the other hoof was not amused. Leaning toward the two she whispered, “I didn’t ask her to put on a show for us, I only--”

“Hey! Down in front!” a familiar voice interrupted.

Turning around to the three seats behind them, Scootaloo discovered one bucket of turnips in one, one green and emotionless gator in another, and one, or in this case a second pink pony munching on popcorn while motioning the young filly to keep it down. Snapping her head back and forth Scootaloo couldn’t believe it! She was seeing two Pinkie Pie’s! In panic she frantically nudged her friends. “Guys! You gotta see this!” Instead of listening they just shushed her and continued to watch the show. Giving up the young pegasi just chalked this up to another Pinkie and her ‘Pinkieness’ and slumped into her seat, decided to just shut her mouth and watch the show.

“Alrighty right! Today I’m gonna teach you how to bake Chef Pinkie’s world famous cupcakes! First your gonna need the following ingredients,” reaching below the counter Chef Pinkie brought out different items, naming them as she brought them out one by one. “Flour, baking soda, sugar, milk, vanilla, eggs, and one happy chef!” Chef Pinkie stopped when she realized there was no happy chef in her pantry. She tugged her nonexistent shirt shooting a tense grin toward her audience. “Fear not! If a happy chef is unavailable you can supplement one for a proud nurturing parent, a nice friend, or a Pinkie Pie!” Slowly Chef Pinkie formed a pout. “Sadly, Pinkie Pie’s are a rare breed.”

“Aw…” Audience Pinkie moaned.

“But that’s not the case today!” Chef Pinkie exclaimed with a grin.

“Yay…!” Audience Pinkie cheered.

“Now lets get started.” Picking up the sack of flour Chef Pinkie cradled it; almost like it were a baby. “So first we take our bag of flour like so.”

Dash raised a brow as she watched the scene, her mind boggling by what the hay Pinkie was planning to do, and why was she staring at the bag of flour with that smile?

Slowly and softly she started rocking the bag of flour back and forth with a nurturing smile. “We then gently rock it back and forth like it’s our own little foal.”

Assistant Dash just blinked. “What?”

Feeling she rocked it enough she took the sack that she treated like it was her own child, and ripped it open so she could start started pouring. “After we’ve done that we pour it in the bowl. Now we move on to sugar.” Positioning the flour on the table, Chef Pinkie began, “So we take our sugar, and tell it a joke.”

Assistant Dash just blinked again. “What…?”

“Now remember its gotta be a good one if you want your sugar to be extra sweet. So, hey sugar?” Chef Pinkie asked the inanimate object, stifling a giggle. “What do you call a rabbit that’s-” covering her mouth with her hoofs Chef Pinkie tried in vain to suppress her laughter, “-really cool?” Chef Pinkie paused as she waited to deliver the punchline.

“A hip hopper!”

A long droning silence filled the room as everypony stared mouths agape at what they just heard. Even Audience Pinkie found that joke to be in poor taste.

Ignoring the silence and believing her joke to be a success she started pouring while grabbing the baking soda. “After that we pour it into the mix! Now we move onto baking soda. For this one, we take our baking soda, and sing it a four minute long song!”

“What!?!” Rainbow Dash bewailed, her shock and perplexities ever increasing at how Pinkie prepares her ingredients.

“Buuuuuut that takes too long, so here’s some cupcake mix I prepared ten minutes ago!” Pulling a bowl from behind her Chef Pinkie grinned with a squee.

“Uh… Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Chef Pinkie,” Pinkie firmly corrected with a smile.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Chef Pinkie. If you already had a recipe prepared, why did you bother starting over then?”

Chef Pinkie paused as the gears in her mind turned. Finally she just started laughing. “There she goes!” She pointed a hoof to her confused assistant. “Asking the obvious questions! Way to play along Dashie!”

“Uh… Actually it was a pretty legitimate question,” Dash pointed out.

“Now…” Chef Pinkie choked as she felt her eyes watering as she poured the batter into the cupcake tray. “Comes the hard part.”

“Its time,” her lower lip began to tremble as the tray shook in her hoofs, “to send our little cupcakes.” Slowly she reached a trembling hoof toward the oven. “Off to… Off to… the University of,” nearly dropping the tray Chef Pinkie broke out into tears, “O-o-o-o-venworth!”

“Oh I can’t do it!” She sniffed. Saying goodbye to the little treats she had spent a total of ten seconds with was just too hard for the little Chef. Directing the tray to her now uncomfortable assistant she ordered, “Dashie here, you do it!”

Awkwardly taking the tray from the sobbing pony, Dash delivered the tray of batter into the oven. Bawling Chef Pinkie fell against the oven door. “Oh I miss them already!”

Dink! The oven bell went.

She gasped, her tears instantly vanishing. “They’re back!” Taking her tray out, Chef Pinkie marveled at what she found. Six golden brown cupcakes ready for icing. Showing them to the audience, she announced proudly, “And as you can see, our little cupcake mix has graduated into fully baked cupcakes! Now we can move onto the fun part of--”

“PINKIE PIE!” Rainbow Dash screamed.

Chef Pinkie groaned. “Rainbow Dash, I told you its Chef--”

“OVEN MITTS!”

“What?” Chef Pinkie looked at the tray she was holding with her hoofs. Her BARE hoofs. “Oh,” she answered.

The Chef paused.

“OH…”she nodded as the realization hit her. She was wondering why her hoofs were searing with pain. “Dashie?” Chef Pinkie asked, her tone completely calm and relaxed as if nothing was wrong.

“Y-yeah?” Dash asked.

“Could you please take this for me?” Chef Pinkie asked offering the tray.

“Uh… sure…” Taking some oven mitts out of a cupboard, she took the hot tray and placed it on the table.

Chef Pinkie gave her friend a nod with a smile. “Thank you. Now if you excuse me.”

“YEEEEEEOOOOOUCHHHH!!!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle covered their completely agape mouths, while Scootaloo was just looked away as their Chef screamed in pain.

“And that everypony… is why safety, is one of the most important parts of baking,” a tired and bandaged Chef Pinkie spoke sheepishly, both from the embarrassment of forgetting something so simple and all the screaming she did earlier. “I was gonna decorate them, but I think we’re gonna have to cut this short.”

“Aw…!” Everypony in the audience responded.

“Hey wait one wagon pulling minute!” a heated Rainbow Dash proclaimed, looking completely miffed. “That’s it?!”

“Eeyup!” the chef answered with a grin.

“Then why the flying feather did I have to wear an apron?!?” A small bit of foam was coming out of the enraged pegasi’s mouth.

“Duh!” Chef Pinkie answered. “To keep any cupcake mix from falling into your feathers silly!” Rainbow Dash froze. “Trust me,” the chef continued. “That’s one tough stain to clean.” The rainbow colored pony didn’t answer, she started making different faces of anger and confusion as she started grinding her jaw.

Turning to her audience Chef Pinkie announced, “Now for our viewing audience I have a surprise for you!”

The looks of sadness and disappointment on the ponies in the audience shifted to anticipation.

In an almost teasing tone Chef Pinkie ordered, “Look under your chairs.”

Their excitement turning into confusion, the Crusaders shrugged and look under their chairs. There under the middle chair was a box. Picking it up the three opened it. Immediately they were taking away by what they found; a nice freshly baked box of six cupcakes, iced and ready for eating.

Burning with anticipation Audience Pinkie looked under her chair and found... a mop. Picking it up in confusion she asked herself, “What’s this?”

“That is for cleaning. So hop to it, this place is a mess!”

“Aw…”

Okay now Scootaloo was even more confused; the show, the Pinkie’s, and now randomly appearing cupcakes? This was almost too much to take. She would’ve let it go until another thought hit her. Walking up to the only Pinkie Pie remaining in the room, the one who was mopping the floor, she asked her, “But Pinkie? If you already baked these, then why did you bother will all this?”

Pinkie just giggled. “Oh come on! Are you really gonna question free cupcakes?” She inquired, single brow raised mirthfully.

“Yeah but--”

“Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle firmly interrupted. “She’s Pinkie Pie! We got free cupcakes! Your argument is invalid!” With a pout Scootaloo crossed her forelegs, forgetting about her question as she headed out the door, not even bothering to say goodbye to anypony. Holding the box of cupcakes Sweetie Belle headed out followed by Apple Bloom. Before leaving she turned to the sweeping pony giving her a friendly wave goodbye. “Bye Pinkie! Thanks for the cupcakes!” She giggled to herself. “And the free show!”

With a smile she waved back. “Anytime!” Pinkie paused. “Oh! And ask your friend if they can come to the party okay?!” The party pony may have been willing to respect their friend’s want to be alone, but Pinkie could never forgive herself if she didn’t give their town’s newest visitor a invitation to her party.

“Uh,” Apple Bloom said sheepishly, shifting her eyes from side to side. “We’ll drop the hint,” she finished with a nervous grin. With one final wave the yellow filly was out the door.

Finishing up her mess Pinkie found her apron cast onto the floor. Looking for the wearer she found Rainbow Dash slumped over the counter pouting in an almost childlike manner. Probably upset over the fact she and Pinkie spent more time making cupcakes for the Crusaders then their original intended purpose. That and she had to wear a pink apron.

Picking herself off the counter with a sigh she turned around to find a grinning Pinkie Pie with her hoofs behind her back in a teasing manner. “Did you think I would actually forget you silly?” From behind she pulled out a plate of freshly baked cupcakes, all draped in variants of frosting, toppings, and other goodies.

Seeing them Rainbow’s mouth nearly watered. Looking at Pinkie for the okay she nodded. Chuckling to herself she reached for one. “Pinkie Pie, you are one out there pony!”

Pinkie smiled, taking it as a compliment. “Thanks!”

Taking a red one with the white and green sprinkles on top she took a bite out of the pastry. Chewing the treat with a smile.

Pulling out a clipboard and pencil from nowhere Pinkie readied to hear and document the results. “So?” she asked with a grin of anticipation. “What do you think?”

Suddenly Rainbow Dash stopped chewing. Her lips started contorting as her cheeks puffed. Water started coming out of her eyes as she continued to make a sour face. Judging by the cupcake she chose, and the expressions she was making, Pinkie came to the scientific conclusion: that Rainbow Dash was reacting to her new Sour Flavored Cupcake.

“Too much sour?” she asked her gagging friend. Not even answering, Dash dropped the cupcake and dashed for the bathroom. Looking at the discarded cupcake Pinkie examined it, trying to figure out what went wrong? Seeing no harm she took a small bite of her creation.

Within a split second she repeated the reactions her friend made earlier. She sputtered, gagged, and even contorted her own body in reaction before collapsing to the floor. Picking herself up with what strength she could muster, she took her pencil and started documenting her findings. “… Baker’s Log: New Sour Cupcake needs less sour...” She coughed as her voiced strained to speak. “Less, less, sour…”

Changeling's First Book

“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.”
--Ray Bradbury

~*~*~

He had his prey cornered. The two of them had been playing a game of cat and mouse for some time now. Their game had kept him preoccupied for a while, but now the game was finished.

“There’s nowhere to run,” Dead Ringer said with mirth and intimidation as he slowly approached his shaking and frightened plaything, “and nowhere to hide.”

The changeling raised his hoof, ready to deliver the finishing blow. “What in tarnation are you doin’ to that caterpillar?” Until he was interrupted by a familiar voice.

Dead Ringer paused as he hovered over a cowering caterpillar. Slowly steering his head to the door he found Apple Bloom staring at him in bewilderment. “Um…” he awkwardly answered, “nothing?”

It certainly didn’t look like nothing to her. Giving him the disapproving look a disciplinary mother would give a misbehaving child; she walked over and picked up the frightened insect. “You leave this poor critter alone! He’s as much a guest here as you are!”

Backing off, Dead Ringer rolled his eyes. He couldn’t understand what this child was getting so upset over. “It’s a tiny, insignificant creature. What does it matter?”

“You watch what you say mister,” Apple Bloom waggled a hoof, “or else it’s gonna be the corner for you!” Not even knowing how to respond to that, Dead Ringer just slowly nodded. He didn’t know what ‘the corner’ meant, but it sounded like a shameful form of punishment.

Walking to the window Apple Bloom carefully placed the little bug onto the nearest branch it could reach. “There you go little guy.” Slowly it crawled off of her hoof and onto the branch. Apple Bloom smiled at it, happy to help.

Sweetie Belle entered, carefully balancing the box of cupcakes on her head. Turning around she called to her slowpoke friend. “Scootaloo! Hurry up with those books!”

“I’m coming! I’m coming!” she cried back, annoyance in her voice.

Placing the box on the table, Sweetie Belle opened it to examine the contents. Inside were the six colored cupcakes neatly lined up. How Pinkie had them prepared and sneaked them under their chairs, she or her friends may never know, but free cupcakes were free cupcakes. Seeing a shadow hovering over her, she turned around to find a hungry changeling staring at the box of goodies.

Dead Ringer’s mouth slowly started to water as he stared at the tasty treats. His nose was already filling with the fragrance the colorful objects emitted. For a changeling of his status, he was acting unprofessional, but then again there were no other changelings around to judge him, so he didn’t care. He reached for one only to have his hoof immediately slapped.

“Ah! Ah! Ah!” Sweetie Belle said with a disapproving tone. “You can have one for today.”

Dead Ringer growled as he rubbed his hoof. He could not believe this! They were treating him like a misbehaving hatchling! He opened his mouth ready to speak out, only to stop when his attention was drawn to the sounds of grunting. The young pegasus that went by Scootaloo walked in pushing her metal… wagon he believed they called it, containing many rectangular blocks of different sizes and colors. His curiosity and confusion getting the better of him, he asked, “What are those?”

Not even looking at him Scootaloo answered him as she pushed. “Books.”

“And a book is?”

Scootaloo stopped pushing as the wagon just rolled to a stop, causing all the books to lose their balance and come toppling down. A few hit the shocked pegasus on the head, but she didn’t care, her mind was still trying to process what she just heard. “You don’t know… what a book is?” she asked in disbelief. She knew Dead Ringer didn’t know much about ponies and stuff, but who didn’t know what a book was?! Griffins knew; goats knew; even dragons knew!

Well, she assumed they did.

Seeing that Scootaloo was too slack-jawed to speak, Apple Bloom decided to answer Dead Ringer for her. “They’re what we’re gonna use to teach ya.”

He eyed her, and then turned his attention to the… books. He paused as he studied them, their appearance that is. Something about them seemed familiar to him. Like he’d seen one before.

Wait a minute, he thought. Walking over to the piles of books, he slowly examined one of them. The small item was green with a set of words engraved on it creating a title. Slowly he lifted the cover as the book opened, revealing its pages. The pages all contained complex sentences and dialogues along with sketched drawings to fit the descriptions. The way it worked, it was sort of similar to something. But he couldn’t put his hoof on it.

"Turn the page…" A voice echoed in his mind.

Slowly he remembered. It hadn’t been that long, how could he have forgotten about it? It was still back home, buried right where he left it. The more he thought about it the more he started to wonder, was that strange item he discovered… a book?

Stacking the books, Sweetie Belle nearly dropped the one in her hoof as she had a startling realization. “Uh, Apple Bloom?” she asked nervously. “Don’t teachers usually teach using books they’ve already read?”

The hamster turning the wheel in the yellow filly’s head suddenly stopped. “Uh oh…” While a good teacher needed books to teach, they also needed to know the source they were using to teach the student. Joining Sweetie Belle at the pile, followed by Scootaloo, the three examined the books further.

“Well,” Apple Bloom paused, trying to think, “we’ll just, start out with the ones we’ve already read.”

“But none of us of have even heard of some of these books,” Sweetie Belle said, her hopes for this idea dashing further and further.

“What?!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, starting to read the titles to try and see if she recognized any of them, which proved difficult, as she couldn’t even understand some of the titles!

Another factor the three forgot was these were, as Apple Bloom called them, ‘big pony’ books. The kind ponies like Twilight would read. In other words, educated ponies. The kind that were studied in universities and professional schools for learning. They weren’t even out of elementary school!

“Please tell me there’s at least a book on Hearth’s Warming Eve?” Apple Bloom pleaded, hoping in vain that there was at least one familiar book in the pile.

“There isn’t even one on Daring Do,” Scootaloo sighed in defeat.

“Horseapples!” Apple Bloom threw down a book she was looking at in a fit of rage. “Ah can’t believe this!” She really couldn’t. All that time spent, for nothing. Tricking Spike, their crafty escape. All a waste! And its not like they just could go back and ask Spike for help! In fact, Apple Bloom thought it was best if the three tried to avoid the baby dragon for a while. Hopefully he wouldn’t be too furious when he saw them on Thursday. She hoped.

“Look, why don’t we each take one book home, read it, and use it if it can help us,” Sweetie Belle proposed, trying to salvage this wreck.

“But ah can’t even pronounce some of these things!” Apple Bloom whined.

“You’re the one who wanted the kind of smarty books Twilight reads,” Scootaloo pointed out.

Apple Bloom glared at Scootaloo. Picking up different sets of books the country filly tried to wrap her brain around some of the different tales with fancy titles. “Look at this,” she said holding two books, “‘The Drapes of Wrath’?” she read one out loud. “Dignity and Preji--” She squinted her eyes, trying to get a better understanding of the other title. “Uh… Predju, predid, pred--”

“Prejudice,” Dead Ringer casually corrected for the filly.

“Huh?” Apple Bloom asked.

“The symbols inscribed on this… book, they read ‘Dignity and Prejudice’,” he answered.

“How can you tell?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Joining the three, he directed their attention to the cover as he started to explain. “The letters each make their own unique sound. By blending them together, the parts of the letters make another sound entirely. So by putting them together, I get one word.”

Scootaloo shook her head at what she’d just heard. “Wait a minute! Hold it! Hold it!” she said trying to get to the bottom of this. Something was fishy here. Granted, what he said sounded right in how to understand the words to the book, but that was the problem! “So you know how to read?”

Dead Ringer nodded. “Affirmative.”

This just confused the pegasus even more. This made no sense. Earlier he didn’t even know what a book was. But he can read one just fine? Something wasn’t adding up. “So if you don’t have books where you come from,” Scootaloo slowly asked, “How do you know how to read them?”

Her question made Dead Ringer pause. His eyes fell on the books, which made him think of that strange item he found. Slowly, he was lost in his memories once again.

Only this time to not so far ago.

The canyon was alive with energy. Watching it all from above on a cliff, Dead Ringer scanned his surroundings. Changelings were flying off to perform their duties while others were ground level. Some were trying to get a drink near their drone-made ponds; others were resting, waiting till their guard duties came. Others still filled their time by brawling with one another as others watched. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, he was ready to fly off and do his rounds with the changelings down in the inner caves when a voice called out to him.

“Commander!”

Turning toward the source, he saw two of his soldiers flying toward him. A younger changeling named Fragment, and a older one, whose height and strength was above the average of that of a normal changeling, named Mirage. The one called Fragment was holding a large bag in his mouth.

Landing, they both bowed to their leader before rising. Fragment stepped forward, dropping said bag to his leader’s hooves. “Commander Dead Ringer!” he said, his voice high-pitched and raspy. “We wish to make a report!”

Dead Ringer nodded. “Begin,” he commanded.

Acknowledging, the soldier told his tale. “We were guarding our post near the forest when we heard something. A sound, coming from the forest.”

Dead Ringer raised a brow at this. Their home being close to the border of the Everfree Forest was an issue. To ensure the colonies’ safety, he had soldiers posted at certain areas to ward off threats or report any immediate dangers. Hearing a sound from the forest was a common thing, what with the beasts that thrived in there. “How was this sound relevant?” the Commander asked.

“This sound was not that of a beast,” the soldier responded, “but of a cry. A cry for help.”

Dead Ringer’s brow rose in reaction. Now he was interested. “Continue.”

“We followed from where the cry originated, only to find what looked to be an abandoned campsite.”

“Campsite?” the Commander asked.

“Hard to say,” the changeling named Mirage responded, his voice gruff. “From the looks of things, whoever was out there either left in a hurry or was forcibly removed.”

Dead Ringer nodded as he listened. With the dangers that lurked in the forest, it was never safe to remain in one location for too long. But what he found disturbing was that the entity that was out there was intelligent. If it could speak, it didn’t belong in that forest. “Did you pick up their scents?” he asked.

Fragment nodded. “They led further into the forest, away from us. But,” he paused, his expression shifting to uncertainty, “there’s something else Commander. The scent was… unfamiliar.”

“Unfamiliar?” Dead Ringer asked, arching a brow.

“Whoever was out there Commander,” the soldier continued, “they clearly were not from around these parts. Their odor was too… ‘foreign’.”

Looking away, Dead Ringer pondered things. If it was foreign and intelligent, it was most likely a creature from another land. Still, whoever or whatever was out there was gone. What they came for, he may never know. Maybe they were lost; maybe they were trying to make contact. Whatever the reason, it was irrelevant now. Which lead him back to the matter at hoof. “So what does that have to do with this?” he asked referring to the bag.

Fragment stepped forward. “It was the only salvageable thing there sir.”

“So… “ Dead Ringer’s brow furrowed as he stared at Fragment, “… you decided to bring it back here?”

Shocked by his leader’s response Fragment took a step back, recoiling a little. “Well I--”

Before he could try and defend himself Dead Ringer interrupted. “Whatever it contains is an unknown, and a foreign unknown at that.” He pointed an accusing hoof at Fragment. “You’ve already confirmed that.”

“For all we know this item could contain anything. Maybe food, maybe a tool of some kind, or it could very well contain unknown horrors, the likes of which no changeling has ever seen!” The two changelings just blinked, having no idea how to respond to that.

“It could happen!” Dead Ringer noted firmly.

The two guards didn’t answer. They just exchanged unsure looks with one another, still not getting where their leader was going with this. Seeing this, Dead Ringer sighed. “Listen, I don’t want word spreading that an unknown intelligence was this close to our land. Understand?” The last thing Dead Ringer needed was fear of a foreign anomaly near their land. Many were on edge as it was.

Understanding their leader, the two firmly nodded. “What are your orders?” Mirage asked.

Dead Ringer pointed swiftly at the bag. “Leave it,” he ordered. “I will deal with it myself.”

“As you command,” Mirage responded as he bowed.

“But Commander,” Fragment interrupted. “What of the foreign scent?”

“After I’m done with… whatever this is,” Dead Ringer answered, referring to the bag, “I will inform her Majesty personally.”

“Commander, with all due respect, I don’t think--”

“Do not question me!” Dead Ringer snapped. “Just do as I say!”

Fragment nodded with a shaky expression. “Y-yes,” he stuttered.

“Yes, what?” Dead Ringer sternly rebuked.

“Yes sir!”

“Good.” Dead Ringer nodded, enjoying that answer better. “Now get back to your post!”

Acknowledging, the two nodded as they started heading back. Fragment dragged from behind, hanging his head in shame.

“Wait!”

Stopping, the two snapped their attention back to their leader. Dead Ringer wasn’t even looking at them; his attention was more focused on the foreign object in front of him. But still he acknowledged the two. “Head down and get some water. You two look thirsty.”

It took a minute before their leader’s kind gesture dawned on the two. Slowly, Fragment’s expression shifted to a smile. Dead Ringer shifted his eye over his shoulder. “Did I stutter? Get going!”

With a nod, the two flew off.

Grabbing the handle with his mouth, Dead Ringer buzzed up his wings and took off toward the inner hive below the surface.

He flew through cave after cave until finally he reached one that was unpopulated. The area was dark with the only source of light being the gempods that littered the walls. What his kind referred to as ‘gempods’, were little green gem-like crystals that were found in the lower reaches of the hive. They served no real purpose other than providing illumination in the dark caves. Although his kind was accustomed to the dark, something to provide light made working down below much easier for his kind, especially the drones.

Dropping the bag to the ground, Dead Ringer conducted his examination. While before he said whatever was in it was dangerous, his curiosity was eating away at him. He had something not of this land before him. He couldn’t pass this chance up. But he wouldn’t put the rest of his kind in danger, hence why he chose an unpopulated area.

Beginning, he started sniffing the bag, trying to see if there was anything that carried an odor. The only scent he could pick up, to his displeasure, was the odor from the forest. Whoever was out there, they were out there for quite some time.

With that done, he found himself facing a new dilemma: opening the bag. To the average changeling this might seem like a difficult task. But Dead Ringer was anything but average. Using his brilliant military mind, he found the quickest and simplest answer to his dilemma:

Tearing it open with his teeth.

Ripping a good chunk out of the bag, Dead Ringer carefully removed his helmet before sticking his head in to investigate the contents. However, to his displeasure, there wasn’t much of interest. All he found were strange white cloths of some kind, and a metal cylinder with strange writing on it. Shifting his head closer, Dead Ringer examined the strange cylinder. On top of it was a red circle mechanism. Sticking his hoof in he placed it on the button and pressed down. It was an action he immediately regretted as a spray of some kind of toxin showered upon his face. Retracting, Dead Ringer fell the ground as he rolled in the dirt in a vain attempt to remove the substance from his face. Had he known how to read, he would have seen the can he activated was titled, ‘Bug Repellant’.

Standing up he groaned to himself, angered at how pointless - and painful - this endeavor has been. “This is the last time I ever let my curiosity get the better of me!”

Looking at the bag he stared daggers at it. “Dumb, foreign, whatever, thing!” In anger he backhoofed the bag sending it and it contents cascading across the cave.

Dead Ringer was ready to just give up and go, when something caught his eye. The items from the bag were spilled out before him, but one stood out from the rest, other than the deadly can of pain (which he planned to avoid) that is. The object was small and square. The cover of it read, ‘Foal’s First Book’. Although to him it looked like gibberish. Wrapped around it was a now torn red ribbon with a tag attached to it reading, ‘To my lovely niece, from Uncle Con’. Carefully, the curious soldier bumped his hoof against the object.

“Turn the page,” a mechanical but at the same time soft voice from the object spoke.

Dead Ringer quickly leaped back assuming a fighting stance with his legs spread out and wings extended, teeth bared. “Who are you?” he said interrogating the strange item as he slowly encircled it. “Are your intentions peaceful, or hostile?” He paused as he waited for a answer.

To his confusion, there was none. “Can you understand me?”

Again there was no reply. Carefully he bumped his hoof against the object, only this time it caused the cover to open, revealing the first page. It was an image of a green reptilian creature jumping in what looked to be a swamp, on to a nearby log. Above were words describing the scene. At the bottom of the page there was a circular button poking through it. Seeing this Dead Ringer lowered his hoof toward the button, pressing firmly on it, praying to Queen Chrysalis he didn’t get another face full of painful whatever spray.

“The frog hopped on a log. Now you read it.”

The commander furrowed his brow in anger. This… whatever it was, comes to his land and starts giving HIM orders?! “I am Commander Dead Ringer of the almighty Asphodel Legion for the Changeling Empire! I take orders from her Majesty and no one else!” He waited for the object to finally acknowledge him. Now that it knew who he was the changeling figured the object would finally respond to him.

It didn’t.

“Hello?” he asked. Seeing no other way, he decided he would try and comply with this object’s rather strange demand. Perhaps then he could get some sort of a response out of it. Squinting his eyes he looked at the words above the image. He remembered what the voice said, and it went with the image, but the words were another story to him. “The fr-o-g,” he slowly sounded out with difficulty, “h, h, h-opped! On a l-o-o-g...”

He paused.

The way it sounded, the way they looked. Was this… reading? Was he actually… reading?

“Very good,” the voice finally acknowledged. “Turn the page.”

The voice confirmed it. He really did read it. A rather rough translation, but he got the sentence out. Plus, the voice responded to him. But judging by its tone, and its lack of context, Dead Ringer determined whatever entity dwelled inside this object was not very intelligent.

“Yeah, that’s not happening,” he responded, swatting the book away uncaringly. Turning around, he started to leave only to stop as he stared back at the strange item, as if hypnotized by it. Leaping toward the book, he picked it up as he started turning to the next page followed by hitting the button for it to read the words for him to repeat.

He couldn’t stop; he had to continue!

Maybe it was the words, or maybe it was the colorful images that came with them, but he couldn’t stop reading. The excitement of what the next page held was too much to bear. Before long, he was reading the words all on his own without the strange voice to help.

“The cat goes meow,” Dead Ringer read out loud. “Hmm…” he brought his hoof to his chin as he studied the image for a short while. Satisfied, he turned the page. However what he saw next made him freeze, he nearly dropped the book with a gasp. So far, the strange object had shared with him many different creatures he had never seen before. Some strange, some unique, and some that almost made him crack a smile. Almost. However, this creature… this one left him in awe. He couldn’t even read. He was at an absolute loss for words. He had to hear it from the object.

Upon hitting the button, the strange voice spoke for him. “The butterfly flew through the sky. Now you read it.”

“Butterfly…” he echoed softly. The soldier had never seen anything so beautiful and majestic before. The creature… its colors… its wings… it hypnotized him. Lifting his hoof toward the image, he slowly petted the image.

“What Commander doing?” a curious voice asked from behind, breaking his concentration.

“Wha-what?!” Dead Ringer screamed, nearly dropping the book. Quickly grabbing it he stood up straight while hiding the book behind his back.

Before him stood another changeling, a rather… ‘unique’ kind of changeling. It wasn’t its skills that made it a standout. If anything it was its lack of skills that made this particular changeling different. Every changeling in the Hive was part of a given class since birth. The only exceptions were made for the Queen’s personal Praetorians.

All were given their class because they shared the traits that fit them. This one however was too weak to be a Soldier and too clumsy to be a Drone. Dead Ringer didn’t know who or what dubbed him, but since this changeling wasn’t fit for a fighter class, or a worker class, it was given the only job fitting any simple creature with wings could perform.

“Courier Scatty!” Dead Ringer cried catching his breath. His demeanor more or less enraged over being startled. “What are you doing down here?!”

Despite his Commander’s attitude toward the young messenger, the changeling kept a rather calm expression. An obliviously silly expression, but clam nonetheless. “Scatty sent to look for Commander. Used nose, followed scent. Look for hours. Find you here.”

Scanning the cave the young messenger caught sight of the discarded contents that littered the area. “What those?” he asked.

“Uh… nothing!” Dead Ringer responded with haste as he blasted the remains, reducing them to nothing but ashes.

The confused Courier tilted his head quizzically, trying to fathom why his leader was acting so strange? And why he was down here by himself?

Seeing this Dead Ringer responded with rather annoyed sigh. “Why were you looking for me?”

“Commander must head topside! Must speak with Queen!” Scatty hastily nodded with affirmation. “She say, it urgent. Very, very, urgent.”

Dead Ringer softly nodded. “Understood uh… Good work. Tell her…” his eyes shifted toward the item behind him, hoping the changeling didn’t see much, “…tell her I will be up shortly.”

The Courier gave an awkward salute before turning to take its leave. It stopped however and stared at Dead Ringer, raising a somewhat bewildered brow, looking concerned almost. “What you do down here by self?”

The nonchalant Dead Ringer shifted his eyes from side to side. “Nothing important,” he simply answered, trying to not sound suspicious. The changeling listening looked less than convinced.

Dead Ringer scowled at him before shouting, “Get going!”

Not wanting to anger his superior further, Scatty flew off in a hurry. Dead Ringer exhaled, catching his breath. That was too close for comfort. Looking at his item, he concluded it was not safe out in plain view. Looking around, he tried to find a safe place to hide it. It was for the best if he kept this to himself. The last thing he needed were the others thinking he was going soft. Or worse, his Queen thinking he was doing something treacherous.

Digging a small hole he dropped the item into it, covering it back up with dirt. Charging up his horn he marked a nearby rock with an ‘X’. Now he would know where to find it whenever he returned.

Ready to go he fired up his wings and… nothing. His one wing wasn’t working. In fact, it was actually starting to hurt.

It almost felt like someone was pulling on it…

“Hey! You in there?” Scootaloo asked, trying to get the spaced out changeling’s attention. She and the others didn’t know what happened. All she did was ask him one question, and suddenly he just spaced out for a minute.

Slowly coming back, Dead Ringer turned his attention to the cause of his unpleasant feeling. He found himself staring at the young orange filly, tugging on his wing.

His broken wing.

"ERRRRRRRRRAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!" he cut loose with a savage roar of pain.

Startled and frightened, the two fillies dove behind a quivering Scootaloo.

Clutching his wing in agony Dead Ringer instantly furrowed his brow as he stared daggers at the scared and guilty looking pegasus.

“Uhm… sorry?” was all the worrisome pegasus could respond. Dead Ringer opened his mouth, ready to give her a verbal thrashing, but he stopped as he looked at her, looked at the two children behind her. They were scared, he could tell. But whether it was of him or the loud noise he made, he couldn’t tell.

They just stared back with their big pleading eyes. He didn’t know what it was, but the words just weren’t coming out. He just couldn’t see the point in yelling. Looking away, the hurting changeling let out a heavy sigh, his anger subsiding.

Feeling it was safe, the three Crusaders breathed a sigh of relief. “You okay?” Apple Bloom asked the hurting changeling.

“Just great,” Dead Ringer answered, sarcasm in full. “I love it when others pull on my injured body parts.”

“You really oughta do somethin’ about that wing o’ yers.”

She was correct; Dead Ringer knew he couldn’t go on like this. However, he only had two options. One was too risky and took up time, and the other was rather… unpleasant, and it would leave him with only one working wing. “There isn’t much I can do for it,” Dead Ringer finally answered, hanging his head.

“Can’t you heal it?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Shifting his attention to her he answered, “Yes, but the measure to do so would take time. Plus, it would leave me exposed and vulnerable.”

Apple Bloom drew her hoof to her head, tapping it in ponder. “Well maybe there’s somethin’ we can do,” she proposed to the others.

“Like what?” Scootaloo responded with a shrug. “Try out for our Doctor cutie marks?” In response, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both brandished head mirrors and stethoscopes along with excited grins. Slightly frightened, Dead Ringer grasped his wing, not liking the way they were looking at him. Scootaloo looked as equally frightened as him.

“Uh, no…” she said. Scootaloo might have agreed with Sweetie Belle that they had to try everything for their cutie marks, but even she had her standards.

“Aw…” both fillies groaned in unison.

Tossing her doctor gear aside, Sweetie Belle rubbed her chin. “What if we took him somewhere?”

“Where?” Scootaloo asked. She paused, then shot a shocked look to the unicorn. “Are you crazy?! You can’t mean into town?! I can’t even begin to count the number of things wrong with that idea!”

“Well, at least I’m trying to do something!” the white filly snapped, crossing forelegs in frustration.

“Well, you're not being very cunning!” Scootaloo berated, getting nose to nose with the white filly.

“Alright then, give me a plan that’s oh so stunning!”

Apple Bloom just rolled her eyes while watching her two friends argue pointlessly with their strange rhyming. “Wait a minute,” she gasped to herself. “Rhyming…”

She slowly grew a smile. Her friends cheesy rhyming gave her an idea! “Ah got it!” she cried out. The two fillies stopped their arguing and gave the farm filly their attention, Dead Ringer too. “Girls, Ah think there’s someone who can help us!”

“What happened to 'never tell anypony else about him'?” Scootaloo pointed out.

“On that I agree with you, pegasus,” Dead Ringer responded.

Despite their disapproval, Apple Bloom still held her smile strong, which soon formed into a cockier smile that said, I know something you don’t know.

“What if Ah told y’all she ain’t a pony?” Her peers all tilted their heads all while exchanging confused glances with one another.

Dead Ringer had no idea where she was going with this, but his attention was caught. If there was someone out there who could aid him with his wing, then maybe he could execute his plan a little sooner than he hoped. He took a step towards Apple Bloom acknowledging her. “I’m listening…”

“Mah friends?” she asked, looking at her peers. “Saddle up! We’re gonna have us a little ol’ field trip.” Turning towards the door, she started heading out.

“Where?” Sweetie Belle asked, her confusion growing ever more, along with that of the two flyers next to her. The answer Apple Bloom gave nearly made everyone in room fall over in shock.

“The Everfree Forest!”

Manners Class for the Soldier Class I

“A man’s manners are a mirror in which he shows his portrait.”
--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

~*~*~

“So let me get this straight. When I get an idea to go to the Everfree Forest, I’m a dodo, but when YOU decide to go near it, suddenly it’s a different story.”

“It is a different story Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom defended.

“How?”

“We’re not goin’ near it, we’re goin’ IN it.”

“… And that’s better how?!”

“Because we’re not here to play around. We’re here to see a close friend of ours to help someone else. Ah’m sure the adults would be okay with it.”

“So does this mean you're gonna tell them?”

“Hay no!”

Traveling toward the forest, the Crusaders made sure to cut through the apple plantation. It was longer, but provided cover for their non-pony follower.

Normally Apple Bloom would’ve been the first to say no to the idea of going to the forest, especially without one of the adult ponies with them. However the warnings the adults gave them were for the threat of the changelings being loose in it. With one now on their side it would make navigating the forest a breeze. Plus they were technically with an adult. Although she had to admit, the peculiar changeling didn’t seem like the child-friendly type.

Wanting to stretch his legs, plus needing to keep to the shadows, Dead Ringer followed the group from the trees, hopping from branch to branch.

“You would be wise to heed your elders’ warnings,” the changeling noted as he jumped onto the nearby branch of the next tree. “The forest is not a place to trifle with.”

“Don’t worry, Dead Ringer,” Sweetie Belle reassured. “This isn’t the first time we’ve gone into that creepy old forest.”

Landing on the branch, he looked down to Sweetie Belle with an arched brow. “You’ve been there before?” he asked with a hint of disbelief.

“Plenty of times!”

Nearly falling from the tree, Dead Ringer caught the branch as he started sputtering to himself. Trying to wrap his head around how calmly she answered that question. That and catch his breath.

“Besides our main worry was of meetin’ any changelings in the forest.” Looking up, Apple Bloom gave the confused changeling a smile. “Now that we have one on our side, its a simple walk to Zecora’s hut.”

The baffled changeling hung from the branch as he watched the three fillies walk ahead, trying his best to fathom what she meant by that. Changeling he was, all the more reason to distrust him. And yet her words… Did she really trust him? Why? He shook his head of those thoughts. He couldn’t think like that, he had to focus! Collecting himself, Dead Ringer immediately jumped to the next branch.

Catching up he decided to change the subject over to something that had been plaguing him for a while now. “About this Zecora you mentioned, she’s a what again?”

“A zebra,” Sweetie Belle answered.

“And she just lives in the forest willingly?”

“Pretty much.”

Dead Ringer didn’t know what a zebra was or who this Zecora was, but she must be pretty powerful to survive in that forest on her own. But this just proved more why he needed to be on his guard when he returned to that forsaken forest.

“Alright y’all,” Apple Bloom announced, “we’re here!”

To his displeasure they had arrived. The fruit plantation had come to its end, and all that stood between it and the Everfree Forest was a small gap of land and grass. Already, he could feel his shoulders tighten up the as he laid eyes on that dark, dreary forest. What bothered him the most was the memory of his last visit. The last time he was here, he most certainly was not alone. He didn’t know what bothered him more, that he was back so soon, or that he had three loud targets to look after.

Not wasting any time, the three Crusaders started walking towards the forest, only to immediately stop when an obstruction blocked them.

Leaping from the tree Dead Ringer landed at the front. Slowly standing up his brow furrowed as his eyes fell on the dark forest before him.

The girls all exchanged confused glances with one another, wondering what got the changeling acting so strange. Slowly watching him they studied his expression. The changeling kept his gaze centered on the forest. What bothered them was the way he was looking at it, almost like he was waiting for something. The gaze he was giving was so freaky that even a dragon would find it unsettling.

“Hey,” Sweetie Belle asked, tapping Dead Ringer’s leg to try and get his attention. “You okay?”

Dead Ringer didn't answer. He just continued staring at the forest with disdain as if it were alive and staring back. Maybe in some way to him, it was.

Seeing this going nowhere, Apple Bloom decided to take the lead, figuring the changeling would follow soon enough. But immediately, when she took one step forward, Dead Ringer’s leg swiftly slammed into the dirt, blocking her path.

“Hold it,” he commanded, eyes still lingering on the forest.

“What is it?” Scootaloo asked, a bit curious over the changeling’s strange behavior.

Dead Ringer looked at the young filly. His hardened expression softened a little, almost like he was uncertain of something. Shortly he turned his gaze back on the forest, his hardened scowl returning.

For some time now, he had been pondering something. Whatever it was that followed him to the forest end could still be lingering. This would leave him and his cohorts in danger.

“Wait here,” he commanded, his voice hard.

“What?” Apple Bloom asked. “Ah thought we--”

“I said wait here!” he repeated more hastily. The young filly slowly backed off. Lowering himself to the ground the cautious changeling started to prowl his way into the forest. Like a hunter following its prey.

Looking at one another, each Crusader gave a shrug, figuring maybe it was some kind of a changeling thing or something.

Treading lightly, the quiet soldier slowly stalked his way through the grass of the forest. Standing up, his eyes snapped from side to side as he scanned the environment. His eyes soon adjusted to the dark, making the shadowed forest become more visual to him. Now he was able to make out the area around him.

Surrounding him was nothing more but trees and foreign plants of the like. Giving the area a deep sniff, he found to his displeasure no scents of any hostile odors. What displeased him about it was all he could smell was the scent of the forest. There were too many creatures and plants giving off their own odor that it became difficult to tell one from the other.

His eyes and nose failing him, Dead Ringer was left to rely on only one sense: his hearing. Shutting his eyes, his ears perked up as he listened to the distant sounds of the forest. They fidgeted and moved as they picked up and filtered the different noises the forest was making. The mixed sounds of bugs chirping and birds calling entered his earlobes, but no sounds of anything that would match a hostile predator. No sounds of heavy feet prowling through the grass, no sounds of heavy breathing, and no sounds of sniffing. With some luck, it would stay that way. He hoped.

Breathing a sigh of contentment, the restless soldier slowly began to relax. “Okay girls,” he called out. “It’s safe!”

To his confusion, there was no response. “Girls?” Turning toward the way he entered, he found to his shock it was vacant. The Crusaders were gone!

A strange sensation fell over him. He didn’t know what it was, but he didn’t like it. All he knew was the only thing that could make it go away was if he found them! Acting quickly, he started sniffing the area where he left them, trying to pick up their scents. With some luck, he might be able to track them down before something happened to them.

“Hey!” Scootaloo voice hollered from a distance. Drawing his attention toward the source his investigation was cut short as he found the missing fillies. Inside the forest! “You coming or what?”

“What the--?!” was all Dead Ringer could say. He couldn’t believe this! They would just go in? Without some kind of supervision? He was beginning to see why these three were at that mountain unattended. He groaned inwardly as he trotted off to catch up with the group.

Catching up, he slid to a stop. “Don’t run off like that!” he scolded the three. “This place is dangerous!”

“What’s the big deal?” Scootaloo defended with a shrug. “There’s nothing here.” Slowly, her annoyed frown turned into a smirk filled grin. “You're not scared are you?” she sneered.

Dead Ringer snapped his head in the snappy pegasus’ direction. His left eye twitched in anger as he glowered at her. “I told you. True changelings don’t know fear.”

“Is the big bad changeling afraid of the dark mean old forest?” she mocked with the barest hint of sympathy.

His anger growing, the quiet changeling leaned in until he was nose-to-nose with smug talking filly. “Watch what you say you kid,” he warned. “I’ve seen enough horrors lurking in this forest that would make your head spin.”

“Ha!” Scootaloo exclaimed with a bold smile, pointing a hoof at him. “So you admit you’re scared!” she proudly pointed out.

“I said no such thing!” Dead Ringer barked, taking a step back.

“Funny, doesn’t the word ‘horror’ imply something to be scared of? As in something to be fearful of?” she quipped, her cocky smile ever growing.

“Yeah, and ‘head spin’ can imply being shocked or beheaded!”

“Is that a threat?” Scootaloo asked wryly. “Because that sounded like a threat. You're not thinking of going back on your Pinkie Promise now are ya?” she rebuked, a hint of taunt in her tone.

“It’s whatever you think it means you featherheaded ball of fur,” Dead Ringer solemnly crooned looking away.

“Whatever you say…”

“Baldy.”

That one word was enough to recapture the changeling’s attention as Dead Ringer’s head snapped toward the insulting child’s direction, his eyes burning with anger. He stomped up to her until they were once again face-to-face. “Obnoxious pony,” he muttered to her.

“Scaredy bug!”

“Grass chewer!”

“CUPCAKE LOVER!”

“Do we have to separate the two of you?” Sweetie Belle stepped in having enough. Apple Bloom decided to preoccupy herself by staring at the sky as she waited for this pointless argument to end.

“HE STARTED IT!”

“SHE STARTED IT!”

They both shouted in unison, pointing an accusing hoof at the other.

“I don’t care who started it! I’ll finish it!” Sweetie Belle suddenly gasped horrifyingly as she threw a hoof over her mouth. “Oh no…”

“What is it now?” Apple Bloom groaned, wondering what else could go wrong?

“I’ve become my mother!” the young unicorn cried in utter shock and horror.

Seeing as Sweetie Belle was ‘bye bye’, and neither of the other two were backing down, Apple Bloom decided it was her turn to step in.

“Will y’all relax?” she relented pushing the two apart, hoping some space would help the both of them calm down. “Zecora’s hut is just a freckle past a hair from here. Now the sun is burnin’ and its gonna get dark soon.” She shot a glance at the two bickerers. They still looked miffed, but less so. Her words were clearly making headway. “So, are we gonna act like big ponies, or like a bunch of misbehavin’ kids?”

Dead Ringer shot a glance to his associate across from their moderator. She was staring at him with those eyes of anger again. However, she soon looked away, walking over to a still in shock Sweetie Belle. With a sigh Dead Ringer backed down, agreeing that this argument was fruitless. “As you say, Crusader Apple Bloom.”

With a smile Apple Bloom prepared to join Scootaloo in helping their friend come back to reality, but stopped herself as a thought dawned on her. “Why are you callin’ me that?” she inquired, referring to the last time he addressed her.

Dead Ringer looked at her quizzically, wondering what he said wrong. “That is your name,” he answered, “is it not?”

“Well yeah,” she responded with a hint of skepticism in her voice, rubbing the back of her mane. “But ‘crusader’ ain’t part of it.”

“But it is your title,” he pointed out.

“What’s that got to do with it?” Sweetie Belle asked, finally regaining her composure from her previous outburst.

Dead Ringer looked at her, then at Apple Bloom, and even Scootaloo, trying to fathom what they weren’t getting. However, what was wrong was he wasn't talking to his people. He wasn’t back home where such mannerisms were common. He was so accustomed to such courtesies between him and his people he just plain assumed every race knew it. It seemed so simple for him to understand. Why not them?

Maybe, if he explained?

With a soft sigh Dead Ringer slowly shut his eyes as he began to share. “Among my people,” he paused, “it’s considered rude, even insulting, to not refer to another by their earned title and rank when first addressing them.”

“How’s that?” Sweetie Belle asked, listening closely with intrigue.

“Well say that I…” he paused, shifting his eyes from side to side. “… was titled something like commander. When first addressing me, you would first say, ‘Commander Dead Ringer.’ Once the address has been made, casual name basis may resume.”

“Shoot!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “Is it always like that?”

“The only exception is her Majesty,” he answered, referring to the Queen. “She must always be identified as such. ALWAYS…” he emphasized.

“Wow, is it really that important?” Sweetie Belle asked, slightly alerted.

“Would you address your Princesses any other way?”

Sweetie Belle pondered that thought for a moment. “I guess, but I don’t think Celestia or her sister would be offended if we didn’t.”

“But why?” Dead Ringer asked not seeing the picture. “After all, a title is what separates and makes one unique. It’s what shows others you’re different, special even.”

He didn’t know what it was, but suddenly the young unicorn started to smile. Then Apple Bloom joined in. Even Scootaloo looked slightly taken aback by his words, just enough to stun her. He looked at them, confused, trying to fathom what he said to cause this.

Apple Bloom knew there was more to him. She knew it. He thought they were special, or at least enough to earn a title that separated them from other ponies. The three of them had become the Cutie Mark Crusaders to prove that they were special. But he thought they were just by the group name alone, and that was enough to earn a smile from her, and even Sweetie Belle it seemed. However it was more than just that. At the same time she was touched, knowing he was sharing something about his people with them. And that made her feel all the more special.

“What?” Dead Ringer asked feeling awkward by the smiles he was receiving from the two, that and the sudden emotional scent suddenly in the air. “I was just trying to be courteous.”

As a way of thanking him, Sweetie Belle walked over and gave the changeling a gentle pat, which made him take a step back awkwardly. “Thank you Dead Ringer, that was nice of you. But you don’t have to worry about us,” she reassured. “We won’t get offended if you just use our usual names.”

Wondering if they were sincere, the changeling gazed at each Crusader. Scootaloo just responded with a scowl before averting eye contact. Apple Bloom however gave a short nod along with a humbled smile, Sweetie Belle did the same. They were sincere, two at least.

“I will…” Dead Ringer paused, looking away as he casually brushed his hoof against the dirt, “…try…” Slowly he quirked a brow at her. “Sweetie Belle?”

Dead Ringer flinched a little, half expecting her to yell for not saying her name properly, or call him stupid for forgetting. But she didn’t. Looking at her, she just softly smiled, not upset in the slightest. He just stared back with uncertainty and confusion. He felt… weird, out of place almost, not acknowledging someone by their title first was something he wasn’t accustomed too.

“So if we’re all finished with the cheesiness hour can we move this along?” Scootaloo asked with little patience as usual, breaking the silence, to everyone’s irritation.

Despite her behavior Dead Ringer responded with a nod. “Lead on pegasus.”

Nodding she started walking, her two friends followed next to her. However she gradually started slowing down as she shot a gaze at their older follower. “Uh, its Scootaloo,” she pointed out, finding it odd that he hadn’t used her name yet.

“I know,” he answered passively, walking past her as he followed after Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo stopped walking as her confusion only grew. “But, wouldn’t it be rude to not call someone by their name too?” she pointed out raising a brow.

Stopping, the changeling slowly turned his gaze to her, giving the most underhanded smirk she’d ever seen. “So it is...”

Scootaloo’s mouth was left completely agape as the group continued on without her. “Did he… just make a joke?” she thought out loud, hardly believing it. “Wait a minute… Did he just insult me?!”

In the hut of Ponyville’s other foreign resident, the wise potion brewer slowly readied her final ingredients to add to her newest concoction. Soon her potion would be prepared, and ready to fulfill its purpose.

“A touch of blackberry from its succulent vines. Along with a scent from the Wiggy Wiggy pine.” Dropping the last ingredient into the boiling pot Zecora waited patiently for the right reaction.

Answering her, a green puff of smoke blew into the air as the pot started to boil and turn. Soon it went from a sickly green to a light green. “Excellent,” she complimented herself, “the perfect brew. Now to just wait for it to stew.”

“ZECORAAAA!” a distant voice called from afar, causing the zebra’s ears to perk up as she detected its source of origin.

“What is this, a familiar sound?” She asked out loud. “It would seem that I have guests inbound.” Leaving her brew to braise the lone zebra headed to the door.

Upon opening, Zecora was greeted with three smiling faces that brought a smile to her own. “Hello Ms. Zecora!” they greeted in unison.

“A fine day to you, Apple Bloom and friends,” Zecora greeted with a humble nod. “What brings you here, to what ends?”

“Well,” Apple Bloom began, carefully choosing her words. “We was hopin’ for some help.”

“Help you say?” Zecora asked with a hint of concern as she stepped out the door. “Is everything back home ok?”

“Oh no,” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Everyone back home is fine. Its just that someone we met--”

“Who’s not a pony,” Sweetie Belle interrupted feeling the need to clarify, to Zecora’s confusion and her friend’s annoyance.

“Ya see a uh…” Apple Bloom paused as she felt Scootaloo’s eyes fall on her “… acquaintance of ours is injured. So we was wonderin’ if you could maybe help him?"

Although she found the children’s behavior to be rather confusing and odd, Zecora nonetheless smiled. “I would be more than happy to help thee. But tell me, where would your friend be?” she asked referring to the fact besides the four of them no one else was in the area.

“Hiding.” Sweetie Belle answered with a giggle. “He got spooked by your decorations,” she said, referring to the decorations outside Zecroa’s hut.

“Which as he says, ‘isn’t' the same as being afraid,” Scootaloo informed, a clear sense of annoyance in her voice. “WHICH IT TOTALLY IS!” she cried out to a nearby tree, which suspiciously started shaking while makings sounds of groans and mutters.

Putting two and two together, Zecora approached the tree. “Do not be fearful my wounded friend!” she called out to the unknown hider. “Your injuries are the only thing I wish to amend!”

The individual gave no response, much to Zecora’s confusion. Turning the younger fillies, she could see the clear looks of nervousness and uncertainty on their faces. Almost like they weren’t looking forward to her meeting him.

Probably because they weren’t.

“Just…” Apple Bloom slowly warned, uneasiness in her tone. “Just promise ya won’t be scared?”

Zecora tilted her head questionably by the children’s continued curious behavior. However she responded with a small chuckle, figuring out what was worrying them. “Darlings, I have seen from dragons to griffons, wolves and snakes. I promise you, I am not one who easily gets the shakes.”

“Okay…” Apple Bloom responded meekly. Walking over the tree, she called out, “Its alright, you can come out now.” Taking a few steps back she rejoined her friends, praying like them to Celestia that things didn’t go too bad.

Zecora waited patiently, slightly curious over who this creature of mystery was. However what she got, was nothing close to what she expected.

In one swift motion a being covered in shadows leaped from the tree, landing before her. The creature slowly rose to its hooves as it looked at her, studied her. It tilted its head quizzically as it continued watching her. Zecora couldn’t put her hoof on it but the silhouette of the creature looked familiar, almost pony like. But it clearly wasn’t a pony. So what could it be?

Stepping forward the shadows that once covered the figure faded away as the light illuminated the creature’s true appearance, much to Zecora’s horror. A shape shifting being of origins that were unknown even to her wisest elders. A creature whose dark ways were matched only by its dark skin and empty eyes. What her and Equestrian kind all knew as, changeling.

“Roho nisaidie!” she screamed in her foreign tongue.

“Zecora wait!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, trying to calm her friend before things got any worse. “Its not what you think!”

Despite her protests, Zecora stood guard before the girls, blocking them from the unknown threat. “Children, stay behind me! I will protect you three!”

“Listen here, creature, whose heart is black!” she shouted at the changeling, who throughout all this just watched the scene with a passive, yet slightly puzzled look. “Leave this place, and do not come back!”

Ignoring the warning the changeling slowly started making its approach. Zecora readied herself, determined to do whatever it took to keep this creature away from the children.

It stopped just a few feet before her, still not showing any signs of emotion or hostility. The changeling raised his head as it looked over her to three fillies she guarded. “Crusaders, why is she talking like that?” he casually asked.

Zecora to say the least, was confused.

“Zecora!” Apple Bloom shouted, finally grabbing the confused zebra’s attention. “HE’S the one we want you to help!”

Now she was even more confused.

“So this is what a zebra looks like,” the changeling stated grabbing Zecora’s attention. Its eyes scanned her up and down, getting a better look of her in the light. “You’re slimmer than I expected,” he casually noted.

Now she was really confused, and slightly flushed.

“Don’t worry Zecora,” Sweetie Belle reassured, walking along with the others toward the foreign entity as Zecora watched flabbergasted, “he won’t hurt you.”

Zecora just didn’t know how to respond. All she could do was just tilt an eyebrow as she studied the strange creature in front of her. All the while the Crusaders were keeping up their smiles to try and lighten the tension for everyone. Mostly for themselves.

Apple Bloom decided to break the ice. “Zecora allow me to introduce our new student, Dead Ringer. Dead Ringer, this our friend Zecor--”

Apple Bloom was cutoff as Zecora suddenly leaned in towards the her and her friends faces, thoroughly eyeing each Crusader. Studying their faces carefully with great detail, almost like she was looking for something. Despite the girl’s clear discomfort.

Dead Ringer watched somewhat confused, but chose not to intervene, figuring maybe it was some sort of zebra thing or something. Plus, it’s not like she was harming them.

“Uh… Zecora?” Scootaloo asked breaking the awkward silence in the air. “Personal space?” Despite the protest Zecora’s concentration remained unbroken.

After a few more seconds of studying she gave a sigh of contentment before standing up right. “At first it was difficult to tell. But you’re certainly not under any spell.” Walking away from the confused group of ponies plus one changeling, Zecora started pacing back and forth as she started mulling over the situation.

Stopping she spoke to the group, her voice calm but strong. “You come to me bringing a creature that’s left your land in chaos and disorder.” She turned to them as she then said, “Before things escalate, I believe an explanation is in order.”

She wanted an answer. They were afraid of that. They knew when they came here that it wasn’t gonna be easy, but despite everything that’s happened Zecora was taking things better than anypony back home would’ve. The next part they feared was how she would react when they explained. To understand the story, they would first have to explain how they met first, which would mean revealing where they were yesterday. Plus it would mean they would be going back on their Pinkie Promise. Which would mean a certain pink pony would know and then they would have to give another explanation.

However if memory served they said nopony. Zecora technically was not a pony, so they weren’t technically breaking a promise, technically.

Exchanging a glance with one another, both Crusaders sighed heavily as they retold the tale. From their meeting at the mountain, to the reunion at the clubhouse. As she listened Zecora occasionally shot a passive glance toward a quiet changeling.

Choosing to be the quiet observer, the stoic changeling felt it was best if he just listened while the three did the explaining. His wing however was screaming they’d hurry up!

“… and that’s when we made a Pinkie Promise.” Apple Bloom explained. “Ah know it might’ve seemed rash, but he didn’t have anywhere to go, and no way to get back home. Plus if anypony finds him the adults will know where we were.”

“And then,” Scootaloo added.

“It's goodbye Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Sweetie Belle finished.

The potion brewer stood silently as she reflected over the tale, her expression was difficult to read. Turning toward the Crusaders, she soon gave them a glad smile. “Little ones, your quests for your talents are noble indeed.” Slowly her expression hardened as she stated, “However, you must learn to take better heed.” Apple Bloom and her two friends hung their heads in shame, giving a short nod.

Seeing this Zecora continued. “As thankful as I am that you’re are alright. I am not sure I can help you with this plight,” she finished referring to the changeling she now knew as Dead Ringer.

“Z-Zecora?!” Apple Bloom gasped in shock. Completely agape to the idea that Zecora, one of the most open minded and gentle people she knew, wasn’t going to help someone in need? Dead Ringer just continued to watch quietly, though inside he was agitated for being referred to as a plight.

Kneeling to their level Zecora slowly explained. “Children, please understand. Aiding this creature is something I’m not sure I can.” She turned their attention to a scowling changeling. Its face was hard to tell whether it was angry, or just staring. Zecora continued.

“Changelings are unknown beings from a far and strange nation. Living on their own, in complete isolation. They are creatures full of trickery and deceit. When it comes to helping themselves they’ll do anything, including lie and cheat.”

“What do you know, zebra?!” Dead Ringer snapped catching everyone off-guard. Marching up to her he looked the Zebra square in the eye. He’d had enough! He wasn’t just gonna sit there and let her demean his people!

Despite the intimidation he gave her, Zecora kept on her feet. “Changeling, do not think you have me scared. When it comes to fighting, I am always prepared.”

“And will you stop talking like that?!” Dead Ringer snapped, having enough of her rhyming. The entire time he tried to ignore it, but it was really getting on his nerves.

Zecora did little to hide her anger. No, she was more than angered. She was outraged. “How dare you! I--!”

Cutting her off, the Crusaders stepped in. “Dead Ringer! That’s enough!” Apple Bloom chastised. “Now you sit over there and let us to talk to Zecora!” She directed the now flabbergasted changeling over to a nearby tree.

“Yeah!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle added in agreement.

“But,” Dead Ringer tried, slightly taken aback by the ponies sudden hostility. “She--!”

“No but’s mister!” Sweetie Belle firmly stated. “Sit!”

Dead Ringer gave Zecora one last glare of anger before complying. As he headed for the tree he muttered to himself. It was difficult to hear but the girls could’ve sworn they heard him say, “She knows nothing of what we go through.”

Zecora was left in utter shock. She had to admit, she was just as shaken as he was, if not more so. The girls not only talked down a changeling, but it listened! Granted it listened like a misbehaving teenager listens to his parents, but she digresses.

“Zecora,” Apple Bloom said interrupting her thoughts.

Zecora’s attention fell on a pouting Apple Bloom, her tone low but sincere. “Please listen. Ah know he might seem like a big ol’ meany.” She looked over her shoulder in the direction of the grumbling changeling, his expression more annoyed than angry. “But a wise person once told me you can’t judge a book by the look of its face, or the color of its fur.”

Slowly, she turned back to Zecora. “You know who told me that? You did Zecora.”

The wise zebra just stood there in utter silence as Apple Bloom’s words left her speechless. Hard to believe that just a few weeks ago this little pony was asking her if there was a potion to get gum out of a pony's mane. Now here she and her little friends were, trying to earn their place in the world by trying to aid an outsider. It brought a song to her heart. The sweet and innocence of the young. They clearly were taking this ‘being a teacher’ crusade seriously.

Turning her head towards the changeling she carefully studied it. The changeling just continued to sit there quietly. He didn’t look like he was scheming, planning, or anything. He just wanted to get his wing fixed so he could go home. She also had to admit that as far as its actions went, the ones that she knew of, Dead Ringer hadn’t done anything wrong. Other than insult her.

But then again, as much as she hated to admit it. She was guilty of the same offense, perhaps even greater for her earlier actions of misjudgment. When two unknown beings meet for the first time, the only result is confusion and misconceptions. Nonetheless she only acted in defense of the young ones for their safety. But still, she was guilty, and her conscious kicked her for that.

The Crusaders, or Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle from what she could tell by the their story, believed that Dead Ringer could be taught. If she was going to help, she was going to need proof that there really was some kind of hope for it. To see if this creature really did have some kind of chance to learn. But how?

A smile slowly formed as the potion brewer schemed. If this was a class on a field trip, then it was time for a pop quiz.

“Very well!” Zecora finally announced to everyone, her voice full of cheer and sincerity. “I shall help this creature with his ail.”

Each Crusader, Scootaloo included, high hooved and gave a cheer. To her, a victory was a victory.

“However,” Zecora began halting everyone’s celebration, “before I perform this medicinal task.” Slowly her eyes dotted over to Dead Ringer as she said, “A simple gesture of kindness is all I ask.”

The changeling growled to himself. Of course there’s a bloody catch.

Seeing his anger the clever zebra’s smile only grew. It was time to throw her plan into action. Taking a heel turn, the knowing alchemist made her way towards the monitoring changeling.

Dead Ringer cautiously backed up as she approached, not taking his eyes off her for one second. His brow was furrowed, his teeth were bared, but his expression was more angered than threatening. Probably because he was trying to mask the uneasiness traveling through him as the smiling zebra headed towards him. He knew that smile all too well. He’d seen it before by many deceitful changelings he’d dealt with in the past. She was planning something.

Zecora walked right up to Dead Ringer, looked him in the eye and said with a calm and easy tone, “Fix your wing I can with ease. But before I do, you must say please.”

Dead Ringer to say the least, was staggered. “Please-- What? Please?!” he balked.

“That seems fair,” Apple Bloom noted catching the perplexed changelings attention. “Dead Ringer, say please.”

“What?!” the changeling exasperated. “I’m not saying anything!”

“What do ya mean?” Apple Bloom responded, confused by the changelings rage. “Its easy!”

Quickly getting an idea she picked up a nearby rock. “Look I’ll show you, consider this your next lesson.” Walking over to Scootaloo she handed her the rock. “Scootaloo hold this rock.”

“Uh, okay?” Scootaloo responded taking the rock from her friend, confused by where she was going with this.

“Now then, Scootaloo may I please have that rock?” Apple Bloom asked sweetly.

“Um… sure?” Scootaloo answered handing her back the rock, completely stumped.

Taking the rock back Apple Bloom responded in kind, “Thank you.”

“See?” Sweetie Belle said to Dead Ringer, dubbing Apple Bloom’s lesson a success. “Easy!”

“No!” Dead Ringer shouted indignantly, his patience wearing thin.

Angered by their pupil’s rudeness, Sweetie Belle crossed her forelegs. “Weren’t you just telling us it’s rude to not call someone by their title?” she reminded. “Well here mister, it’s rude to ask for something without saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.”

“Well where I come from when I want something done,” he snapped his eyes toward Zecora, “I order it done!” He may be keeping his commanding status away from them, but he still had his pride for Chrysalis’ sake.

Despite the hostility that was being shown towards her, Zecora stood tall. “I know this must sound like such a tragedy. But I’m afraid that won’t work here-” she gave a short bow “-your majesty.”

Dead Ringer growled as he pressured his feet into the dirt. “Well perhaps there are other ways I can make you do it?” he responded with snarl, his fangs showing.

However, despite his threat, Zecora looked completely unfazed. She just stood there keeping her proud smile attached to her face. He hated that.

“Do what you like, it doesn’t bother me. But remember without I, there’s no one for miles who will answer your plea.” Zecora paused as she saw her words starting to reach the glaring bug. Despite his anger, Dead Ringer could find nothing to refute the zebra’s words. He hated that even more.

“Tell me changeling,” Zecora ventured, a hint of taunt and undertone in her voice. “Do YOU know how to mend a wing?”

Dead Ringer responded with a low hiss to voice his anger and annoyance. To his disgust however, she was right. Heal his wing he could, but the risk and time consumption was too great. He was at an impasse.

There’s an old saying among his people: 'Beggars can’t be choosers.' It’s just that begging was the only choice here.

Slowly he moistened his lips as he swallowed spit. Taking a deep breath his expression softened a little. “Ples,” Dead Ringer mumbled quickly.

“I’m sorry, that I could not hear,” Zecora responded in kind. “Could you please repeat that again my dear?”

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Scootaloo noted to the smug looking elder zebra, who just responded with a innocent smile.

“Plas," Dead Ringer mumbled again, this time a little louder, his rising anger clear. Zecora shook her head as she drew a hoof to ear, signaling she still could not hear. Dead Ringer released an annoyed groan as he repeated through his teeth, “Plase…”

She leaned in, motioning again that she did not hear. Having enough Dead Ringer took a deep breath as he spoke with great strain and bitterness, “P-l-e-a-s-eeeeee?!”

Satisfied Zecora acknowledged coyly, “There now, was that so hard? Manners are something one should never discard.” Dead Ringer didn’t know why but he suddenly felt like he needed to wash his mouth out with toad.

“Yeah…” Scootaloo causally agreed. Drawing a hoof to her chin she suddenly grew a sly smirk. “Now make him say pretty please with sprinkles and a cherry on top!”

“WHAT?!” Dead Ringer screamed with utter rage, his voice rising from its casual low growl to a bellowing roar.

Zecora tried her best to stiffen a giggle with a hoof, but failed. “Another time my dear. Right now I think the end of your student’s patience is drawing near,” she said referring to the now foaming changeling.

Walking towards her hut Zecora beckoned her guests to the door. One by one the Crusaders trotted in. Dead Ringer hung his head in annoyance and shame as he followed. However before he was able to enter, the door suddenly slammed shut. After smashing into it Dead Ringer turned toward the hut owner who looked at him with a miffed expression. “As much as having you in will be a treat. First I must ask that you wipe your feet.”

Seeing his confusion she directed the changelings attention to his hooves. His dirt filled hooves. With a groan and a grumble he swiftly brushed his dirty hoofs against the mat.

After finishing she gave him a thankful smile as she reopened the door. Without so much as a nod he bitterly walked in with Zecora following close behind.

Inside, Zecora carefully examined Dead Ringer’s broken wing. Having it laid out across the table surrounded by her herbs and potions, she slowly studied the rips and tears in the veins of the wing. The Crusaders all waited as they sat around the hut.

Apple Bloom watched Zecora work with great interest as she sat across the table. Sweetie Belle was busy studying the different assortments of potions Zecora had hanging from the shelves. While Scootaloo was busy making scary faces at one of Zecora’s decorative masks.

“Hey Zecora!” Sweetie Belle called. “Whatcha got going on here?” she asked referring to the boiling potion brew Zecora was working on earlier.

Not taking her eyes off the wing she answered, “A brew for young Snail’s eye infection. With it, the young colt should return to his original complexion.”

Sweetie Belle answered with a nod. She’d almost forgotten the whole ordeal from earlier today.

Zecora continued to study the strange wing before her as her mind worked on what she should do. Changeling wings were far different from that of a bird or a pegasus wing. Their wings were made from bone, muscle, and feathers. While changelings were made of organic tissue. Similar to that of an insect’s, only more full of holes. If this changeling was gonna fly again she was gonna need something to heal the rips in the wing. Something to mend the physical tears and allow the cells in the wing to heal.

Reaching over she picked up a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon in it along with two bottles of white and yellow liquid. Taking the two colored containers she carefully poured each one into the bowl. The potion maker then started stirring the two foreign liquids together.

Dead Ringer all the while just waited there in silence as he let the healer work. Only occasionally his eyes would glance over to see what she was doing. He didn’t know what she was making, but it sure smelled funny.

Finished, Zecora picked up the bowl and held it over the injured wing. “What’s that for?” Dead Ringer asked with a hint of concern, not liking where this was going.

Instead of responding Zecora started pouring the medicinal oil onto the wing. Dead Ringer immediately flinched as the strange liquid touched upon his wing. It’s not that it hurt, it’s just that the it was so cold!

Satisfied with the results so far, Zecora then initiated the next part of the healing. Resting her front hooves on the wing, the wise healer started rubbing the oil across the wing. She had to make sure the healing oils would properly soak into the wing. Dead Ringer flinched again, this time from the startle of Zecora touching his wing. He hated it when others touched his wing. He really did.

Strangely, as Zecora started massaging the cool moisture into his wing, he actually started to relax. Even more strange, it felt pretty good. He was actually… enjoying it. Whether it was the strange oil she was using, or how she was rubbing, he couldn’t tell. Either way, he hadn’t felt this comfortable in ages.

The pain that seeped up and down his wing soon started to fade. Even the burning feeling his cuts gave off were starting to numb. Closing his eyes, Dead Ringer just let his thoughts wander as the soothing feeling just took him away.

Deciding to take her eyes off her work for second, Zecora shot a glance over to Dead Ringer; just to see if he was holding up alright. To her surprise, he was doing pretty well. Better than well, he looked completely relaxed. Even stranger, he was smiling! Plastered across his face was the goofiest smile she’d ever seen. It was the kind of smile she saw Pinkie Pie have after guzzling down a whole cart of cider that one time. She had to do her best just to hold down the giggles that were coming.

Her ears perked up as the familiar sounds of giggling in the distance filled them. Snapping her head toward the source she saw the Crusaders all watching the relaxing changeling, each one wearing a grin as they watched the humorous scene; as did she as Zecora did her best to stiffen another giggle.

Dead Ringer’s eyes opened as he heard the strange noises in the room. Shooting a glance towards the Crusaders the sounds immediately stopped, almost like his eyes opening triggered the noise to cease. If it wasn’t for the huge grins the girls were trying to hide he wouldn’t have noticed anything.

He gritted his teeth as he gave a low snarl. The Crusaders immediately looked away, acting like nothing was out of the usual as they started whistling innocently like little angels. Dead Ringer then shot the monitoring zebra an upset glare. She just smiled in response as she focused back on her work. Content that they understood one another Dead Ringer went back to staring at the wall. This time on alert, refusing to relax. While inside he was berating himself.

He let his guard down. That was foolish to do. Foolish! A good soldier always stands on guard, always! He couldn’t let that happen again. Especially in this unfamiliar place.

Finally finished, Zecora reached up to a nearby shelf, pulling out a large leaf. Slowly, she started wrapping it around the disinfected wing like a bandage. Folding the leaf up tight, she secured the bandaged leaf together.

“Dead Ringer,” she asked, catching the contemplative changeling off guard, “could you carefully lift up your good wing? We can’t have the healing one lie limp, as it could scratch or ding.”

Skeptically following, Dead Ringer slowly raised his good wing as he tried to watch the wise striped figure focus. Carefully Zecora laid the injured wing into its proper place on the creatures back. Giving a nod she signaled him to lower his good one on top. Doing so he lowered it.

Dead Ringer’s wings were now properly folded into place. Taking a step back Zecora watched as the bandaged changeling examined himself. The scene that followed was like a dog trying to look at its tail.

“How ya feelin’?” Apple Bloom asked with a smile. Content that the wing they damaged could now start on the road to recovery.

Finished studying his wing, the ebony colored changeling then proceeded to stretch. Giving each joint in his muscles a crack and a flex. After that he arched his legs as he crouched, then immediately and gracefully he leaped from the floor to the ceiling, to his viewers’ surprise. Then in an instant, he jumped from the wooden ceiling to a nearby wall, performing a forward flip as he flew. Then within another instant he jumped to the floor, landing in a crouched pose. The Crusaders were all left in shock and awe while Zecora looked rather calm, as if it was routine for changelings to literally bounce off the walls.

Carefully Dead Ringer stood up, giving his neck one final crack for measure. “… Better,” he finally answered passively. He wasn’t back to a hundred percent, but he was doing better then this morning.

“Dead Ringer?” Sweetie Belle kindly asked grabbing his attention. “Isn’t there anything you wish to say?” she said hinting at the helpful zebra in the room.

“Yeah,” he replied, turning toward Zecora. “How long ‘till I can fly again?”

Scootaloo scoffed, none the least surprised by his response. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle each gave the unnoticing changeling a pout. That clearly wasn’t the answer they were looking for.

Zecora however didn’t seem to mind. She was surprised she was able to get a ‘please’ from it in the first place. However the look she soon gave was enough to let the changeling know he was not going to like the news she was about to give.

“The future seems bleak. In its condition, your wing must mend for no less than a week.”

“A week?!” he screamed lunging into the now startled zebra’s face. “I can’t stay here for a week!”

“Oh come on!” Scootaloo shouted. “You can’t live off cupcakes and deal with us for less than a week?” Not that she was looking forward to dealing with the changeling for a whole week, but she took offense to that. She would be the first to admit that the three of them could be a handful from time to time, but it’s not like they were infected with Cutie Pox!

“You don’t understand!” Dead Ringer exclaimed, the sense of worry in his voice and eyes clear to all. “My Hive! My colony! They can’t--! They won’t--! I--! They--!” Releasing his built in aggression the angered soldier released a loud groan as he slammed his head against the nearby wall as he started mulling over everything.

This was horrible. He was trapped here! He was willing to wait it out for his mission, but not that far! Who knows how the colony was fairing without him there? He was gone from the Hive for too long as it was. Come to think of it, he didn’t know how long its been.

“One last thing,” he muttered to the wall. “How long has it been since both our races last intertwined?”

The question confused everyone for a second, until they realized where he was aiming. The Wedding Incident.

“Your answer is a well-known fact. It has been eight days, to be exact.”

Eight days. He’s been missing for over eight days. His mind soon drifted to the rules that governed him. The doctrine that keeps the Hive in order: The Compact. And by the strict guidelines of The Compact, after two weeks of no contact, said changeling is declared dead. Which means that come the fifteenth day, he would be dead and forgotten to the colony. Which would leave his chosen Lieutenant in charge.

Reflection...

A small hint of a smile crossed his lips as that name entered his mind.

At least he knew it was being left in capable hoofs. Knowing her she would’ve sent out half the colony to find him. However the fact she hadn’t already only meant two things: Either the army took a bigger beating then he realized, or something was going on in the colony that was keeping them. But knowing her she’d find way to find him.

Slowly his smile faded as a new thought crossed his mind.

And also knowing her she would go against the Queen to do it. The two of them had never seen eye to eye, despite his counsel. However that was the only issue the bothered him. Keeping the Soldiers in line, that his Lieutenant was capable of. The Drones of the other hoof were a different tale. He was the only Soldier they trusted. Reflection and Dead Ringer’s most trusted treated them well, but given his history with them, he was the only leader they would follow. All the more reason he had to return.

But that wasn’t going to happen. Walking there was out of the question, and no one here could help. All he could do was wait, and heal.

And plan.

Concerned over how quiet he's been, Apple Bloom moved towards the upset changeling, tapping him with her hoof. “You alright?” she asked kindheartedly. Dead Ringer turned to face her, his expression completely devoid of emotion.

Outside he looked empty, while in his mind he was at odds with himself. He couldn’t give an answer. Any would’ve just lead to more questions. And knowing these girls it would have been a lot. Right now there was only one thing he wanted to do.

“Girls,” he began in a deadpan fashion.

“Yeah?” they each replied in perfect unison.

“We’re leaving,” he said simply, heading for the door.

“Hold it right there!” Zecora called after him, stopping the changeling dead in his tracks. “You're not going anywhere.”

He turned to face a grimacing Zecora focused on him. He returned the look with full force, all the while masking his inner confusion over what she wanted.

“Children,” she said, giving the girls a smile that suddenly appeared from nowhere, “would you kindly step outside?” Still holding her smile, she peeked at a now confused looking changeling. “There is some special information for your student I have to provide.”

“Okay…” Apple Bloom said with a undertone of concern and reluctance as she headed for the door. While confused by what was going on, she figured Zecora probably wanted to discuss Dead Ringer’s wing. Doctors often talked with their patients about what they could and couldn’t do with their injuries. Usually in private.

Before walking out with the others, Scootaloo made a quick detour toward Zecora. Quietly she whispered, “If he tries anything, holler for us.” The only response Zecora gave was another smile. She was humbled by the young filly’s care, but she was certain she could handle herself.

When the last Crusader was out, Zecora turned to Dead Ringer, her expression less than friendly. “Now listen you will to my warning sir Dead Ringer, if in this land you wish to linger. The little ones might see you from a different view. But know I shall be keeping an eye on you.”

Not about to be intimidated Dead Ringer matched her scowl. “Is that a threat?” He paused a beat as he grimly said, “Zebra?”

Unfazed, Zecora continued adamantly. “I’m just telling you gently, because I care about their safety.” Slowly, she began to approach the changeling, her tone growing more and more cold as she continued her warning. “If anything happens to them, should they vanish without a trace, or even if a single hair is out of place, I promise I will find you. And when I do…”

Her eyes scanned him up and down, dropping him a hint. “Well, your wing won’t be the only thing that you will need to mend. Do you comprehend?”

The two just stood there, completely deadlocked as silence fell on the room.

Dead Ringer finally responded with a nod, not taking his eyes off her for a second. “Crystal.”

“Good,” Zecora answered, her calm voice returning to its regular tone.

Turning around, Dead Ringer faced the door. “By the way,” he began not even looking at her, “‘creature whose heart is black’? I get rhyming words must be part of your culture or something.” His head slowly lowered as he said with somber and bitterness, “But to have a heart that’s black would mean I had a heart to begin with.” Getting the last word out Dead Ringer took his leave, shutting the door with a sudden slam.

Zecora was left there in stunned silence as the changeling’s acid words hung in the air. Her head lowered as a small frown formed across her face. She didn’t know which revelation saddened her more. That changelings really didn’t have hearts? Or that someone has lead Dead Ringer to believe he doesn’t have one?

The nerve of her! Who does she think she is to treat me like that! In my homeland my underlings would’ve assaulted her for using such language with me!

Storming out, Dead Ringer didn’t even bother acknowledging Apple Bloom or the others when they asked what was up; he just kept walking. Chasing after they each called for him, pleading him to stop, or at the very least slow down.

“Hey Dead Ringer!” Apple Bloom cried after the departing changeling. “Wait up!”

“We can’t just leave!” Sweetie Belle added, looking back as she saw the light from Zecora’s hut growing dimmer and dimmer as they got further and further away. “We didn’t even say goodbye!”

Dead Ringer soon came to a complete stop. Unfortunately, the other three were still running.

“OOF!”

“OOF!”

“OOF!”

They cried one by one as they slammed face first into Dead Ringer’s hind leg. However, their collision didn’t seem to faze him. “Fine!” he said as he snapped in the direction of the faraway light in the distance that was Zecora’s hut. “Goodbye! There, said it, we’re going!” Resuming his pace Dead Ringer continued venturing further into the forest, only to stop when he realized the sounds of trotting hooves were silent.

Turning around, he saw the young Crusaders all standing there where he left them. Each wore looks of dissatisfaction, clearly not fond of his behavior. Seeing this caused him to release a heavy sigh.

“Look…” he began, his voice - to his listeners surprise - was softer than usual. “It’s going to get dark soon. We can’t waste time with formalities.” After how their last conversation ended, he wasn’t in any mood to speak to zebras anytime soon; at least one zebra in particular. Turning around, he continued on his pace. To his satisfaction, the sounds of hooves clopping against the grass started up behind.

Apple Bloom lowered her head as she followed after Dead Ringer. She really didn’t feel right up and leaving Zecora like that, but a good teacher always monitors its student. Even when they’re misbehaving.

Getting an uncomfortable feeling all of a sudden Apple Bloom looked to find Scootaloo staring at her with disdain. “What?” Apple Bloom asked, feeling uneasy over what’s got the young flyers wings in a knot with her.

“I told you this was a bad idea.”

“Hey!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, getting defensive. “Every student learns at their own pace--”

“Oh, will you get your head out of the apple orchard and come back down to earth?!” Scootaloo snapped rolling her eyes. “He’s not some troubled colt with a learning issue! He’s a giant insect who couldn’t care less about learning!”

“Wha I--!” Apple Bloom stumbled, feeling her footing in the conversation falter. “H-he said ‘please,’” she defended.

“Yeah, only because Zecora made him!” Scootaloo harshly countered. “You should just face it. This crusade’s a bust.” With the books and this so-called ‘field trip,’ Scootaloo was really losing faith in this crusade. Not that she had much faith to begin with.

As Sweetie listened to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo try and earn their arguing cutie marks, she couldn’t help but feel surprised at how quiet Dead Ringer was being throughout all this. After all he was the topic of debate here. As she watched him her eyes gradually fell on his ears. They were twitching and waving up and down in a disorganized fashion. It was almost like he was listening for something. But for what she did not know.

“So what, yer sayin’ we should just tell the adults what we did?!”

“I didn’t say that!” Scootaloo responded aggressively. “I just said we--” she jerked as she bumped into a hole-filled foreleg hindering her path.

“Wait,” Dead Ringer instructed, turning his head from side to side.

“Oh for the love of- what is it now?!” Scootaloo groaned. Is it too much to ask to go five minutes without an interruption these days?!

“We’re not alone.”

Scootaloo’s heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“Listen,” he said with a hushed pitch.

Lending an ear, each Crusader listened carefully to the sounds of the forest. Other than the regular sounds of a toad’s croaking and bugs chirping, the forest sounded like a forest. A really creepy forest, but a forest nonetheless.

Looking around, they didn’t see anything either. Nothing was in the area other than tall grass, bushes, and a bunch of scary looking trees. Again, nothing out of the ordinary in the creepy woods of the Everfree Forest.

Giving her eyes another spin, Scootaloo opened her mouth, ready to mock the changeling for being paranoid.

And that’s when she heard it. She and the others all heard it.

The distant sounds of feet slowly touching upon grass. The sounds of bushes being brushed aside which each step, followed by breathing. Heavy breathing. And they were slowly growing louder with each step.

“What are we gonna do?” Sweetie Belle whispered with haste. The fear in her eyes and voice was enough indication to show she was scared. Her friends, to her dismay, gave no response. They were just as scared as she was. Turning toward the only adult in the area, they were silently stunned at how calm he was.

Dead Ringer wore an impassive face, as the only emotion he conveyed was with his eyes as they danced from one area of the forest to the next, searching with grit.

He knew this would happen. Whatever followed him out here had waited for him. Whatever was out there, it - or they - were determined to claim their hunt, and their meal.

Facing the little fillies he was with, he could easily see the fear that was in them. They were clearly scared, and that posed another issue. The hunters of this forest always went after the ill and the weak. What attracted them the most was the one emotion a proper hunter would exploit when stalking its prey: Fear.

And they were dripping with it. Literally, they were each starting to sweat as beads of water dripped through their pores and across their foreheads.

Young, harmless, and frightened. They were easy targets. He had to act now, and fast.

“Listen to me,” he began with a calm voice so as not to worry them further, while firm at the same time. “I want the three of you to wait here, and this time I mean it.”

It, sadly, was not enough. “Wh-where are you going?!” Apple Bloom stuttered, wondering what the hay the changeling was thinking to achieve by leaving a bunch of kids alone?!

Turning toward the darker reaches of the forest where the noise and the scent were strong, Dead Ringer narrowed his eyes as he answered, “I’m going to lead whatever’s out there away.” He shifted an eye toward the girls. “Stay here and don’t make a peep. Understood?”

There was a quiet pause in the air as his words took time for the girls to take in. They didn’t know what they didn’t like more: Being stalked by some unknown creature, or being left alone.

Finally they each shook their heads, answering they understood.

“Good.” Dead Ringer started walking away, preparing to head off into forest, the parts that were draped in shadows. “I'll be right back.”

“You…” Sweetie Belle paused with uncertainty, “Promise?”

The moving soldier came to a complete stop. Slowly, he looked back, locking eyes with the young girls. Their gazes were still filled with fear, but now there was something extra in them. They were filled with a second emotion. Dead Ringer didn’t even need to smell it; their eyes were enough indication of what they were feeling.

Worry.

Are they… he paused mid-thought. Worried about me? He shook his head at such a thought. No it can’t be that! They’re probably just worried about themselves!

Not even responding, he resumed his pace, growing closer to leaving the clearing they were in, only to immediately stop again. Dead Ringer slumped his head and good wing in defeat, releasing a sigh. He couldn’t leave them like this. They needed something to brighten their mood. Give them a boost. But what?

Getting an idea he slowly he raised his hoof. This action caught the young Crusader’s eyes as he moved it over his chest, making a circular motion with it. Then he raised it to his wings, pointing at them with emphasis. Finishing off, he placed his hoof over his eye, carefully this time.

His strange behavior left the girls baffled. Whatever he did looked completely strange. And yet, familiar to them.

After pondering for a few seconds, it slowly came to them. Without the words to go with it, the ritual just looked silly and weird. Then again, it was silly and weird to begin with, especially when a changeling did it. But they remembered it.

A Pinkie Promise.

He Pinkie Promised.

“Wow,” Sweetie breathed giving a smile. “You actually got it--”

Dead Ringer gave her a sharp look, reminding her of what he just said a minute ago. His eyes traced each one of them, giving each the same message.

Understanding, they all nodded with a smile. The changeling just shook his head as he rolled his eyes. Turning back, he headed into the dark foliage, disappearing into the shadows. As he ventured further and further into the forest, not even caring how much noise his feet were making, a small smile curved at the edge of Dead Ringer’s lips in satisfaction.

Author's Note

Keep in mind, 'Romance' is not in the genre area, so its not in this story. The hint is that Dead Ringer just trusts Reflection and knows her well. More to come later.

Manners Class for the Soldier Class II

The forest was quiet. All that could be heard were the sounds of owls hooting and crickets singing their little songs. Seconds started feeling like hours. Not one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders dared to make a sound, or even dared to make a move. All they could do was wait and hope for Dead Ringer to return.

Suddenly, their ears picked up a new sound, and it was very close. Whatever it was, it was growing louder and louder. Snapping their attention in the direction of its source, they witnessed a dark figure slinking surreptitiously in the distance. It was difficult to make out whatever it was, but it was getting nearer.

Fearful, the girls retreated as fast they could, only to bump into a nearby tree. Leaning back against it, they shut their eyes, too scared to see what was coming. Their hooves were quivering. While still afraid, they at least had the sense of knowing nothing would sneak up from behind them. However that still left whatever was coming up in front of them.

Peaking an eye open the girls saw, to their gratitude, nothing. The strange figure was gone, as was the noise. One by one they breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe Dead Ringer was able to succeed after all?

Their small victory did not last long however as their eyes caught sight of a new anomaly. A pair of yellow eyes glowed through the bushes like two lanterns in the dark. Its piercing bright eyes stared right through the three young fillies nestled by the tree.

“Dead Ringer?” Sweetie asked the strange figure with a shaken voice. “Is that you?”

Their fear only grew as the unknown being failed to respond. It just waited there, staring at them. Watching them. Longing for them.

Coming out of the darkness, the light purged the shadows that surrounded the unknown creature as the true identity of their watcher was revealed.

It was mean looking, it had fangs, but it wasn’t a changeling. The creature looked no more older than a teenager. However, the beast still towered over the three in height. Its body was comprised of nothing but wood and whatever unnatural force that gave it life. Its wooden frame was slim and skeletal, which gave the creature great agility and strength. Its claws were sharp as knives, second only to its piercing jagged teeth, which dripped of drool and yearning. Its eyes beamed with an unearthly yellow glow of empty voids.

The three fillies had heard of these creatures before, but never seen one up close. And from what they’ve heard, these beasts were ranked up there with dragons and changelings. The difference being these creatures were nothing but mindless eating machines that cared of nothing other than their next meal.

As she trembled with fear, Apple Bloom tried her best to find her words as she stuttered the hunter’s name. “T-t-t-tim-timberwolf…”

The beast known as a timberwolf snarled as its nostrils flared. It continued to watch the three ponies before it, steadily pacing around the area while its eyes never left them as it moved. It was studying them as it considered its next move.

One by one, each Crusader weighed their options, but came up with nothing. Running would mean only one of them would get caught, but such an act was something none of them could live with. Trying to earn their cutie marks in creature catching was out of the question, seeing as how well the last attempt ended. The more they thought, the more they wished Twilight and the others were here to help them.

Any one of them would be enough to save the day. But that wasn’t going to happen. There was no Applejack to jump in and hogtie it. No Rainbow Dash to fly in and fight it. No Fluttershy to flutter in and stare it down. No Rarity to strut in and…

No Twilight to use her magic, and no Pinkie Pie to use her pinkieness. They were on their own.

Scootaloo looked at her useless wings, silently cursing at herself. If only she could fly. She’d grab her friends and fly right out of there. But that wasn’t going to happen either. This stinks. This really, really stinks… she cried to herself.

Coming up with an idea, Apple Bloom did the first thing that came to her mind. “Uh… nice doggy. Good doggy?” she awkwardly complemented.

It sadly had no effect as the beast took its first step. Crouched to the ground, the creature crept towards them, the hunger in its eyes increasing with every step. Its wolfish grin dripped with saliva as it knew its long wait for food was coming to an end.

“What do we do?” Scootaloo asked turning to the others, praying to Celestia that one of them had some kind of idea; preferably one better than Apple Bloom’s.

Sweetie tapped her head feverishly, trying to make herself remember what her parents told her to do in a situation like this.

Finally it came to her.

“I think if I remember correctly, when facing a wild wolf, the correct technique is to lay down and play dead.”

She thought it did.

“That’s BEARS Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo shouted, now more ticked off then scared at how unprepared they are at this.

The young hunter felt like a pup in a, place of some kind. The kind that gave away treats only it would like. Going ahead of the pack was normally a no-no in the game of the hunt. But his older siblings’ misfortune was his gain. Now he had three young fillies all ripe for the picking, but which one first?

The yellow one looked plump, but then again the white one with the horn looked more appetizing. However, the orange one had wings, and wings meant more meat. Yes, she would do just fine. Giving its lips a good lick, the wolf charged blindly at them, its jaw wide open as it readied to take its first victim.

Startled and without any clue of what to do, the young ponies all shut their eyes, too scared to run and too scared to even move as the creature came for them.

Coming into contact the beast took its first taste, biting down hard as it tasted the sweet flesh of its prey. The sides of its mouth curved into what could only be described as a smile as the delicious liquid of its victim’s wound leaked into its mouth and touched upon its tongue.

However, something was strange. The taste wasn’t what it was expecting. In fact, the meat itself tasted nothing like it expected.

Scootaloo held her pose, too scared to open her eyes. She cringed as she felt the sharp searing pain travel through her foreleg. She would’ve cried if she weren’t so afraid. The fear mixed with pain was just too much to bear.

All thanks to a frightened unicorn that was holding onto her for dear life. She knew Sweetie Belle was scared, she just wished her friend didn’t squeeze so hard. Other then that she felt fine. Besides her friend using her foreleg as a teddy bear, the cold shiver running down her spine, and the rapid thumping of her heart Scootaloo felt right as rain. So what was taking that wolf so long?

Opening one eye to investigate the reason for the foreign taste, the young timberwolf was met with two cold daggers staring back at it. Its new prey looked more angered than hurt. In fact there wasn’t a single trace of pain in its complexion. Scanning its eyes over the body of his victim, the young hunter learned it was clearly not the pegasus it was originally aiming for.

It wasn’t even a pony.

Giving in to her curiosity, Scootaloo gently pried one eye open. Which in an instant were open full blast. What she saw wasn’t a hungry wolf, but a dark, ebony colored, and hole filled foreleg with one mouth of a timberwolf clutching onto it. Tracing the leg, Scootaloo looked up to her savior as she was left in complete disbelief. Working up the courage, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle both gently opened their eyes a peek. Soon their faces were an even match for Scootaloo’s.

Dead Ringer stood before them, his face burned with a clear sense of anger; disdain was rich in his eyes as they narrowed. His leg and the timberwolf’s face were just centimeters from Scootaloo. If he had been off for just a second… none of them even wanted to think about it. However Scootaloo was more confused then shocked.

She couldn’t believe it. She just could not believe it. She didn’t even hear him coming.

He stopped the timberwolf.

He blocked the attack.

He protected her.

Within a second Dead Ringer swiftly struck at the timberwolf, his mouth diving into its back, his sharp fangs piercing the hardwood of its body. The creature unclenched its jaw, releasing Dead Ringer’s captive leg as it cried out in pain.

Acting quickly Dead Ringer put all the strength he had into his neck and jaw as he lifted the animal over his head. Swinging his head around he tossed the beast far across the area, sending it straight into a tree.

Slamming back first into the bark of the large sapling, the timberwolf fell to the ground with a thud. The hurt wolf writhed and whined in pain like crazy. However, silence soon fell as the timberwolf suddenly stopped moving. Taking stance Dead Ringer stood ready, cold eyes stared unwavering in the direction of his wounded foe. This wasn’t over yet. Timberwolves never hunt alone. More will come, and he’d be waiting.

The girls were left in utter disbelief over what they just witnessed. Dead Ringer’s strength, his speed, his leg…

Eyes falling on his limb they observed the damage the timberwolf had done to it. Jagged teeth marks, wears, tears, and cuts covered it. The wolf bit him in the one area of his leg where there was more flesh.

Soon their eyes caught a new anomaly. A strange green fluid traveled down his leg. Tracing the source they all instantly threw a hoof over their mouths in horror. It was blood. His blood.

Yet, to an even greater surprise, he looked completely unfazed by it. In fact he hadn’t shown any reaction to anything that’s happened; he was completely stoic through it all. Any adult they knew would’ve given some response to the three of them nearly being eaten by a timberwolf. The older ponies would’ve berated them for not being careful. However they knew one the thing the older ponies would all do: Show some reaction that they’re bleeding!

His blood was pumping, but his mind was clear. His body was hurting, but his strength was there. Whatever pain his wound bequeathed was ignored as adrenaline coursed through his veins. He didn’t have time to bleed. He didn’t have time to even plan. All had time for, was to fight.

He may have failed to take Canterlot; He may have failed to stop the Element Bearers; but he’d be skinned alive and left to rot in the pits of Tartarus if he was going to let a bunch of wooden canidae get the Crusaders. He was ready for whatever this forsaken forest was going to send his way!

Like smoke through the air, a trio of adult timberwolves emerged through the darkness of the forest. The three older hunters gathered around their injured sibling. One leaned down and gave it a nudge with its head, hoping in vain his littlest sibling would give some kind of response.

The younger wolf blinked as it weakly looked up to its older brethren. All it could give was the faintest whimper of pain before collapsing into shock. The three wolves were left in horror at the sight before them.

Their sorrow was soon replaced with wrath as one by one each member of the group turned toward the perpetrator of this heinous act. Their minds forgotten on the hunt and now focused on one thing entirely: Vengeance!

Each wolf released mixed sounds growls and snarls, baring their teeth as they slowly started their approach.

Dead Ringer hissed back, his lips pulling back from his teeth. He scuffed his hoof against the dirt, digging them into the ground as he assumed a fighting stance. The three wolves continued with their march, not looking the least bit intimidated. All the girls could do was just huddle together as they sat there helplessly while the hunters closed in.

Dead Ringer crouched in a threatening manner, looking like he was ready to pounce on one of wolves at any second. Stepping to the side, he obstructed the girls’ and the timberwolves’ view of one another. Taking a deep breath he released with all his might the loudest and most savage shriek he could muster.

Two timberwolves stopped their advance as they were left in fear, a clear sense of uneasiness overwhelming them. The other wolf just stopped in its tracks, looking with confusion to his other siblings. Seeing the clear fear in their eyes, it then snapped its attention toward Dead Ringer, giving a snarl as it exposed its teeth. However, it was more out of annoyance then anger.

Soon, a grin grew across Dead Ringer’s face as a feeling of pride swept through him. It felt good to be in control of a fight again. It wasn’t exactly fighting for the colony’s future per se, but it felt good to be doing something he was familiar with. Defending the small from the strong and tainted. It was one of his many duties that behooved him after all.

If these worms were scared of him now, they were going to be left whimpering like whelps when he was through with them.

It’s time to heat things up. Let’s see how you wood nymphs like a little fire.

Lowering his head, Dead Ringer took aim with his horn. It slowly lit up as a faint flame grew from its edge. The flame grew and grew as he felt the burning heat on the tip. Feeling the flame charged up, Dead Ringer prepared to unleash a blaze of inferno upon his foes.

And then the flame vanished.

To his shock, the flame had died out into nothing but smoke. The changeling growled in frustration. He still wasn’t at full power yet! Guess cupcakes weren’t enough to refuel a changeling’s usual energy count. However, that wasn’t the only issue Dead Ringer was now faced with. He was now completely vulnerable!

With his armor gone, he was exposed and now he had no powers at his side to aid him. Although, there was one ace Dead Ringer had on his side. The problem he always had with his armor was the weight of it. The armor did offer protection, but the added load made the wearer less agile. He proved that on the day he earned it.

“I’m disappointed…”

He cringed, shaking his head. Not now, not now!

Burning with anger from his siblings’ cowardice, and tired of waiting, the one timberwolf that was ahead of the rest made the first move, charging rage filled towards Dead Ringer.

Seeing it coming, Dead Ringer held his pose as his eyes drew to his horn. It may have been powerless, but it was still deadly.

Looks like we’re going to have to do this the rough way.

Sprinting off with all his stamina, Dead Ringer collided with the wolf, his horn piercing the hard wood of the timberwolf’s surface. With the now jumbled timberwolf hanging by tip of his horn, Dead Ringer continued charging blindly until he crashed right into the tree. Or rather, he crashed the timberwolf into the tree, leaving it paralyzed in pain as it slid down the tree and onto the ground.

Twirling around, Dead Ringer found the second wolf diving toward him. Reacting fast, he swiftly dodged it by leaping to the side. Instead of hitting its intended target, the wolf fell to the ground hard and painfully. Before it could get up, Dead Ringer immediately jumped on top of it. Wrapping his forelegs around its head, he was able to keep the creature down long enough for his next move. Releasing one foreleg, he raised his hoof high into the air, bringing it down with full force and delivering a heavy blow to the wolf’s head - so powerful it was enough to actually shatter a few of the wolf’s teeth from its jaw before rendering it unconscious.

This was it. He just had one left. Looking around, he found the wolf was… gone?

The third one hid in the shadows, slinking slowly and quietly through the grass. The changeling’s fight with the others provided a strong enough distraction for it to slip away and prepare its own trap.

The hunter crawled through the plants in quiet, long reaching steps. Soon it was right behind its intended target. Whether it was luck or the changeling was too disoriented from the last two, it didn’t know. All it knew was the element of surprise was on its side today.

Making its move, the wolf sprang out from the grass. The attack was too quick for Dead Ringer to react, and soon the timberwolf landed on him, throwing the two of them to the ground.

The girls just watched in shock as they witnessed two agile creatures brawl it out. The two rolled around in the dirt, each exchanging bites and snarls while trying to gain an advantage over the other.

Finally, Dead Ringer was able to gain the upper hoof and lift the timberwolf up, pinning it against a nearby tree. Trapped but far from out, the wolf blindly attacked, violently thrashing and shaking as it tried to escape the changeling’s grip, all the while trying bite Dead Ringer, who dodged its attacks by shifting his head in opposite directions of its attacks. Dead Ringer knew he needed to do something and fast before this thing got at his neck. Watching the creature as best he could, Dead Ringer was able to notice an area of the wolf that was open for attack: Its neck.

Timberwolves’ bodies were comprised of tough wood. Almost nothing could break them, but Dead Ringer already proved changelings’ fangs could. Then again, they were strong enough to crush rocks with them.

Despite the awkward position he was in, Dead Ringer still found the time to swallow saliva as he prepared for what he was about to do. He hated that it came to this. Releasing one hoof, he immediately used it to pin the head of the wolf against the tree, keeping it still for a few seconds. That was all he was going to need.

He readied his teeth only to stop immediately. What he was about to do was not meant for young minds. “Girls!” Dead Ringer commanded, turning to them. “Look away!”

The girls were too shaken to answer, but still confused enough to raise a brow.

“Turn your heads away! NOW!”

Not wanting to argue, they did as they were told and they each immediately looked away, choosing to just watch the tree they’d been using as cover throughout all of this. Suddenly they heard the noises of the wolf shrieking and whimpering in pain, along with what sounded like twigs breaking and wood snapping.

Turning back the girls saw the timberwolf running off, yelping in pain as it did. Leaving pieces of wood and bark behind like a trail. The next thing they saw were the other wolves departing as well. One stayed behind to pick up the younger wolf from when this all began. Managing to lift it onto its back, the departing timberwolf gave one final growl, which wasn’t as intimidating as it expected given that half its teeth were now missing, before following after the others.

Dead Ringer was left standing there, breathing heavily. They had no idea what he did, but his face gave a small enough clue. Covering his mouth were little pieces wood chips and splinters cutting into him. He even coughed a few pieces out as he breathed.

“That’s right!” he shouted in between breaths to the departing wolves, not even caring if they could hear him or not. “Run!”

He groaned with annoyance as he tried to rub the wooden remains off his face. Immediately after that, he released an even louder groan; this time it was one of pain as he gripped his aching leg. The sharp burning feeling from the wolf’s bite finally overtaking him.

The fight was over. The wolves were defeated and his adrenaline rush was gone. The pain he had spent so much time ignoring had at last caught up with him. But that wasn’t what was important right now. He turned to the girls and they immediately winced when he looked at them. He couldn’t blame them. He probably wasn’t much of a looker right now. And after what they just witnessed, he’d be on edge too. However, there was still one more thing he had to do.

Still gripping his open leg wound he started limping toward them, still breathing heavily through his nose. As he approached, the Crusaders each remained frozen like deer in the headlights of an oncoming carriage. They’d heard changelings were fierce, but hearing it was nothing compared to seeing it.

Dead Ringer stopped just a about foot away from them. It was probably best to give them some space. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo just stared back, each of them swallowing saliva in unison. Suddenly, it was déjà vu all over again: the three of them staring up at a changeling, and it staring back, each one trying to read the other’s mind and wondering what was going to happen next.

“You three okay?”

Unlike last time, however, it was Dead Ringer who broke the silence, speaking with a shockingly calm voice. Momentarily caught off guard by his question, the girls admittedly flinched again. Only this time it was their ears that rose, as if they didn’t hear him at first, most likely because their minds were now processing something new.

Did Dead Ringer just ask them if they were okay? Considering how he was looking, asking if they were okay seemed like a understatement.

The changeling continued to wait in silence, holding his calm expression. It was almost hard to believe that just a few seconds ago he was… something else; almost like a wild animal. But here he was, beaten and hurt, yet he was showing concern for them instead of himself.

Though still a little shaken, the girls slowly started to relax a little. Answering him, they each gave a short, straight-to-the-point nod of acknowledgement.

Satisfied, Dead Ringer finally breathed a sigh of relief. They were safe and un-maimed. Now it was time to worry about his state of health.

Sitting down, he released his leg as he started looking over the damage, not even noticing when Apple Bloom and the others started to approach him.

The girls just stood in silence as they watched Dead Ringer examine his leg with great concentration. They couldn’t believe how casually he was behaving. He was acting like this was a regular day for him - almost like he’d done this before. Were other changelings like this? They wondered. This all just continued to show them more and more what a mystery changelings truly were.

Feeling their eyes on him, he shot them a glance, meeting their eyes. Soon another beat of silence fell on them. The only sounds filling it were the chirps and whistles of the creatures of the Everfree Forest.

Seeing that this was just turning into another staring contest, it was Scootaloo who broke the silence this time, choosing to ask the one question that clouded her mind the most. “Why’d you do that?”

His eyes fell back to his leg as he removed a chip of wood from his cut and spit it out. “Do I need a reason?” he answered her, not even elaborating.

Unsatisfied with that answer, Scootaloo scowled at him as she continued her investigation. “You could’ve just left us and run off. So why’d you do that?” Who was he to avoid the question?! She wanted an answer, and by Celestia she was going to get one!

Suddenly, déjà vu hit them again as the two flyers were deadlocked, eyes staring at one another once more. Only this time there was less hostility from Dead Ringer’s side, which was more than could be said about Scootaloo, who just looked back with anger.

“I promised,” he began firmly, “that as long as I was here, no harm would come to any of you.” Drawing his eyes back to his leg, Dead Ringer went back to examining it. “Those beasts meant harm.”

Well, Scootaloo got her answer, and needless to say she was now left even more confused than ever. However, the same couldn’t be said for her two friends. Dead Ringer jerked as he felt a warm feeling of some kind traveling through his leg. It wasn’t a painful burning sensation; in fact it didn’t hurt at all, and this sensation wasn’t coming from his damaged leg. Looking down, he saw the two young fillies named Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, both with their front legs wrapped around his good leg tenderly. “Thank you…” they both said, wearing smiles of gratification.

Dead Ringer was... confused. He honestly had no idea what they were doing, or even why. He’d seen other ponies do this before. During the scourge of Canterlot, he witnessed many young ponies huddling close with other older ponies in the same manner. The difference then was in their expressions. In Canterlot they were absolutely terrified, but the ones before him now looked… happy. Maybe it was some form of reaction?

Yes, it was most likely that. They were probably still in shock. It was easy to attribute that this was most likely their first encounter with a timberwolf. Anyone, or anypony, probably would’ve sought comfort from the closest thing near them - even from their enemy. Dead Ringer assumed so at least.

Yet why were they smiling? Scratch that, why were they happy?

Were they happy they survived? Were they happy someone was there to protect them? Or were they happy the one who protected them was safe?

His brow raised when he realized the little ball of orange named Scootaloo was absent from the two. Looking up, he saw her still sitting by the tree on her own, just looking at them. Only at the same time, she looked like she wasn’t. Almost like she was lost in her own little world.

This was the case, the young pegasus’ thoughts were going a mile a minute as her mind tried to comprehend everything.

He only did it because he was under a promise! Scootaloo’s voice cried in her mind, but there was another voice arguing with her. Except this voice was not her own. It was calm, fragile, and quite familiar to her.

And he kept that promise, it seems.

Betcha he wouldn’t have if he wasn’t!

Really dear?

Yeah! Really!

Funny, he wasn’t under any pinkie swear when he saved you yesterday. So, why did he save you then?

…

Scootaloo’s voice was left stumped. She couldn’t argue with that.

Breaking her focus she shook her head as she started on a slow pace to regroup with her friends and… student.

She stopped just a few inches from Dead Ringer as she looked up, her eyes narrowed at him. Looking down, Dead Ringer mimicked her scowl with his own. Sweetie and Apple Bloom both broke off their hug and slowly backed away, fearing another childish argument was about to break out between the two.

It was almost funny to her. Whenever Scootaloo looked at him, he reminded her of... well, herself. Her true self, and that made her feel nothing but hate for him. Because he reminded her. Now when she looked, she saw mystery and it intrigued her. Because what he did was totally, dare she think: Cool?

And then she nodded. It wasn’t a nod of understanding or even of thanks, but more of respect. The changeling before her was left stupefied for a few seconds before shaking it off. That certainly was not something he saw coming.

I don’t get you, pegasus. One minute you hate me. Now all of sudden you're acting completely different. You truly are of a strange race, Scootaloo. Interesting, but strange.

Slowly, the hardened soldier’s look softened a little as he returned the nod. Although it was faint, Scootaloo could’ve sworn she saw the side of his lip curl up a little.

The scene was interrupted as Dead Ringer cried out in discomfort, due to another spike of pain from his aching leg. He’d worry about that later. Right now he had to get the girls out of here.

“Come on,” he said to the three. “We better get moving before--”

Dead Ringer was cut of as a mighty howl pierced the night air. He along with the Crusaders all froze as they heard the violent growls of another timberwolf approach. Only this time it was deeper, more savage even.

Stepping into the clearing, there appeared what could only be described as quite possibly the largest timberwolf Dead Ringer had ever seen. Its teeth were long, uneven, and jagged. Its wooden form was bulkier than that of the average timberwolf. Its body was covered in scars and rotted out wood. Seeing it made Dead Ringer silently curse to himself. How could he have forgotten?

Usually when wolf dens send out hunting packs, they send one special wolf with them: the one who’s lived the longest. The one who’s caught the most prey. The one who's won the most brawls. The one who’s seen as the fiercest hunter of the litter.

The Den Leader. And from the rage filled glint in its bright cold eyes, it found its intended prey.

“Girls…” Dead Ringer warned firmly, directing them back the tree for cover. Understanding they trotted off, leaving the changeling and the timberwolf the only ones in the clearing.

The mighty wolf treaded the ground, prowling to the left. Dead Ringer matched it by treading to the right, not taking his eyes off it for a second. His one good wing was unfolded as he kept on alert.

Choosing this time to hide behind the tree, the girls peaked their heads out, watching the two mythical beasts move.

This was going to be difficult, more difficult than the last fight. While it was one on one, the enlarged timberwolf definitely had Dead Ringer on weight. Intelligence and speed were the only two things he could rely on now, so he was going to have to think up a plan, and fast.

His eyes soon dotted to a tree behind him. As a plan brewed, Dead Ringer slowly grinned to himself. I bet that wooden skull of yours isn’t too thick, he thought.

But if his plan was going to work, he was going to have to tempt it to charge him. He had an idea, but it was going to require precision, effective accuracy, and a steady hoof. If he rushed it and dodged right in the nick of time; well like he said to himself, that wooden skull couldn’t be too thick. There was no time to lose.

Pushing all of his energy into one run Dead Ringer dashed into battle, only to immediately trip on a rock he didn’t notice and fall onto his bad leg.

Landing the hurt changeling cried out in pain. As he struggled to get himself up, Dead Ringer was mentally kicking himself, making muttering sounds that varied from annoyance to pain. Both for the hurt of the fall and his own stupidity for making such a careless move.

Watching from afar, the Crusaders looked on in dismay as the wolf started heading for their injured student. Dead Ringer was so preoccupied with trying to get up he didn’t even notice. They had to do something.

“So…?” Sweetie Belle awkwardly proposed to her friends, her voice full of nervousness as she gulped. “Cutie Mark Crusaders Creature Catchers? Again?” Both her friends gave an uneasy nod of agreement. The three young ponies departed from their only cover and headed to their pupil in need.

Meanwhile, Dead Ringer wasn’t doing too well. With whatever strength he could muster, he tried to sluggishly push himself up, only to ultimately fail as he fell back to the ground. It was no use. He was in too much pain to manage, let alone face a fully-grown timberwolf all on his own. His entire body felt like he was dropped from the sky and landed on a pile of rocks. Spiked rocks.

As the changeling was trying and unsuccessfully managing to get up, the large timberwolf drew closer. It slithered a long slender tongue across its lips and through the gaps in its disorganized teeth. This was almost too easy.

Feeling the wolf loom over him, Dead Ringer tilted his head up where his eyes met with the wicked glowing spheres of the timberwolf’s. The wolf opened its mouth, exposing its mighty jaws and releasing a savage snarl of malice. Dead Ringer just hissed back in response. He may have been down, but he was far from harmless. However, it didn’t even discourage the wolf, which raised its claws and readied the first blow. Before it did, however, its head was struck right in the hard wooden shell of its skull.

“Wow, nice throw Apple Bloom!”

“Thanks!”

After recovering, the wolf followed the source of where the object was thrown to find three little ponies, each armed with rocks.

Dead Ringer tried to open his mouth to order them to stop, but his efforts were hindered as the wolf pinned him to the ground with its large claw. It barked and snarled at the three youths before it, warning them to stay away. Nothing was going to disrupt its meal, or its retribution.

Looking at its mouth as it barked, Scootaloo immediately got an idea. Hurling her rock with all her might Scootaloo managed to toss it right into the wolf’s mighty jaws when it was barking, lodging it right in between its teeth. Blinded with anger and irritation, the mighty timberwolf tried in vain to remove the item stuck in its teeth, and failed. Running off it bashed and thrashed its mouth against everything near it like a wolf gone mad. Rocks, trees, it used anything near it, in whatever hopes of dislodging the obstruction in its orifice.

Buying themselves enough time, the girls hurried to their changeling in need only to have their efforts hindered by, shockingly, Dead Ringer himself. “Leave me…” he muttered as he used his good hoof to push them back, still too weak to lift his head up to look at them.

“What…?” Scootaloo asked. Neither she nor the others understood why he wasn’t accepting their help.

“You…” he coughed, trying to fight the pain coursing through his body “…idiots... It’s me it wants. I’m bigger, injured, and at the bottom of its food chain.”

Not having any of it, the girls once again approached to aid Dead Ringer only to have their efforts hindered once again.

“Leave me alone!” he raised his voice as he shoved them aside, this time hard enough to knock them to the ground.

The girls were hurt. However, it was his words that hurt more then than fall. Still, a new look of resistance fell on them as they each stood up, shaking their heads defiantly. After what he did for them, there was no way they were leaving him now.

Still not believing how these three wasn’t getting the clue Dead Ringer finally mustered the strength to look at them. “I said--”

“We heard what you said,” Scootaloo interrupted. “And none of us give a flying feather!”

Despite the never-ending pain traveling him and the situation they were in, Dead Ringer was still caught dumbfounded as he blinked in response. “What?”

“Never mind! Girls help me get him up.” Gently she grabbed his bad leg - making sure to avoid the bloodstains - while Sweetie Belle grabbed the other. Together the two carefully lifted him up, which was proving difficult given that he was twice their size. Apple Bloom meanwhile started pushing from behind as she aided her friends in moving him.

“I’ll slow you down,” he pointed out.

Remaining defiant Sweetie responded, “We don’t…” she grunted, “…care.”

“Yah.” Apple Bloom agreed while she pushed with all her strength. “Besides, we made a promise ta’ you too.”

“Huh?”

“We promised as long as you were here, we wouldn’t let anypony know yer here. That mean old wolf knows yer here and wants you for dinner. So we ain’t gonna let him.”

“Technically it’s a she,” Dead Ringer corrected.

Apple Bloom fell to ground as that word hit her. Collecting herself, she got back to pushing.

“And she’s not a pony,” he continued, hoping it would be enough to make them stop. “So you're not under any--”

“Shut it!” Scootaloo ordered looking at him, her eyes burning with resolve. “We’re not leaving you! That’s final! Got it?” Showing that he understood, Dead Ringer shut his jaw.

His eyes soon wondered to Sweetie Belle who wore the same look of resolve Scootaloo wore. Turning his head as best he could he also saw Apple Bloom with the exact look. This left him completely confused. Their words, their actions... They touched upon him in ways they couldn’t begin to imagine.

They really were worried about me...

They really do care about me…

They… care…

I feel…

I feel...

Tired...

Maybe his wounds were worse than he thought. Maybe he lost more blood then he realized. Maybe he was even weaker than before this fight started. No matter the reason, Dead Ringer could feel his head getting lighter and his muscles sagging further as fatigue started to fall over him.

All of a sudden Scootaloo felt the weight she carried getting heavier. Looking over she noticed Dead Ringer’s head was slumping as his eyes were beginning to close. “Hey, stay with us here,” she said, trying to keep him awake. Sadly it was to no avail as Dead Ringer’s head hung limp as his eyes fully closed.

“What’s wrong?” Apple Bloom asked the others, wondering why she was now only pushing the dirt. She was greeted by silence. “Guys?” she asked again as she stopped pushing. “Dead Ringer?”

Suddenly Dead Ringer’s body fell to the ground with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stuck underneath him. Rushing to her friends’ aid, Apple Bloom pulled each of them out.

Looking at the unconscious changeling before them, a feeling of dread fell on them.
He was out like a light, not moving, but that wasn’t what made them worry the most. It was his breathing, he barely was!

They tried giving him a nudge. Their efforts proved futile, as Dead Ringer still lay unmoving, almost like he was devoid of life. Now the three were starting to get scared.

“Dead Ringer? Get up!” Apple Bloom cried nudging him. Again no response.

“Dead Ringer get up!”

“Get up!”

“Get up! Get up Dead Ringer!”

The little changeling dubbed Dead Ringer clung to the rock with all his strength, doing everything in his power to reach the top, but he just was too tired, too injured and weak to make it up. His wings fluttered in vain as he tried to fly, but nothing happened.

The older changeling above, adorned in his royal armor, smacked himself with his hoof, sliding it down his face in aggravation. How was it out of all the others, this one changeling was the most difficult of the bunch?

A second older changeling standing next to him gave his leader a bow as he spoke in a rather civilized tone that contrasted with his croaky voice, “Fear not, Commander. I shall go down and fetch the little whelp.”

“No, Specter!” the Commander barked, bringing the other changeling dubbed Specter to a halt. “He can do this! He just needs to try harder!” he shouted into the rocks below, those last words more intended for Dead Ringer.

He felt like was on the verge of tears. He couldn’t do this anymore. This was all just too much to bear. Maybe he should just let go and be done with it all.

“Hey! Where are you going?!”

Looking up he saw another changeling descending the cliff to him. Squinting his eyes as the unknown figure drew closer, Dead Ringer was able to make him out. Or better yet HER out.

She looked no older than he did. Then again, most of the other grunts he trained with were no different. Her form was slender, yet sturdy and strong. Her eyes were like small gemstones of teal aurora. The spike on the back of her neck was fully formed and even. Not many changelings had that quality, Dead Ringer included.

Landing with grace and ease just a few meters away from him, she used one hoof to stick to the rocks while using her other to reach out to him, a gesture which Dead Ringer was reluctant to take.

“Come on,” she spoke, motioning him to take her hoof. Her voice had that raspy tone all changelings had; and yet it was filled with grace and tenderness, something not many did. “We’ll go up together.”

The young Dead Ringer was completely taken away. He knew as well as she did that defying the rules of this exercise was a heavy offense. Yet she braved it, just for him? No one had ever shown him such… what was that word? Kindness?

“Why are you doing this?” he asked in awe and disbelief.

“Do I need a reason?” she responded still holding her hoof out. “Now come on.”

Finally taking her offer, the other changeling managed to help Dead Ringer climb the gap that was giving him the most difficulty in scaling. Still holding, on she helped Dead Ringer make it up most of the way. Despite the orders and shouts the female changeling received from the older changelings from above, she never left his side.

Feeling confident, Dead Ringer let go, despite the protests from his climbing buddy. He didn’t know why, but somehow he found the strength to continue. Despite the cuts and bruises that covered him he managed to get another hoof into a small gap in the cliffs of the rock on his own. Seeing this brought a proud grin to the young woman’s face. Giving him a nod, she continued her climb, making sure to keep close to her partner.

“Who are you?” he asked his savior.

Looking over she responded to him with a smile. “You can call me, Reflection.”

Reflection. He repeated it to himself. It was… a nice name. That was the only way to describe it. A nice name, for a nice changeling.

“Well?” she asked, slightly confused by why he stopped climbing all of a sudden. But she didn’t show it. “Come on.” She motioned him to follow.

Those last words echoed through his mind, and throughout the cliff as he resumed climbing.

“Come on…”

“Come on…”

“Come on! Wake up will ya?” Scootaloo cried, shaking the unconscious changeling with all her might. Which was proving more and more fruitless as he failed to respond. “Why won’t you wake up?!”

Despite her mood being grim in light of how nothing was working too wake their student, Sweetie Belle still managed to stutter an idea. “Maybe… Maybe he needs CPR?”

“How does operation: Changeling Personal Rescue apply here?” Scootaloo replied, completely missing the abbreviation entirely.

“That’s not what I--!”

Her response was cut off by the sounds of a low growl coming from behind. The young ponies sluggishly turned around, dreading they would not like what they would see.

As they feared, there was the timberwolf from before; only something was different about it. The rock was now dislodged from its mouth, its chompers were now free, and by Celestia’s name it looked anything but happy. Lifting its wooden slender claw, it started its approach.

Immediately their dread was replaced with pure terror as they made haste. Gathering around Dead Ringer the Crusaders each tried waking him. “Dead Ringer get up, we gotta go now!” Apple Bloom called.

Still no response. All they could hear was the heavy footsteps of their impending doom approaching.

“Come on, you have to get up!” Sweetie Belle shook him again; her cries were turning into full on begging as the wolf drew closer. “Dead Ringer!”

Its prey was injured. Its young were frightened. There was nothing to stop the Alpha Wolf now. Pacing itself it took its sweet time. Reveling in the sight of its once mighty opponent reduced to a lifeless shell, and the smell of sweat and fear from the younglings around it. The whole thing was almost palpable.

Again and again the Crusades shook him, calling his name, but it was all becoming fruitless. Soon Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle felt fatigue settle in as they both stopped to catch their breaths, leaving Scootaloo the only one trying to wake him. But even she was starting to feel tired.

She shut her eyes tight as she started grinding her teeth. The anger within her was building up as she clutched her hoof tight. “Get up you stupid oversized dung beetle!” she screamed as she slapped the out cold changeling hard across the cheek. So hard that a red mark was left on it.

“Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom grabbed her friend out of fear over what she might do next. “That’s not gonna help!” Scootaloo tried to fight her, but soon relented. After having a few seconds to catch her breath, the ruffled pegasus calmed down. Once she was let go Scootaloo went to help Sweetie Belle up.

Apple Bloom sat down as she felt her heart sink. She felt just as helpless as she did back at that rock when she couldn’t throw that stupid rope, and now she couldn’t even wake up one changeling. But it wasn’t just that either. It was her fault she got stuck by that rock, and now it was her fault they came to this forest.

Coming in close, she leaned in until she was right over Dead Ringer’s ear. “Listen,” she started slowly. “Ah… Ah don’t know if you can hear me. But mah friends and Ah really need you now.” She paused as she waited for any reaction. After getting none she continued.

“Look, Ah don’t know if you like us or not, but after what you did today you clearly showed you care about our safety, and that says something about ya.” Wiping her eyes, Apple Bloom fought back the tears that were enveloping them.

Helping Sweetie up Scootaloo caught ear of what Apple Bloom was saying, though she doubted any of her cliché words was going to get to him. Looking over her eye caught sight of something. Something on Dead Ringer’s face.

His closed eyes were starting to twitch.

“Ah just want everyone to come out of this okay.” Her head lowered, as did her tone of voice as she bemoaned, “Including you.”

Enjoying the sight for long enough the large wolf started to pick up speed as it made a sprint for its unconscious target. Its legs were running like a locomotive.

“So please, get up. Please...”

Finally gaining enough speed, the wolf lunged at into the air. Its mighty claws were spread out as it readied to strike its prey.

“Please…” she repeated.

This was it. Nothing was going to stop it now.

Shutting her eyes, Apple Bloom cried with all her might, “PLEASE!”

As if answering her calls, Dead Ringer’s eyes suddenly opened as a burning green flame flared in them. His horn started to glow with the same light as a fiery blaze erupted around it. Within seconds a ring of fire surrounded the four as it engulfed them in a ball of inferno, phasing them through the ground, disappearing just before the wolf landed.

Enraged, the wolf dug into the ground, searching for its missing prey. That failing, it snapped its head in multiple directions as it tried to find some trace of where its prey could’ve gone. Its search was cut short as the group reappeared on the other side of the clearing.

The girls wobbled and stumbled as they tried to collect themselves. However, the spinning world made it rather difficult for them. Dead Ringer, on the other hoof, was standing tall and strong as he faced the dreaded timberwolf. His eyes and horn still burned with the green flame flowing through him.

The wolf snarled and barked, not about ready to be intimated by the fire-starter. Giving its legs one final jolt of energy, it charged with everything it had. Nothing was going to stop it this time.

Looking toward the incoming wolf his glowing eyes furrowed at it as he readied to finish this nightmare for good. Taking aim with his horn, he used his rekindled power and guided it to his point. At the tip of it, the flame started to build and form. It grew and grew as the wolf got closer and closer.

Finally, just seconds before the wolf jumped him; the projectile was fully formed and released straight into the chest of the timberwolf. With great force, the mighty timberwolf was propelled out of the area and sent flying into a tree, which instantly split in half as it flew straight through it.

Then through another one.

And another one...

Only then was its fall broken as it landed in a large mass of moss...More accurately a large boulder covered in slimy green moss. Sliding off the gooey surface, the overpowered wolf fell to the ground. Beaten, broken, and injured, and charred, it collapsed, conceding defeat.

The girls were in complete shock. Their eyes never blinked as their focus stayed where the wolf was sent. Words could not express what they were feeling. Even Twilight would’ve been left speechless. All they knew was this: Best. Field Trip. Ever!

Suddenly, their thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a hard thump. Looking back, they saw the once great and powerful Dead Ringer was back on the ground, completely out cold again, almost like nothing had even happened.

Forming around him and watching for a few minutes, they noticed his eyes were slowly opening as he began to blink. After blinking a few times, he started to come around. Immediately a look of shock and confusion swept across his face as he shot up onto his feet. “What happened?” he asked looking around frantically. “Where’s… Where’s the wolf?”

“You did it!” Apple Bloom cheered.

“Did what?” he asked perplexed.

“You beat the wolf!” Sweetie Belle proclaimed bouncing up and down with glee.

“I did?”

“Yeah, you totally did!” Scootaloo exclaimed. She was so excited her wings started flapping enough to float her off the ground. Realizing how loud that sounded and all the bewildered looks she was getting, Scootaloo awkwardly came back to earth as she coughed. “I-I mean yeah. Yeah, you did,” she repeated, only this time a little softer.

Ignoring the strange ponies’ even stranger behavior, Dead Ringer’s eye caught the burns in the grass, then the wreckage of the plantation. His eyes soon looked on as he saw the remains of torn trees and ripped bark, all made from the flown wolf. “Did I do that?” he questioned the girls, still not even believing it.

The girls looked at one another in bewilderment, before Sweetie Belle responded, “You don’t remember?”

“No,” he answered placing a hoof on his throbbing head and giving it a rub. “The last thing I remember was blacking out.” How did he do it? One second, he was powerless. The next, everything went dark. Then… he felt that feeling again. That warm, strange feeling spreading through his chest; it was that familiar feeling from yesterday. What was it? Why was it so familiar?

“Well, the important thing is yer okay,” Apple Bloom stated matter-of-factly as she broke his train of thought. Dead Ringer’s eyes suddenly fell on her with an expression that looked like she just called his Queen fat.

“Okay?” he repeated. “You think I’m okay…? How am I okay?!” With each sentence Dead Ringer’s voice started getting higher and higher as he started inching closer and closer to the now frightened Crusaders faces. “I’m lost from the rest of my colony that I might never see again! My wings are broken, my leg’s probably in no better shape! I almost- excuse me; WE almost got eaten by a bunch of Timberwolves! And I’m trapped in a foreign land, that’s a complete and utter mystery to me! Now tell me, does any of that sound okay?”

“Um…” Apple Bloom stammered to find her words. “No?” she answered with an awkward grin, one which each of her friends mimicked. The twitching changeling gave no response. He just stared at the three with a rather befuddled looking face of perplexity.

“Heh…”

Sitting down he then suddenly made a funny noise. Throwing both hoofs over his mouth, he tried to hide the noise as his cheeks started to puff while his lips started making a strange sputtering sound. Finally he could contain it no longer.

“Bwa ha ha ha…!”

The girls could not believe it themselves. After the wolves, the fight, the lighting effect, this one took the chocolate sugarcoated cake. He was laughing. They were honest to Celestia seeing a changeling laugh its flank off.

Grabbing his stomach Dead Ringer fell the ground with uncontrolled laughter. Not that the scene wasn’t amusing to watch. It was just that Scootaloo didn’t get the joke. “What’s so funny?” she asked the laughing changeling.

“Because…” he tried to speak in between laughs. “Her answer… was so… s-s-s-stupiddd!” Despite his answer, Scootaloo felt as much in the dark as when she did with one of Pinkie’s jokes. Really, even Dead Ringer didn’t know why he was laughing; in spite of his efforts to fight if off, he couldn’t control himself. He’d never laughed so hard before in his life. Actually, he’d never laughed before.

“I still don’t see what’s so funny,” Scootaloo muttered to her friends. Instead of getting a response Scootaloo was answered with more laughter. Before she knew it, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle started giggling like crazy. “And what are you laughing about?”

“His laugh…” Sweetie Belle giggled. “Its so-o-o-o silly!”

Not understanding Scootaloo took another look at the laughing spectacle. His laugh was like a mix between a hearty chuckle and a snort. Every time he laughed his nose made a weird sputter sound. Not that she would ever say this out loud, but it was kind of silly.

She’d probably have to make fun of him for it later. However, she decided to just let her two closest friends and their student enjoy a good laugh. As bad as this day’s gone, with finding a changeling in their clubhouse, being roped into dealing with it for a new crusade, almost being eaten by timberwolves, and… she gulped inwardly, Family Appreciation Day. At least she knew the worst of today was over.

Suddenly, the laughter died out all at once. Breaking her train of thought, Scootaloo saw the once laughing trio were looking off in one direction. Dead Ringer was scowling while the others looked scared. Confused, Scootaloo followed their gaze to the source of their silence. Immediately, she wished she didn’t.

Glowing eyes of different sizes and shapes stared at them from the shadows. Appearing from the darkness that once concealed them, packs upon packs of timberwolves of different figures and ages advanced. Even the other timberwolves from before were seen with them. And like the others, they did not look happy.

Each Crusader gulped. A pack was one thing. Now they had a whole den to deal with. Despite holding his fighting stance, Dead Ringer himself felt a cold chill travel down his spine. Meanwhile Scootaloo was mentally kicking herself. How could she have forgotten? Never say, ‘the worst is over,’ because that’s the golden trigger for things to get worse.

The pack converged on them as the girls huddled together in the center, with Dead Ringer standing guard. “Alright,” he said as his eyes scanned the wolves one by one. “Who’s next?” he beckoned. Every last one of them responded with a foaming snarl as they continued to surround them.

CLANK!

Out of nowhere, a noise of unknown origin brought the den of wolves to a stop. “What was that noise?” Scootaloo asked, trying to find the source.

CLANK!

Once again, the same sound was struck. Searching with them, Dead Ringer failed to discover the cause of the noise as well. “What now?!” he moaned with aggravation.

CLANK!

CLANK!

CLANK!

Soon, the noise repeated itself over and over again, each noise louder than the last. Shaking his head, Dead Ringer chose to ignore it. He had enough to deal with it as it was. Focusing back on the wolves, he was met with a startling revelation.

The wolves were all howling and whimpering in agony. Some were grabbing their ears in torment. It was almost like something was causing them all physical harm. Whatever it was, it was enough to sending them fleeing, running back to the forest from whence they came.

CLANK!

However, the strange noise continued. Only this time, Dead Ringer was able to figure out where it was coming from. Remaining vigilant, he prepared for whatever came next.

Walking into their view of light, the source of the noise and the one who drove off the timberwolves appeared. The Crusaders’ looks of worry became grins of happiness as the strange figure entered their vision. She was hard to make out in that brown hood of hers, but they’d know that hood anywhere.

“Zecora?” Scootaloo called.

As if answering her, the figure removed her hood, and under it was a zebra by the name of: “Zecora!” the Crusades all cheered as they ran to their friend with joy.

“Young ones,” she beamed, embracing the shaken fillies, “you left me in such a fright! Thank the spirits you are alright!”

Breaking the embrace, Apple Bloom started bouncing up and down with joy. “Zecora you missed it! You shoulda been there! There were these five wolves that were like ‘GRRRRR!’ And Dead Ringer was like ‘Whoosh!’ Then ‘HISSSS!’”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle joined in recounting the tale. “Then the wolves were like ‘GGGRRRR!’ And then he was like ‘Zoom!’ ‘BAM!’” Immediately both their eyes fell on Scootaloo as they waited for her to give the rest. They figured she of all ponies would be bouncing around too.

Not liking the attention she was getting, Scootaloo distracted herself by brushing the side of her mane. “It was… pretty cool.” Judging by the reactions she was given, that wasn’t the answer they expected from a daredevil like her. Even she was surprised. However, she had to give credit where credit was due. “He’s no Rainbow Dash, but he was pretty fast.”

“I see… pretty and fast?” Zecora repeated as she looked at the quiet changeling. “It seems we are in the presence of a changeling from the soldier class.”

Dead Ringer instantly recoiled in shock. How did she know of their class system? Up till now, the zebra had appeared uninformed of his people. Yet she had knowledge of their orderliness? If she was knowledgeable of such a thing, what else did she know?

“Soldier class?” asked Scootaloo, giving a confused and even stunned look. “Wait, whoa, like he went to school to become a soldier?”

Her response never came as before Zecora could answer, Dead Ringer was already rejoined with the group. “How did you do that?” he asked referring to the strange noises that sent the wolves fleeing in pain; that and trying to keep her from answering Scootaloo’s question. If there was a chance she could know what class he was, what was there to stop her from knowing his true title? He couldn’t risk her or the others knowing.

Removing her cloak Zecora directed his eyes to a necklace that hung around her neck. Connected at the front were two small metal bowls. “Timberwolf ears are fearful and fragile to the noise of metal vibrations. Hence why I’m wearing these metallic decorations.”

Looking at her strange chain, Dead Ringer carefully poked the two bowls. Which promptly made the CLANK! sound they all heard earlier. He could see now why she was able to survive this forest. Her knowledge was what kept her adaptive to this land. That was something even he could respect.

His thoughts were interrupted by another jolt of pain, once again thanks to his wounded leg, compliments of one dumb timberwolf. He hissed to himself as his hoof grasped. Such an act did not go unnoticed by herbalist in the area.

Crouching down Zecora did her best to observe the wound Dead Ringer was trying to so unsubtly cover. “Your leg, it swells and bleeds. It most definitely requires medical needs.”

His gaze fell to his wound, before going back to Zecora’s. “I’ve had worse,” he muttered.

“But you’re wounded and require an assist. My help you need, I must insist.”

Despite the offer, Dead Ringer once more shook his head, declining the offer. “I can take it.”

Still remaining firm, Zecora tried again, this time raising her voice a tad. “Nevertheless, you should come back to my hut. And I won’t take any ifs, ands, or buts.”

“I said I can take it, so drop it zebra!”

Knowing the disapproving looks he was going to get, he turned to his ‘teachers.’ However they weren’t of disapproval, they were more of hurt and surprise. Contemplating it a little, Dead Ringer realized that maybe he went a little too far with that last response. She was just trying to help. In spite of his behavior, he was surprised she was still offering. Even then, he never even thanked her for saving him and the girls. He’s never even used her name.

“Look…” he began softly turning back to Zecora. He could not believe he was about to do this, especially in front of the orange filly that he knew was never going to let him live this down. “I didn’t-OW-OW-OW-OW-OW-OW!" Not even letting him finish Zecora snatched Dead Ringer firmly by ear with the edge of her teeth, dragging him back to her hut, despite his cries of pain.

“Let go! Le… AAAH! I order you to let go! OUCH! If you knew who I was you wouldn’t--OW! Okay if I say please will you let go? OW! Please let go? OW! Please?” Dead Ringer’s firm commands were soon becoming pleas of mercy as the pain growing in his ear intensified.

Passing the girls who were just gawking at the scene, they could hear Zecora mutter, “Ome ilren.”

Following after with her friends, Scootaloo was still mulling over what Zecora said earlier. She didn’t know what ‘class’ had to do with it, but she now knew one thing about Dead Ringer, and to be frank it all made sense. His attitude when it came to his people being brought up. The way he handled the timberwolves. How calm he acted during the brawl.

He’s a soldier.

As they walked, Scootaloo started to wonder something else. Why didn’t he just tell them before? Doesn’t being soldier count as a title? Or, is he hiding something?

Her thoughts soon fell back to when Dead Ringer tried to explain the rules of how titles work. He used himself as an example. What was that word he used? Cucumber? Salamander? Wait, now she remembered: commander!

Hmm… Commander Dead Ringer? she said to herself. Nah… She shook her hoof at the mere thought at such a ludicrous idea. He couldn’t command his way out of a brown paper bag!

The Cold Heart of Reality

“An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.”
--Thomas Jefferson

~*~*~

The Crusaders reclined on Zecora’s bed, each brandishing a cup of hot brewed tea in their hooves, complementary of their host. While it tasted horrible, Zecora was firm that they drank every drop. She said it would help ease their anxiety and help them relax. Whether or not it was working, they couldn’t tell, but they were inclined to heed their wise friend’s advice.

It sort of reminded them of getting a shot during Flu Vaccine Day at school. Not too pleasant, but Cheerilee says it's good for them.

As they drank the three youths listened as Zecora tended to Dead Ringer’s wounds in the other room.

“OW!”

Although from the sound of things she was more or less torturing him.

“Ouch! Careful!”

With a pair of pliers in her mouth Zecora struggled to remove the timberwolf bits that were embedded in the changeling’s face. ‘Struggled’ being an understatement as Dead Ringer’s incessant need to move and complain was making an already daunting task even more difficult.

Adjusting the tool in her mouth Zecora did her best to contain her anger as she muttered, “If splinters being roughly pulled is not your will. Then I suggest that you hold still!”

Despite her best efforts, Zecora was really beginning to lose her patience. She didn’t know what she found more irritating: Pulling timberwolf remains out piece by piece, or her patient’s constant need to fidget.

Either way, Zecora was having as much fun as Pinkie Pie would watching grass grow. While at a funeral for puppies.

After a long tedious session, the last chip of wood from the injured changeling’s face was out. Zecora dropped her pliers on a nearby table before heading to her boiling pot. Taking a rag she carefully dipped it into the brewing tub, making sure it soaked in all the herbal juices.

To keep the wounds clean she was going to have to disinfect them. When it comes to disinfecting wounds however, the cure was worse than the injury. Plus her injured ‘guest’ didn’t seem like the kind of creature who likes it when others cause him discomfort of any kind.

For the sake of health however, it had to be done.

The ones on Dead Ringer’s face were not too serious, so cleaning them would be a breeze. The problem however, is judging by the length of the damage on his leg, she was going to have to get the entire area. Also given the severity, she was going to have to get that part first.

With a heavy sigh she approached the quiet changeling, showing him the dripping rag. “I will be curt,” she warned softly to try and lay it on him gently. “This is going to hurt.”

Without so much as a glance Dead Ringer freely surrendered his injured foreleg. This came as a surprise to Zecora.

“Just do it,” he answered firmly, his attention never wavering. Although it sounded more like an order. “A hardened warrior like myself was trained to endure the worst of pain.”

Understanding, Zecora seated herself as she readied the rag. The second it touched one inch of his cut Dead Ringer reacted with an ear piercing shriek.

The sound roared out of the hut and into the forest, until it soon faded from ear and died out as quickly as it came.

In the other room the girls heard everything. Rolling her eyes Scootaloo turned to the others.

“Okay, who saw that one coming?”

Immediately everypony in the room raised their hooves.

Back in the main room a long silence had fallen as Dead Ringer took back his leg. He was cringing with pain as he breathed heavily. It was mix between him catching his breath from the shriek, and his building anger as he leered razor blades at Zecora.

Despite his unfriendly demeanor and disruptive behavior, Zecora surprisingly remained calm and cool. If he was looking for a fight she wasn’t going to give him one. Whoever this changeling was, he was very defensive, and Zecora had no intention on feeding his paranoia.

After a couple seconds past Dead Ringer’s breathing started to slow, signaling he was beginning to calm down.

Once she was sure he was as composed as he was going to get Zecora motioned if she could continue. She was in no means to rush him, but she still had to finish cleaning. Otherwise the stubborn changeling was risking a severe infection.

Dead Ringer meanwhile was mulling over if he should even allow her to touch the cuts on his face, let alone his leg again. Whatever she was using felt like acid; and smelled terrible.

The soldier within him was telling him to just take the risk and leave his cuts well enough alone. However, the survivor in him was saying he didn’t have a lot of options.

Plus she did warn him before she started. If she wanted to cause him harm, she wouldn’t have warned him to begin with, and she certainly didn’t seem like she was enjoying this. The lack of happiness he smelled off her was a given clue.

After some debate Dead Ringer relented with an audible sigh of defeat; if he could trust her to touch his wing earlier, than he could trust her one more time with his wounds. Sluggishly he relinquished his leg to his healer once more, giving her a curt nod that he was okay with her continuing.

With a gentle smile and thankful nod Zecora started over. Only this time when the sterile cloth touched Dead Ringer’s cut he only responded with small hisses of discomfort, doing his best to swallow the pain. Now that he knew what to expect it wasn’t as excruciating as the first time, but it still was quite uncomfortable.

The long shroud of silence was broken as the noise of a loud crash boomed from the other room where the crusaders reclined. Judging by the sound of the crash one of them must’ve accidentally dropped their cup. Although the argument that followed told another story.

“Scootaloo look what you did! Its all over Zecora’s rug!”

“It’s not my fault! Apple Bloom kicked me!”

“Because you were done sleepin’ on me!”

“I was not! I-I was just resting my eyes!”

“LIAR!”

Dead Ringer’s eyes rolled with annoyance as he listened to the three demons in the other room banter over such mundane things. To his surprise however, Zecora was rather passive during all this. In fact, she even had a faint smile on her lips.

“How can anyone put up with them?” he asked, referring to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The question made Zecora stop for a second as her head lowered like she was slightly ashamed by what she was about to say.

“There are…” she paused as she tried to word this carefully, “… times where their behavior is more troubling than an angered bee.”

Her head rose as she met Dead Ringer’s eyes. Now a warm smile grew on her lips along with a small spark in her eyes like she was proud by what she was about to say next.

“But in the end, it’s hard to imagine life without the three.” Content with herself Zecora’s eyes fell back on her task. All the while, Dead Ringer was scoffing at her words.

He imagined her life would be a lot happier, and his would be Equestrian free. Also he didn’t know what a ‘bee’ was, but he assumed it was something annoying, loud, and probably painful.

His thoughts were disrupted when he noticed Zecora reaching over for something. Her hoof disappeared into an adjacent bag on the nearby table, and Zecora took out a peculiar looking object.

It was tan brown with the bottom shaped wide and round, while it had a curved tip at the end, making the whole thing pear-shaped. Attached to it was a short shoulder strap, which Zecora held onto as she showed it to Dead Ringer.

“Here, you should drink,” she offered as she held out the canteen for him. “Something to rehydrate you will help, I think.”

Carefully taking the foreign object with his free hoof, Dead Ringer studied it. Giving it a shake, he could hear it make a swishing sound. Curious, he leaned in as he gave the open tip a sniff.

His head immediately arched back in surprise, not believing what he just whiffed. Leaning in he sniffed it again.

A familiar odorless fragrance kept entering his nostrils. A smell he knew anywhere.

“Wa-water?” he crooned in alarm. His head tilted to Zecora as if he asked again. Answering him, she softly shook her head yes.

“Water!” he exclaimed with joy. Raising the container over his head with his free leg, the refreshing liquid poured into his mouth. However, something was odd about it.

Looking at the strange item yet again, he gave the tip another sniff in confusion. It had that same unscented odor water always had. And yet the taste Dead Ringer was accustomed to was different.

Zecora noticed his bewilderment as she caught his attention.

“It tastes different.”

“I don’t understand what you mean,” Zecora responded, slightly bewildered by what could be wrong with her water. “It is simply clean.”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait!” Dead Ringer protested. “Did you just say this water is clean? It’s clean?” The completely stunned changeling repeated as he leaned in with emphasis.

The now awkward feeling Zecora nodded nervously as an answer. Dead Ringer idly turned to the foreign container carrying what he now knew was ‘clean’ water.

“Its clean!” he shouted with triumph as he started drinking like there was no tomorrow.

This was different from the water he tasted back at the river yesterday, and it was far different from the water he was accustomed to in the canyon badlands or underground catacombs. This water was cool, fresh, and most important of all: It was clean! For the first time in his life, Dead Ringer’s mouth tasted fresh clean water! If changelings were capable of crying, he’d be weeping right about now.

Choosing not to question why the changeling was so over excited over clean water, Zecora focused back on Dead Ringer’s leg. Thankfully he was so distracted by the water; she was able to finish cleaning without issue or interruption.

She was now just finishing things up by wrapping Dead Ringer’s leg up in a striped colored sheet she wasn’t using anymore. She never was one for modern medicine like gauze. However, situations like this almost made her wish she kept some as backup.

It was around this time that three guilty looking fillies chose to make their entrance. Their look alone showed they had no idea how they were going to explain the mess in the other room.

Despite their shame-filled looks, Zecora still greeted them with a friendly smile, while Dead Ringer’s only response was a quick glance from his eye as he continued drinking. Of course, the object that he was drinking out of did not go unnoticed by the three inquisitive fillies.

“What’s that?” Apple Bloom asked as curious as ever.

Knowing what she was referring too Zecora quickly answered, “A ‘bota bag’ is what it’s referred to. Like a canteen it’s used to carry and drink water through.”

Deciding to get a closer look Sweetie Belle moved in to give the strange item a sniff, much to Dead Ringer’s clear displeasure.

“What’s it made of?” she inquired. Whatever fabric was used to make it certainly didn’t look like something she’d seen in any store in town before. That, and it smelled funny.

Once again Zecora was ready with another answer, but still kept her eyes focused on the task at hand. “A unique fabric that holds it together. I believe in your land it is known as, ‘Faux Leather.’”

Sweetie knew what ‘faux leather’ was. It means ‘Fake Leather.’ Her sister uses it from time to time for her work. Although the kind she uses is more fashionable.

She originally was going to go for real leather, but something happened which made her not. Sweetie never did find out why. Maybe because shipping from Grifhalla cost too much? Whenever Sweetie asked her sister she would just give her a grim look and divert the question.

However, this only made her curiosity grow. If faux leather was fake leather, then what was just plain leather made of? For that matter, why wasn’t any of it available in Equestria?

Perhaps it was best if she didn’t dwell on it.

Finally done with the changeling’s infernal leg, Zecora was able to now move on to Dead Ringer’s face. Tearing a clean part of the sterile rag she started disinfecting the exposed wounds around his mouth.

As she cleaned Dead Ringer made a series of grunts and hissing sounds. Part of it was for the discomfort it gave him; but it was partly for the fact that he couldn’t drink now.

“Now just settle down, I know this is not fun,” Zecora commented in attempt to calm him. “But fret not, we are almost done.”

“Hey Zecora? Any chance you gotta wrap a leaf around his big mouth?” Scootaloo quipped. “He’s got cuts there too.”

Dead Ringer craned his head to Scootaloo as he responded back with a threatening snarl. It looked like it was back to the – uninventive – jokes with her.

Although she knew she was joking, Zecora still felt the need to respond. If only to lighten the tension Dead Ringer was leaving. “Such a necessity he will not be needing. The cuts on his face are not at risk for infection or bleeding.”

With one last scrub, the final cut was clean. Not wasting time to admire her work, Zecora took the dirty cloths she used and tossed them into a nearby empty pot for later disposal. She then headed over to another pot filled with water that acted as her own personal sink. Dipping her hooves in, she began to wash the contaminants from them.

Dead Ringer rubbed his face, groaning out loud as he felt the numb areas she cleaned.

As she watched him Apple Bloom couldn’t help but stiffen a giggle. His face reminded her of what Big Mac looked like after he first tried shaving. Which he had failed at. Horribly.

Studying his hoof, Dead Ringer was surprised to find not an ounce of blood on it. Despite his discomfort, the changeling was pleasantly awed at how well foreign medicine had worked on him. The burning sensation he felt was gone, and his cuts were slowly beginning to numb. All in all, he was doing better than he expected, and all in such a short amount of time at that.

He would never admit this out loud, but this Zecora sure knew some good healing remedies. Then again this was his second time, so he had no other reference than her.

“Not that I wish to upset,” Zecora spoke up as she dried her hooves, “but we are not done yet.”

Dead Ringer sighed bitterly. “What now?”

Choosing to ignore the rather rude reply, Zecora continued. “To ensure your wounds remain clean, to see me again is what you’ll need. The bandage on your leg will need to be replaced, otherwise you really might get infected, or even continue to bleed.”

Dead Ringer was left looking nonplussed as his brain tried process what she meant by that.

He sadly couldn’t.

“Okay, what?” He turned to the Crusaders for a better answer.

Apple Bloom was up for doing the honors. “Ah think she means she’s gonna have ta’ see you again to clean yer cut.”

“Right?” she asked, turning to Zecora for confirmation; one that she answered with a nodding gesture.

The disgruntled changeling was afraid of that. “Lucky me,” Dead Ringer said with little enthusiasm. “I so look forward to spending more time with you.”

Zecora’s only response was a rather broad smile. While this task was not something she wanted either, she at least was content to know she found a way to keep a better eye on her younger friends, and their student.

“Well, I believe it’s time you be on your way. Your return to the comforts of your homes is not something I would want to delay.” As much as Zecora enjoyed company, she knew to never let her visitors stay long. Especially when it was so close to dark.

The crusaders all knew she was right. With everything that’s happened all day the three young ponies had lost track of time. That and the lack of sunlight the forest drowned out kind of added to it. Either way it was time to go.

They were about to say their goodbyes, but Zecora beat them to punch with one last demand. “However before you go,” her eyes fell on Dead Ringer, “there is some special information your student has to know.”

“Alone, I’m guessing?” Scootaloo noted.

Zecora nodded.

Scootaloo and others exchanged an unsure look before turning to Dead Ringer for some clarity.

His brow was raised; he looked just as confused as they did. Caught off guard, he quickly turned to them and then back to Zecora.

What else was there to say? He’d figured Zecora made her message pretty clear in their last conversation. Don’t hurt the Crusaders, or she’ll do something so terrible that it’ll take more than foreign medicine to fix him. The Queen herself couldn’t have been clearer.

“Crusaders, huddle up.”

Dead Ringer’s train of thought was broken as Apple Bloom ordered her friends into a group huddle.

After a few short whispers and some looks here and there, the three broke up allowing Apple Bloom to announce, “Okay, we’ll wait in the other room.” With a smile, she trotted off gracefully.

Well, that was... weird. Even for them, Dead Ringer said to himself as he watched Apple Bloom walk out, followed by Sweetie Belle. All that silence and debate and the three just give in without so much as a question?

Something wasn’t right. Dead Ringer could smell it.

Scootaloo approached Zecora with a guilty look on her face. It was the classic look of a worried child that knew that they had done wrong.

“Um,” she awkwardly rubbed her shoulder. “Sorry about the carpet.”

Clearly not upset, Zecora replied with a smile. “Nothing to fear little one. It is no harm done.”

Feeling a small load off her shoulders Scootaloo headed off to join her friends, making sure to shut the door behind as she left. Leaving Dead Ringer and Zecora the only ones in the room.

Once again Dead Ringer found himself in déjà vu. Injured after an incident with the three fillies he was trapped with, at the mercy of a strange foreigner with medical knowledge that was strange and alien to him, his body bandaged and hurt. Minus the clean water, he’d pretty much come full circle.

“What’s happening?” Scootaloo whispered to Apple Bloom.

“Shh! Ah’m tryin’ to listen!”

With her ear pressed firmly against the door, Apple Bloom did her best to listen in on the two adults in the other room, while Sweetie and Scootaloo used her as their conduit of info.

Although the crusaders were okay with their last private talk, the way it ended with Dead Ringer storming out left them with some unanswered questions.

Questions that they hoped this new chat would answer. Or at the very least, ensure the two ended things on a less negative note.

So it wasn’t really eavesdropping. It was more or less monitoring.

If they weren’t already aiming for their teacher cutie marks, they could probably try out for their guard cutie marks, but they already tried that one. Hence why they are forbidden from ever going back to the theme park Marineland again.

“So what now?” Dead Ringer started things off not even bothering to look at Zecora, his tone as deadpan as ever. “You going to threaten me again?”

“To threaten you is not what I had in mind. After our last converse, I doubt there’s a need to remind.”

“Then what is it?” he snapped, this time giving her his undivided attention. Anger was looming in his voice. Maybe it was the suspense, or maybe he was just tired, but regardless all he wanted was to just finish this and go home.

Well go back to his – hopefully – temporary home that was the house tree the Crusaders dubbed their ‘Clubhouse.’

It was then that something happened Dead Ringer did not foresee. Zecora’s demeanor started to soften. His nose was also detecting a new emotion passing through her.

Guilt. With a trace of sadness mixed in. Is she, pitying me?

Zecora’s eyes fell to the side as she tried to avoid eye contact like before. “While I’m quite influenced in my studies of animals and history, I’m no master of ethology. And so…” working up the courage she faced him. “I believe I owe you an apology.”

“What?” he responded in confusion, his head turning faintly.

Zecora shut her eyes, collecting her thoughts. “My behavior when we first met was rather… unlike me. I made a scene based not on the words but on the cover of the book I could see.”

Dead Ringer just stood there, remaining quiet as he let Zecora continue. Also he didn’t know why she was using books as an analogy, but he didn’t let the thought linger.

“While you are a creature whose life and past are unknown,” Zecora said bluntly. “Your actions have shown there's more to you then your race’s history alone.”

“I still stand by that I was looking out for the girls protection,” she defended. A defense she would protect to the end. “However I’m sorry, and admit I was out of direction.”

Finally getting that off her chest, Zecora waited for Dead Ringer’s response. Both curious and nervous of what it would be.

Just standing there in complete muteness Dead Ringer weighed the healer’s words through his mind. Sporting his usual unreadable deadpan look.

To be frank, he didn’t know how to respond. He wasn’t accustomed to anyone apologizing to him with such sincerity. Sure his troops and workers back home had done it many times, but they usually did so out of fear, not because they wanted to make amends.

Still, he knew one thing: There was no way had any intention of letting her off easy.

“Yeah well,” he forced resentfully, doing his best to hide his confusion behind anger, “next time you should try harder!”

His words hurt, but Zecora had no way to rebut his response. All she could do was lower her head in shame.

Turning around Dead Ringer faced the door as he readied to storm out once again, and put this chapter of his life to a close.

Instead he stopped just a few inches from the way out, his body refusing to move.

He could’ve walked out right then and there. He should’ve walked out right then and there. He had the right too. She admitted to wronging him, and he was justified to wronging her back.

Only, he didn’t. For some reason he couldn’t find a reason too.

Also, there was something else. He was getting a feeling in his chest again. Only instead of the unfamiliar warmth, it was discomfort. Kind of like an icy echo into a dark dreary void. In didn’t hurt that much, but it was bothersome.

With a heavy sigh, the quiet changeling knew what needed to be said.

“You…” he strained trying to form words, “did help us out there, with the timberwolves.”

Hearing his words made Zecora give pause as a small, but notable smile started make its return to her once sad demeanor.

“And despite my behavior, you still healed me.” Looking over his shoulder, he added, “Twice, even.”

Turning his body around Dead Ringer approached Zecora. Not threateningly, not even menacingly, just casually. “And if I’m anything, I’m a soldier who knows character when he sees it.”

It took a moment for her to finally look at him fully, but as his words fell on her, relief slowly found its way into Zecora’s nerves. Although she faced him, Dead Ringer still refused to make eye contact.

“So…” he swallowed. “Healer Zecora.”

It was then Dead Ringer said something he never thought he would ever say. Well, say to a zebra technically.

Carefully he inched his head up to face her. “Thank you.”

Little did the changeling know that his words were not only falling on Zecora’s ears, but in the other room his words were being heard by others as well.

“What did he say?” Sweetie Belle asked, thinking she just when deaf.

Creeping away from the door Apple Bloom looked just as shock as she did. “He said thank you.”

Her face instantly lit up like a filly that just discovered her special talent on her birthday. “He said thank you!”

Apple Bloom then whirled around to Scootaloo, sporting her infamous knowing grin, complete with a raised brow of boldness as she craned her head high and proudly.

Scootaloo gave sigh filled with aggravation; she knew where this was going. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” she pouted, sounding not the least bit happy. Mostly because she hated when she’s wrong. “He learned something I guess.”

Taking in the feeling of being right Apple Bloom and her unicorn friend high-hoofed as they each did their own dances of joy. Well to them it was dancing; to Scootaloo it was more like they were trying to swat a fly in the air while a bucket was over their head.

As Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle celebrated their small victory, Scootaloo chose to ignore them as she took her friend’s spot at the door to listen in on the adults chat.

Thankfully it didn’t seem like she missed much as silence still lurked in the other room. She could only guess that Zecora was trying her best to keep her composure.

“You…” she finally spoke, still in shock over what she just heard “… didn’t have to say that.”

A short beat of silence hit them as Dead Ringer waited for her to finish her rhyme.

Shockingly, it never came. It was a rare occurrence, but Zecora truly was at a loss for words.

“I know,” Dead Ringer bluntly agreed, filling the silence. “I chose to.”

Once again Dead Ringer found himself not knowing what to do. Where does one go from here? His eyes swatted from side to side in a nervous fashion as he tried to find a subject to use or say.

At last his eyes fell on water bag that still remained on the table near him. Zecora would probably want that back.

“Um, here,” he said awkwardly as he handed it to her. Instead of taking it however, Zecora pushed it back to him, much to his surprise.

“Keep it,” she replied with a smile. “Consider it my way of repenting for my earlier behavior that was unfit.” Taking the strap of the bota bag Zecora hung it around Dead Ringer’s neck.

Now it was Dead Ringer who was at a loss for words. She was giving him something that not only carried water, but clean water at that. Such an item Dead Ringer, or any other changeling for that matter, never would’ve dreamed of having.

“I…” he staggered, rubbing his hoof through the row of the spines that was his mane in an almost nervous fashion, “don’t know what to say. I guess, thank you? Again?”

Now seemed like as good of time as any to leave. Things were getting a little uncomfortable for the nonplussed changeling.

“Wait,” Zecora cried, causing the changeling to stop. “I know healing is my profession. But might you repay me with an answer to one question?”

Dead Ringer raised his eyebrow. “That depends. What kind of question?”

“Please,” she implored. “Just so my mind may be at ease.”

Among changelings when one does right for another, they owe them a debt. After what happened today, he definitely owed her.

Although it didn’t seem fair; after all she wasn’t the only one with questions. Dead Ringer had his own. Like how did she know so little of them, yet outright knew of their class system? The defining trait that sets all changelings of apart, next to titles of course.

The only way she would know is if she’d been to his homeland, which was impossible. Or met a changeling, which was completely impossible.

She looked no older than he did, and his colony’s isolation had been going on for hundreds of years. No outsider has ever entered they’re domain in decades. Along with that no changeling has freely left the colony in that entire time. Any that did would have perished in the forest by going on their own.

Only the Queen’s elite guard could achieve such a feat. Any changeling that left the colony unattended wouldn’t survive on they’re own. Every changeling knew that.

She only said ‘one’ question; and she said earlier she was going to – unfortunately – have to see him again. When the time was right he would get his answer from her then. Of this he promised himself.

After a short delay Dead Ringer resentfully replied, “Proceed...”

Hearing everything Scootaloo pressed her ear as firmly against the door as she could manage. Something told her she wasn’t going to want to miss this; her friends either as Scootaloo found the door now becoming crowded by two extra listeners.

Taking a deep breath Zecora prepared her words before speaking. “Earlier you said you had no heart along with a scene. I have to know, what did you mean?”

“Are you serious?” Dead Ringer jeered louder than he intended. “Your wasting your one question on that?” He was expecting a question like who he was, or what his colonies intentions were. Not something so trivial. The Queen’s hoof size would’ve served as a more enlightening question.

Zecora remained still and firm as she waited for her answer.

Despite finding the question to be fruitless, Dead Ringer still answered. “It means as it sounds,” he said plainly. “I, like all changelings, have no heart. It’s as simple as that.”

The three crusaders all stepped back for a second. Each sharing a bewildered yet miffed look.

Did they really just hear that? How is such a farfetched idea even possible?

“Is this what all changelings believe?” Zecora pressed inquisitively, looking not the least bit satisfied with that answer. “Or is it something that only you perceive?”

“I thought you were asking only one question?” Dead Ringer reminded her sternly.

Like before Zecora did not respond. She refused to back down until she was given a proper response that satisfied her.

The whole thing was beginning to make Dead Ringer uncomfortable. Zecora clearly wasn’t going to let him leave until he gave her a better answer.

“It…” he paused for a second. “It’s just something I was told growing up. I’m older now, and I still believe it.”

“Utterly absurd!” Zecora snapped, not even realizing how loud she sounded. “That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”

She wasn’t the only one who found this idea to be nuts. Scootaloo and the others just couldn’t understand how someone could base an entire belief on something they were told growing up. By that definition Rainbow Dash should still be crashing all over the place.

“Is it?” Dead Ringer retorted; the steel in his voice had risen to a menacing yet hushed tone. “The evidence suggests it is factual.”

Tension started to build in the room. The two just stared at one another in anger. It wasn’t in a hateful manner, but more in dissatisfied behavior.

Zecora knew neither one of them were doing anything to lighten the situation, so it was her who backed down first. Taking a deep breath she calmed her nerves. Dead Ringer eventually followed.

He refused to look at her, ashamed at where this simple question had headed.

“You truly desire the truth?” he probed, doing his best not to sound shy or curious about it.

With a nod yes, Dead Ringer sighed outwardly as he gave the full answer; along with that ‘evidence’ he mentioned a second ago.

“Creatures that have hearts, can give love. Not just take it. I’ve never known a changeling that ever showed something considered close to love.” This time when he spoke his tone was softer, calm even; but there was something else creeping in it. Zecora couldn’t tell if it was jealously, or depression. Whatever it was, it loomed in Dead Ringer’s words as he went on.

“Some might be gentle to others. Helpful even. But at the end that’s as close to companionship as any changeling has ever known or given to another. Even then the percentage that shares this trait are of a rare breed.” His teeth showed as he chuckled. It was the closest thing to a smile he’s shown since Zecora met him; but it didn’t last. Whether the chuckle was for that sentence, or the idea, Zecora couldn’t tell either.

“Love…” he paused to lick his lips. Even the mere word was making him hunger. But he did best to contain himself. “... is just something we lack.” His eyes drooped to the side. “Among other things. It’s just not in our nature.”

Looking at Zecora, Dead Ringer gave the closest straightest face he could manage. There was no sign of deceit, no wrinkle of intimidation, not even a hint of anger, just full sincerity.

“Nothing can change that.”

Zecora at last nodded understandingly. Her question was answered, she now understood. She didn’t like it, but she understood; and if her assumption on the curious crusaders were correct, she wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

Suddenly Dead Ringer started rubbing his eyes. For some reason beyond his understanding they started feeling irritated. Itchy almost.

That wasn’t the only thing that was happening. He didn’t know why, but he felt… sad.

Sadness, a feeling caused by the stimulation of grief and great depression.

Why was he feeling this all of a sudden? He’d known the truth about his people his whole life. Why would it bother him now?

Was it because of who told him?

The grief he felt turned to anger as he felt the sharp edges of his fanged teeth grind against each other.

Or was it because in the end, he hated what he believed to be true?

Whether it was from the ‘who’ or the ‘what’, he could not say. All he knew was this was what he believed to be true, and it seemed some part of him disliked it.

When it comes down to facing the truth, the reality hurts more then the illusion ever could. Living in blissful ignorance and not having to worry about such issues seems like a dream. In the end however, all dreams come to an end and the harsh reality comes crashing down. How one faces them is what defines them.

Or in his case, motivates them.

Okay he knew he had to stop now. This cycle of thought was all starting to sound like big words the Queen would use.

These strange feelings he’d been experiencing lately were probably all from too much exposure to these foreign lands and their emotional inhabitants. He was likely suffering from some kind of side effect from being around these unknowns for too long.

At least that was what he told himself. Hopefully, whatever was going on would pass with time.

“I should go.” Dead Ringer stated. “The sun will go down soon, which means more creatures of the night will be stalking the forest.”

The timberwolves were just the beginning. After dark was when the real horrors of the night came to lurk the forest. Horrors that Dead Ringer had no intention of encountering.

Turning around, he headed for the door. Placing his hoof against it, Dead Ringer shot one last glance to the wise creature that healed him. “Farewell, Zecora.”

With a smile and a polite bow, she bid him goodbye: an act Zecora never believed she’d be doing this day.

“Come along, girls,” Dead Ringer called. “I’ve had just about all I can stand of this forest.”

Surprisingly, when the door opened the girls were already lined up to go. They each were wearing huge smiles that most definitely looked like they had nothing to hide.

“Comin’!” Apple Bloom answered.

“Bye, Zecora!” Sweetie said. “We’ll see you tomorrow!”

Apple Bloom was almost the first one out; instead she came to a stop when she realized something important had slipped her mind. Their secret crusade!

“Wait! Zecora you gotta promise--!”

“Your crusades and all previous instances shall remain concealed,” Zecora tersely answered, knowing full well what the child was about to ask. “On this matter, my lips are sealed.”

The sincerity in her voice and the smile on her face were enough to calm the filly’s fears in an instant. Content that she and her friends were safe for another day, Apple Bloom headed out, trotting after the others.

While Zecora was against lying, she understood the little one’s concerns. However, she also knew that like all lies, the truth will – and must – come out. Only it was better when it came out from the mouth of the one who withholds the truth, not from another.

Standing halfway out the door, Zecora stood there as she watched her three young friends along with their ‘student’ get farther and farther away. Her eyes zoned in on him.

Sure, she could’ve asked him who he was. After what she’d seen however, she had a small clue.

Whoever he was, he was a creature of authority, something it seemed he commanded when they first met. Meaning back where he came from, he was accustomed to others who followed what he said.

This was all just theoretical though, meaning she no hard evidence to follow on. If that was true however, then this whole event was rather humorous in a way. A creature of such decoration following the rules of mere children. Maybe that would be enough to quell the emerald fire within him.

“Creature who says he has no heart. Your journey has only made its start. For the winds of change blow strong and clear. But how it will affect you, and those who follow you, is what I truly fear.”

Sure that they were completely out of site, Zecora headed back in. There was still much to do. She had more herbs to brew, shelves to restock, and an old rug she was probably going to have to get rid of.

The walk home was quiet. After finally leaving the Everfree Forest, the crusaders were now back in the familiar plantation of Sweet Apple Acres. The sky above was a mixed color of orange and blue as the giant ball of fire in the sky was ready to finally set for the end of such a long day.

The whole scene was rather tranquil; a welcomed change from the dark and depressing tone that was the Everfree Forest.

Not wanting to risk any tears in his new injuries Dead Ringer chose to stay on the ground alongside the girls. With the sun setting, the shadows from the trees above provided enough darkness to mask him and his followers. So stealth through changing was not necessary.

Despite everything that’s happened up till now Dead Ringer was content with heading back and getting some rest. After getting a swig from his new carrier of clean water and feeding on a cupcake of course. With what happened in that forest, he’d definitely earned a reward for the day.

It was weird though. Given the circumstance of having an injured leg, nearly being eaten alive by timberwolves, blacking out, and the lingering chance he may not be able to return to his colony any time soon, he was quite stoic through it all.

Maybe the chance of revenge provided a light in the darkness for him; some illumination of promise. Maybe having clean water and sustenance that provided the emotion he fed on – which didn’t come from a dirty rodent for once – was enough to put a damper on his foul mood. Or maybe he was just so blinded with utter rage he’s just gone completely numb.

Yeah he’d go with that one.

SNIFF!

Well at least he was content. Which couldn’t be said for the Crusaders.

Ever since they left the forest he’d been smelling angst on them the entire time; for what reason he couldn’t fathom. Usually distress was felt when one was INSIDE the forest.

Perhaps they’re still shaken from the timberwolves, Dead Ringer thought to himself. It would make sense, given their age.

Unbeknownst to the soldier however, their minds weren’t focused on the wooden wolves from before, but from the conversation they discreetly listened in on.

His words were still floating around their little minds, like an annoyed bee trapped inside a jar. It felt odd; they were supposed to be the teachers, yet they’d been learning stuff lately too about a race that was alien to many in their homeland.

Whether or not Dead Ringer’s words were right, they could not say however. They had only one changeling‘s word to back that argument up.

The idea seemed ludicrous, but was it possible? They, like many other ponies, knew so little of these mysterious creatures. Maybe changelings really didn’t.

They hadn’t seen any evidence from their actions to support otherwise; but saying their race had no heart is like saying there’s no good in any of them. Not all changelings could be so cold and heartless. Right?

These were big questions their young minds just couldn’t handle. This felt like the kind of questions Twilight would contemplate after a week of studying and two hours of list checking.

“If you’re worried about the timberwolves, you have nothing to fear.” Dead Ringer quelled the silence with words he believed would help relax the girls. Not that he cared or anything, but all this angst was starting to bother his nose.

Their train of thought broken, each of the girls gave him their undivided attention as he continued. “They aren’t known for holding grudges, nor leaving the forest after a failed hunt. Mostly.”

“Huh?” Apple Bloom questioned, before she realized what the changeling was trying to do. “Oh um, thanks,” she said through an awkward smile.

Judging from that response, his words either didn’t work or there was something else that was bothering them. So if the wolves weren’t the reason for their troubled emotions, then what was?

Slightly irritated, he focused his gaze back on the trail ahead. What concern was it to him? They were healthy. That was enough.

Thankfully, it looked liked the day was almost over. The clubhouse was coming into view.

Dead Ringer came to a halt as he allowed the girls to go up first.

Taking her pace up the ramp, Apple Bloom paused after opening the door as she turned to a now silent Dead Ringer. “Y’know, neither of us ever did get a chance to say thanks ‘bout earlier.”

“Don’t mention it,” he replied, walking past her.

A smile spread across her face as she took in the changeling’s modest words. “Aw, you don’t have to be mod--”

“No,” Dead Ringer snapped as he spun around, facing her. “I mean it,” he emphasized curtly. “Do not mention it. Ever.” He leaned in closer as he whispered his last words like they were venom. “Especially that laughing part.”

His eyes darted from her to Sweetie and Scootaloo, signaling the same went for them as well. “Crystal?”

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom answered, nervously smiling and shaking her head. Sweetie and Scootaloo mimicked her as well, though Scootaloo looked less than happy. “C-crystal clear.”

“Good,” Dead Ringer responded, his tone and expression shifting to outright calm and neutral.

Feeling his point was made; he headed inside like nothing even happened, leaving three jumbled fillies at the door.

“For your efforts in striving to achieve, and for your acts in defending the Cutie Mark Crusaders in their hour of need, I decree that you, Student Dead Ringer, have earned a cupcake!”

After shrugging off her student’s little warning, and giving her heart a second to relax, Sweetie Belle decided it was time for their student’s reward. With everything that happened, she and the others agreed he’d earned his treat for the day. While they hadn’t taught him much today, he still showed signs of improvement since they first met him.

It’s as Cheerilee always said: “Every little bit counts on the road toward achievement.”

Besides, they still had to keep him fed as best they could. They couldn’t have him going off to hunt for his food, especially with Ponyville so close to them.

Holding an orange frosted cupcake high over her head like it was an award, Sweetie presented it to a now drooling Dead Ringer as he dug into it in a manner even Pinkie Pie would find distasteful, sending crumbs and frosting everywhere.

Giving a small grimace at the scene Sweetie Belle watched as he ate.

Although their topics of teaching were supposed to cover Equestrian culture, they were probably going have to cover manners again; table manners most likely.

As goofy as it looked, Dead Ringer’s eating habits were not exactly cleanly. Then again Sweetie had seen how most colts at school ate, so maybe it was more of a boy thing.

Deciding it was best to just let him eat, the young unicorn turned away to join the others at the pile of books on the other side of the room; but not before her eye caught notice at the burning flame that glowed around his horn. It looked like he was eating the treat in more ways than one.

Paying it no mind, she walked over the pile, where Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were busy solving the book issue.

Scootaloo glared at the pile as she mulled over their given situation. “So if we’re really going to do this thing, what are we gonna do about the brainy books?”

After a couple of seconds to think it over, Sweetie proposed her idea. “Why don’t we each take one book home, read it, and use whatever we can to teach from it?” It was technically the same idea she shared earlier, but she never exactly went into detail.

“That’s a great idea Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom remarked. Sweetie smiled in return. “Out of the three of us at least one has to find somethin' usable for tomorrow.”

It looked like everything was in place. Well, almost everything. There was only one judgment left. “Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom opened with an undertone of intrigue, her eyes narrowing intensely. “Objections?”

All eyes, minus two that were focused on a frosted cupcake, fell on the young flyer as they waited to hear any protests she had to share.

Finding absolutely none Scootaloo was left with only one answer. “Fine…” she said dryly. It was a rather well thought out idea she would admit. However, it also meant more work to add to her ever-growing list of things to do. She still had that Family Appreciation Day to deal with, along with that essay for Cheerilee about that accident earlier.

“Alrighty then!” Apple Bloom cried out loud, her voice and attitude filled with cheer as she prepared to leap for joy. “Cutie Mark Crusade--!”

“Apple Bloom! Ya up there?”

The excited filly immediately froze at half leap as a familiar voice from outside called for her. A voice with a familiar accent she'd know anywhere. “Applejack?”

Seconds after the first call another voice from the same direction was heard. Only this voice was different, more cultivated.

“Sweetie Belle? Darling?”

Sweetie blinked, looking just as shocked and confused as Apple Bloom did. “Rarity?”

Running to the window the three caught sight of both Apple Bloom’s and Sweetie Belle’s sisters heading toward the clubhouse.

“What are they doing here?” Scootaloo asked out loud.

Looking at one another the young fillies confusion switched to complete terror. Turning around they focused their eyes toward Dead Ringer.

“Uh oh,” they said in unison fearfully.

They immediately forgot about the reason why their sisters were here and were now focused on the fact that they were coming to their clubhouse! The clubhouse that unfortunately, had a fully-grown CHANGELING in the room!

If they got caught, none of them would see the light of day until they were Granny Smith’s age! Worst of all, they would end up breaking a Pinkie Promise! Such an act was basically a death sentence.

Thankfully, from the looks of things, said changeling was so into his cupcake he failed to hear of Applejack and Rarity’s approach. They still had time, but they had to do something, and fast!

Putting a plan together, Sweetie Belle took action. “Apple Bloom! Meet me down below so we can deal with our sisters.”

Understanding, she proceeded to the door. Turning to Scootaloo, Sweetie prepared her instructions. “Scootaloo, wait here with Dead Ringer, and whatever you do, keep him away from the windows!”

Knowing her orders, Scootaloo stood at attention as she saluted. “Roger!”

Not wasting any time, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom headed out, shutting the door behind them as fast but as subtly as they could manage. Leaving only Scootaloo behind to stand guard.

“Who’s this Roger?”

Flinching a little, Scootaloo spun around to find Dead Ringer had finished with his cupcake and was holding his drink instead. He was staring at her with a raised eyebrow of slight intrigue, but also confusion.

“Um… No one?” she awkwardly answered.

He continued to stare at her as if trying to figure her out. That response seemed a little forced. That and her tone wobbled between nervous tension and uncertainty.

If his nostrils weren’t already filling with the unscented aroma of aqua, he would’ve detected the whiff of tension passing through the young filly.

After a few seconds, he finally broke off his gaze with a small shrug. Choosing to ignore it for now, he went back to drinking from his bota bag.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Scootaloo relaxed. This hopefully bought herself and her friends some time.

Outside Applejack and Rarity made it to the front of the clubhouse just in time to see Apple Bloom come down to greet them.

“Uh, hey Applejack! Hey Rarity!” Trying not to look or sound nervous, Apple Bloom put on the best smile she could manage. “What brings y’all around these parts?”

“Young filly,” Applejack started off sternly. “Ah thought Ah told you to be home before sundown?”

Hearing her sister’s words made the little filly look away half ashamed. It slipped her mind that she was still in trouble after coming home late yesterday. Applejack was willing to let it slide, provided that she promise to come home early from now. A promise it seems she was not starting off correctly.

“Ah’m sorry sis,” Apple Bloom weakly replied, shuffling her hoof against the grass. “We were just bus--”

“Rarity!”

Like a python striking its prey Sweetie Belle leaped from the ramp and snatched her sister around the neck, pulling her into the tightest – but affectionate – hug imaginable. While Sweetie was initially shocked to see Rarity here, it was still a blast to see her older sister again.

“I missed you!”

Although she felt like she was in a chokehold, Rarity managed to strain a meek smile for her younger sibling. “Um, yes I missed you too, Sweetie dear.”

Eventually releasing her sister from her hold Sweetie Belle asked the obvious. “Rarity, why are you here?” Her eyes then noticed the stylish sun hat her big sister was sporting. “And why are you wearing that hat?”

After straightening said hat a little, Rarity kindly responded, “Well I was planning on coming here on my own free merit,” her attention then switched to her farming companion, “until Applejack paid me a visit earlier.”

Applejack suddenly found herself the center of attention. Nervously brushing her mane she said, “Yeah, that there’s a funny story.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shared looks of intrigue, emphasizing they wanted to hear this ‘funny’ story.

Seeing no harm, Applejack happily obliged. “Well, with Big Mac watchin’ the apple stand today, Ah needed an extra set of hooves helpin’ me pick apples.” Her expression then twisted into anger as she grinded her teeth. “A set which a certain striped tailed pegasus, who shall remain nameless, promised she would be.”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle snickered a little. They had a fairly good clue.

Calming down a little AJ continued. “So Ah was left with nothin’ to do but find somepony else.”

“So you asked Rarity?” Sweetie questioned, looking befuddled. No offense to her sister, but Rarity was the last pony she expected Applejack to ask with farming.

“Actually Ah was gonna ask Fluttershy, but she apparently is havin’ her own problems with them animals of hers.”

“So then you asked Rarity?” Sweetie retorted.

“No… Then Ah asked Spike, but the little guy was busy sortin’ through a huge mess at the library.” Covering her mouth Applejack couldn’t help but chuckle. “I tell ya that whole place looked like a stampede done ran right through it.”

“Yeah… Heh! A stampede,” Apple Bloom nervously joked as her sister continued recounting her day.

“Pinkie was busy watching the Cake Twins, that and she was doin’ some kinda crazy experiment with cupcake recipes,” Applejack shook her head, not even wanting to fathom what that crazy pony was up too. “So Ah was left with Rarity.”

“Excuse me?” Rarity exclaimed looking utterly horrified by Applejack’s statement. “Left with?!”

“Well can ya blame me?” Applejack protested. “You spent a whole hour tryin’ to figure which hat to wear after Ah asked ya.”

Whirling around Rarity turned her back on Applejack as she held her nose high in the air, displeased by her friend’s words. “Well if I was going to be out in the scorching sun for so long, I at least had to wear something appropriate. Not all of us have only one hat to wear.”

“True,” Applejack agreed before countering, “but not all of us have over fifty-six hats!”

Dead Ringer’s ears suddenly flinched as they detected the loud shouting coming from outside. Leaving his drink on the floor he stood up.

“What’s going on down there?” he asked agitatedly to Scootaloo. Loud noises were one thing, but interruptions during ones feeding time are not something a changeling enjoyed.

“Um…” Scootaloo started, trying to find a proper response. “Two cats having a fight?”

Dead Ringer gave her a less than convinced look.

She was lying. Badly too. If that ‘book’ ever taught Dead Ringer anything it was that cats only say ‘meow.’ Enough about that however, he was going to get to the bottom of this.

Pushing her aside he headed for the window to get a better assessment of what was causing this ruckus.

“Wait!” she cried trying to stop him.

Back outside Applejack and Rarity’s disagreement had shifted into a full-blown argument with the two now in each other’s faces.

“Well I would have gotten you more apples if you hadn’t yelled at me about using magic.”

“And Ah wouldn’t have had to yell at ya if YOU hadn’t plucked them down one by one with yer magic!”

The two glared at each other for a while until Rarity broke it off by turning her back to Applejack like before.

Only this time she shot Applejack a glance over shoulder as she stated, “You have your methods, and I have mine.” Feeling her point was made she turned away, having nothing more to say.

Grudgingly letting the unicorn off for now, Applejack didn’t show her anger as she turned back to the youngins in the vicinity.

“So yeah, that was mah day.” Discreetly she shot one last glare toward Rarity. “How was y’alls?”

“Oh y’know.” Apple Bloom responded vaguely, casually waving her hoof in stride. “The usual.”

Both Applejack and Rarity exchanged unsure looks with each other. Why didn’t that make them feel better?

Realizing how much time they were taking, Apple Bloom knew she had to cut this short. “Well it’s been fun catchin’ up and all but we gotta get goin’. Got homework to do. Books to read.” Throwing her foreleg around Sweetie Belle, the two slowly inched their way toward the ramp. “We just gotta grab some stuff from the clubhouse and we’ll be down in a sec.”

“Y’all need any help?” Applejack kindly offered.

“NO!” Apple Bloom shouted, shocking both herself and the adults at how loud that came out. “Um, Ah mean no,” she reiterated quieter this time. “We got this.”

Despite Scootaloo’s endurance she just couldn’t pull Dead Ringer back. Giving up on being coy about the whole thing, she instead shifted her strategy to just plain keeping him away from the window. A feat she sadly failed at, given Dead Ringer’s strength.

Staring out the window Dead Ringer eyes noticed four figures below. Familiar figures.

Sweetie and Apple Bloom he easily identified, but the other two he found himself wondering at. They looked familiar, but where?

“Ya critters!”

“Brutes!”

Like a flash of lightning in the dark of night the images and memories from Canterlot flashed through his mind, leaving the changeling completely shocked at the spot.

“Its THEM!” he cried out in reaction.

As fast as she could Scootaloo worked her wings into gear as she jumped onto Dead Ringer’s back before throwing her forelegs around his head in vain attempt to pull him back.

“Get away from the window!”

Crying out in pain Dead Ringer did as she said, but not because she told him. No it was more because she was standing on his bad wing.

This cry did not go unnoticed however.

“What the tree dirt was that?” Applejack asked as she stared intensely at the clubhouse from where the sound originated.

Rarity also noticed as well. “Girls,” she said firmly, yet gently. “Is there somepony else up there?”

Apple Bloom did her best to mask her uneasiness, but the sweat falling on her face was making it difficult. “Nope! Other than Scootaloo, there’s no other pony up there.” Although she hated lying, Apple Bloom wasn’t technically being untruthful.

Briefly, she turned to her friend for assurance. “Right, Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie nodded in agreement. “Eyup!”

“Sure doesn’t sound like it,” Applejack pointed out as she started making her way up the tree house with Rarity following close behind.

“Wait!” Apple Bloom called after. “You can’t go up there!”

Coming to a halt, Applejack stared at the now nervous fillies with suspicion. “And why not?” she probed; now knowing full well that something was definitely up.

“Cuz, uh…” Apple Bloom gave a delayed reply. Coming up with nothing, she turned to only the solution she had left. “Sweetie Belle?”

“Um…” After some thought, she smiled with an answer. “There’s a really big bug up there!”

“Seriously?” Apple Bloom dryly replied.

“Well there is!” Sweetie defended.

Sadly, it didn’t work because before they realized it, Applejack and Rarity were already nearing the door to the clubhouse.

Hearing the hoofsteps approach, Scootaloo gulped. “Uh oh,” she squeaked. “Company.”

Dead Ringer just remained silent as he stared glaringly at the door, knowing the two were approaching.

Opening the entrance Applejack and Rarity were left flabbergasted by what they found.

Making it up to the top of the tree house, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle found to their horror that they were too late.

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack’s stern voice called. “You get in here right this minute and start explainin’ now!”

Knowing their fates were sealed, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle trudged in to face the music

“Applejack you have ta’ understand,” Apple Bloom pleaded. “We never--!”

The first thing Apple Bloom and Sweetie noticed when they walked in was Scootaloo sitting in the center with a nervous smile on her face, while Applejack and Rarity’s attention were focused on the noticeable pile of literature left behind. The second was that Dead Ringer was not where they left him. In fact, he was nowhere on the ground floor.

“Why in tarnation do all y’all have half the library’s books in here?” Applejack commented as she tried to wrap her mind around what use these fancy hardcovers could be to three fillies?

Floating a couple in the air, Rarity examined some of the enthralling titles. “Honestly dears, I’m all happy that the three of you are trying to be literate, but these books seem rather…” Rarity paused as she tried to put this gently. “Sophisticated, for fillies such as yourselves.”

Deciding not to focus on their student’s disappearance for now, Apple Bloom pushed every wagon wheel in her brain into high gear as she attempted to find an answer for this situation.

She needed an answer that was true enough, but at the same time didn’t give away their true intentions.

After pushing her brain to the limits she finally came up with the most convoluted answer she could think up. It was a stretch, but with some luck they might just buy it.

“Its for a crusade of ours!” Apple Bloom claimed with confidence.

“What’s that now?” Applejack asked oddly.

Well to Apple Bloom it seemed convoluted. To her sister however, it just seemed strange. Not the crusade, just that it was coming across that they were being suspicious earlier over books.

Rarity, on the other hand, seemed presently intrigued by this idea. “What kind of crusade?”

Playing along, Sweetie joined in. “We’re trying for our reading cutie marks!”

“Reading Cutie Marks?” Scootaloo repeated. She was willing to go along with this story, but reading cutie marks?

“Yeah!” Apple Bloom nodded. “We figured with everythin’ that’s happened lately, we try for a crusade that was easy.”

“Well that does sound mighty safe-- Ah mean fun!” Applejack quickly covered up. The books were relatively harmless. A few mature novels here and there, but nothing really lethal or inappropriate as far as using for obtaining a cutie mark. Besides, knowing them they’d just get bored and go back to trying for their shark taming cutie marks.

“I concur,” Rarity supported. “However,” levitating a couple books the refined unicorn started stacking them in a well-ordered fashion, “if you're going to keep these books you should at least have the decency to organize them properly,” Rarity lightly scolded.

“If Twilight were to find these books in the state you left them in,” the mere thought made her shudder, “why I don’t even want to fathom how the poor dear would react.”

Leaning up against the wall while Rarity stacked, Applejack couldn’t help but remark with a smile, “Ah reckon it can’t be any worse than how you acted when a measly little bug landed on yer mane.”

Flinching a little, Rarity did her best to keep her sophisticated composure straight. “It was a natural reaction of shock. I simply find bugs to be appalling.”

“But it was a dang Lady Bug!”

Choosing to ignore her friend’s comment, Rarity continued stacking.

Carefully inching their way towards Scootaloo, Sweetie and Apple Bloom moved on to the other issue: Finding their missing student.

“So Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle said casually to not attract attention, “what happened to that large bug that was in here?”

“Oh…” Scootaloo clumsily returned, “it’s still around.”

This prompted the two to just stare with a blank expression. Seeing this, Scootaloo directed their attention upwards. As their eyes followed both girls were left gawking by what they found.

Clinging to the ceiling just above the door like a spider was their missing student. It was only by a miracle that their sisters hadn’t noticed him, what with the first noticeable thing in the room being on the floor in a chaotic mess.

As he hung there, Dead Ringer stared down at the older mares with seething anger. There they were, two of the six ponies that ruined his people’s chance for a better life. It took every ounce of strength he had to not just get the jump on them; but the temptation was getting harder.

“Holy moly,” Apple Bloom reacted out loud, wondering when this day was going to end.

Her sister’s change in demeanor and strange comment did not go unseen by Applejack. “Somethin' wrong sugarcube?”

Realizing she was heard, Apple Bloom immediately searched for a scapegoat. Thankfully hers came in the form of a white lie, and a white horse.

“Ah mean uh, holy moly!” she said with forced alarm. “Rarity, is that mole on yer face?”

“WHAT?” Rarity wailed, dropping what she was doing to start feeling her complexion in search of this horrid deformity. “WHERE?!”

“Quick, the mirror!” Grabbing Rarity’s free hoof, Apple Bloom lead her to the nearby mirror to aid in finding the non-existent mole.

Applejack sighed in agitation as she went to calm her friend. “Rarity will ya relax? Ah’m sure it’s barely anythin’.”

With the adults now distracted, yet again, Sweetie Belle quietly coaxed Dead Ringer down.

After some reluctance, he shot one final glare toward the older duo along with a quiet hiss before silently crawling down. Although it was more of a walk to him as the smooth surface of the wooden boards made it easier for him to tread from the ceiling to the walls, and from there onto the floor without issue.

Once Dead Ringer was down, the two quietly lead the giant wall crawler out the door as Apple Bloom kept the adults busy.

“Apple Bloom, Ah don’t see anythin’.” Applejack was starting to get a little bothered now. Every bit of deductive reasoning she had told her there was more going on than her sister and friends let on.

Rarity, on the other hand, was more focused on other issues. Like the chance she may never be able to show her face in public again!

“Are you sure? Are you sure?!” Rarity cried, stomping her hooves in a childish fit. She looked like she was nearly on the verge of tears

Sure that they were in the clear, Apple Bloom decided it was best to end this charade before Rarity had a panic attack. Or brought out the large couch.

“Oops! Mah mistake. Must’ve been a bug.”

Rarity then at last relaxed, feeling like she just fought Nightmare Moon, Discord, and an army of Changelings all at once.

All Applejack had to respond with was a roll of the eyes. However, it was with this motion that they caught sight of something.

What Apple Bloom failed to realize was she had Rarity and Applejack focused on a mirror. The same mirror which showed the reflection of everything in the room, including the door closing shut along with three figures walking out. A scene that Applejack just noticed.

“Aha! Ah knew someone was up here!” she cried accusingly as she charged for the door.

Apple Bloom tried to stop her, but her sister proved too quick for her. “Applejack wait we can explain!”

Throwing the door open, Applejack found two startled fillies and one expressionless pegasus by the name of Rainbow Dash on the other side.

Apple Bloom was, to say the least, stumped. “Actually, Ah don’t think we can explain this.”

Applejack, on the other hand, was looking mighty proud, thinking she had everything figured out now. “So Rainbow Dash, Ah see you were able to make it to Sweet Apple Acres after all.”

The look did not last, as Applejack’s anger from earlier came burning back. “Too bad ya were supposed to meet me half a plantation over!”

The pony Applejack believed to be Dash gave a puzzled reaction to her outburst, an expression that didn’t suit a proud mare like her. Or in this case, suit the real Rainbow Dash. “Uh… hi?”

“Oh no!” Applejack countered. “Don’t cha try and weasel yer way outta this one missy!”

Apple Bloom knew that line well. She’d heard it many times whenever she was in trouble. A lecture always followed closely after, and this time was probably not going to be different.

She looked to her friends, hoping one of them would intervene with something, but from their faces she could tell they were all drawing a blank on what to do. Just like her. Although Scootaloo was looking more angered than confused. It was probably because she didn’t appreciate someone impersonating her idol and doing a poor job of it.

Until someone came up with something, Dead Ringer was on his own, and at Applejack’s mercy as her lecture followed.

“So let me get this straight, Dash. Ah don’t see ya for days, what with everythin’ that’s happened.” Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward. “And when Ah ask you to do one favor for me, ya go and ditch me to go flaunt yer ego with Apple Bloom and her friends? And then you have ‘em lie just to cover yer flank?”

There was a quiet delay as Applejacks eyes lingered on the cyan mare.

“Um… yes?” the fake Dash plainly said without any elaboration whatsoever.

Applejack just looked at her, completely stumped by that answer. She half expected her prideful comrade to put on some big ruse on how she was teaching these kids how to be cool like her. Or spin some wild tale about how she was off saving Ponyville from a gang of evil griffon pirates. Again.

Not a bland straight to the point answer like that. It was so out of character for her. Still...

“Well, at least you were straight with me.” The apple farmer couldn’t fault her friend’s honesty however. “So, what do you have to say for yerself?”

‘Dash,’ or Dead Ringer, had to give that some thought to this. Should he say what he felt for this situation? Or how he believed the Loyalty Bearer would feel? The only reason he even picked this disguise was out of reflex. That and the rainbow wig still lingered in the back of his mind.

“I guess you’re pretty disappointed in me,” ‘Rainbow Dash’ commented.

“Yer darn right Ah am,” Applejack responded a bit harshly.

“Applejack…” came the stern voice of Rarity, who up till now was silent, but decided it was time to intervene. “While I tolerate lies and deceit as much as you do, I do believe that Rainbow Dash at least deserves a little credit for coming forward.”

With Twilight away, Rarity knew somepony had to keep the group together until she returned. She wouldn’t want her dear friend to return finding her friends acting bitter toward one another.

After a couple seconds to think over Rarity’s words and blow off some steam; Applejack started to smile.

“Aw, come here ya featherheaded goon,” she said as she threw her foreleg around her flying comrade in a friendly manner, much to said comrade’s confusion and discomfort. “Ah guess Ah can let ya off with a warnin’ for now.”

The whole scene earned a glad smile from Rarity, thinking highly of how maturely Applejack was handling things.

“Just next time, do me a favor and drop me a message if ya can’t make it so Ah don’t get saddled up with Rarity again.”

“Well, I never!” Rarity exclaimed in offense, thinking she’d spoken too soon.

“Oh relax, will ya?” Applejack replied, not intending her comment to be interpreted that way. “If anythin’ you should be happy Ah won’t be needin’ you around the farm.” Her little smirk grew into a grin. “Less risk of exposure to bugs right?”

“I suppose,” Rarity agreed, her anger now subsided. She really couldn’t argue with that.

Out of the window, night had nearly fallen over the land. A sight that Rarity noticed as she started taking her leave.

“Come along Sweetie Belle,” she announced to her sister as she headed for the door. “Mother and Father are waiting for you back home. After your little stunt yesterday, they’ve asked me to escort you home for the time being until this ‘Green Scare’ is over with.”

“Okay,” Sweetie said with contained excitement in her voice, beaming with utter joy. She knew this was more or less a punishment for yesterday, but she wasn’t going to complain for a chance to see her sister more often. She was about to head out, until she remembered what slipped her mind.

“Oh wait!”

Trotting past her sister, she approached the now neatly stacked books and carefully grabbed a random cover. There wasn’t much time to examine what she got, but Sweetie knew she could just read it later and see what she could use from it then.

With the book balanced on her head she ran past her friends, all the while saying her farewells. “See you at school tomorrow!”

“Bye, Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom said as she and Scootaloo waved.

Stepping just halfway out, Sweetie peeked her head back in with a goofy smile. “Bye Dead-er, I mean bye, Rainbow Dash! Have a nice night!”

Despite being held in what felt like a headlock to him, Dead Ringer waved bye to her as well. Mostly just to keep up appearances however.

“See ya Rare!” Applejack called.

“A fine night to you all.” Rarity bowed her head. With that said Rarity and Sweetie took their leave.

At last releasing the pegasus from her grip Applejack decided it was probably time to head home as well. “Alrighty, ready to skedaddle sugarcube?”

“Uh, would it be alright if Ah had just a few minutes to say goodbye to Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash?” Apple Bloom replied innocently.

“Apple Bloom,” Applejack admonished.

“Ah promise Ah’ll be home the second the moon rises,” Apple Bloom solemnly promised, pressing her hoof to her chest giving a scouts honor. Even though she technically wasn’t a scout.

After giving it some thought Applejack reluctantly answered, “Oh alright, but only for a few minutes,” she warned cautiously. “After that Ah expect to see yer flank back home. Got it?”

Understanding completely Apple Bloom smiled. “Yes ma’am!”

Smiling back, Applejack made her way out. “See ya later, Dash! You too, Scootaloo!”

Finally catching a breather, the fake Rainbow Dash feigned a smile as she waved. “Um, yes. Goodbye Bearer- I mean Applejack.”

“One last thing,” Applejack addressed before leaving. “Ditch me like that again, and Ah’ll buck you upside the head,” she warned with a smile.

“I’ll…” the faker strained awkwardly, “keep that in mind.”

“See ya!” Tipping her hat goodbye, Applejack was off.

Once the door was shut, a ring of fire surrounded the fake Dash as the cyan color of her body shattered like glass as the original, almost skeletal, blackened form returned. The mane on the back of its head was incinerated as it was reduced to nothing, replaced with a spiky spine that acted as the insect’s mane. The bandages that covered its bad wing and leg were revealed as the changeling’s warped legs and wings reformed to their original state.

When the flame dispersed, Rainbow Dash was gone and Dead Ringer was back. Giving his form a shake, the changeling gave his joints a stretch. Changing could be difficult sometimes, especially with an injured body part.

“Does that hurt?” the voice of Apple Bloom asked.

When his empty eyes reopened, Dead Ringer made note of the look of curiosity and confusion on her face. “Changing, you mean?” he replied, making sure he understood.

With a nod as her reply, Dead Ringer answered, “Its just natural. Like walking.”

“Still, that’s a neat trick,” she said as a compliment. “Don’t cha think Scootaloo?”

Not looking the least bit fascinated, Scootaloo instead found looking out the window to be more interesting. “Yeah, whatever.”

Dead Ringer’s eye twitched a little. Even though she wasn’t saying anything, he could tell she was insulting him, and one of the worst insults one could give a changeling was insulting their changing talent. It’s almost as bad as insulting their title.

Choosing not to press her friend’s disinterest, Apple Bloom decided to instead take her pick from the large selection of books they had to offer. She studied each book intensely, knowing she had to pick one that looked just right. So, she was basically judging the books by their covers.

“Okay, Ah think Ah’ll take… this one!” She grabbed the closest book to her. She hadn’t read the whole title fully, but she recognized one word on it: Farming. Whatever was in it hopefully covered something she’d be familiar with.

Balancing the book on her back, Apple Bloom was almost ready to go. There were just a few loose ends to tie up.

“You gonna be all right here by yer lonesome?” she asked Dead Ringer. As nice as the clubhouse was, it wasn’t exactly made to suit guests.

There was a short pause as Dead Ringer’s eyes inspected the room. “It’s not exactly sand,” his hoof stomped against the wooden floor to emphasize his statement, “but it’s better then a rock, I suppose.” He nodded. “I’ll survive.”

“All right,” Apple Bloom smiled, satisfied with that answer. “Ah promise Ah’ll try find something to help make yer sleep here better.”

Now, it was onto the final and probably most difficult loose end of all. “You okay gettin’ home on yer own, Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked, her uncertain eyes turning to her friend. There was undertone in her voice as well, making her question sound more like an offer.

Hearing her name called broke Scootaloo's attention from the window. “What, me?” She pointed to herself in confusion. “Please,” she dismissed braggingly, switching from puzzled to prideful. “I could make the trip in my sleep.”

“That’s what Ah’m afraid of,” Apple Bloom said, her voice growing softer with concern.

“Huh?” Scootaloo asked, noticing her friend’s strange shift in persona and finding it odd.

Dead Ringer was also noticing. However, he chose to remain the quiet listener as Apple Bloom continued.

“Just…” she strained, trying to say this carefully without coming off as a nosey pony, but still be a concerned friend. “Is everythin’ okay?”

No answer came as Scootaloo’s face fell to the side timidly. Then out of nowhere, Dead Ringer’s nose detected a spike of emotion from her, but it vanished as quickly as it came before he could register what it was. Also just as quickly came Scootaloo’s newfound energy, as she was all of a sudden grinning.

“Oh, you know,” she said forcefully in stride, similar to what Apple Bloom did to Applejack and Rarity earlier. “Found out I’ve got to deal with Family Appreciation Day, caught a changeling in our clubhouse, and almost got eaten by wooden dogs.” She shrugged. “All in all, just your typical day in Ponyville.”

She considers this typical?! Dead Ringer’s brow rose. Just what kind of settlement is this?

Apple Bloom sighed quietly. Again with the vague responses and dodging the question. She wanted to poke at it more, but Apple Bloom wasn’t foolish. She wouldn’t say she was the brightest bulb in the ceiling, but she certainly wasn’t foolish. Scootaloo was a proud pony. Too proud for her own good.

Sadly, she didn’t have the time to linger on this any further. The moon would be up soon, and Applejack’s patience only lasted for so long.

“Okay.” Apple Bloom turned for the door. Placing her hoof on it, she glanced over her shoulder at the two remaining figures in the room. The two strange mysteries.

“You both take care now.”

Dead Ringer and Scootaloo quietly nodded affirmatively. Both of them could tell there was something more to that statement, but none of them could figure out what.

Feeling that was all she could do for the now, Apple Bloom took off, making sure to shut the door behind her before heading for home.

Back inside, Scootaloo’s eyes narrowed as she stared Dead Ringer down, taking a battle stance as if she was preparing for a fight.

“Okay buddy, listen up,” she warned as she approached him. “Don’t think that just because of what happened back at that forest, as cool as it was, I’m about to outright trust you. Because I don’t,” she emphasized ‘don’t.’

Dead Ringer made what could only be described as a bug-like snort as he muttered, “Say what you will,” a malevolent smile curled at the back of his lips as he spat insultingly, “pegasus.”

Not looking fazed by it, Scootaloo continued. “Just remember,” she pointed at him to highlight her warning. “I’m doing this for my friends. That’s it!”

Dead Ringer’s smile did not last as his eyes narrowed into a bitter scowl, all the while remaining eerily calm as Scootaloo continued.

“You keep up your end of the deal, and I’ll keep up my end. Got it?”

Dead Ringer held back his response as his mind swallowed Scootaloo’s words. This day had left him with a number of questions, but there was only one he felt the need to voice now.

“If this is how you feel, then why didn’t you just leave me when you had the chance?”

She clearly didn’t want him here, and like her, he didn’t want to be here. But also like her, his mind was drawn back to what happened at that forest.

When he was down and injured, she and her friends had a chance to save themselves and leave. Yet – despite his orders – they risked their lives to aid him. To ensure he was safe. That whole incident contradicted every action Scootaloo displayed since they met again this morning.

As Dead Ringer contemplated these events, he started to realize that Scootaloo still hadn’t answered. Concentrating back on her, he noticed that she now was avoiding his gaze, her head remaining lowered, all the while keeping a bitter expression.

“Well?” Dead Ringer asked, still waiting for his answer.

“Because,” Scootaloo explained bluntly, still refusing to look at him, “that wouldn’t have been right.”

Dead Ringer’s eyes shifted a little as his anger was replaced by confusion.

Scootaloo raised her head, but still kept her gaze away from the changeling. “I won’t let my feelings distract me from what’s right.” Scootaloo knew she was a lot of things. Impatient? Kind of. Proud? Most definitely. Cruel? Never.

Even if this time Dead Ringer’s endangerment wasn’t her fault, she couldn’t leave him there, especially after what he went through to protect them. No matter what feelings of anger he stimulated in her, she had to respect that.

She didn’t like him. She didn’t trust him. But she respected that he kept his promise and protected her friends. Did that mean that she respected him?

No. However, she would go as far as to say she respected what he did.

Dead Ringer continued to stare inquisitively at Scootaloo and her words. Her words reminded him of a different time. A better time, when he was younger. But also when he was foolish! His look did not last, as it was replaced by a new scowl of bitterness.

“Hmph!” he grunted. “As noble as that sounds, a youth like you should learn better than to bring the standards of right and wrong into survival,” he chastised.

Scootaloo looked at him, his words bringing anger to her face. Dead Ringer saw this, but still continued with words she needed to hear. If anything, he was doing her a favor. After all, these were the words every changeling knew and lived by. It was what kept their race going this long. The same words Chrysalis gave to all her subjects. And words he had to learn the hard way.

“In survival, there is no right and wrong. Just ensuring a future. By any means.” His voice then softened as he finished, “Remember that.”

Scootaloo would, but she didn’t like it.

“In any case,” Dead Ringer said, changing the subject, “this negative attitude you’ve displayed towards me has not gone unnoticed. And as of now,” he lowered to her eye level, glaring with anger. “I’m starting to get sick of it.” Scootaloo just glared back, locking eyes with him.

“Whatever your reasons are for despising me, child, I neither know nor care. But for the sake of your…” Dead Ringer paused just like he did before when using this word; a word he could not believe he was using again, “… friends,” he grinded his teeth while hissing in disgust, “and my continued occupation here. I believe we should agree to a temporary truce of synergy.”

Scootaloo blinked. Dead Ringer’s heavy choice of words had flown right over her head. “Wha?” she asked, turning her head.

Dead Ringer snarled annoyingly as he approached her. Despite how antagonizing Dead Ringer was acting, Scootaloo was standing her ground better than yesterday. Of this he noted, but it did little to suppress his growing anger. “It means for my remainder here, I shall respect your right to exist and will agree to work with your companions peacefully, provided you agree to the same.”

Scootaloo closed the gap between them, her eyes narrowing further. The two were mere inches away from one another. “Fine then, we’re agreed,” she responded coldly. “We both play nice, no one gets hurt, and we can all pretend like this never happened when it’s over.”

Dead Ringer somberly nodded. “Indeed.”

“Just remember this,” Scootaloo noted. “Once you're healed, I want you out of this town, and out of mine and my friends lives.”

“Fine!”

“FINE!” Scootaloo snapped back. Having enough, she whirled around and made her way out, making sure to slam the door in a dramatic fashion and leaving Dead Ringer glaring at it.

The door all of a sudden reopened as an annoyed looking Scootaloo stomped in, looking less than pleased to be back after just exiting.

“Forgot a book!” she exclaimed with agitation, not even bothering to look at a slightly surprised Dead Ringer as she bitterly trudged passed him to the stack of advanced literature.

The things she did out of loyalty for her friends.

Grabbing a random book without so much as looking at it, Scootaloo stormed out once again, slamming the door shut. This time there was no return. Dead Ringer was now the only remaining soul left in the clubhouse.

Sure that she wasn’t coming back, he turned his attention to the nearby mirror on the wall. He might as well try and get a better look at the damage on his form.

It was rare whenever he got a chance to see what he really looked like. This time however, was different from last. He was left startled by what he saw in his reflection.

He was quite the mess. A damp leaf wrapped around his damaged wing, while a now damp cloth wrapped around his leg. And yet the thing that startled him most? He almost forgot that was himself in the mirror.

“Where did I go?”

How did this happen? One day he was wearing armor and giving orders, the next he’s the student to three burdensome fillies and almost unrecognizable to himself.

Taking a deep breath he calmed himself before he stressed out any further. He knew he had to be strong. His wounds would heal soon, and when they did, he would hopefully have what he needed to put his plans into motion.

Whether it was luck or the stars above smiling upon him, he didn’t know, but good fortune was starting to find him. It was enough to make a leering smile creep up on the edges of his face.

He was in a settlement with not one, but three Element Bearers of Harmony. Perhaps more even?

THUD!

His thoughts were stopped as he was interrupted by an abrupt noise from outside. Going to investigate, Dead Ringer approached the window as he searched for the source of the disturbance outside.

On the ground below was the little filly known as Scootaloo, staring up at a large tree before her. Charging, she leaped onto the large sapling, only to lose her grip and fall flat on her back.

Groaning out loud she picked herself back up and went for another try. She had to calm down. Had to focus. She couldn’t let her anger distract her.

Making another go, she this time succeeded. Pushing all her strength into her legs she started climbing up. Occasionally fluttering her wings to help add momentum to ensure she didn’t fall off.

Reaching the top she carefully slinked to the ends of branch, reaching out to collect the red fruits that dangled from them.

Watching the whole scene unfold, Dead Ringer had only one question: “Why don’t you fly?” he asked out loud, but not so loud that she was able to hear him. She was a pegasus after all, so why not fly? For that matter, why was she even here?

After gathering as much as her forelegs were going to carry, it was time to make her way down. Looking at how high up she was, Scootaloo cringed. She always hated this part.

With a gulp, she mentally prepared herself for what would follow next. Holding onto the literal fruits of her labor Scootaloo jumped from the tree.

“OW!”

She cried as she landed on her bum. Standing up, the poor flyer started dusting herself off, all the while groaning to herself as she did. It wasn’t out of pain however, it was more out of annoyance. She’d figured after doing this so many times it be easier by now. Or her wings would’ve strengthened to help her fall slower and soften the landing. Whatever the case, she got what she came for.

Tossing the apples into the wagon where the book resided, she hopped onto her scooter and disappeared into the darkness of the trees, headed for Ponyville.

The silent soldier remained glued to the window, his unwavering gaze focused on the spot where Scootaloo once was.

Ponies should be easy to figure. With all he knew of Equestrians – well, what he thought he knew – their minds and personas should be understandable. Advanced creatures of love; living out their days in utter happiness and bliss. All about spreading love, tolerance, and all that good muck that made his insides turn with disgust.

So why was this filly so confusing to him? Was there something wrong with her? Perhaps she was defective? Not well even?

“Hmph!” Dead Ringer grunted as he turned away from the window. It did not matter. She wasn’t his concern. He wasn’t here to figure her out; he was here for his mission. His revenge. His retribution.

The event in the forest put things on a minor setback, but he wouldn’t let a damaged wing or a wounded leg slow him down, nor these strange ‘emotions’ that had been emerging in him. These wrong emotions.

Worry…

Mirth…

Confusion…

Sadness…

These were not emotions an adult changeling should feel in a single day. It wasn’t normal, especially for a warrior class like himself.

So, why did he? The average changeling feels at least one emotion in a short given day. Two at the most, dependent on they’re personality or event.

A yawn escaped his jaw as his fatigued state started to affect him. He definitely needed his rest now.

Finding a nice spot to lie in the center, Dead Ringer tried his best to make himself comfortable, an act that proved difficult given the wooden floorboards.

After some fidgeting and adjustment, he found a reasonably comfortable position to sleep in curled up on the floor. He was just about to close his eyes until a white light illuminated the room, and with it stole Dead Ringer’s gaze.

Forgetting about sleep, Dead Ringer instantly got up. Silently cursing to himself as he struggled to sit up. With all that’s happened since he first left his colony, he’s missed this chance so many nights.

Remaining seated to the floor he looked up at the round glowing ball in the sky, and the glowing orbs called stars that surrounded it.

Growing up underground, there weren’t many things to be considered beautiful. Despite the drones’ best attempts to make the underground tolerable, it was all just layers upon layers of rock and florescent lights from the gems that encrusted the rocks. The surface above didn’t fare much better either. It was a canyon, after all.

The closest thing was the Queen’s castle. Even then, it was only open to her and her personal guards alone. Even Dead Ringer didn’t know the full layout of it. Just the few areas the Queen and her elite guards allowed him and those he escorted to venture through, which was only her throne room.

So while the ground below offered little in terms of splendor, the sky above was a different story. Only at night however.

When rogue clouds weren’t blocking them, the stars offered interesting patterns to stare and wonder at, and the moon was a perfect form of light that offered a unique and interesting form of illumination at dark.

It was strange when he thought about it. Here he was in another land, in a completely new environment, and yet the moon remained exactly where it always was: in the sky looking down at all of the worlds’ creatures.

There was only one moon to look up to, but over millions of creatures for it to look down on. It was on this night as well that many took the time to enjoy it. Many in Equestria and beyond took the time to look up at Luna’s illustrious orb of the night, if only for a moment. While in the back of their minds, their own problems lingered there like a dense fog in the night.

The Troubled Minds of Equestria

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.
--Maya Angelou

~*~*~

The towering buildings of Manehattan were dark like caves, as all lights within the rooms and windows were off. The only sources of light was the looming moon above and the hanging streetlights below. The normally bustling streets were silent tonight as not a single soul was out. It was so quiet that the mere sound of a newspaper caught in an updraft echoed throughout the streets. Other than that, the area was calm.

CLIP!

CLOP!

CLIP!

CLOP!

Off in the distance, the sounds of heavy breathing along with hooves clicking against the concrete pavement could be heard approaching. The sounds grew louder and louder as the source of the noise appeared.

A little earth filly that looked no more than ten was running for her life. Her violet-colored face was drenched in sweat; her heart was pounding like the roar of a jackhammer; and her eyes were filled with fear.

She couldn’t slow down now. She just couldn’t!

The filly was running as fast as her little hooves could carry her. Not daring to look back. Too afraid that the first thing she saw would be her last.

Although she dared not look, she knew they were near. The sounds behind her were enough to tell how close they were.

Their sickening sounds of hissing hunger; the loud droning sound of their wings flapping; their horrible shrieks of anger and longing that would’ve given the toughest guard in Canterlot an uneasy shiver. Fighting past the tears that were forming in her dry eyes, the child looked for anything that could aid in escaping her captors.

At the corner of her eye, she could make out a gap in the buildings she was running by approaching. If she took it, she might be able to lose them inside. The alleys of this city were long and went in multiple directions. However, they also frequently went in directions that led to dead ends. It would either lead her to freedom or a gruesome end. Not seeing any other options, she took a chance and went for it.

Turning the corner, she made a tight turn into the back alleys, cutting past discarded trash bins and litter along the way. The more she traveled further into the dark alleyways, the more the sounds started to fade.

Soon, the only noises she heard were the sounds of her breathing as her pursuers seemed to vanish. Despite thinking she lost them, the young filly still refused to stop. She just kept running further and further, turning every corner she found in what felt like an endless maze of alleyways. Praying each turn would lead her somewhere, anywhere, safer.

When she felt like there was no exit in sight, she finally came to a complete stop, left gaping in utter horror. Towering before her was blank bricked wall. In other words: A dead end.

“Dinner time...”

The growls, the hisses; all the horrible sounds she thought she’d outrun resumed. Only this time, they were closer, and growing closer still. Every hair in her blonde mane and tail stood up as her whole body started to shiver. Fear enveloped her as she slowly turned around to the nightmare that found her.

A full gang of hungry changelings converged on the young filly. Each one salivated with anticipation as they moved in for the kill.

The little girl with nowhere to go stepped back as far as she could manage until she was pressed against the wall. She was too scared to call for help. Her voice was as stiff as ice.

The drooling changelings moved in, licking their lips with longing. Their dripping razor-sharp fangs were now just inches from the child’s face. She could practically count every sharp tooth in the creatures’ mouths.

The little pony shut her eyes, not daring to look at what would happen next. All she could do was wait for the end.

So there she waited. And waited.

And waited…

Not that she was in a hurry or anything, but what was taking them so long? Were they toying with her? Did they lose their appetite?

Peeping an eye open she braved it and decided to solve this mystery. She saw the changelings all looking up, each wearing a look of shock and terror that was similar to her own just a few seconds ago. Following their gazes, the young pony found the reason for their sudden halt.

A tall figure shrouded by shadow stood at the top of the brick wall, staring down at the intimidated gang. The child couldn’t make out whom it was, but from what she could see in the dark, the figure had a long slender horn at the tip of her head. Meaning the stranger was unicorn, but what followed afterward proved this theory invalid.

The tall mare leapt from the wall as her long majestic wings glided her safely to the ground. Landing with perfect grace, the unknown mare stood up as she towered over the gang of changelings. The changelings immediately started backing away. Though they outnumbered her, the insects did not like their chances.

Standing in her light, the young pony could now make out the unknown savior that stood before her. There were many clues to tell who she was, but the biggest reveal was the moon shaped cutie mark on her flank and the dark starry mane that flowed majestically. It was none other than the Princess of the Night.

Princess Luna.

Raising a hoof towards the timid changelings, Luna’s voice boomed with radiance and force as she shouted in the Royal Canterlot Voice, “Begone foul creatures! Return to the shadows from whence you came!”

As if obeying, the changelings hissed in irritation before they evaporated into a rolling black fog as they were consumed by the shadows. Leaving nothing behind.

The filly was left with her mouth hanging agape. She was shocked, confused, and terrified by what was going on, which is why she flinched when Luna turned to her.

“Fear not little one,” the Princess of the Night assured as she cautiously approached the frightened child. “No one is going to hurt you.”

Despite Luna’s words, the little pony was still shaken with confusion. “B-But…” she stuttered, shaking her head. None of this was making any sense. She didn’t even know how this nightmare even started.

The child gave a silent gasp as Luna embraced her with a friendly hug. Looking up at the older mare, she was met with a tender smile. A smile that said everything was going to be okay.

“Tis all right, dear,” Luna said soothingly as she calmed the child. “This is all merely a dream. When you awake, you will be safe and sound at home.”

“A… dream?” the filly repeated in disbelief.

As if answering her, Luna reached out to the wall behind her. When her hoof made contact with it, the bricks responded with a ripple effect, almost like it was made of water.

As strange as it was, the child believed her. It all made sense in a way. However, there was still just one thing that didn’t add up.

“Miss Luna,” the child asked while still trying to sound polite to her royal hero. “If this is a dream? Then where are you?”

Before Luna could answer the buildings surrounding them soon started to melt into the ground. Even the concrete they stood on started to deform around them. The young pony now found herself alone, with Luna nowhere in sight. The child cried out for the princess as the darkness soon enveloped her.

And then there was nothing but silence and darkness.

“Honey, are you okay?”

As her eyes opened, the young filly found herself back in her room, safe in her bed with her concerned mother standing by her. Her mother asked if she was okay, stating she could hear her tossing and turning in the other room.

Instead of answering, she greeted her mother with a warm hug, one she happily returned. As weird as it sounded, the little pony felt fine. Better, actually.

After her mother kissed her on the forehead they said their goodnights as the tired filly went back to bed. Resting comfortably in her blanket, the youngling shut her eyes. Dream or not her mind felt clear, calm even. Like she could now fall asleep with peace of mind. And she had her Princess of the Night to thank for that. Whether it was some form of ancient alicorn magic or something, her visit did something to calm her fears. But there was still one thing that left her mind troubled: Whatever became of her savior?

Back in Canterlot, within the royal castle, the lunar goddess known as Princess Luna sat straight and still in her cushioned seat. Her glowing eyes indicating she was deep in meditation.

Standing on guard next to her were two of Luna’s personal Shadow Guards. Two bat-winged stallions wearing their purple decorated armor that fitted their affiliation and loyalty to the Princess of the Night.

Ordinarily, Luna preferred being alone, especially in her room of all places, but the process to enter into another’s dream left the alicorn vulnerable. A process she only recently returned to. For her safety, added security meant stationary guards had to remain posted to protect her person when she was on duty. And this task was one of her many duties.

The guards snapped their gazes toward the door when a knock was heard. Their alertness was for naught though when the voice of the castle’s other resident princess was heard.

“Luna? Sister are you here?” Celestia asked as she walked in. A box of some kind could be seen hidden under her wing.

Hearing her sister’s voice calling for her returned Luna’s mind to the land of the wake as she awakened from her meditation. Seeing her sister walking, Luna decided to clear the room.

“Guards,” Luna requested firmly, yet politely, “leave us.” Obeying her wish, the two lowered their heads in bow as they took their leave.

Sure that the two of them were alone, Celestia revealed the present she held underneath her wing. Bringing it into her sister’s light, Luna immediately recognized the familiar box of treats her sister had taken from her today. A new box unopened and wrapped in a decorative bow.

“What’s this?” Luna asked, her brow raised as she examined the thoughtfully wrapped item. “An apology for earlier?”

“Think of it as,” Celestia replied back with a smile, “no hard feelings?”

Luna scoffed in response as she placed the item on the nearby desk behind her. Not that she was trying to be rude or anything; she simply took her job seriously, and had no time for these interruptions or her sister’s jokes.

“You should be resting, sister. I have the night well guarded.”

“I can see,” Celestia noted. “Have there been many nightmares lately?”

Luna’s body stiffened, but she remained still and calm where she sat. Although she didn’t answer, her silence was enough for her older sister to know.

“How many?”

Lowering her head, Luna could only answer, “Too many. I doubt you need to guess what most of them have featured.”

The dejected mare released a sigh as she stared out the window, spotting the moon outside. “Even now, I’ve only managed to quell the nightmares between here and Manehatten. I have yet to even touch upon the dreams for those of Cloudsdale or Ponyville yet.”

“I see.” Celestia nodded, her sad features a dead ringer for her younger sibling’s expression. “I feared our subjects would be troubled.”

“They aren’t the only ones.”

Celestia paused as she took in Luna’s new look, filled with only one emotion: concern. “Sister, what’s troubling you?”

Luna’s older sister was known to play a joke or two on her every now and then, but her recent jokes had been more frequent and a bit over the top, even for her. Her most recent one this afternoon felt a little forced. Usually, her sister would admit to the joke and end it there, but she kept it going. She didn’t look for a more adult answer and instead acted with a more humorous solution.

Not that Luna minded. She would expect no less from the previous bearer of the Element of Laughter. However, there was a difference between using humor to keep oneself amused and down to earth, and using it to take one’s mind off an issue.

So, either Celestia was trying to get back at Luna for something she did, or she was trying to distract herself from something that troubled her.

“What’s she planning?” Celestia asked after a long silence.

Luna blinked, slightly taken aback by her sister’s vague question. “I’m sorry?”

“The Queen,” Celestia answered bluntly while she stared out the window in contemplation. “What’s her next move?”

“You believe she plans to retaliate?” Luna tilted her head, still trying to better understand her sister’s words.

“A good leader always has a contingency plan,” Celestia said. “She must’ve taken time to plan out her first attack. Why wouldn’t she have a backup?”

Luna was still only getting one side of this conversation. “You're worried about what she’s planning?”

“No.” Celestia shook her head. “That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m worried that so far we’ve seen nothing!” Celestia snapped, making her little sister wince in response.

“The guards haven’t found a single thing, despite added security. No sightings have been reported from any of our subjects.” With each word Celestia spoke, she cautiously approached Luna, sounding more and more heated. “We’ve heard absolutely nothing!”

“Did you ever stop to think that this could be a good thing?” Luna noted in hopes of calming her sister. “Perhaps this means we have won?”

Celestia sighed in defeat as she turned her back to her sister. “You don’t know her like I do, Luna. Twilight and I may have only had the pleasure of her presence for a day, but I believe we got a good understanding of the Queen’s personality.”

The wise sun goddess’s eyes closed as memories from not so long ago flooded back to her. Though she spent most of it sealed away in a crystallized cocoon, she had a good view of the leader behind the nightmare. Her sickly mane, her slender form, her slim teeth, her cold wicked eyes, and her cruel – yet silly – laugh.

“She’s crafty, deceitful, cold, meticulous, but most and perhaps worst of all, she’s patient.”

Luna remained quiet as she let Celestia continue. There was nothing she could do as of now but listen to her sister vent.

“She’s dreamed since she was a child of having Equestria. She said so herself.” A small hint of a smile crossed Celestia’s face as she giggled slightly. “Or rather sang.” The smile did not last however.

“If she waited so long to attack now, how long will she wait again?”

There was nothing worse than an opponent who was patient. Patience was usually a virtue, but this is what bothered Celestia the most. She almost expected retaliation the next day, hence why she asked Twilight and the others to remain in Canterlot for the two extra days. But after no sightings were reported to them she and Luna were left with no choice but to tighten security, at the military’s orders however.

She wasn’t the only one beaten that day. Her army was caught off guard and easily defeated. Since then, much of the guard and militia of Canterlot had been looking for payback. Hence why the scouting parties they’ve sent out have been gone so long. The high Generals in charge have ordered no stone unturned until all settlements in Equestria have been checked.

As much as she disliked such methods, Celestia was inclined to follow if it meant putting this nightmare to a rest. She just wished there were better alternatives.

It also made her wonder: How long would her homeland stay like this? How long would she have to wait until the dark queen made her move? Another week? A year? A century? A small part of her almost wished something would happen. Just so she could make sure the nightmare was finished and her land could return to its original state.

Seeing her sister acting so timid like this was upsetting to Luna. She needed to say something. On duty or not, she had an obligation as a sister.

“Perchance the insect queen is injured?” Luna offered, trying her best to sound optimistic. “I imagine landing on a hard stone surface from breakneck speeds to be not pleasant.”

Celestia remained silent, her attention and stillness unwavering. Failing that Luna still pushed on.

An amused smile formed as an idea came to her. A joke would lighten Celestia’s mood. It always did.

“Perhaps we got lucky and she landed on her head? The trauma probably knocked some sense into her?” Luna quietly chuckled to herself hoping to hear her sister join her.

Silence.

Seeing the hard, leering glare her older sister was giving her showed she was in no mood to joke.

“Too graphic?” Luna smiled nervously.

Celestia just sighed at her sister’s second – and rather poor – attempt at humor. She was grateful for Luna’s attempt, but jokes on her part wasn’t going to help this issue. Then again calling what she said a ‘joke’ was being courteous. Luna always did have a unique sense of humor.

Giving up on humor, Luna relied on one final thing she had: her honesty. “Maybe there’s more going on in the colony than we realize?”

“Hmm?” Celestia paused. Now that thought got her attention. It was quite a multifaceted question, and would require some thought.

“Don’t forget,” Luna continued, knowing Celestia was lending her an ear, “her subjects stood to gain something as well. This failure affects them as much as her.”

Nodding along, Celestia’s thoughts turned from the schemer behind the attack to the battalion that carried it out. Maybe something had happened within the colony that was giving the Queen pause? A leader is almost nothing without a legion to lead.

“Alas, dear sister”, Luna relented, “this is all merely theoretical. We do not understand how their society functions.” The mere thought of the despicable creatures that terrified her homeland was enough to make her glower. “If you can even call it one at all.”

“Indeed,” Celestia agreed, shaking her head. While the thought made her little sister angry, it made her feel sad. While she understood Chrysalis for the most part, her ‘subjects’ in question were a different story. She pitied them in a way.

“How is it that all that separates our two lands is one big, decrepit forest, and yet we know as much about them as we do about dragons?” she voiced.

“That’s not completely true, sister,” Luna rebutted. “I’ve heard word of this professor who claims to have braved the forest and ventured to the outer lands.”

“What was the name?” Luna tapped her chin as she tried remembering the stallion’s name. “Professor something.... something... Mcfabricator, I believe?”

As vague an answer as it was, that last name Celestia knew. “Yes, I’ve heard, and I’ve already read his findings. Which is why I doubt they’ll be of use to anypony.”

“What do you mean, sister?”

A chuckle escaped Celestia. It was the first real sign of sincere optimism she had shown since walking in. “Luna, if you’d read his article, you would see that he clearly--”

“Princess Celestia?”

The room then became silent as a familiar unicorn entered the room. It was none other than Celestia’s personal student, the one who held the title as the Element Bearer of Magic: Twilight Sparkle.

“I hope I’m not intruding.” Despite knowing the two Princesses well, Twilight still acted humble in their presence.

Celestia nodded to Luna, quietly motioning for her to remain silent about their little chat. Understanding her reasons, Luna nodded in agreement.

Facing Twilight, she greeted her student with a fresh smile. “Its alright, Twilight. Your presence is welcomed.” Accepting her greeting, Twilight approached the duo, a short stack of papers floated behind her.

As she came into their view, Luna made note of Twilight’s rather distressing appearance. Her mane was a mess; she had small bags forming under her eyes, and despite her friendly gaze, she appeared as if she could fall asleep any minute. All the more reason Luna felt the need to voice her concern.

“You look tired, Miss Twilight. Perhaps you should seek rest?” Luna noted while trying to be polite and concerning.

Twilight quickly straightened up, doing her best to appear professional all the while silently cursing herself for forgetting to fix up her mane before she bothered the Princesses. It almost made her wonder what else she forgot.

“I can’t; I’ve been up all day categorizing last week’s damage costs and bit transactions into different categories.”

Both Luna and Celestia blinked in unison. Said last week's reports took a total of Canterlot’s finest business minds to tally. The process took a total of three days despite their combined intellect, and an extra two days for Celestia to read through and sign. Yet Twilight read and sorted them all in a day.

“All of them?” Luna asked.

“Absolutely,” Twilight answered with an almost smug smile, feeling proud of herself. She was never one to show off, but she took credit when credit was due. “It wasn’t easy, but I managed to put each document into a different category of cost, date, word count, and ink color.”

Despite the unnecessary groups, Celestia was still proud of her student’s orderliness. “Impressive, Twilight; well done. But why are you here, then?”

Returning to the reason she came here, Twilight brought the paper stack into view, shuffling a few as she levitated them over. “Because now that I’ve finished categorizing them, I have to double check to ensure each document was categorized into their proper category.”

Despite hundreds of years of accumulated knowledge and experience, it took Celestia’s wise mind a few moments to deduce where Twilight was going with this.

Which is why when she finally did, she immediately gulped as Twilight turned to her. “And being that you’re the one who signed them, Princess, I believe you deserve to be there to look at each one with me. With the two of us working together, we should be finished at about... four I think.”

What Twilight saw as a privilege, Celestia and Luna saw as a nightmare. However, they did their best to mask their horror, especially Celestia.

“Um… Twilight?” she asked trying to divert the conversation. “Don’t you think its time you sent that letter to your friends?”

“Letter?” Twilight asked before piecing together what she forgot. “My letter!”

How could she forget? Probably because she didn’t have her number one assistant there to create her daily checklist, the same assistant who by now was probably getting ready for his bedtime, so she needed to hurry.

“I can’t believe I forgot to write it! Thank you so much, Celestia!” After excusing herself, Twilight galloped off.

Sure that her sister’s student was out of earshot, Luna turned to Celestia. “Sister, although Twilight is wise a student and a loyal friend, I do find her to be a little… peculiar.”

“Peculiar?” Celestia repeated with shock. “Why whatever do you mean?” Sure, Twilight was a bit too orderly and she did tend to overstress, but peculiar? It seemed a little harsh.

“I’m back,” Twilight called as she returned, letter in hand, or magic in this case.

Taking the letter from Twilight, Celestia looked with slight awe at the well-written letter. “You wrote this just now?”

“Mm hmm.” Twilight replied with a smile along with a nod. “Doubled checked it and everything.”

Thinking about it now, maybe her sister wasn’t too far off. Whatever the case Celestia sent the letter off as it disappeared into an aurora of magic.

“Now lets get to those reports,” Twilight said as she headed for the door, but not before she realized she had intruded on what could’ve been an important meeting between two Princesses.

“I’m sorry! After you and Princess Luna have finished speaking of course,” she said as she blushed, feeling embarrassed for herself over how much of a fool she was making of herself tonight.

Celestia silently breathed a breath of relief, feeling like she just dodged an assassin’s magic bolt. That is, until Luna stepped in.

“Tis alright Twilight. I believe my sister and I have said enough.” Shutting her eyes, Luna took a deep breath as she prepared to return to her meditation. Even though her eyes looked closed, Luna still cracked one eye open to see Celestia’s miffed eyes staring straight through her.

“Now if you two would kindly leave I will return to my duties.” Again, she was not trying to be rude, but Luna just felt like she had taken enough time from her work for the moment. That, and she couldn’t resist seeing the look on her older sister’s face.

Twilight more than happily obliged, trotting out with a skip in her step while Celestia followed from behind like she was in a prison lineup. Just before she left, the elder sister’s eye caught the box of treats Luna had left on the desk. Surely her little sister wouldn’t mind if she took one?

Or a couple?

Casually inching her way over, she very nonchalantly reached for the box.

“Don’t. Even. Think about it.” Luna warned.

It seemed she did mind. Defeated, Celestia led herself out, but not before she looked back toward her sister. “Luna…”

“You are not going to guilt me into giving you one of my chocolates, sister.”

“Thanks.”

Shocked by that answer Luna broke her concentration as she spun her head toward her sister. Celestia gave Luna a smile goodbye before she stepped out.

Although it was short, Celestia was thankful for the talk she had with her sister. While she was still concerned, it was sometimes good to vent. However, for this act of leaving her with Twilight, she was going to have to pay her little sister back tomorrow. Perhaps by leaving a rubber spider in her bathtub? Better yet, a real one.

Once Celestia was gone, the guards kindly shut the door behind her as they returned to their previous positions.

Luna sighed to herself, trying to fight the small bit of stress that tried to nibble at her conscious. While her sister was indeed troubled, Luna hoped spending time with her favorite student would help relieve some of that tension. Granted spending hours doing nothing but reading reports she already signed was probably not the ideal choice.

Still, with all distractions now out of the way, Luna could finally return to her meditation, and with it return to her busying task. A task that proved more daunting each day for the young princess.

Entering another’s dream, that was easy. Finding the solution for them, a fair enough challenge for the knowledgeable mare. No, what made it difficult was knowing that somewhere in Equestria, there was another subject of hers she missed. Perhaps a tired traveler who was lost in a deserted mine, maybe a starving artist whose mind was clouded with pain and wanting, or maybe a little colt that only needed a friend.

Like her illustrious orb that hung over the skies of Equestria, Luna was only one object looking out for its people. Despite being as wise and powerful as it was, there was one quality the moon had over her: it didn’t have to worry about its limits. Luna couldn’t help every troubled mind in Equestria. But for her subjects, and for her sister’s relief, she was going to try.

After many stress-filled hours of work, Spike had finally managed to reorganize what was left of the shelf the terrible trio managed to ruin and return it to the organized fashion that Twilight was accustomed too.

Moaning to himself, the baby dragon collapsed onto the rug, wanting to do nothing but lay there until he fell asleep.

As he laid there in silence, Spike’s mind wandered as he recounted today’s events. It started with him waking up and making a gem-filled muffin. Said muffin left a large mess of glass on the floor. He cleaned up said mess. Three fillies came over and threatened him before taking a collection of Twilight’s favorite books and leaving behind another mess for him to clean, and then he spent the remainder of his day fixing said mess while constantly rearranging the shelf until he was satisfied with it.

The hours he spent taking books out and putting books back should be enough to show just how tedious the simple task became to him. Either Spike was more bored than he realized, or Twilight’s habits were starting to rub off on him.

So all in all, it was the most excitement he’d seen since coming back to Ponyville.

“Yay…” Spike cheered with Fluttershy’s level of optimism.

When Twilight told him she was going to leave the library in his care, Spike was overjoyed. He was going to have the whole place to himself, which meant no writing letters, no making lists, no checking lists, and no double-checking checklists. He got his own time off.

The first few days were great at first, but after a while the young dragon started to notice the lack of activity. Fairly few ponies came to visit. Twilight’s home or not, it was still a library. They usually got visitors from time to time. Lately, though, most ponies in town stayed home.

Other than Cheerilee and the crusaders, the only ponies he’d seen as of late was Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Rarity said she was just checking in on him, but Spike knew she was missing him because she dug him. Well, that’s what he believed at least.

Pinkie Pie, on the other hand, came over to ask him if he could be her ‘taste subject’ in a test she was doing. Spike didn’t even ask, he just politely declined and sent the hyperactive pony on her merry way. As interesting as it sounded, he knew anything involving Pinkie Pie and testing would not end well.

At least there was the presentation to look forward to, though he didn’t have much planned other than sharing his life story. It kept Fluttershy entertained when he told her. So naturally if a colorful story could entertain a young adult then it most definitely would have the same effect on children. Right?

Drawing his eyes over to Pee Wee’s nest, Spike found the little guy had already nodded off, so there was no need for a goodnight hug; although it would’ve been more for him than Pee Wee. Spike was accustomed to goodnight hugs by then. Usually from Twilight, or in recent cases Pee Wee; however, he didn’t want to wake the little bird up, so that was out. And the only other awake resident was an owl who was fairly busy cleaning his wing, so that was out of the question as well. Not to mention Spike thought hugging an owl would be weird.

With no one to say goodnight to, the tuckered dragon picked himself off the floor and decided to just drag himself to the bed. That was, until he felt a twist in his stomach, like something was about to erupt from inside him. His cheeks started to puff as he began to feel the pressure building up within. This could only be leading to one thing.

Releasing a loud burp, a flame escaped his mouth as a scroll magically appeared before dropping to the floor. This left the tired dragon scratching his scaly head in confusion. He and Twilight never received letters this late at night. Unraveling the scroll, Spike’s eyes scanned across the letter, doing his best to hold back a yawn as he read.

Like lightning from the blackest cloud striking the earth, a new wave of excitement shot through the dragon as the letter brought a grin to his face. The letter had a lot of fancy words about the state of Canterlot, and how much she missed everyone, regular Twilight stuff. But the last few words before her signature were what excited the dragon:

I plan on returning home by this Saturday.

Love you all,

Twilight

“YES!” Spike cheered, startling Owlowiscious and waking Pee Wee in the process. The overexcited dragon barely noticed, though, as he was far too overjoyed. This letter was the best news he’d heard since coming back. Things were finally going back to normal! Well as normal as this land is with its ‘unique’ inhabitants. Twilight was coming home!

And then Spike stopped, his eyes now wide with shock.

Twilight was coming home. To the library, while her favorite books were in the care of the three Cutie Mark Crusaders. The same crusaders she specifically created a new rule for. The same rule he knowingly broke. And he had no idea when the three were planning on returning said books.

“Oh no. Oh man. This is not good!” Fear. No not fear, absolute terror overtook Spike as he started pacing around the room in a panic similar to what Twilight would do.

Owlowiscious and Pee Wee’s eyes followed Spike as he traced around the room, babbling on about failing Twilight, to her being upset, to the crusaders being accident-prone, and at one point his train of thought went into some tangent on ‘how do ponies read with hooves only’?

Finally Spike managed to calm himself down as he tried to figure out a solution to his big dilemma.

“Okay, Spike, just think. What would Twilight do?”

Flip out and blow things completely out of proportion. He did that already, so what would she follow up with?

Spike turned to the incomplete shelf of books, then to the crumpled letter he held within his claw. Furrowing his brow, he clenched it with renewed determination. He knew what he had to do... what had to be done.

“I gotta get those books back.”

If Twilight was coming back, then she was coming back to a clean and fully shelved library. Readied by her ever faithful and above else favorite assistant. And no one was going to stop him. Or in this case: No filly.

Scootaloo rode through the streets of Ponyville as the area started getting darker and darker. The buildings she started to pass showed no light within them, meaning most ponies were off to bed by now. The yawn that escaped her was a clear enough sign to indicate it was way past her bedtime. Thankfully, she was almost home, but she still had to concentrate on the path ahead of her; she didn’t want a repeat of what happened this morning.

Veering into an alleyway, the path led the brave filly into a more deserted part of town. While Ponyville was a family village, it was not without its closed shops and deserted buildings. This was usually the type of area most residents in town avoided or didn’t talk about, which was okay with Scootaloo. No ponies around meant no one was there so see her as she headed home.

To some fillies and colts, traveling through such a deserted area so late at night would be frightening, but Scootaloo didn’t mind. She knew the area well enough to know what to avoid and what to stay near. She’d even played around in some of the empty buildings before. Under the cover of daylight of course.

Skidding to a complete stop, the young pony reached her journey’s end. Before her stood a two story building no bigger than Sugarcube Corner. The decaying paint and weathered wood were enough indication to show the building’s age. The final proof of the building’s decrepit state was the old sign that sat posted out front, hammered into the ground at a slant due to one of its wooden supports giving out. The passage of time along with the weather had taken its toll on the lettering to the point where the original name was forever gone, but the last word was enough specify what this building was: ORPHANAGE.

It wasn’t much, but it was home to Scootaloo.

Hiding her trusty scooter behind the bushes, the tired pony detached her scooter from the wagon containing the apples she ‘borrowed’ along with the unknown book she also ‘borrowed’ and headed inside, pulling the wagon behind her.

Shutting the door ever so quietly, the orange filly made a beeline for the stairs. After what happened today, all she wanted to do was just crawl into bed, eat an apple or two, then drift off to sleep and forget about her troubles.

“Hello, Scootaloo.” The familiar withered voice from this morning called out to her cheerily.

It seemed that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon as she came to a stop. Turning toward the kitchen, Scootaloo saw that seated in the same spot as this morning was an elder mare with a coat as white as a snowflake, but a mane as blue as the ocean waves. Her cutie mark was an image of two magnifying glasses overlaying each other.

It was also Scootaloo’s caretaker, trustful guardian, and original owner of the orphanage she knew as:

“Hello, Mother Keen Eye,” Scootaloo answered half-heartedly.

Her old eyes trained on the teacup in front of her, the elder pony retained a relaxed expression despite Scootaloo’s answer. “How was your day, dearie?” she asked.

“Fine, could’ve gone better,” Scootaloo quickly answered, trying to end this conversation without coming off as rude. “Look I know we usually talk every time I come home, but right now I’m not in the mood.”

“If you didn’t want to talk, I wouldn’t be here now, would I?” Keen Eye noted, still acting like this was just a regular friendly conversation to her.

“Whatever.” Scootaloo scoffed as she turned tail for the stairs. She would’ve left right then and there if it weren’t for what her guardian had to say next.

“Your new friend is quite the fighter.”

Every hair on the back of Scootaloo’s mane stood up like ice. She felt the same cold chill running through as when she looked the timberwolf in the mouth.

How does she--?

“Do that?” Keen Eye interjected, finally turning too Scootaloo, her positive demeanor surprisingly no worse for wear.

Trying to keep her cool, Scootaloo tried to avoid eye contact. “I was going for ‘know’ that, but that works too.” Her eyes narrowed into a scowl as she crossed her forelegs while making a childish pout. “And he’s not my friend.”

The older mare scoffed playfully at her ward’s words. “Well with that attitude, he isn’t going to be.”

“He’s a changeling,” Scootaloo returned, trying to be the serious one here. “I figured you of all ponies would understand.”

There was a short delay as Mother Keen Eye stared at Scootaloo. “Now why is that?” she asked. Something in her tone made the little pegasus think that the old mare already knew the answer, but was waiting for Scootaloo to say it aloud.

“Because you…” Scootaloo stopped herself before her thoughts went any further, “… never mind. Forget it.”

The older mare’s demeanor shifted. She lowered head, shaking it somberly as she gave a sad sigh. That was clearly not the answer she was hoping for. “Scootaloo, must you continue to be like this?”

The young flyer’s eye twitched a little as she still refused to look her elder in the eye. “I’m not listening to this.”

“Scootaloo, tell me: what do you think you’re doing right now?”

Scootaloo blinked in surprise to the rather strange question. “Talking to you?” she answered facing her halfway now.

“Like you were back in the forest?” Mother Keen Eye rebutted matter-of-factly.

Though she remained still, Scootaloo started to feel her heartbeat increase in rhythm. “How do you--?”

Without so much as an answer, Keen Eye’s only response was proud smile.

“Well… everypony has their own voice of reason,” Scootaloo said in her defense. She started to show a little smile. “You’re cool like that.”

“Yes,” Mother Keen Eye said while nodding. Though she smiled too, there was an undertone of gloom to her voice. “Yes I was.”

Scootaloo’s smile began to wane; she’d had enough. She promised herself she wasn’t going to talk about this with nopony, and she meant it. “I’m leaving.”

“Scootaloo, you can’t keep the truth inside forever. It’s not healthy.”

“I did so this long!” Scootaloo threw the wagon handle to the ground in a fit, her anger now reaching its boiling point. “Then that THING came along and made it difficult.”

“No,” Keen Eye relented. “He came along and made you think about it again. Made you feel what you’ve been trying to ignore. What you’ve been trying keep inside.”

“Stop it,” Scootaloo snapped.

“Scootaloo…”

“I said stop it!”

“If you didn’t want to talk, then I wouldn’t be here, dear.”

“Well then leave!” Scootaloo practically screamed. Throwing her forelegs over her head, the upset filly shut her eyes as tight as she could, mustering all strength to fight back the tears and force back the awful thoughts that kept barging their way to the front of her mind.

The last thing she heard out of Keen Eye was a sigh of grief.

After catching her breath and returning to her senses, Scootaloo felt the thumping in her chest start to steady. Sadly, it was only then the foolish child realized the error of her harsh words.

“I’m sorry--”

When she opened her eyes, Scootaloo saw that Mother Keen Eye was gone, but her teacup still remained where it was.

Not bothering to think where her guardian went, Scootaloo quickly grabbed the wagon handle and headed upstairs. Despite the wheels making the task difficult, she made it up with no problem.

Making her way into the short hallway, Scootaloo saw one of the windows she past was gathering dust again. She’d clean it tomorrow; she was too tired to care.

The hallway had a total of three doors. Two were ajar, while one was closed. Heading toward the one at the far end Scootaloo passed by the other two doors, feeling a cold shiver run down her back as she passed the one with the closed door.

Nudging the door fully open, Scootaloo entered a large and wide room full of empty bunk beds. Scootaloo located hers in the farthest corner of the room. A bunk bed where the bottom bunk was surrounded by assortments of drawings and items from her crusades with her friends.

Sitting on her bed Scootaloo reached under her bunk and pulled out a small box. She opened it as she placed the book and apples inside with the other assorted contents and trinkets she kept in it. She’d eat tomorrow; she didn’t feel hungry anymore. Besides, she needed something for lunch tomorrow. Plus she could read whatever book she took with her then. As for Family Appreciation Day, she’d figure something out later.

Putting the small box back under her bunk, Scootaloo crawled under her only blanket as she rested her head on a single stitched pillow. It wasn’t much, but it was cozy enough. Looking around the room Scootaloo gave a sigh as she noted the empty beds all around her. There were a lot of times where she would pretend the other beds were only empty because the other kids were off playing without her. Or maybe they were just playing a prank and at any moment they were going to jump out and surprise her.

But the truth of the matter was they were empty because the children were long gone. Where too? Scootaloo didn’t know, nor did she care. She had Mother Keen Eye to look after her, so she wasn’t alone.

It wasn’t the perfect life, and it wasn’t much. No it wasn’t much indeed. But it was hers and only hers to bear. That didn’t make it easier, however. There was still the pain it gave her. She didn’t know what hurt more: Being an orphan, or being the only orphan in the whole orphanage.

That and…

In retaliation, Scootaloo slapped herself. Hard.

Come on! Stop thinking those thoughts! Think positive! Find the bright side!

Scootaloo bit her bottom lip as she strained to find said ‘bright side.’

There was a small plus: she got to choose her own bunk. The one she picked in the corner had her facing the window nearby. Scootaloo liked it because it offered a pleasant view of the outside world. From there, she could see the back hills outside of Ponyville, fireflies dancing in the tall grass, and the moon orbiting above it all right from the comforts of her bed. It was all kind of peaceful in a way.

Peaceful enough that it distracted Scootaloo long enough for lethargy to settle in as her eyelids grew heavy. Within a few seconds, she was out like a light.

Dead Ringer didn’t know how much time had passed since he started moon gazing, but the loud yawn he released in response told him he had been up long enough. Returning to his original sleeping position, the tired changeling rested on the hardwood floor, trying to relax.

It wasn’t his body he was trying to relax though; it was his restless mind. While the sightseeing had entertained him for a while, it did little to distract him from issues gnawing at his mind.

In just two days since he’d come back to this unknown land, he’d been attacked and almost killed twice! And all while near the Everfree Forest no less.

A small bead of sweat traveled down his cheek. He was feeling worry, the emotion of fear and uneasiness. He was worried by not knowing what the future held for him here. Would he heal and at last leave this place with something to take home? Or would he instead meet his end here?

And if he did, what would become of his people? He was one of the few soldier class ranked changelings the drones trusted, after all. Just what was happening there since the invasion?

Each question just led to another, and with it added another problem for the curious warrior to process. But as questions were asked, time started to pass. And soon, Dead Ringer’s breathing slowed as his heavy eyelids started to close. Soon the restless changeling finally gave in and at last fell asleep. His final thoughts, however, were still of home.

Home, where the Changeling race survived. Home, where Queen Chrysalis ruled over all. Home, where her mighty gothic castle of carved stone blending seamlessly into the natural rock stood at the top of the colony in the center of the great canyon. The same castle where a ‘unique’ courier was just given his orders, and was being escorted by one of Chrysalis’s personal guards.

“You heard what her majesty said, Courier,” said a gruff yet at the same time high-pitched voice.

“Yes! Yes! Scatty understands!” the Courier answered fearfully though still trying to sound grateful. The last thing he wanted was to anger one of the Queen’s scary guards.

As the large metal doors opened to the surrounding badlands, Scatty was suddenly struck with a heavy blow from behind before he was sent flying out the door and into the ground, landing face first in the dirt.

“Then go. And do not return until you bring her what she asked.”

Rubbing his hurting mouth, Scatty noticed something strange about one of his front fangs. One of them was now shorter than the other.

In a frenzy, he fearfully inspected his teeth and felt one of them now had a chip in it. Looking at the ground, he found the remains of his tooth. It was left completely in shards, now just pieces of clutter that littered the area of the hard canyon rock. Turning around, he saw the guard that pushed him still standing there in the doorway.

Scratch that; he didn’t see him. The lack of light inside the palace – that being no light whatsoever – had the guard completely masked in darkness. What Scatty saw were the piercing eyes of the guard that pushed him leering at him as he waited for the messenger to depart from the Queen’s palace grounds.

Smiling back awkwardly, Scatty quickly dusted himself off before flying off, still feeling the guard’s eyes trained on him as he flew high into the air.

Looking down at the surface of his home, Scatty strained his mind into gear as he tried to work out a plan on what to do next. A part of him wanted to tell Reflection what was going on. After all, she was the current high-ranking leader in charge. For now, at least; but another part of him wanted to follow what the Queen demanded, fearful of what awaited him if he kept her waiting. The pain in his mouth only added to that fear.

And another part wanted to eat a water beetle. He didn’t know why that factored in. Maybe he was just hungry, and water beetles did have a delightful crunch to them.

Whatever he was going to do, he had to do it fast. Time was short, and so was the Queen’s patience. After all, today was a big day. After a week of complete silence, Queen Chrysalis had at last spoken. And Scatty was to be her messenger, and deliver to her several changelings who, as she put it:

“Will steer our colony back on the path to its future.”

Author's Note

The story has gone through a few changes after a while. When it was first written, season three hadn’t come out yet. So I kinda beat Hasbro to the punch before they made the Scootaloo and Luna episode. Take that Hasbro!

Just kidding. However, the scene in the beginning was a new addition I added to the script. The one in my head at least. You see I knew someone was going to comment and ask, “Why didn’t Luna help Scootaloo with her nightmare earlier?” The scene between the Princesses was rewritten to answer that reason. This was just my way of tying up a little plot hole/loose end I’m sure a perfectionist reader noticed.

A Colony of Errors I

A Colony of Errors I

“Not only must the message be correctly delivered, but the messenger himself must be such as to recommend it to acceptance.”
--Joseph B. Lightfoot

~*~*~

As the sounds of wings buzzing and insects screeching echoed throughout the land, different changelings flew off in various directions, each with their own task to attend to. Rocks towered over like skyscrapers as many of the ebony insects took to the highest point to observe and remain on guard, or took toward the underground as they flew into the hivelike holes that littered the sides of the canyon. Whether it was digging a tunnel, finding water, or guarding their terrain, the colony was alive with activity this night.

With a roaring fire burning in its emerald color in front of them, two simple scouts sat perched on a nearby boulder near the edges of the Everfree Forest as they kept watch. If a threat they could not handle entered their territory, then they would have to be quick to warn their higher ups of the coming threat. And being stationed so close to the dark forest meant they had to remain vigilant, keep on alert, and most important of all: keep a cool head.

“Hey Scorch, why are we out here again?” one with a droning voice asked to the other like it was just a simple question. The changeling dubbed Scorch looked at the other changeling with gawk and anger. Like someone just told him his mother was a stink beetle.

“Ugh!” his oily sounding voice groaned. “For the last time, Scab, we have to fill in the shifts for the army that’s still healing! I told you this yesterday!”

Much has happened since the Great Fall the High Queen and her mighty army took. While many were either missing or in recovery, that still did not keep the colony from remaining in motion. An insect colony was like a well-oiled machine. With each gear both big and small playing a vital part in its running. As of now, the changeling colony had lost many of its biggest gears.

It might’ve fallen to pieces were it not for the little gears, however. After all, Chrysalis didn’t take all of her forces with her. Her territory needed to stay guarded and her noncombatant subjects needed to be protected, so the soldiers that were deemed ‘unneeded’ for the invasion were left under the watchful leadership of Reflection, while Dead Ringer and his Queen took the needed combatants with them.

This meant, however, those that were considered ‘unneeded’ for the invasion were now the ones filling in the spots only Dead Ringer’s best could handle. Granted, some did heal quickly and were up and about, but the main core of the army was still resting deep in the underground catacombs as their wounds and scars mended from the terrible fall they took.

The two changelings, Scab and Scorch, were some of the few to be released as of recently. Under Reflection’s orders they, along with two others, were tasked to remain on watch at one of the scouting posts near the forest.

Currently, he and Scab remained behind while the other two were off with tasks of their own, which wouldn’t have been so bad for Scorch if his counterpart didn’t keep pestering him with his inane questions almost every minute!

All of a sudden, both his and Scab’s ears flinched as they heard the sound of approaching wings. Snapping their gazes in the direction of the coming sound, they took sight of another changeling landing before them.

Whoever it was it managed to brighten Scorch’s grumpy expression as he welcomed the new figure. “Raider!” he beckoned, “What news do you bring?”

Despite the welcome he was given, Raider looked less than pleased. “Nothing,” he answered, disgruntled as he sat down in a slump. “I was at that castle for hours like you asked, and all I got was the hairy eyeball from her majesty’s disturbing guards.”

“She still remains dormant?” Scorch asked.

A curt nod followed as his answer. “Confirmed.”

“Agh, dirt!”

Another consequence from the great fall was the damage it did to Chrysalis. She was the one who took it the worst. Immediately after slamming into the hard rock of her homeland, she quickly retreated to the confines of her castle. Despite some subjects’ offers to aid her, she just ran past them all, not even bothering to look any in the eye as she stormed off. All the while, she held her gaping wound.

Since that day, no word was heard from her. No orders. No public appearances. No singing, even. It was as if she dropped off the face of the earth.

The only signs that she still remained alive at all were the signs of her guards moving about her castle. As of now to the colony’s knowledge, the only creatures who knew of the Queen’s status were her personal bodyguards, and no one was up for starting a chat with them. Well, those who were considered semi-sane at least.

It was all just a mystery. A mystery Scorch hoped Raider could help unravel. It was better than just waiting around, but it appeared the Queen’s Praetorians proved more able than Raider did.

“Scorch, I have a question,” Scab’s nagging voice interrupted.

“Scab, I swear,” Scorch cautioned. “Is it about why we’re here?”

The warning seemed to fly right over Scab’s head as he continued with his question. “If the commander’s missing, who ordered us here?”

Scorch’s hoof said hi to his face as he sighed in aggravation, but for whatever reason, he felt compelled by some unseen force to answer the pest. After taking a deep breath, Scorch calmly answered, “The Lieutenant did. With the commander MIA, she’s taken over most of his duties.”

“How does he not know any of this?” Raider observed as he gawked at the scene.

“I think he landed on his head during the fall,” Scorch returned.

“Hey Scorch, I have another question,” Scab asked.

Scorch had to muster all the strength he had just to suppress the loud shriek he was holding in. “What is it NOW, Scab?”

“A Dung Beetle is called that because it thrives in dung right?”

Silence.

Raider and Scorch stared blankly at one another as they paused for several seconds, almost concerned over what was going through the peculiar changeling’s mind.

“Where are you going with this, Scab?” Scorch asked with reluctance.

“If it falls into water, does it become a Water Beetle?”

Scorch opened his mouth to protest, but instead he just stood there without saying a thing. It was hard to tell if he was angry or just confused.

However, Scorch seemed to loosen up after a moment. Instead of ranting or raving, he just straightened up and gave a small hint of a smile as he approached his fellow scout.

“An interesting question, Scab,” he said as he patted his counterpart on the head. “And now here’s my answer.”

Scorch’s answer came in the form of a powerful backhoof across Scab’s skull.

“OUCH!” Scab cried, grabbing his head.

“Ask me one more stupid question, and I’ll reach down your throat and pull out one of your stomachs,” Scorch warned with a hiss. “Got it?”

“Okay,” Scab replied while rubbing his now sore head.

“Speaking of stomachs,” Raider interrupted, trying desperately to divert this disturbing conversation. “I’m starving. You said you’d have food when I got back.”

“Shadow went out to find some,” Scorch answered as he sat back down.

“You sent HIM?!” Raider rebuked like that was the craziest idea he’d ever heard, probably because it was. “We’ll be lucky if that beetle-hide leaves us with anything!”

“Eating little is better than eating nothing at all!” Scorch countered heatedly. “Besides, Shadow may be a lot of things, but he’s good scout. If there’s any soldier who can find a decent meal in that forest, it’s Shadow.”

As if on cue, they heard the sounds of approaching wings. “You hear that?” Scorch asked with a sly smile as he sat up, as though the approach reaffirmed his point. “I bet that’s him right now.”

The sound of flying turned into falling. Before any of the three had a chance to react, the incoming flyer crashed into them.

Pulling himself from the pile, Scorch and the others got a good look at the moronic flyer. Whoever it was, it certainly wasn’t Shadow. In fact, it was the last changeling either expected to see today.

“Courier Scatty?!” Scorch exclaimed. “What in the pit are you doing here?”

Picking himself up, Scatty kept a tight grip on his mouth as he tried to stand up. “Scatty’s mouth hurts,” the injured courier whimpered. The pain was just too much. There was no way he could fly like this.

The cause was hard for the others to see, but there was no denying that Scatty was in pain.

“Courier, have you been chewing rocks again?” Raider inquired as he leaned in to get a better look at the cause.

A short beat of silence passed. No answer came.

“Maybe,” Scatty finally confessed, looking in no way suspicious. “Look.” He directed their eyes to his chipped tooth, the cause of his discomfort. “Mean Queen-Guard pushed Scatty into ground. Hard.”

“Queen-Guard?” Scorch repeated, now completely forgetting about the crash. “Wait, you were recently at the castle?”

“Mmhmm.” Scatty nodded while rubbing his mouth. “Scary guard for Queen approached Scatty. He tell Scatty that Queen ask for him.”

“Her Majesty called for you?” Raider asked.

“Mmhmm.” Scatty nodded again.

“What message did she give you?” Scorch asked with renowned intrigue.

Scatty was about to answer, but immediately stopped with a cringe as a wave of pain shot through his jaw. There was no way for him to continue unless he fixed this, and soon.

Whimpering, Scatty then looked from his tooth to the others, getting an idea. “Can you fix Scatty’s mouth first?” he asked the three.

“I’ll do it!” Scorch volunteered almost immediately as he grasped Scatty’s mouth with both hooves. “I’ve been needing something to punch all day.”

With good reason, the word ‘punch’ did little to invoke pleasant thoughts for the now frightened Scatty.

“Now hold still,” Scorch advised as he drew his right hoof back, still holding Scatty’s mouth in place with the other. All the while, Scab and Raider watched with amusement.

Before Scatty had time to object to this unpleasant course of action, Scorch’s hoof collided with Scatty’s busted tooth, sending him to the ground.

“There!” Scorch proclaimed proudly. “Problem solved.”

Scorch was correct. The problem was solved, sort of. Scatty’s mouth still hurt, but it wasn’t because of the tooth anymore, since said tooth was gone! Instead of having one working fang and one chipped fang, Scatty was now one front fang short.

Baffled how this method ‘solved’ anything, Scatty turned to Scorch. “But--”

“Shut it!” Scorch barked, cutting the meek changeling off. “Be grateful I actually helped at all!” Not wanting to anger him any further, Scatty gave Scorch a silent nod yes. “Good, now talk.”

Taking a deep breath, Scatty took a moment to collect himself as he waited for the pain from the punch earlier to subside. All the while Scorch, Scab, and Raider leaned in with interest, wondering what their Queen had to say after such a lengthy time of absolute silence. What words of wisdom did this simple messenger carry for his people?

New orders? New plans? Lenient water restrictions? Whatever it was they were going to be the first three to hear it. The tension was almost palpable.

After a full minute of absolute silence, Scatty looked to the three and said, “Can’t tell you.”

The response, to say the least, was not what the group expected, as they were left in complete shock and confusion.

Scratch that. Raider and Scab looked confused, but Scorch looked like he was about ready to pop a blood vessel. The twitch his eye was making only contributed to showing his rising anger.

“What…?” he asked, sounding like he was nearing the boiling point.

“Scatty just can’t tell you,” the Courier clarified with a shrug.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN’T TELL US?!” Scorch bellowed as he lunged for Scatty. Raider and Scab, thankfully, were swift enough to grab him before he was able to ‘solve’ any more problems for the now scared out of his wits Scatty.

“The Queen gave you a message, did she not?!” he screeched. His voice was sounding higher pitched than usual.

“Y-Y-Y-es?” Scatty croaked out while trying to cover his face. Mostly he was trying to cover his nose so he didn’t have to smell the anger Scorch was feeling towards him.

“Then. What. Is. IT?!” Scorch crooned through his grinding teeth. All the while, his horn was burning with green fury. He looked like he could explode any minute. Literally.

Scatty’s eyes shuffled from side to side, for he knew he was going to regret what he was about to say. “Scatty… not allowed, to tell you.”

Sometimes a character defined their thoughts and feelings through full-fledged speeches or soliloquies, using various words of syllables and affixes to convey their thoughts and feelings. Yet somehow, Scorch managed to condense all his into one simple syllable:

“WHY?!”

Scatty was seized with panic up to this point. He had to explain himself fast, before Scorch realized his magic was the one thing the others could not restrain.

“Scatty was told to give message to proper subjects, then escort them to see Queen! Scatty can’t give you because none of you are ones she ask for!”

His words lingered there as Scorch just stared at Scatty with an unreadable expression. Scatty was too scared to breath, too afraid that his nose would still pick up the pure rage the irate scout was expelling.

Thankfully it looked like something he said was starting to reach him as Scorch, after some restrain, began to calm down. His breathing had decelerated and even that weird twitch he had was gone. He actually looked like he was starting to relax.

Thinking it was safe Raider and Scab released him, but still kept close in case Scorch went into another blood rage.

“Okay then,” Scorch huffed as he dusted himself off once he was released. “Who’s the one you’re really looking for?” Scorch figured if the message was for someone specific, it must be for some changeling important to the colony then. At least important enough that it warranted a courier coming to find him.

“Shadow,” Scatty bluntly answered.

“Say what?” Scorch asked thinking he might have spoken too soon. Raider and Scab looked like they missed a step themselves.

“Shadow,” the Courier reiterated. “Scatty is here for Scout Shadow.”

“Him?” Scorch balked making sure he was hearing this correctly. “The Queen sent you to find,” Scorch paused, not believing what he was hearing, “HIM of all changelings?”

The response he and the others were dreading came in the form of a simple and subtle nod.

Scorch opened his mouth ready to comment on this, but no words came out. He was mad, but there was no one to get mad at. Scatty was just following orders, Scab had been quiet throughout everything, and Raider… was Raider. So he did the next best thing: rant to himself.

“Oh this night just gets better and better!” Scorch muttered as he stormed off.

While Scorch left to have his little temper tantrum, Raider stepped in to answer for him. “Well good luck finding him. Shadow’s out hunting in the forest.”

“Oh…” Scatty nodded in understanding. “Okay.” Giving his mouth a rub, Scatty checked to see if the pain had waned. Other than the fact that he was now one fang short, he felt all right.

Now knowing where his next destination was, Scatty started buzzing his wings as he took off towards the forest. Only to immediately turn back when he realized Raider was referring to THAT particular forest, the Everfree Forest. The one that was dark and scary. And now that he thought about it, the ONLY forest that’s within range of the borders of their homeland.

Trying to pretend that didn’t happen, Scatty cupped his hooves as he pleaded to the three, “Could nice scout soldiers take Scatty to forest?”

No sooner had Scatty asked Scorch had chosen now to come out of his rant to find all eyes on him. Without even saying anything, he already knew exactly what they were all thinking. “Why me?” he pointed at himself.

“You’re the one who sent him out,” Raider pointed out. Scab nodded in agreement.

Scorch hissed in response, clearly not enjoying being ganged up on. “Can’t we just wait for him to come back?”

“If the Queen has asked for Shadow, then like it or not we have to comply with her wish,” Raider explained. “And the sooner, the better.”

“For the love of,” Scorch grumbled to himself. He hated Raider. He hated him so much right now. He even hated the creature that had spawned him. And what he hated most of all: the annoying changeling was right.

“Hey, Scorch,” Scab asked, choosing now to voice his newest question. “Why does Courier Scatty have a title and not you?”

Thinking about it now, that probably wasn’t the only thing he hated most of all. “Scab…” Scorch warned slowly, “what did I say?”

“You said ‘for the love of,’ then trailed off,” Scab reminded, pleased with himself for knowing the answer.

Scorch’s hoof said hi to his face once more as it smacked into it. “I don’t believe this,” he muttered to himself aloud. “If it’s not enough that I’m forced to put up with these two frustrations...”

“Hey!” Scab complained while Raider just snarled back.

“... but now I gotta escort this defective changeling around a dank, dark forest at night,” he gestured to the Courier, completely ignorant to the hurt look on Scatty’s face.

With a heavy sigh, Scorch reluctantly swallowed his pride. It was no use delaying the inevitable. But if he was going to suffer, he wasn’t going to suffer alone. “Raider, you’re staying here with Scab.”

“What?” Raider practically screeched. While Scab looked like he didn’t mind staying behind, Raider looked like Scorch just ordered him to go bite a dragon. “Why can’t he go with you?”

“One,” Scorch calmly explained as he took one big step toward Raider, “because at least two have to stay on duty for our post.

“Two,” he took another step forward, now face to face with Raider, “if I’m left alone with the two of them, I’m more than likely going to do something they’ll both regret.

“And three,” Scorch then grabbed Raider by the sides of his skull, looking the now disturbed changeling square in the eye with absolute malice, “because if you don’t stay with him, I will do things to you that would make even an Ursa Major cringe! Crystal?”

Raider failed to respond. It was hard to tell if he was still trying to decipher the warning or if he was too scared to respond. The loud gulp he gave proved it was most likely the latter.

“Clear.”

Releasing him, Scorch turned around and started marching in the direction of the forest, his hardened expression unwavering. “Scab, you’re staying here with Raider.”

“Okay.” Scab commented without even a second thought or rebuttal.

Stopping for a second, Scorch shot Scatty a look as he motioned him to follow. “Come along, Courier.”

Trying his best to conceal his fear, Scatty awkwardly nodded back as he followed after Scorch. One thing was for sure: he was heading into the scary forest with a changeling who was equally scary; so at least they would be safe long enough to find Shadow. But there was now something new that was troubling Scatty. That word Scorch muttered earlier. The very word he used to describe Scatty.

“Defective?” Scatty repeated to himself quietly so that Scorch could not hear. “Scatty’s… defective?”

Scatty did not know what that word meant. But the way Scorch used it did not give the shaken Courier any pleasant thoughts.

The forest of the Everfree was filled with all kinds of hostile creatures, many big and many small. However, it was not without its gentler inhabitants. Take for instance the phoenix: beautiful, free, and majestic, but still dangerous if ever threatened. On this night in a tall tree, two happy soon-to-be parents sat comfortably in their nest as they kept their eggs warm.

They were about ready to drift off when a call caught their attention. It sounded close, but was too quick to make out. They listened again, waiting to hear if the sound would repeat itself.

Sure enough, the sound repeated itself, only this time they were prepared for it. The sound was weak, kind of like the cry of sick crow or a hurt bat. However, it wasn’t the cry of any of these creatures. It was the cry of a phoenix, and judging from the sound, an injured one.

The sound was distant, but near enough that they were able to hear it. Again the cry repeated itself, only louder this time. It was definitely the call of a hurt phoenix crying out for help.

The two phoenixes listening were torn. They didn’t want to leave their children unattended, but they couldn’t very well just sit there and do nothing while one of their own was in pain. There was also the lingering chance its cries would attract nearby predators, and that wouldn’t be good for them or their children.

The more they thought about it, the more the two knew what had to be done. Nodding in agreement, the couple gave their eggs one final nuzzle goodbye as they took off toward where the sound originated, oblivious to the lurking predator observing them from the foliage. Its eyes trailed them until they were soon out of view.

“Well, that was easy,” Shadow observed as he chuckled to himself. While his ‘distinctive’ personality remained the same since the fall, Shadow’s appearance was a bit different.

In the middle of his forehead was a noticeable scar wound, just below his horn. While most of his injuries from the Canterlot Invasion had healed, the one on his temple had not. He didn’t care, however. While others saw a simple scar, he saw a war wound. A sign of his contribution and sacrifice for the colony, but also of his experience in battle. Experience that commanded the respect he deserved from others.

Now if only the others could bother to actually give him some.

It didn’t matter right now. Right now, all that mattered was his dinner. This was probably the easiest one yet. He didn’t have to change into anything; he’d just had to alter his voice to mimic the sound of a phoenix and then fake sickness. A child could’ve done it.

And now it was time to reap his reward. Latching onto the bark of the tree, Shadow slowly crawled his way up the bark and then onto the branch where the nest of over six unborn phoenix eggs laid.

“Helpless and sealed for the taking.” His tongue moistened his lips as his yearning eyes lingered on the helpless eggs. “Exactly how I like my food.”

Caressing the first egg in his hooves, Shadow readied his jaws as he prepared to-

“Hi Shadow!” a voice cried from below.

...to lose his balance and drop the egg, which fell safely back into the nest before he plummeted to the ground and landed with a loud thump.

Ignoring the fall, Shadow quickly picked himself up to find his dinner for one had now picked up two unwanted guests. “Scatty?! Scorch?! What the blazes are you doing here?!” Shadow shouted in irritation.

“Looking for you,” Scatty chirped while an amused Scorch sniggered at Shadow’s misfortune.

“No, I mean how did you find me?!” Shadow bitterly clarified.

“You weren’t that hard to find,” Scorch explained. “We just walked in and I picked up your scent almost instantly. You barely entered the forest.”

Shadow’s sour glare turned from Scorch to Scatty. “Well whatever message you have for me, Scatty, it can wait.” He turned to face the tree, not about to have his meal ruined by these two.

“But Shadow, it’s important!” Scatty pleaded.

“Well look at all the rocks I give!” Shadow spat back with a glower. Judging by his tone and expression, Scatty deduced Shadow did not give any.

“I’m in the middle of feeding time. Whatever it is, it can wait.” Waving Scatty off and his mind made up, Shadow resumed climbing toward his dinner.

At a loss for what to do, Scatty turned to Scorch for aid.

Reading Scatty’s plea, Scorch turned to Shadow as he casually said aloud, “He’s got a message for you from the Queen.”

“What?!”

Shadow immediately dropped from the tree and landed square on his flank. Yet despite the fall, he was more stunned by the news. “The Queen?” he echoed, not believing what he was hearing. “For me?”

Jumping to his hooves, Shadow was instantly up and badgering Scatty for the message. “Well what are you waiting for? Lets hear it!”

Giving Scorch a small grin as thanks, Scatty cleared his throat and spoke as serious and straight a way as he could, “By order of her impeccable grace. You - ‘Shadow’ - are to accompany Scatty back to the castle. Her highness have important task for you.”

“What is this important task?” Shadow asked. A question Scorch was wondering as well.

“Scatty not know,” the Courier answered. “Big boss Queen tell Scatty it very important. Say it big. And important.”

“Well, I shouldn’t be surprised that she picked me for such an important task,” Shadow boasted, casually giving his hoof a good shine. “No doubt she’s heard of my many contributions to the colony.”

“What contributions?” Scorch quipped flatly.

“Hey!” Shadow barked back. “I’ve done more for this colony then you or the broken bug here combined!”

“Broken bug?” Scatty repeated while Scorch and Shadow started to bicker.

That was the second time today. Scatty’s been called a number of things before. Annoying, foolish, stupid, idiotic, another word he couldn’t remember. But he’d heard other changelings call each other these names before, so he’d never thought too much into it. If anything, it made him feel more like one of the others. But broken? Defective? Why was he these names? And for that matter, what did they mean?

His ears drooped as his posture faltered. Whatever it did mean, it was probably something not very nice.

“Done more?!” Scorch huffed as he and Shadow continued to argue. From the way he was baring his teeth, he looked like he was ready to strike the infuriatingly taunting scout. The difference here was that there was no Raider or Scab to hold him if he did. “As I recall, beetle-hide, you and I both were chosen for the invasion! I’d say that makes us equals.”

All the while, Shadow was cool and unflinching in response to Scorch’s body language, still acting like this was just a casual conversation. But there was a clear undertone of taunting and mockery in his voice, and that only served to anger Scorch further. “True, but while you were off rounding up whiny namby pamby ponies, I was off fighting at the front lines. I earned this scar by facing our enemy head on.”

“Oh yeah?” Scorch rebuked with one brow raised as he stared at said scar. “Then how did you REALLY get that mark?”

“A story for another time.” Shadow quickly answered, almost like he was avoiding the question. “Regardless, that was the past. This is the present, and presently I’m the one the Queen has asked for, not you. So why don’t you head back to camp, while Scatty and I head to our meeting?”

“Fine!” Scorch hissed before storming off, leaving Scatty and Shadow alone.

“Come along, Scatty,” Shadow waved the courier to follow as he started to walk, looking cockier with every step he took. “We shouldn’t keep her highness waiting.”

“We can’t.”

Shadow almost fell over as he snapped to look at Scatty; who still hadn’t moved. “Why not?” he asked with rising angst.

“Scatty needs to deliver message.”

“You just did, you moron!”

Moron! That was the word! Now Scatty remembered. Of course, it was not relevant now. With a shake of his head the Courier replied, “Scatty gave message to you. Now Scatty has to give message to others.”

“Others?” Shadow drawled, sure he was missing something hidden in Scatty’s babbles. “The Queen asked for more than just me?” He pointed at himself, feeling rather insulted by this revelation.

“HA!” Scorch’s voice cried out mockingly.

“GET LOST SCORCH!” Shadow shouted to… nothing as he realized he couldn’t tell where in the forest Scorch was now. Ignoring the irritating insect, Shadow whirled back to the other irritating insect. “Who else?”

“Scatty will explain on way.” The Courier silently stared at the tree for a couple seconds before walking off. “Shadow and Scatty better go. Firebirds don’t look happy to see us.”

“Firebirds?” Shadow reiterated. Before he could ask what the moronic courier meant by that, Shadow flinched as his attention was drawn back toward the tree he’d climbed earlier.

The two phoenixes from before were now back in their nest, and they did not look happy to see the predator who was so close to their tree. Before the nervous changeling had time to react, the two erupted into flames as they leaped from their nest and swooped down toward him.

“Wah!” Shadow yelped as he quickly ducked out of the way. Picking himself up, he ran after the courier as the two gave chase. “Scatty, wait up!”

The life of a Drone was different from that of a Soldier. While they protected the colony, the drones worked on building it. If they weren’t ensuring the topside had a steady supply of water for the week, they were down below looking for water resources for themselves. And if they weren’t doing any of that, they were busy working on forming a new tunnel for the inner catacombs.

Whether it was digging away with their hooves, blasting it away with their magic, or in one ‘unique’ case, using their teeth, they dug away at the hard rock and molded the area as their Architect dictated. The one blessed with this title was the one who was charged with choosing when, where, how to fashion the new tunnel.

Deep underground, a large group was hard at work as they dug away at the tough stone. Many were covered in dirt, soot, or rock pebbles. Some had noticeable tear wounds in their flesh, making their scales looked cracked or peeling in varying places. Some on their faces, some around their bodies, but mostly in their hooves.

All were clear signs from their lengthy hours of cutting away at rock. It had been a long and arduous time, but they knew they would be finished soon, so no one complained.

“WHERE IS HE?!”

Well, except for one just now.

Walking into the digging area, one cross looking drone with a half chewed ear trudged through the area as he searched for the one in charge of this dig. His eyes scanned the area where most of the workers were digging; he needed look no further, as his target was in sight.

While many drones stuck close to one another as they worked, one was watching casually from afar. With a hoof to his chin said drone’s eyes turned from the workers to the layers of rock. As if he was judging and grading the appearance and elegance of it.

“THORN!”

His concentration was broken as voice called out his name. Facing the direction of its cry he saw the lone drone marching towards him with clear anger in his eyes. “What in the pits of tartarus are you doing?!” the drone shouted like an adult coming across their child in an act of disobedience.

Despite the response, Thorn maintained his cool composure. “Cartographer Lurker,” he calmly answered, trying to be courteous to the rude drone. “To what end do I owe this unwanted disruption?” His brow furrowed a little. “And that’s Architect Thorn to you.”

“I know that, you moron!” Lurker spat back. “I’m trying to insult you!”

“Well you did. Congrats on your success. Now leave!” With nothing more to say to his associate, the architect focused back on his developing tunnel.

Not about to be ignored, Lurker jumped into Thorn’s frame of view. His dark piercing gaze stared deeply into Thorn’s shockingly disinterested eyes. “Not until you order them to cease digging!”

Trying to disregard the disruptive changeling, Thorn kept his eyes focused on the dig. “Why would I want to do that?”

“Because they’re digging directly underneath an open cavern!” Lurker explained, now more shocked then angered at how casual Thorn was being about this.

“I’m well aware of that,” Thorn answered nonchalantly, keeping his composure as he continued to watch the others work. “We’re gonna open a new tunnel and connect to it.”

“Well, did you also know we have a subterranean ravine there that we’re using?” Lurker pointed out.

“I know that, you big hatchling.” Thorn countered, his patience now wearing thin. These constant accusations were disrupting his concentration, and his work. “We’re far enough below that we’ll miss it. I’ve taken everything into account.”

“Did you also take into account how deep it runs?” Lurker continued, oblivious to the vein growing in Thorn’s forehead. “If you crack even the slightest--”

“Alright, now you see here!” Thorn finally gave Lurker his full attention. The two stared at each other with down as the Architect continued. “Commander Dead Ringer and the Overseer may have dubbed YOU the Cartographer of this colony, but I know these caves like the back of my skull. And to have you here insulting my--!”

“Architect Thorn!” a worried voice called from afar.

Rolling his eyes at all these interruptions, Thorn turned toward the caller. “WHAT? I’M BUSY!”

No response came. In fact, to Thorn’s confusion, there was no noise whatsoever. The entire area had gone silent. Everyone had stopped working. All he could hear was the sound of something dripping.

“Look.”

A single worker directed Thorn’s attention toward the cracked center of the rock they’d been digging at. Seeping through the cracks was the reason for the halt and the silence: water.

It didn’t take much for everyone to put two and two together. They’d sprung a leak in the rock protecting them from the massive ravine that was right above them.

Thorn did his best to swallow the uneasiness building in him. The last thing he was going to do was let Lurker smell any bit of angst on him. It did little to stop a bead of sweat from dripping down his forehead, however.

“Okay everyone, just back away,” Thorn casually warned the others as he and Lurker started stepping back themselves. “Just back away and we’ll just--”

The Architect didn’t even have time to finish that sentence, as the pressure building up started to cause more and more water to leak through, in turn making the cracks grow larger and larger. Judging from the build up, a spill was imminent.

Everyone immediately started running like their tails were on fire. All except for Thorn and Lurker, who remained frozen in their tracks while everyone galloped past them.

“Know them like the back of your skull, huh?” Lurker flatly quipped as if the chaos all around him were invisible to him.

“Don’t start with me!” Thorn returned heatedly. Turning around, he was ready to follow after the others.

“Hold it!”

Instead, he fell to the ground before he was able to get at least two steps away. Looking from over his shoulder, he saw Lurker pinning his tail to the ground.

“What’re you doing?!” he shrieked at the mad changeling as he tried to pull his tail free. “We have to go!”

“Listen, Architect!" Lurker hissed hastily, pressing his hoof harder against Thorn’s tail until he had his full attention. Time was short, so he had to make this quick. “Seeing as you’ve clearly miscalculated how deep that ravine you just cracked was, I’m going to keep this simple.”

He curtly nodded in the direction of the leak as he continued. “If we don’t seal this area off now, we’re either going to lose more ground, or lose the water.”

As much as Thorn wanted to go, he knew Cartographer Lurker was right. Either the water was going to flood the area, which was bad, or the water was going to spill until it was gone, which was just as bad. “Ideas?” he asked.

After releasing Architect Thorn, Lurker started scanning the tunnel around them, trying to find something that could help them. There wasn’t much to find, however. It was an already mined tunnel after all. Nothing there but rocks and gempods all around them, both below and above.

Looking up Lurker studied the molded ceiling for a few moments, and then drew his eyes to the cracks at the dig site. An idea he had, but it was a stretch. However, he wasn’t in a position to be picky. “Aim for the top!” he ordered Thorn as he started charging his bolt for the strike.

Following along, Thorn mimicked Lurker’s instructions, but held a look of uncertainty as he reluctantly complied. “What’re we doing?” he asked.

“Causing our own cave in! The collapse from the rocks should stop the flood!”” the Cartographer replied with a hint of boasting over his plan, ignoring the look of alarm on Thorn’s face over this revelation.

“But that might--!”

Discounting the badgering insect, Lurker took his shot. Releasing his fire-bolt, the shot hit the top. Attacking a fragile spot, the bolt split the stone as the support around them started to crack and shake. Soon it was going to give out and cave in, sealing the tunnel along with everything inside.

“There!” Lurker cheered as he smiled with pride over his handiwork. “That should contain the spill.” The tunnel was lost, but at least they stopped the water from spilling into the nearby cavern. Thankfully it was a controlled cave-in, so there wasn’t any risk of it affecting the whole catacomb network or any nearby caverns.

“Okay, that did work,” Thorn observed before snapping, “But how’re you going to keep the tunnel from caving in on US, you idiot?!”

Lurker’s pride fell as that thought only now just occurred to him. His idea worked, the tunnel would cave in and seal everything inside. Everything INCLUDING them.

“Uh oh…” he breathed, only now realizing this lapse in judgment.

“Look who else ‘miscalculated?’” Thorn bitterly mocked.

“Shut it! We gotta move!”

Double-timing it, they started buzzing their wings and hauled it out of there as the tunnel already had started to shake. Soon, the cracks in the ceiling above started to give out as large chunks of rock and gem shards fell. It was easy to dodge the small ones, but the farther they got, the bigger the falling debris got as well. Thankfully, they were nearing the way out. They would be safe soon.

However, just when they thought they were in the clear, a stray rock broke from above and fell directly for them. Sighting the large shadow looming over them it didn’t take brains for them to know what was coming.

But just when they thought it was all over, the growing shadow of their incoming doom stopped. Instead of hearing the sound of their bodies being crushed like a beetle under a hoof, they were instead greeted by a third set of insect wings flapping from above.

Turning their eyes up, they were greeted by the sight of the boulder floating over them. The only thing keeping it from landing was a single changeling holding it from below.

Wiping the sweat from his eyes, Lurker got a better look at the bold insect. He was clean, healthy, and too young to be one of their diggers. Lurker recognized the youthful changeling as one of Reflection’s soldiers, Fragment.

“I’ve got it, keep going!” Fragment ordered them as he mustered every ounce of strength to hold onto the rock. Taking their chance, the two landed on the ground and galloped off, leaving Fragment alone in the doomed tunnel.

It wasn’t until now that the young soldier recognized this might not have been one of his brightest ideas, seeing as how he was now completely alone and stuck under a large boulder in a collapsing tunnel.

He wasn’t fast enough to just fly out from underneath in time. Neither was he strong enough to just throw or destroy the rock. All he could do was just fly there in midair under the large boulder’s shadow, straining every muscle he had to keep himself afloat.

Despite how much energy he was pushing into his legs and wings, the mass of the rock started pushing Fragment down as he saw the ground growing closer. His eyes shut tight as he fought against the boulder; he could feel sweat gushing from every inch of his body as he struggled. If he didn’t do something soon, this place was about to become his tomb.

And then, just when he felt like his muscles were going to give out, the rock started getting lighter. Even with his eyes closed, Fragment could tell he was floating farther from the ground.

“Fragment,” an almost empty yet gruff voice called. Empty, but familiar to Fragment. Opening his eyes, it was only now Fragment realized he was no longer holding the giant rock on his own anymore. Flying beside him with a firm grip on the rock was his older, and more experienced comrade he knew as:

“Mirage?”

The bigger soldier nodded curtly as he flew alongside his companion. He wasn’t grunting, wasn’t sweating. He didn’t even look like the weight of the thing was fazing him. “Go,” he ordered. “I have this.”

“But--”

“Fragment,” Mirage said cautiously, yet his voice never rose above its normal pitch, “I said go.”

Fragment didn’t want to leave Mirage behind, but Mirage was more experienced in these kinds of crises then he was. So, with great reluctance, Fragment did as he was ordered and flew off. Leaving Mirage behind as he headed in the direction the other drones had fled.

All tunnels routed to different locations within the Hive. Different catacombs, different caves, but they all connected to what the drones dubbed: The Great Center. Here is where the main core of the drones dwelled. The area was as wide as a stadium, and as loud as a hornet’s nest. The various sounds and noises of different changelings could be heard everywhere.

It took some tricky maneuvering, but Fragment finally found his way out of the doomed tunnel and into the Great Center. Already there was a crowd forming outside as a party of drones that was watching the falling tunnel greeted him.

From the looks of things the news caught the attention of a lot of workers as many of the diggers from site were being tended too. Fragment even recognized the two he saved were here as well.

A small bead of sweat lingered over his forehead before dripping down as Fragment realized no other troops were there with him. It seemed Mirage and him were the first ones here.

The feeling was unsettling, looking at all the faces he barely recognized. Being the only soldier class changeling here, he couldn’t help but feel like a black ant in an all red ant colony.

Fragment shook his head as his rational mind caught up with him. There was no time for this, he had to get moving and help Mirage.

He was just about to head off when his attention was drawn back toward the cave in. Much to his horror, the final rock had given out and the hole collapsed in on itself, covering the area nearby in a smoky cloud of dust and dirt.

Fragment, like the others unfortunate enough to be nearby, fell into a coughing fit as they choked on the dirt particles that filled the air. All the while Fragment made his way over to where the cave in ended, trying to find any sign that he could get back in and find Mirage.

But as the dust started to settle, a large silhouette of a figure could be seen dusting himself off in the distance. Despite all the dirt in the air the large figure seemed unfazed by all this. It didn’t take much for Fragment to immediately recognize the lone survivor in the dust.

“Mirage!” he called with delight as he ran up to his partner. Immediately he noticed Mirage’s condition as he casually stood there, dusting the grime off himself. To the younger soldier’s shock, he looked fine. No scratches, no bruises, not even a shred of blood could be seen on him.

That still did little to keep Fragment from asking his associate of his state of health. “You alright?”

“Affirmative,” Mirage informally answered as he rubbed his shoulder. “No damage. Minor soreness. Should alleviate within a few seconds.”

Despite the accident, almost every one seemed accounted for from the dig site. It seemed like it things were going to be okay. That is, until the voices of the two titled drones were heard.

“It was YOUR idea to seal the tunnel!”

“Which we wouldn’t have had too if YOU had just heeded my warning!”

Thorn and Lurker continued exchanging blame as a crowd started to form around them. While some looked like they were just there to enjoy watching the two bite each others heads off, many were there to see which one held the higher amount of blame. Most likely so they knew whom to ‘repay’ for this incident.

“Should... we do something?” Fragment suggested as he watched the scene unfold from a distance.

“Negative,” Mirage answered curtly as he watched as well. “Unless hostile, it’s not our place to intervene with worker disputes.” His eyes then drew to the side as he soon made out something approaching from one of the afar tunnels. “And it looks like this dispute will be settled soon enough,” he said vaguely.

Fragment’s expression gave way to confusion, looking out to see what had gotten his companion’s attention. Its distance was too far for him to make out, but whoever the new figure was, it was marching straight toward the mob of workers at a leisure pace.

Back in the center the two arguing changelings weren’t making much headway. From the way the two were staring at each other, it was clear both were unwilling to stand down, nor except the responsibility of this event.

The bitter staring contest was eventually broken by Thorn. “Fine, we’ll just have to let the old coot settle--!”

“Let the old coot settle what?”

Both nervously fell silent as soon as the frail yet gravelly voice answered. It got even quieter as all the workers within the mob surrounding them bowed, revealing to Thorn and Lurker the one who answered.

The changeling’s empty eyes had noticeable bags under his them, which only served to fit the wrinkles on his face. The bottom scales of his hooves were cracked and festooned with sores, and the spines on his back were withered as well. But the biggest and most noticeable eyesore was his missing right wing. All were signs of his age from years of digging and surviving underground for so long. Long enough, however, that he was awarded the title of Overseer.

His name was Overseer Rockbiter, one of the oldest drones left in the colony. While Dead Ringer and Reflection commanded the armies, he oversaw the needs of his workers that thrived throughout the land. Or in this case, throughout the underground.

While his title put him above his drones however, he still answered to the army and its leaders Dead Ringer and Reflection. And of course his exalted Queen.

Despite the welcome he received by all, Rockbiter looked less than pleased as he marched toward the now sweating duo.

“Overseer Rockbiter!” Thorn clumsily greeted his better, trying in vain not to look nervous or guilty. “A-a-a p-pleasure!”

Lurker on the other hand was quick and ready with his report as he ran toward Rockbiter, stopping right in front of him. “Overseer I tried my best to stop him, but he wouldn’t--”

“He caused the cave in!” Thorn quickly interjected, pointing a hoof at Lurker.

“He caused the water flood!” Lurker added in his defense.

“Enough!” Rockbiter ordered, silencing the two. Walking past them his eyes observed the closed off tunnel. “This unfortunate turn of events changes things.”

Looking over his shoulder he turned to his quiet workers. “All of you may leave, I will deal with these two.” With a nod the mob dispersed as they flew off, leaving Thorn and Lurker at Rockbiter’s mercy.

“Architect Thorn. Cartographer Lurker.” Pointing at the ground before him, he silently ordered the two front and center. Hanging their heads in shame the two complied as they assumed their positions, soundlessly dreading for their coming punishment. “Seeing as you each share fault for this catastrophe, I am placing blame upon both of you. But before I pass sentence, is there anything either of you can say in your favor?”

The two remained silent, not daring to even look their better in the eye.

“I see,” Rockbiter observed. “As punishment for endangering your fellow workers, you two are on dig duty for the next five nights.”

“FIVE NIGHTS?!” both complained.

Rockbiter sternly nodded as he continued. “And you can start by trying to find a way back into that tunnel you just collapsed, and getting back that water!”

Thorn opened his mouth to protest how this course of action would take times given how he crafts his tunnels, but he ceased this protest before it even began as soon as he saw the powerful stare Rockbiter gave him. Excuses it seemed were not something he was up for hearing.

“We’ll…” Thorn coughed. “Get right on it sir.”

“Good. I’m leaving this disaster in both your charges.” Rockbiter leaned in with emphasis. “Do not fail me.”

Turning around the old changeling was about to leave, but not before he saw the looks of shame and disappointment both Thorn and Lurker wore as they stared at the ground.

Maybe it was over their leader’s disappointment in them. Maybe they were shamed for endangering their people’s lives. Whatever it was, Rockbiter could tell they were mulling over their actions.

The Overseer sighed to himself.

Both Thorn and Lurker immediately flinched when they felt an affable hoof on both their shoulders, an action that earned a look of shock from both of them as they faced Rockbiter once more.

“See to the others,” he ordered them with a much more calmer mood, along with shocking of all: a small glimpse of a smile. “Then get some rest. You each have a lot of work come morning.”

Understanding their orders they both kneeled to their kind leader.

The old changeling’s demeanor dissolved as quickly as it came when he shot one last look at the destroyed tunnel. “I need to speak with Reflection. This is going to mean even firmer water restrictions.”

With nothing more to say, Rockbiter turned tail and galloped off toward the nearest tunnel to the surface.

Lurker’s eyes followed his leader until he was completely out of sight. “This is still all your fault you know,” he casually commented to his new dig partner.

“Don’t start with me!” And once again another argument ensued, as the two were at odds once more.

“Harsh,” Fragment commented on the scene he and Mirage just witnessed.

“Perhaps,” Mirage admitted. “But fair.” Fragment turned to him and nodded quietly. Harsh or fair, there were worse forms of punishment. Much worse. He then paused for a moment before his gaze fell back on the bigger changeling, and suddenly his eyes reacted in shock.

“Mirage! You’re bleeding!”

“Hmm?” Mirage’s gaze followed where Fragment was staring. A stray rock was lodged in one of the holes of his leg. While it wasn’t severe, there was some noticeable blood from where the sharp edge was cutting. “Its nothing,” he dismissed heedlessly as he grabbed the rock by the edges of his teeth before chucking it away.

“Still, how did you not notice that?” Fragment questioned, his mind trying to fathom how Mirage didn’t feel that a rock was cutting into his scales like that it. He knew Mirage was tough, but he still felt pain after all. Right?

His answer never came however. Mirage just stared blankly at him as if the question was as relevant as asking why dirt was brown. Turning around he started walking off. “Go check if the workers need assistance. After that we best move on.”

Forgetting about his earlier question Fragment buzzed off and headed over to the few remaining group of workers that remained. Several were busy staring at the now ruined tunnel while a couple were busy looking after a tired changeling that lied in the dirt, struggling to catch its breath. Judging from its giving state and the grime over its body, it was obvious it was one of the workers who made it out.

“Um…” Fragment uttered while trying to not come off as awkward as he approached them. He wasn’t used to conversing with drones when not in a combat circumstance, which usually amounted to ordering them with ‘Leave’ or ‘Go,’ nothing more. “Do any of you require assistance?”

“No,” one muttered. “Now beat it!”

Fragment blinked in surprise over such a bitter response. However, he continued to remain cool as best he could throughout the conversation. “I was only--”

The worker immediately shrieked at Fragment, bearing its teeth while getting into defensive stance as if ready for a fight. Not wanting to provoke it further Fragment took a step back. Just as he did the other workers joined in as Fragment felt all eyes now trained on him.

They all had the same unwelcoming look in their eyes as the hostile one did. Eyes that warned only one thing: Leave now.

“We do not need help from your type! We can take care of ourselves!” the hostile worker heatedly advised. “Now leave soldier!” Picking up his wounded comrade the angry worker along with the rest took their leave.

Fragment just stood there in silence as he watched the workers fly, his mind still in shock over the encounter he just had with the very people he’s supposed to protect. As if it was viral he could feel his own temper flared up inside him. He didn’t deserve this. He and Mirage risked their necks back there and these creatures have the audacity to give them this kind of treatment?

With a small snarl of annoyance he retreated back to Mirage who was waiting for him at the entrance to another tunnel. Preferably one that wasn’t being worked on. Mirage easily noticed his upset disposition, but chose to remain silent as he let his associate vent his rage he could easily tell was coming.

“We do our duty and they treat us like this?” he said to Mirage as he shook his head in angst, before bitterly muttering out loud, “I bet if I was wearing dark armor they’d be more welcoming.” It didn’t take an intellect to know what ‘dark armor’ wearer Fragment was referring to.

“Untrue,” Mirage countered before correcting with, “the armor is not what they welcomed, it was the changeling who wore it they were more accepting too.”

“Not helping,” Fragment muttered.

To be frank Mirage wasn’t trying to ‘help’ per say, he was just stating what he believed to be the facts. However, if what he followed up with lightened Fragment’s mood, then that would be a side effect Mirage would be welcomed to. “Do not take it personally Fragment. You are not the first they’ve lashed out at as of recently. Since the Great Fall from Equestria they’ve been at odds with us for a while now.”

“Whatever,” Fragment scoffed, choosing not to argue with the bigger changeling any further. Staring at the ground in defeat he breathed a sigh. “This whole thing was just pointless.”

“Nothing is pointless Fragment.” Mirage turned over to the Great Center, his eyes focusing on nothing but the space in front of him. End yet he looked as if he was staring at something no one but him could see. “Everything happens for a reason,” he said softly.

That last – and rather vague – statement left Fragment looking up to Mirage in confusion. “What?”

“Never mind, it’s just something from a saying of mine,” the older warrior dismissed as he turned back to his companion. “Now then, since I’ve answered your question, now you may answer mine. Just what were you doing down here?”

It took a moment before Fragment understood the question. “Oh! I heard the commotion and thought I’d investigate.” He grinned at his answer, but his comrade looked less than convinced.

“Irrelevant answer.” Mirage pointed a stern hoof at him, almost like he was accusing the younger changeling of lying. “Why were you down here to begin with?”

Fragment recoiled a little as he scratched the back of his foreleg in a nervous fashion. Mirage’s reason for questioning was understandable. After all, Fragment’s patrol route never went through the underground tunnels. So there was no reason for him to have been down here to help the drones in the first place. “I just… thought, it would’ve been nice to get a drink for once without having to go through a brawl.”

“I see.” Now Mirage understood. When it came to trying to get a drink on the surface, it was difficult to get one without getting into a fight over something. Whether it was because the watering hole was restricted to a certain patrol group, because one changeling looked at the other funny, or whatever reason, it was hard to get a simple drink without some changeling starting a fight over something.

“Come.” Mirage beckoned Fragment to follow as he started walking. “I know of a nearby watering hole up top.”

Fragment’s wings instantly sprang up in excitement. As of now getting some water from the surface was looking more welcoming by the minute. “Yes sir!”

It was right when he caught up that Mirage – for whatever reason – came to a stop. Confused by this Fragment caught a glimpse of his face. Mirage’s eyes were darting from side to side, almost like he was waiting for something, only he couldn’t tell what it was or where it was coming from.

“What is it?” Fragment asked as he tried to locate whatever it was Mirage was detecting, a feat that proved difficult given that the tunnel they were in contained little holes in the encompassing walls.

“A scout approaches,” Mirage’s monotone voice at last answered.

Before Fragment even had a chance to detect anything himself, a black blur leaped from one of the nearby holes above and lunged for Mirage. However, reacting quickly the prepared Mirage collided the assailant with his hoof, sending him to the ground. He then grabbed his attacker with both hooves and threw him against the rock, pinning him to the wall.

But apparently not hard enough as the next sound Fragment heard during the commotion was not the sounds of choking or gagging but… laughing?

“Almost got you that time!” Shadow chortled with a smirk, despite the fact he had a large hoof pressing against his throat.

“Shadow! What’re you doing here?” Fragment remarked upon recognizing the scar headed scout. “Why aren’t you at your post?”

Without so much as a glance he directed Fragment and Mirage’s attention upwards. “Cause I’ve been busy leading this annoying pest around.”

As if his cue was called Scatty appeared from a little hole in the rock above them. Waving at the three with a meek smile he crawled down as he greeted them. “Scatty glad to have found you, Scatty and Shadow looking for Mirage.”

The Courier’s meek smile was replaced with confusion as his attention drew to outside the tunnel. “Hmm, what happen there?” he asked referring to the scene at the collapsed rock site outside.

“Irrelevant,” Mirage dismissed, his eyes still lingered on the soldier he had pinned at the moment. “Your reasons for being here?”

Annoyed by the fact that Mirage still hadn’t released him, Shadow answered with a hiss, “The courier here has a message for you.”

“For Mirage?” Fragment reiterated as he turned to Scatty for clarification. Clarification that came in the form of a nod yes.

Silence fell as Mirage’s eye scanned back and forth from Shadow to Scatty, almost like he was trying to read their expressions to see if their reasons were accurate, or if this all was some kind of hoax.

Shadow’s distrusting grin did little to help, but the fact that Scatty was involved was enough to give Mirage some clarification. Besides, Mirage doubted Scatty would be able to tell if he was part of the trick, or the one being tricked.

“Very well,” Mirage eventually answered as he released the scout, dropping him to the ground in a fashion that left the annoyed changeling rubbing his now sore flank after hitting the hard rock floor. “Proceed.”

Scatty couldn’t help but chuckle over Shadow’s little misfortune, but not loud enough for him to hear.

Realizing all eyes were trained on him like before, Scatty quickly cleared his throat as he prepared to give his message. “By order of her impeccable grace. You - ‘Mirage’ - are to accompany Scatty back to the castle. Her highness have important task for you,” he said like a recited quote, repeating word for word in the same manner he delivered to Shadow earlier. A fact that left Shadow rolling his eyes at.

“The Queen has asked for Mirage?” Fragment said almost at a loss.

“Don’t go feeling mighty over this big guy!” Shadow bitterly accosted Mirage. “You ain’t the only one she asked for!” Despite Shadow’s claim, Mirage’s expression never wavered; he just stared back acting completely composed.

“You too?” Fragment asked, now even more at a loss.

“Of course.” Shadow plainly answered with a renewed grin. “Is it so hard to believe?” It was hard for anyone to tell if Shadow was being sincere or literal over that last statement.

And from where Fragment was standing, it was hard to believe. From a tactical viewpoint nothing about what was happening made sense.

Why ask soldiers that shared little common ground in terms of tactics? While Mirage and Shadow both were trained in terms of combat, their strengths are what set them apart. Mirage did patrols, guarded points of interest, and worked in areas that were more out in the open. Shadow was a scout. He worked surveillance while in the dark with the other lookouts. As far as tactics went, asking the two of them to work in unison made little sense, and seemed almost random.

If this task was important enough that the Queen required her colony’s courier to lead them to the castle, then it only meant that Chrysalis was handpicking these changelings personally. But it also meant she had to have known of them and their strengths as well. All the more strange considering neither shared a title, despite Mirage’s contributions and Shadow’s… infamousness.

It came down to one simple question: Just what is this task the Queen had in store? And just what part did Shadow, Mirage, and any other changeling she selected have to play in it?

“I accept this task with honor,” Mirage at last said breaking the long silence with a modest bow.

“That’s it?” Fragment asked looking up at his partner, an edge of almost disapproval in his voice. “You don’t have any questions over this?”

“I’m a soldier,” Mirage said simply. “Same as you. Same as Shadow. We don’t question orders. We follow them.” His eyes then furrowed a little, forming the closest thing to an emotion – let alone a glare – he’s showed as of today. “You would do well to remember that.”

Fragment gave no answer. The only thing he did was shamefully avert his eyes from Mirage’s gaze.

“Now, if you excuse me.”

Coming back from his short guilt trip Fragment looked up to see Mirage taking his leave, only he was heading in another direction completely. Where to Fragment didn’t know, but wherever Mirage was going it certainly didn’t lead anywhere near close to her majesty’s castle.

“Hey, where’re you going?” Shadow cried after, completely stumped by the larger insects strange behavior. “We still gotta get the others.”

Mirage came to a stop. There was a short delay before he eventually lent them his attention. “I have a few…” his eyes trailed off as if he was trying to find them a proper answer, “obligations, to fulfill before I can see her grace. Go on without me, I shall not be long.”

Turning back he continued on as Scatty, Shadow, and Fragment tried to decipher his rather vague answer. “Once I’ve finished I’ll meet you at her majesty’s castle. Fragment,” his voice then called to, “get that drink, and then get some rest. You’ve done enough for tonight.”

“Any idea where he’s off to?” Shadow prompted as he and the others watched Mirage leave.

“No,” Fragment responded with. “He does this from time to time. Don’t think too much into it.” As of now there were more pressing matters on Fragment’s mind.

“Courier Scatty?” he asked facing the courier.

“Hmm?” Scatty answered after the long period of being the silent observer.

“You have spoken to the Queen I am to assume?”

“Mmhmm.” He nodded.

“Then maybe you can tell me why after all this time is the Queen now deciding to take action? And why is she being picky with this ‘task’ she speaks of?”

Scatty gave his question some thought, tapping his cranium as he searched for an answer. He looked like he was about to give one, until… “Clearly this is a task where she is going to need the best,” Shadow intruded with boast in his voice.

The scout grinned at Fragment’s annoyed expression. “Not that you would know. To be honest we probably shouldn’t even be talking in front of you.” Throwing a foreleg over an awkward looking courier, Shadow started leading Scatty off. “Come along Scatty, who’s next?”

Pulling himself away from Shadow’s grip Scatty turned back to Fragment. “Actually, Scatty is glad Fragment’s here. Scatty has to speak with him too.”

“Me?” Fragment pointed to himself, his annoyance replaced by confusion and a hint of awestruck.

“Him? This weak blood?!” Shadow rebuked to Scatty in a fashion similar to how Scorch reacted over him being chosen earlier. Watching the whole scene left Scatty with a feeling of Déjà vu.

“Hey!” Fragment growled, shoving his face into Shadow’s. ”I’m not some new recruit released from the training mines, I’ve been deployed long enough!”

“And just how much combat experience have you had?” Shadow reiterated with a grunt. “Hmm? If you were any good you would’ve been in Equestria with me alongside Mirage or your own blood sister!”

Okay now Scatty was living Déjà vu.

Sighing with irritation Scatty sat down. The inoffensive Courier was not one to be impatient, but that still didn’t mean he wasn’t a tad bit annoyed by the fact they were once again being delayed all because Shadow couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Thinking about it now, perhaps it would’ve been best if he saved Shadow for last.

Without warning a cold chill shot through his back like a razor sharp fang cutting through soft sand.

Well, second to last considering whom Scatty was really saving for last. Out of all the changelings the Queen picked, there was particular one Scatty could not believe she picked for him to speak with. Just the thought of it was making him shiver. He had to relax. He wasn’t going… there until he was ready, and with company.

Fragment couldn’t believe this! First the drone from before, and now one from his own side was insulting him? The one thing that kept him from mauling the proud scout was, to Fragment bitter displeasure, there was some truth to his words he could not deny. Having a well-trained and experienced fighter like Mirage around meant he never saw much combat. While there are many who would literally kill for such easy streak, it does little to give a soldier a reputation.

To anybody, he was just a weak blood. Fresh untainted troops deployed from training camp. All the more reason to find it strange that he could be chosen for such a secretive task.

A thought hit him as Fragment laminated on that last statement. If Scatty was saying what he thought he was, then maybe there was someone in this colony who did understand he had value. The most important person in the whole a cursive colony. The Queen of all changelings, Queen Chrysalis!

And who was he or Shadow to question her reasoning for being selective with her subjects? Granted Fragment was questioning it earlier, but the others didn’t need to know that. It didn’t matter now. HE was picked! Courier Scatty practically said it himself! Sort of, he would probably have to clarify Scatty on that one.

But whatever, as of now he could feel all his anger and penitence leaving him as a pride filled grin replaced it. A sight that left Shadow staring back bitterly. It seemed even now the fact just occurred to him as well.

“So the Queen wishes to see me?” Fragment asked Scatty aloud for all to hear. And by all it really was for Shadow.

“No,” Scatty simply answered, while in inside he was cheering that the two had finally ceased their fighting.

Fragment’s face went completely blank for nearly a full minute as he tried in vain to contemplate Scatty’s remark, all the while Shadow was grinning from ear to ear as he listened.

“But, but,” Fragment balked, wildly pointing his hooves to and fro, “you, and I! You said…”

“Scatty said ‘Scatty’ need to speak with Fragment. Queen not wish to see Fragment,” Scatty clarified in response. A response that left Shadow on the ground in a laughing fit, and Fragment’s enthusiasm and hopes completely dashed.

The whole unfolding scene left the oblivious Scatty looking on with confusion. He didn’t see what Shadow found so funny; after all, he still hadn’t finished his sentence.

“She wishes to see Glass.”

Shadow’s laughing fit immediately turned into choking as he tried to swallow what he just heard, at the same time trying to avoid swallowing his own tongue. All the while Fragment was still processing this new revelation as every ear, wing, and scale on his body stood up.

Once more Scatty was left confused. This time over both their reactions, Fragment’s especially. Scatty figured Fragment would be glad for a chance to see one of his own blood again.

“What...?” Fragment practically squealed.

“Glass,” Scatty kindly reiterated. “Scatty wants Fragment to take Shadow and Scatty to Glass.”

“Glass?” Fragment repeated, less in answering Scatty and more in repeating the word to ensure he was hearing this correctly. By now his voice was starting to strain, as if his throat was freezing into an icicle. Which given the circumstance, it probably was.

“My SISTER?!”

Author's Note

Before I start receiving comments, let me clarify a few things. I’m well aware that Scatty’s dialogue is full of sentence fragments and grammar errors that would make any Grammar Nazi sick. However, this was intentional. The flaws, not making people sick.

And finally, I’m well aware everyone has different views on how the changelings are related, and I’ve even heard the different theories on how changelings have their young. Some believe the Queen is their mother, like with bees, ants, and etc. Some say changelings are capable of having their own. Some say eggs, some say larva, etc. We can’t have it both ways, so in this context, I’m going with changelings are capable of having children of their own. I have my own reasons of why I think this, so if you're curious why, leave a comment. But remember this, just because in this context they don’t all share the same blood (Hence Blood-Sister, Blood-Brother), doesn’t mean they nor the reader can't think of the colony as one big family.

Also why is it in parts? Well it turns out the chapter was coming out longer then intended. Part II is still, I'm sorry to say, in the works.

A Colony of Errors II

After an unfortunate delay due to Scatty’s surprisingly not-so-short shortcut, the three changelings, at last, emerged from the caverns. Touching the ground, Scatty breathed in the fresh air as if it was the sweetest thing he ever smelled.

“Finally! Scatty thought we never make it!”

The same could not be said for Fragment and Shadow, who both shared a dull look over Scatty’s behavior.

“Scatty, we were only lost for ten minutes,” Fragment commented.

“Well it felt like months to Scatty!”

Hoof met face as Fragment groaned to himself. “How is it you’re the designated courier, yet you managed to get lost?”

Scatty’s cheeks tinted into the closest thing a changeling could form to a blush. “Scatty’s having an off day?”

“Enough already!” Shadow barked. “The courier’s shortcut already cost us too much time! Fragment, show us where Glass is.”

Silently agreeing, Fragment hovered a few feet above them as he tried to determine where they were. After getting over the shock that the Queen chose his sister for this mission, Scatty explained he needed him because he believed the quickest way to find her was through him. A reason Fragment could not fault him given that Scatty was on a deadline for tonight. Fragment could help them find her, but trying to speak with her was going to be another problem in of itself.

After just a few seconds of scanning the surroundings, Fragment pointed them in the direction of one of high cliffs in the badlands.

“Up there. That’s where Glass and her flyers go to drink.”

“Are you sure? Why that one?” Shadow asked.

“Because it’s the highest and most treacherous one to climb.”

“Of course, that’s why.” Shadow rolled his eyes halfheartedly. “Come on, we’re flying.”

“OH!” the Courier cheered with a raised hoof. “Scatty knows a shortcut!”

“NO SCATTY!”

After politely declining Scatty’s shortcut, the three changelings made their journey toward the high rock formation, a journey that was far shorter than their one underground.

Scatty’s jaw nearly hit the floor. Shadow just chortled at the scene.

He couldn’t be serious. Scatty knew some changelings had trouble getting along with others, for Chrysalis’ sake, he could write a whole manuscript on the examples he’d seen. But no changeling could be that big of a loose cannon. Right?

As if the universe heard his question, Scatty’s answer came in the form of tooth, which flew out of the mob and over their heads. The sight made Scatty grip his own missing tooth in reaction.

Okay, now he was convinced. That was Glass in there. She was a strong, a little nuts, and he had to be the one to interact with her. Yay.

Glass was sounding almost as intimidating as… A bead of sweat poured down the side of his forehead. Almost as scary as the last one he had yet to visit. But like it or not, he knew she had to receive the message.

“So what we do?” he asked the others, eyes still trained on the mob of changelings.

“Well?” Fragment motioned in the direction of the swarm. “Deliver the message.”

As simple as he made it sound, no matter how hard Scatty tried to focus on his task, all he could focus on was the terrible sounds coming from the fight behind the swarm of changelings. That and the chipped tooth lying just a few feet away.

Scatty gulped. “She s-s-sounds busy.”

“She sure does,” Shadow coyly reiterated with a nod. “So Fragment and I will just wait here while you handle it yourself.”

Scatty’s blood just about froze. “What?”

“Get moving courier!” With one strong push Shadow threw Scatty to the wolves as he shoved him toward the swarm. The Courier almost fell over from the push, but quickly caught himself. Turning back toward the two Scatty gave them an uncertain, almost pleading look. He really did not want to go alone.

Shadow just shook his head and motioned Scatty to keep moving. He was the messenger, it was his duty. With a frightened pout Scatty nervously complied as he advanced toward the crowd, his uneasiness only growing as he continued on alone.

Snickering to himself Shadow then flew high into the air to get a better view from above. There was no way he wanted to miss a second of this. He was soon joined by Fragment, who throughout the whole incident was giving him a scolding look over his actions.

“Was that necessary?”

Shadow didn’t even looked to acknowledge Fragment, a curt nod toward the crowd was his only indication he heard him before quipping, “You wanna bother your sister? Go right ahead.”

Fragment opened his mouth to respond, but stopped himself short when he remembered this was Glass he was referring too. Family or not, he knew his blood sister hated being bothered when concentrating on something. And Fragment had no doubt she would show no kindness were he to bother her in the middle of combat. Especially since he wasn’t even supposed to be up here the first place.

He shyly covered his uneasiness as joined Shadow in watching the crowd. “I’ll… let the Courier handle this. It's his title and duty after all.”

“Wise move.” Shadow chuckled as he threw a foreleg around Fragment so they could enjoy the show together. “There may just be some hope for you yet.”

Fragment silently bared his teeth at that so called ‘compliment,’ but took it for whatever it was worth.

Watching everything from afar the duo could see Scatty was just approaching the large gathering of changelings. Coming in close enough the Courier gradually tapped the back of one changeling to get its attention. The changeling at first paused before turning around to notice the courier. The other two standing with to him soon followed as they acknowledged the Courier.

While they couldn’t hear what was being said it was clear from the exchange that Scatty was requesting to see Glass, judging from the clear ‘gasps’ the three gave. A small part of Fragment almost wished he went with Scatty just so he could get some clarity. ‘Almost’ being a key word.

“The bloody message is for her?!” one exclaimed.

“Yes,” Scatty nodded politely looking unfazed by the loud insect’s words. “So can Scatty see her?”

“Are you insane bug?! She’s gonna--!”

“Of course you can see her,” the other changeling intruded with a smirk.

“What? What are you on about Snake Eyes?” the former said in shock. The others who were listening nodded in agreement.

Before anyone of them could offer their protest they were quickly silenced as the changeling dubbed Snake Eyes motioned them to lend an ear. Whatever he whispered Scatty couldn’t make out, but whatever it was it made the other changelings not only calm down, but their expressions changed into half smiling, almost mischievous looks.

The Courier didn’t seem to notice something was up, however, all he was focused on was getting the job done. “So… Scatty can talk to her?” he asked with half a smile.

“Of course Scatty can,” Snake Eyes returned with a trusting sneer. “All Scatty has to do is walk right up, and survive the first few minutes of his encounter with Glass, and I’m sure she’ll gladly talk after that. If you’re alive.”

Scatty felt his stomach twist. “What? What are--?”

Without warning the unsuspecting courier was suddenly grabbed by two other changelings and hoisted over their heads as one taunted, “Lets see if you remember any of combat training message bug!”

“Yeah!” another laughed. “Get on in there!”

“Wait!” Before Scatty could plead any further he was thrown over the heads of every changeling in the crowd, and right into the center of the fight. The fall might’ve hurt were it not for something breaking his fall. Of course the impact did leave him with pounding headache.

“Did Scatty miss something?”

Giving his hurting head a rub Scatty contemplated his last statement. He was used to bad days, but not like this. It was enough to make him wonder what else could go bad?

“Get. Off. Now.”

Without even saying it, the courier knew he’d spoke too soon. Swallowing almost a mouthful of saliva he slowly looked down as his eyes met with a pair of narrowed red eyes staring back.

It was at this point that Scatty finally learned the ‘something’ that broke his fall, was really a ‘someone.’ And it seems that someone was Glass, the very changeling he came to speak with. As of now the Courier didn’t know whether he was afraid or embarrassed by this revelation.

And it only just now occurred to him he still hadn’t gotten off her.

Backpedalling as fast as his legs could take him Scatty backed away until his back hit something. Looking over his shoulder he found the remains of her previous opponent, lying and shaking in a fetal position with purple and blue bruises covering most of his body.

After opening its eyes and taking one look at what was happening, the hurting changeling made his escape as he dove into the crowd and vanished into the horde. Unsure of what else to do Scatty carefully sat up, from there he remained completely still as he got a good look at Glass as she stood up.

She was quite large, there was no denying that. Even from a distance Scatty could tell her height was at least a head above him. Compared to the average female, Glass was intimidatingly large. Not as big as someone like Mirage, but enough that her build gave her an intimidating appearance. The only thing that made her appear remotely feminine was her eyes.

Like some females of her kind, they were much slimmer, but what made them unique was the slight red tint in them. To some, such a feature made a feminine changeling appear more appealing, pretty one might even say. However, Scatty was sure associating a word like ‘pretty’ with Glass would be like associating the word ‘imperfect’ with his Queen.

Not taking her eyes off her newest target for a second Glass started to collect herself as she straightened her posture and dusted herself. While some expressions in the crowd veered from shock to confusion, a few changelings looked like they were just barely containing themselves from breaking out into laughter. But such an action would no doubt lead to their eventually death at the hoofs of Glass, so they knew it was better to control themselves and let Glass focus her anger on the new prey in front of her.

Somewhere in Scatty’s tangled web of a mind he knew now might’ve been the perfect time to give her the message. However, even if she would listen, Scatty couldn’t remember how to form words anymore. The only thing that he could do was sit there sweating bullets. He felt like a mouse trapped within a dragon’s crosshair.

A dragon with holes throughout its arms, legs, and wings. Plus it had a horn. And it wasn’t exactly the same size given changeling skeletal structure compared to dragons, but all in all still a dragon.

She was scary, had fangs, and could make fire, so Scatty was going to count it.

Despite her complete silence and impassive stare, Scatty had a fairly small idea what was going through her mind as she stared at him. And seeing what she did to… whoever that nameless broken changeling was, he could only imagine what she had in store for him.

With nothing more to dust off Glass started marching toward the scared Courier. With a cry of fear Scatty threw his forelegs over his face as he braced for the thrashing of a lifetime he knew was coming. This was it, the dragon was coming to barbeque the mouse. The terrified Courier was already imagining what would follow next.

First she would yell at him, then proceed to call him a mix of names. Hurtful one’s no doubt. Then she would ‘correct’ his other fang to complete the set and make them symmetrical, up until she moved onto the rest of his jaw. And then she would…

It was by now Scatty realized that in the time he’d been preparing for his thrashing, he continued to remain, un-thrashed. Slowly peaking an eye open he peered through one of the holes in his foreleg. As his vision adjusted Scatty’s head immediately jolted back at what he saw, not in fear however, it was more in alarm.

Glass was right up in his face - well as close as Scatty’s forelegs would allow - with hers only centimeters away. She just stared without making a sound, her intentions hidden behind her red piercing gaze. They were empty, neutral, but not angry. It was more in concentration, like she was trying to read him.

She leaned in further while her nostrils flared as she studied his scent. Now Scatty felt more confused then frightened, but he continued to remain quiet. After all she hadn’t mauled him, so he was rating that as plus.

“Okay,” she at last spoke, catching Scatty and everyone else off-guard.

Glass then turned to others in the crowd with irritation in her voice and anger in her brow as she bitterly snarled, “Who's the dead-bug who throw this noncombatant in?”

Silence. Dead silence.

One changeling gulped. Another swatted its eyes from side to side. The rest all just blinked as they waited for someone to come forward. A full minute of followed until one changeling fell back on a foolproof plan all changelings could rely on in times of distress and danger. A plan that was said to have been spawned from the first changeling of the warrior class when he fought the dark dragons that attempted to take their valued treasures. A plan that required speed, agility, and the stamina to match it: Running away.

Soon every last flyer including a bruised changeling zoomed off, passing by Fragment and Shadow along the way, as they headed into the horizon. Preferably off to get back to their patrol route, and get as FAR as possible from Glass.

Glass grumbled and snarled as she watched the others leave, but restrained herself not to give chase. If they wanted to be that way, fine. When she got up there, however, there was going to be Tartarus to pay. No one makes a fool out of her and gets away with it. No one.

Scatty continued to remain in his seated position, still too scared to do anything that might provoke Glass to take her anger out on him. However, he did lower his forelegs as he watched her. He was scared, there was no denying that, but he didn’t feel as threatened like before.

After the last changeling from her swarm was out of range Glass finally set her sights back on Scatty. The courier immediately froze, raising his forelegs in a last ditch defense. Now it was coming. He could feel it.

He held this pose for up to a minute, until once again, nothing happened. Lowering his defense he looked up to Glass. Her expression had softened a little, but it still maintained that same vacant expression most changelings wore.

“You hurt anywhere little guy?”

Scatty’s face, his brain, and his understanding of everything in the universe all went blank. Did she really just ask him…? Just AFTER he made a fool of her?

This kind of gallantry was not something Scatty was accustomed to from anyone in the colony. Such concern he only received from two ‘special’ changelings in the colony. And they were usually too busy to be there when he needed them most. The perfect and exalted Queen of all changelings, Chrysalis, and Dead Ringer’s second-in-command Reflection.

But it wasn’t just that. Whenever Scatty messed up or made a fool out someone there would usually receive some kind of backlash. Yet she didn’t look like she harbored any grudge against him at all. And she wasn’t condescending him either. She just stared at him with an empty, yet calm and unintimidating gaze as she waited for him to answer.

“You’re… “ Scatty at last spoke, sounding more timid than he intended, “Not gonna hurt Scatty? Not gonna yell?”

Glass gave him a sideways glance and a raised eyebrow in reply. “For what?”

Okay now Scatty wasn’t scared anymore. Now he was just dumbstruck. “You’re not even upset?”

Glass held back her response as her eyes rose toward the sky where her swarm flew off, knowing somewhere out there many of them were probably joking about her. “A little,” she answered as her eyes returned to Scatty. “But I know it’s not your fault.”

Scatty knew he was going to regret asking this one next, but he had to know. “How are sure?”

“You smelled different,” Glass simply stated.

“Smelled different?” Scatty wasn’t the cleanest one, but compared to some of the others, he was relatively fine in terms of odor.

“Dirt remnants, leaf fragments, rock particles. You’ve been underground, in the forest, basically anywhere close to the ground.”

Scatty lifted an eyebrow curiously, but remained obediently silent as he allowed Glass to finish.

“We’re flight patrol.” She tapped her chest feeling pride over that statement. “We prefer the air. You’re scent was different from my swarm, so I knew right away you weren’t one of mine trying to get a leg up on me.”

“N-not t-that Scatty would want to!” Scatty stuttered out loud, half ashamed at himself over how his words were coming out. “You clearly k-know how to f-fight.”

The Courier had a habit of silencing himself whenever he was scared. Yet here he was running his mouth off. While he was no longer scared of Glass, he was still very nervous. Not over the fact that he was sure she could probably break him in two, but over the fact that he was getting on her nice side, and he didn’t want to risk losing it. He never enjoyed associating himself with the title ‘idiot,’ but right now he felt like a complete idiot.

Something he stuttered must’ve meant something, however, as the side of Glass’ lip curved up into, what Scatty could only describe as a small smile. “Well, that already makes you smarter than half the flyers in my swarm.”

Scatty’s wings instantly sprang up. And now she complimented him. Scatty actually got a compliment, and about his intelligence no less! While it wasn’t much, Scatty didn’t care! He was going to take it!

“Well, look who’s gone soft all of a sudden,” said a mocking a voice Scatty sadly was all too familiar with.

Both their attentions were drawn toward Shadow and Fragment – who had decided now was the best time to make their entrance after they were certain Glass wasn’t going to flatten the meek changeling – as they landed, while inside Scatty was dreading that his nice conversation had come to an end.

As soon as she saw them approach, Glass easily identified the two newcomers. Yet without so much as even acknowledging her brother, she furrowed her brow at Shadow.

“HMPH!” she grunted before answering with, “Unlike some of my non-blood brothers and sisters, I don’t make a habit out of harming my Queen’s noncombatant subjects. Now her soldiers, on the other hoof…” Causally, Glass stretched her head to side causing a low crack as she leered. “I can’t make any promises.”

Despite the silent threat she made, Shadow’s own leer matched hers. “I think I’m gonna enjoy working with her,” he murmured to Fragment.

Before Fragment had a chance to even hiss back, his eyes were drawn back to his sister, who now was standing only a foot away from him. He looked like he was about to step back, but stopped himself. A beat of silence went on as neither sibling said a word to the other.

Rolling his eyes at this, Shadow opened his mouth to speak, only to have Scatty snap it back shut, motioning him to shush. He wasn’t about to let Shadow ruin what could be close to a touching reunion with one of his snide remarks. And after how nice Glass was to him, Scatty figured she earned a few extra seconds to have a moment with her own brother.

The silence lasted until it was eventually broken by Glass as she rested a tender hoof on her brother’s shoulder before saying, “Brother…” only to then slide it down as she wiped a strand of dirt from his shoulder. Her eyes inspected the strand before quipping, “How fairs crawling through the mud?”

Fragment blinked before his empty gaze turned into a hateful glare. Scatty, on the other hoof looked taken aback by her sudden shift in tone, and with her brother no less. Shadow all the while was snickering through Scatty’s hoof as he watched.

“A pleasure as always, blood sister,” Fragment answered flatly. “How fairs lollygagging around with your pack?”

His sibling only snickered back as she replied, “If you’re referring to that scuffle from earlier, it was just a water break gone sour. Some bug-brained nimrod had the all so bright idea to make Buzzard the designated guard for our drinking water today.”

“So?”

“Buzzard’s scales are pealing.”

“And?”

“And, Buzzard had an even brighter idea that the water was too clean and decided to change that by taking a dip in our drinking water for his scales.”

Fragment’s face contorted with disgust. “Ew. Who’s the poor bug who drank it?”

“Me.”

Fragment nodded putting two and two together. “And being the big girl you are, you couldn’t let this accident slide.”

Proving what a big girl she was, Glass crossed her forelegs with a pout. “I didn’t hurt him that bad.”

Fragment raised a brow. “I’m pretty sure some of his teeth are still here.”

Despite his claim, Glass only snickered to herself. Fragment’s eyes did a twirl. All this time apart, and she hadn’t changed a bit. Though he didn’t expect much from her.

Glass’ gaze lingered on Shadow with suspicion before going back to Fragment. “Getting back on track, care to elaborate why you’re here?” Her eyes motioned toward the scout. “And with him of all changelings?”

Ignoring the hateful glare Shadow was shooting them, Fragment pointed Glass in Scatty’s direction. “Courier Scatty there has a message for you.”

The tinted eyed changeling blinked a few times before realizing whom her brother was referring too. Cocking her head to side as she turned to the changeling whom she was only now learning the name of.

“Courier? Is that your title?” she asked with a hint of awe over this revelation.

“Um, yes!” Scatty nodded with a slight smile. Sprinting over he stood before the large female as he gave her a humble half-bow. “Courier Scatty at your service.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah! Introductions and all that!” Shadow snarked, his patience waning over how long this inane conversation was taking. “Scatty! Message! Her! Now!”

Scatty blinked before grinning with embarrassment. With everything that’s happened he almost forgot why he was here in the first place. “Right, sorry. By order of--”

“By the Queen’s fangs!” Shadow screeched, startling Scatty in the process as he added, “You don’t have to repeat the message word for word!”

Shoving Scatty aside Shadow stepped in to give Glass the short version. “Straight to the point: The Queen’s asked for your assistance. Same as Mirage and me. She has something that requires our attention.”

Quickly picking himself up Scatty hovered over Shadow as he tried his best to stay in Glass’ vision. “It big. And important too.” He scratched his chin as he pondered if he had anything else to add. “Did Scatty mention big?”

Putting some space between herself and the two Glass scratched her chin in thought. “I see.”

A few questions entered her mind, but none of them she felt a need to voice. If that’s the demand, she would follow. Brushing Shadow and the hovering Scatty aside, Glass started to leave.

“I’ll head toward the castle when I’ve had a moment with my pack.” Her brow furrowed. “And after I tear their wings off.

She was just about to leave as she lifted off the ground, only to come to abrupt halt mid-flight. Looking over her shoulder she saw her tail pinned to the ground, and following the hoof she found Shadow as the culprit.

“They can wait,” he said, “I already made the mistake of letting Mirage go off on his own for his ‘errands.’ We’ve wasted too much time, and the Queen can’t be kept waiting.”

Despite how civil he tried to be with her, Shadow still got an icy stare down from Glass. While she couldn’t deny the scout’s words, Glass refused to land. That, and she really didn’t like the fact that someone was touching her tail. “Shouldn’t we at least inform Reflection on this matter? She has a right to know.”

“Scatty and others can’t,” the Courier added in, catching Glass off-guard as she and others turned to him. “Scatty tried, but couldn’t find nice leader. And colony large in numbers,” Scatty then recoiled, even shivering a little as he squeaked, “and big boss Queen short on patience.”

“Ergo,” Shadow harshly chided while pressing harder on her tail, “your problems can wait, so be a good girl and come down.”

Fragment angrily bared his teeth as he charged for Shadow. He looked like he was ready to add a new addition to Shadow’s scarred forehead, but right when he was about to make his move he abruptly came to a halt by a pair of hooves grabbing him. Looking from over his shoulder his eyes met with a fragile smile, and a pair of nervous eyes to complete the set.

“Scatty would prefer it if Fragment came along.” Whether the comment was for Fragment, or Shadow, it was hard to tell, but Fragment appreciated the gesture.

Instead of making a snide reply, witty comment, or any answer at all, Shadow simply remained glued to spot he abruptly stopped at. But then his body started to shake with anger before snapping in Scatty’s direction.

“Why?!” the scout raised his voice as he started marching toward the now frightened courier. “Why does he need to come? What possible reason do you have, for why he needs to even be here?”

Seeing his approach Scatty tensed up as he looked for some kind of cover. Leaping behind the closest thing near him he used Fragment’s body as his shield. Not flinching once during this Fragment held his position as an angered Shadow advanced. An advance that came to a complete stop when Glass stepped in, blocking his path between him and Fragment.

“As much as I enjoy a good fight, Shadow, this is one issue where words are the only weapon you’ll need with Courier Scatty.”

Despite his rage Shadow managed to force a chuckle. “Okay, stand aside and I’ll use them on the one fanged freak’s face!”

Glass’ eyes narrowed. “You’re close enough.”

The scout then snarled as he craned his head over Glass’ shoulder, looking in Scatty’s direction in fury. “Okay! Why does Fragment need to be here, Scatty?! Why do we even need to stay together?! Why couldn’t the Queen let us meet together at the castle after you--?!”

Glass snapped her glaring eyes on Shadow, staring daggers through him. Most of it was over the fact he still was touching her tail. Panning them over she soon trained them on Scatty, who immediately flinched when he saw her scathing eyes focus on him. His fear was for naught, however, when the anger from Glass’ glare dissolved as she shut them before releasing a sigh.

“Very well,” she crooned as she at last landed. Pulling her tail back she shoved Shadow aside as she rejoined with her brother and a wing flapping excited Scatty.

“Well then,” Shadow announced rubbing his hoofs together. “Now that everyone here has wasted enough time chit chatting perhaps we can get a move on?”

Motioning at Fragment, Shadow waved him off in a random direction, preferable one away from them. “Fragment your usefulness - whatever it was - has served its end. You may now take a flying leap off this cliff.”

Walking off the scout then waved Scatty and Glass to follow as he trotted off, wanting nothing more to get off this accursed rock and back onto ground level.

“Scatty, who’s left?”

Fragment angrily bared his teeth as he charged for Shadow. He looked like he was ready to add a new addition to Shadow’s scarred forehead, but right when he was about to make his move he abruptly came to a halt by a pair of hooves grabbing him. Looking from over his shoulder his eyes met with a weak, yet fragile smile, and a pair of nervous eyes to complete the set.

“Scatty would prefer it if Fragment came along.” Whether the comment was for Fragment, or Shadow, it was hard to tell, but Fragment appreciated the gesture.

Instead of making a snide reply, witty comment, or any answer at all, Shadow simply remained glued to spot he abruptly stopped at. But then his body started to shake with anger before snapping in Scatty’s direction.

“Why?!” the scout raised his voice as he started marching toward the now frightened courier. “Why does he need to come? What possible reason do you have, for why he needs to even be here?”

Seeing his approach Scatty tensed up as he looked for some kind of cover. Leaping behind the closest thing near him he used Fragment’s body as his shield. Not flinching once during this Fragment held his position as an angered Shadow advanced. An advance that came to a complete stop when Glass stepped in, blocking his path between him and Fragment.

“As much as I enjoy a good fight, Shadow, this is one issue where words are the only weapon you’ll need with Courier Scatty.”

Despite his rage Shadow managed to force a chuckle. “Okay, stand aside and I’ll use them on the one fanged freak’s face!”

Glass’ eyes narrowed. “You’re close enough.”

The scout then snarled as he craned his head over Glass’ shoulder, looking in Scatty’s direction in fury. “Okay! Why does Fragment need to be here, Scatty?! Why do we even need to stay together?! Why couldn’t the Queen let us meet together at the castle after you--?!”

Shadow’s rant came to a standstill as he gave that last sentence some thought. “Hey, that’s actually a good point,” he said out loud, sounding more intrigue than angered. “Why in tartarus is the Queen making us stay together like this?”

Glass and Fragment both exchanged a glance before they, too, were intrigued with Shadow’s question.

Before long, Scatty found his cover moving aside as all eyes trained on him, awaiting his answer. Brushing the side of his scaly head, Scatty fought back the sweat that threatened to pour out and expose his nervousness. “Well… Scatty never said it was the Queen who asked group to stay together--”

The Courier tensed up as the leering eyes on him grew closer. Glass looked at him with curiosity. Fragment looked agitated, but not completely upset. Shadow, however, looked ready to wring the puny changeling’s neck. Freezing up, Scatty raised his hoofs in motion for them to hear him out before anyone, mostly Shadow, did anything rash.

“Okay! Scatty admits the only reason everyone had to be together was because of Scatty. And the reason was because of whom Scatty had to visit last. Scatty knew he should have been honest,” averting their eyes he lowered his head in shame, “but Scatty was afraid to ask.”

Everyone listening exchanged quick glances before Glass finally asked the question that was on everyone’s minds. “Who’s the last one Scatty?”

Scatty’s eyes then shut tight, like an infant who was fearful of the punishment his guardian was about to give him. In a way having to go back to her place was a punishment. Even her name alone haunted him as he uttered it.

“Razor… Scout Changeling Razor Sharp.”

Shadow and Fragment both took a step back from the Courier as if he was contaminated with the plague. With the way they were staring at him with such horror in their eyes, he might as well have. Glass, however, didn’t look bothered at all. She only cocked her head to the side as she watched the two react.

“Her?!” Shadow exclaimed, trying to grasp what his Queen was thinking choosing to partner them with Razor. “Mirage, I understand. Me? Perfectly. But why in the pit does her Majesty want HER?”

“Yeah.” Fragment nodded anxiously. “As much as I hate to agree with Shadow, I can’t fathom why the Queen would ask for Razor of all others.”

Glass continued to look undisturbed. If anything she was more bewildered over the others reactions over a simple name. Shadow was babbling on over Razor in some a frantic rant. Fragment rubbed his blank cranium of a head as he tried making sense of the situation.

Yet Scatty was the strangest of all. Not because he was crying, screaming, or even sweating. But because he wasn’t doing any of those things. He made no noise. No movement. Scatty remained eerily calm. He just sat there silently as he watched the others. No, Scatty didn’t look fearful like the others. He looked more... disturbed.

Now Glass was almost hesitant to ask them who this changeling was. Not because she was frightened, but because she knew she would have to bear the others frantic reactions. “Just who is Razor?”

A pause came before Shadow answered first. “Have you been patrolling with your head up in the clouds woman?!” In the loudest most obnoxious way possible.

Glass’ wings sprang in alarm over his response, but quickly lowered as she shot him a loathsome look. “I’m not the Queen. I can’t be expected to know every last changeling in this colony. Unless they’re in my pack, my family, or my leaders, I have no knowledge of them.”

“If you knew Razor, you would know why you don’t see her,” Fragment answered.

Ignoring Glass’ ignorance Shadow focused back on the Courier. “Well you can forget it Scatty. I ain’t going anywhere near her.” His body shivered. “That witch gives me the creeps.”

“Scatty knows that.” The Courier coyly answered. “And that’s why,” the changeling then grabbed Shadow by the shoulders, shaking him in a frenzy, “Scatty no want to go alone!”

With Mirage gone, the scared Courier hoped Fragment coming along would help even out their loss. He also hoped, however, to share his true intentions when they were already there.

“Relax Courier.” Shadow said as he pushed Scatty off him. “If you think she’s gonna try anything, just remind her of the golden rule, and you’ll be fine.”

Scatty’s head curved in puzzlement. “The golden rule?” He didn’t know there was a rule. Why didn’t anyone ever tell him there was a rule?

Shadow gave a smirk before answering, “Don’t kill the messenger.”

Gulp! That was all Scatty had to say to that. Sure he was scared when he had to deal with Glass earlier, but at least with Glass he knew he would’ve lived. With Razor it’s hard for Scatty to tell if he’ll leave with his limbs in all the right places.

Scatty turned to the ground as he thought for a second. Shadow was out. However…

“Fragment?” He turned toward the changeling as he leaned in putting on his most needy smile he could give.

Fragment stepped away as he averted Scatty’s gaze, all the while scratching the back of his neck in an awkward fashion. “If you recall I wasn’t ‘wished’ for on this task of the Queen. This never really concerned me.”

Hanging his head in defeat Scatty sat the ground in slump as he gave a labored sigh. He wasn’t even going to waste his time with Glass. The discouraged Courier wasn’t up for hearing more rejection.

Inside he was practically kicking himself over not getting Reflection sooner. She would’ve been more accepting. Yet without full knowledge of her location, it could’ve taken hours before he found her. And even then he still would’ve had to round up the others. Hence the reason he instead fell back on the tactic of keeping the others in the dark.

At least this way he would’ve… How did that saying go? Swat two phoenixes with one rock? Something along those lines.

It didn’t matter now. Razor was the last one he had to see. And like it or not, he had to face her alone. Like always. He explained his reasons, fell at their mercy, and they declined. They were either too scared, or just didn’t care, but Scatty knew it was the ladder.

No one cared. He was just a broken, defective, changeling.

“I’ll go with him.”

And just like a phoenix rising from its ashes Scatty’s head snapped toward the single changeling who’s shown him any kindness today. Lifting off the ground his wings flapped with excitement as his frown was soon upside down.

While his silence was from being at a loss for words, the others were just in shock. Despite the reactions she received Glass kept herself collected and stoic.

The first one to speak was Shadow whom with shake of his head scoffed at her. “Its your cremation.” Fragment, however, looked at her with concern.

“Are you sure this is what you want? You’re tough sister, but Razor…” the sibling repressed a shudder, “something’s not right with her.”

Despite their claims Glass continued to keep herself composed. “I have yet to meet Razor. To me she is nothing but a name the three of you have expressed fear over, and nothing more. I’ll weigh her actions over your words.”

Shadow grinned. “I’ll be sure to quote you at your interment.”

Glass repaid the scout with a scowl. Their words meant nothing to her. She was going. However, she wasn’t leaving Shadow alone.

Erasing her scowl she strutted past the two and stood beside Scatty. “Fragment, escort Shadow to the castle. After that keep an eye on him until we arrive.”

“What?!” Shadow shrieked.

“You heard me,” Glass snapped at him. “While I’m with Courier Scatty, you’re going to wait at the castle for us.” Her eyes narrowed as she continued. “Until all of us are there, no one is going in that castle. Got it?”

“HMPH!” Shadow grunted crossing his forelegs in a childlike manner. He was about to make a chastising remark, but stopped himself when he noticed a looming shadow approaching. Looking up he saw Glass hovering over him.

“I said…” She leaned in until her face was just inches from his. “Got it?”

Shadow opened his mouth to respond, only to immediately close it afterward. Turning his gaze away he muttered something under his breath before storming off with a snarl.

Taking that as his cue to exit Fragment gave Scatty a short nod farewell, one that he replied with a wave goodbye. As for his sister, whose eyes were still focused on Shadow’s direction, he made no such gesture as he glumly followed after the scout.

“Fragment,” Glass called without so much as looking at him, but Fragment still gave her his attention. There was a short beat of silence before her eye’s moved toward him. “It was… pleasant, seeing you again.”

Her brother only returned her words with a short nod. “Good luck.”

With all said and done Fragment galloped off after the scout, not knowing that his sister’s eyes lingered on him until the two flew off. When she turned around she was bit taken aback when she saw a grinning Scatty floating up to her face, his tail wagging in rhythm with his wings.

“Scatty…” he uttered, sounding at a loss. “Grateful to Glass.”

Despite his strange behavior Glass gingerly nodded. “Think nothing of it. Consider it my way of apologizing for my packs crude behavior.” Her eyes then darted toward the sky as she checked the position of the moon for the time. “We better hurry.”

Walking a few steps ahead she gestured for him to lead on. “You have point.”

“Yes ma’am!” Still in midair Scatty’s posture straightened in attention as he tried to give his best serious face. “Nice Glass and Scatty have no time to spare. Its almost feeding time for Razor Pets.”

Waving her to follow the courier zoomed off. Glass was about ready to follow until she paused over his vague statement.

“Razor Pets?”

By now Courier Scatty was too far for him to hear her. Deciding to save her question for another time, Glass extended her wings and flew after the courier.

Their travel had taken them far from the noise of the colony. Wherever they were, it was near the outer limits of the colony’s reach. They were close enough that Chrysalis’ castle could be seen from afar, but far enough that there was little to no sign of life in the area. It was so quiet that even the sound of a small rock rolling with a gust of wind could be heard.

Why anyone would want to live in such a secluded place was beyond Glass. While it wasn’t enough to confirm the others’ claims about Razor, she still was going to keep alert. Landing alongside his new shapeshifting companion, Scatty lead her toward a burrow in the dirt, hidden just under the shadow of two large overlapping boulders. It was big enough to fit changelings of their sizes.

“Glass follow,” Scatty said before jumping in. A small thud followed, reassuring Glass he landed safely. She jumped in next, landing right beside Scatty.

With no cracks or gems to generate or reflect florescent light, the cavern was nearly pitch black. Any creature unfortunate enough to stumble into such a place would be rendered almost blind, but being a changeling, Glass’ senses aided her in adapting to the darkness.

“Be… be careful,” Scatty warned. “When find Razor, no touch a thing, and watch out for pets.”

“These ‘pets’ she keeps,” Glass inquired, “just how many should I be on the lookout for?”

Scratching his head, Scatty lifted his hoof and started muttering as he racked his brain to try and count. A few seconds of this went by until he bashfully asked, “Um, how many stomachs do we have?”

Glass shot him a confused look before answering, “Two Scatty. The average changeling usually has two.”

“Two! That’s the number,” he chirped proudly. Though how proving he couldn’t count or understand basic changeling biology was something to be proud over, Glass failed to understand, but she didn’t push the issue.

“Come on,” she said walking ahead, Scatty following right after.

The passage before them was tight and narrow. There was just enough room for them to walk side by side without scraping against the jagged edges of the rock. Passing the time as they continued, Glass started examining the walls. They looked molded and carved. It was clear the cave was shaped from changeling craft, but not drone-made, it seemed. They valued their work and endeavored to meet a quality with their craft. This cave had ‘amateur designer’ written all over it.

Loose and jagged rock remains stuck out in obscure locations, and despite her vision, the darkness in the cave still made avoiding the sharp rocks on their path required a bit of effort for her to notice. And as for the ground, it was positively fifthly! Each step she took, a ‘Crunch’ sound followed accordingly. Whether it was from discarded scales or food remains, Glass didn’t know, nor did she want to.

A faint glow from ahead singled their long passage of darkness was coming to an end. After just a few steps they had finally found their way into a wide cave, and what Glass saw took her breath away. On one side of the cave there looked what seemed like a makeshift bed comprised of nothing but leafs, in the corner on the other side was a large amount of sand, and in the center was a small crater with a shallow pool of clear water, surrounded by a arrange of several torches lit with an emerald flame. Yet none of that even compared to what caught Glass’ eye. In fact, she failed to even notice any of this. What caught her eye was what hung from the ceiling.

Dangling a few feet over their heads from what looked to be lines of web, was transparent like objects of different shapes and sizes, shimmering from the glow of the fires below them. The whole top was littered with the strange objects, with each one crafted into a unique form. Some were of different animals, stars, plants, and others were of bizarre almost alien shapes and forms. Glass felt like she was in a mine full of diamonds.

“What are all these?” she asked in marvel.

“Glass.”

“Yes?”

Scatty shook his head. “No not nice Glass the changeling, shiny objects are glass,” the courier corrected her as he entered. “Razor changeling makes them.”

“Oh.” Glass uttered, silently cursing herself for making such a poor misjudgment. Shrugging off her anger she continued to marvel at the objects around her. “For what purpose?”

“Queen likes getting them. Razor likes making them. They both think they pretty.”

“And because of that she got her own cave huh?” Despite the dazzling feelings the objects gave her, the feelings died out as quickly as they had came. They were lovely, Glass couldn’t deny that, but other than acting as distractions such items served no purpose in her world. “Pretty as they are, I fail to see how this is supposed to be the dwelling of a disturbing--”

Walking only a few inches in Glass already managed to bang her head into something. Given that she was at least a foot taller than her courier companion, watching where she was walking was going to be a requirement on her part. This is one of the reasons she hated being underground. Thankfully whatever she hit wasn’t one of the sharp looking trinkets. This one actually kind of felt... soft? Leaning in Glass got a good look at what hit her.

Something else was hanging from the ceiling, but it wasn’t another glass item. Its fur was a dark brown, its body was hidden within its wide leather wings, its face resembled that of the rat, but its ears and shimmering fangs gave away its true affiliation: Bat.

The disoriented creature’s eyes fluttered opened revealing a pair of dark orbs gazing back at her. Descending from the ceiling the bat fluttered in the air for a bit before landing on ground a few feet from her, causing Glass to back away. Not in fear, but more with caution. This caused her to unknowingly bump into Scatty, who up till this point was quietly monitoring the bat’s movements. Silent movements to be accurate, because the curious creature hadn’t made a single shriek, squeak, or any other nose affiliate with a bat. Getting a better look at the bat Glass was able to narrow out it wasn’t of the species that ensnared unsuspecting victims into their ranks through its bite.

“Am I to assume this is one of Razor’s pets?” she asked.

“Yes. Let Scatty handle.” Brushing past Glass, Scatty approached the still bat with a smile and presence of how one would address a small child, though the tension in his voice was clear. “H-Hi Stalker, has little bat pet been good?”

The creature didn’t move or even fidget. It just stood there as its eyes continued to linger in their direction. Continuing his friendly presence Scatty tried again. “Scatty and nice Glass looking for Razor, has Stalker seen her?”

Again, the creature refused to acknowledge him. What Scatty was hoping the bat to answer with Glass couldn’t fathom, but the more she watched the creature before them stare, the more unsettled she felt.

Feeling like this conversation was leading nowhere, and thinking the bat wasn’t going to give them trouble, Scatty started to casually maneuver around the bat. “Okay… Scatty will just go ahead and--”

The sound of a feral growl stopped Scatty in his tracks. Only the growl didn’t come from the bat.

Before Glass knew what was happening she was immediately pounced by a timberwolf as it pinned her. While it wasn’t attacking her the wolf’s strong paws kept her hooves pinned to the ground, and the weight of the creature made it a fight for as she tried to get up.

During her struggle Glass caught sight of a second timberwolf walking past her, and heading straight for Scatty.

“Hi Splinter. Has wood wolf been good too?” he asked as he was backed into a corner by the wolf and bat.

Gaining the upper hoof Glass was able to push the other timberwolf off her in time to roll on her back, but before she could get any further the wolf was right back on her, this time timing pinning all four of legs. From her position Glass could see Scatty was still in danger. She had to finish this fight quickly if she was going to help him with the other two.

And it was then that Glass felt her brain shut down. “Wait a minute.”

She counted at least three animals. Now Glass never considered herself as the sharpest tooth in the mouth of the colony, but she was bright enough to know that there was one pet too many.

Her eyes drew to the extra timberwolf that was pinning her. Its face was hovering over hers, staring straight into her eyes. Its lips then curled back as it gave a sneer.

“Razor I presume?”

The wolf started making a series of grunt sounds that could only be described as laughter while its body was soon enveloped by emerald flames. The grunting laughter turned into giggling as a lively and sultry voice answered, “My apologies, I simply couldn’t resist! It’s been so long since I last had visitors!”

Soon the body of the timberwolf vanished with the flames, and in its place was a laughing changeling. She looked to be around the same height as Scatty, basically around the same size as any other regular changeling, though her form was different. Her legs were more slender, matched only by her slim body, her two front fangs were curved, and her eyes had a small hint of tint green in them. However, the biggest abnormal feature had to be her right eye. Surrounding it was a pale white burn mark, which gave off the impression that there was a white spot over her eye.

Finally managing to control her laughing fit, Razor leaned as she asked, “Did I scare you?”

Glass shot her a wary look. “Surprise maybe, but I don’t feel fear. Now make your… pets, release him.”

Almost forgetting about the other changeling in the room Razor sighted poor Scatty hunched in a corner as the two creatures converged on him. However, they soon desisted when they heard the cry of their mistress.

“Splinter! Stalker! Stop playing with your food!”

While that wasn’t the answer Glass expected to hear, it did the job as the beasts followed her command and backed off. Scatty took this moment to catch his breath, and yet despite everything he knew the worst was yet to come.

Climbing off of Glass, Razor took a second to get a look at the other changeling here. And as soon as she saw who it was, she paused like she saw a ghost.

“Wait a moment. Is that…?” Pushing past her pets Razor moved in to get a better view of her second guest. “Scatty?” she asked taking a step forward with a brow arched of interest, “Courier Scatty?”

Freezing at attention Scatty nervously waved back, trying his best to look a little happy to see her. “Um, hi Razor.”

A smile then crossed Razor’s mouth as she approached him with a strut in her movement. Glass wanted to follow but was blocked off by Razor’s pets. It looked like the beasts weren’t too keen on letting the supposed intruder near their mistress.

Scatty silently inhaled when Razor was just inches from his face. He pressed his body as far back into the wall as he could, his body shivering as if the room temperature fell below zero degrees.

“Scatty,” Razor asked casually, “Do you remember what I told you I do if you ever came here again? Hmm…?” She rested her hoof on his sensitive cheek, gently sliding down as a bead of sweat soon followed it.

“Um…” Scatty stuttered not sure how to answer. Seeing Scatty’s failing nerves Glass knew it was time to jump in, but she was too late as Razor had already beaten her to the punch. And what had followed next she could never have foreseen coming.

“Come here you!”

Razor hugged him, laughing with what could only be described as a manic giggle. “It’s been so long! It hasn’t been the same since you were away.” She gave him a little squeeze as she giggled again. “I think my pets missed you most of all!”

Scatty looked just about as confused as Glass was. Though she wasn’t hurting him Glass kept on guard for whatever the strange insect may do next.

“Your shivering, Scatty. Whatever for?” Finally ending the hug Razor released Scatty, but still remained in his personal space as she awaited his answer with smile of content.

“Scatty,” he scratched his head not sure how to put this, “wasn’t expecting Razor to be so… affectionate. Especially after what happened last time.”

Razor gave a look of fake hurt as she released a faux gasp. “Dear Scatty! I was merely joking. Whatever gave you the impression otherwise?”

“You said and Scatty quotes, ‘if you come back again I’ll squeeze the life out of you.’ That doesn’t sound like joking to Scatty.”

There was a beat of silence before Razor broke it with a laugh. “Semantics. And to be fair,” she wagged her hoof and spoke in a fashion a parent would to a child, “you did provoke me.”

“Scatty said he was sorry.”

“And you're forgiven, that’s just the kind of girl I am.” Her smile never leaving her face she grabbed Scatty and started pushing him towards the other female in the room. “Now don’t keep me in suspense, tell me who your new companion is.”

Looking more then happy to change the subject Scatty happily answer, “This is Glass.”

Glass was about to respond until she froze as she felt Razor’s eyes lingered on her, scanning her from top to bottom, the changeling’s once full and beaming smile gone. The look she was giving her made Glass feel, to say the least, weird. Its not like changelings in the past haven’t looked at her out before, but the look in Razor’s eye made it seem like she wasn’t looking at a her to get a better view, more like she was studying her.

As quickly as it left, her smile came back in full. “A strong name for a strong looking specimen.”

Specimen… Not a word Glass ever heard someone refer her as.

“Well then, do allow me to introduce myself.” The beaming insect gave a humble bow. “Razor Sharp at your service. Love the eyes by the way my dear it complements the length of your wings.”

Glass’ eyes fell to her wings, having no idea how to even respond to that.

After a minute of no response, Razor continued. “I don’t recognize you from the drab up top. Underground work?”

Glass scoffed waving a hoof. “Detest the underground. Sky patrol.”

Razor raised a brow, her smile falling a bit, but she continued to remain coy as she asked, “And just what pray tell is wrong with the underground?”

“Nothing,” Glass answered, crossing her forelegs. “If you like playing in the dirt all day.”

Glass could’ve sworn she saw the side of Razor’s eye and smile twitch, yet she showed no signs of anger. She just kept her smile as she playfully replied, “I guess your right. Flying around all day with your head in the clouds must be such a challenge.”

Now it was Glass who showed some twitching, only she didn’t try and hide her anger.

Razor didn’t show the slightest sign of fear as Glass stared at her with eyes of growing malice. If anything she looked like she was enjoying provoking her. “Tell me, how many clouds did you see? Assuming that you can count?”

“Are you calling me dumb?” Glass leaned in as her eyes locked onto Razor’s. Despite the fact that Glass towered over her by at least a foot, Razor continued smiling.

“Well, judging from such a prime form your body accommodates, I can only estimate that some features had to compensate for others in order to meet the criteria your skills in combat facilitate.”

“…” Whatever that meant threw right over Glass’ head as her face went blank, but only for a second as her anger returned in full. “What does that even mean?” she asked trying to mask her confusion with bitterness.

Now it was Razor’s face that went blank, only she now looked bored by their conversation. Leaning to the right toward the Courier she casually remarked, “Scatty, she’s a keeper. Don’t let her go.”

Okay that tore it. And speaking of tearing...

“That’s it!” Lifting off the ground Glass was ready for a fight. “I’m gonna--!”

It was then the bat and wolf leaped in front of their mistress, eyes full of rage as they snarled while guarding Razor. With a smile of mirth Razor waggled her hoof in teasing manner. “Tut, tut, tut, you should watch that anger.” Looking up at Glass her smile turned into a smug sneer filled with nothing but pleasure as she commented, “It could be hazardous to your health.”

Looking down she directed Glass’ attention toward Scatty, whom was still grounded, and feeling a little exposed being the one facing the three terrors. “Or those around you.”

Her threats were about as subtle as her humor. As much as she wanted this, Glass had no intention of letting another suffer for her battles. With sigh of defeat she backed done, returning to the floor.

“That’s a good soldier.” With a simple wave of her hoof Razor’s pets dispersed.

Before following her animals Razor shot Glass one quick smug look. “Honestly, the leaders up top must learn to keep tighter leashes on their minions.”

Despite her best efforts to hold it in, a hiss of irritation still escaped her. Glass hadn’t known this Razor more than a minute, and already she wanted nothing more than to drive her face through one of her little trinkets. The pointiest one. Razor could hide behind her pets all she wanted, cowards like her only get so far.

The bigger changeling was pulled from her inner thoughts of smashing faces with glass as Scatty rested a comforting hoof on her shoulder. The smile he gave her was as calming as his words. “Thanks for being here. We’ll leave soon, Scatty promises.”

With nothing but an empty look and a nod she headed toward the wall by the exit. “I’ll hold you to it.”

With a nod in return Scatty followed Razor as she walked towards the small crater of water. Seating herself before it she used her magic to heat the liquid as Scatty watched the bubbles coming up.

“So, to what do I owe this unexpected yet slightly welcomed intrusion?” Razor asked. “Is little Reflection trying to spy on me? Is the Queen ready for her next offering? Or,” she leaned over, resting her head on Scatty’s neck in an almost affection manner as she pouted her lips, “did you just wanna come see little old me Scatty?”

“N-no!” Scatty jumped. “Scatty here because--”

Razor then silenced him with a simple gesture of her hoof. “Well then it can wait then, I have work to do.” On those words she clapped her hoofs and without so much as an order Splinter ran outside to fetch something.

As she watched the wolf run on by Glass remembered a question that had been lingering in the back of her head since they got here. “What exactly is your work?”

“I do science,” Razor answered matter-of-factly.

Before Glass could offer her retort, Splinter dashed back in with what looked to be some kind of round cylinder jar in its jaws. Slowing at a pace the wolf walked up to Razor as it dropped it into her hoofs.

Glass squinted on an eye at the scene, but ignored it as she pressed her previous question. “Could you be specific?”

Razor sighed agitatedly. “Very well, I’ll put this in words that even Scatty can understand. Science my dear, is about asking a question, and getting an answer. Which is what I’m doing right now.” Holding up the jar into view she directed all eyes toward the little trapped scorpion inside.

“Like for instance, what would happen if I used snake venom to clean a burn? Where do scorpions make their poison? What do the insides of that creature look like? What would happen if I set this unspecific animal aflame?”

A gulp escaped the quiet courier.

Bringing the jar up to her face Razor stared at the small-trapped creature with a sinister smile. Enjoying every moment as it tried to force its way out of its clear prism, all to no avail. “In other words, whatever catches my fancy. And if I’m not doing that, I spend my free time making whatever I can into glass.”

Turning the jar over with her magic she started shaking the back on of the container to force the creature out. “The Queen gives me and my assistants our privacy, and in return I give her a new trinket once a month.”

“And you make it with just sand?”

At last Razor managed to yank the incursive arachnid from his hold. It dangled before eyes as she held it by the tail with her magic.

“Sand is all I need. I’m already a living furnace.” To prove her point Razor’s horn erupted with a small burst of a fire.

Okay, her curiosity over this degenerates work was slated, it was time to address the Ursa Major in the room. Or the scorpion in this context.

“What are you going to do with that?” Glass asked.

The frazzled arachnid swayed from side to side before Razor eyes as she watched its futile attempts to escape. “I wanna test the resistance of scorpion scales.”

“How?”

The smile Razor gave Glass looked as sweet as her answer. “I’m going to drop it into searing hot water of course.”

Distracted for only a second the captured scorpion made one final attempt for freedom. While Razor made sure to keep its tail out of reach, she neglected to mine its claws. In the last second before she could drop it, the arachnid snapped at the first chance it got, grabbing at the closes thing to it: Her nose.

Razor cried in pain as she grabbed her snout. The action caused her to lose focus of her magic and in return set her test subject free. Landed legs first, the little critter scurried off to the exit like its tail was on fire.

Still grasping her aching muzzle she turned to Scatty. “Don’t just stand there!” she cried. “Stop it!”

“Um… okay,” he tentatively answered before heading to the cave entrance. However, before he could block off the exit for the scorpion’s escape, Glass intervened.

Throwing her foreleg around his neck she pulled him into her chest where she held him in place. She wasn’t hurting him, but it looked tight enough that he clearly wasn’t going anywhere, not that Scatty looked like he was even trying to resist. He just sat there looking awkward while Glass, oblivious to his discomfort, stared a hole through Razor.

“He is not your assistant. Neither am I. You wanna mistreat animals? Do it yourself.” With no one to stop it the little scorpion scurried out of the cave toward freedom. Razor did not take this in kind.

“You overgrown--!” she didn’t finish since every second she wasted talking to these peons, the scorpion was getting further and further away.

“Splinter! Fetch!” Razor gave chase into the cave with her pet wolf not to far behind.

Releasing her hold on Scatty, Glass’ eyes lingered where the two left. “What a witch. I think I finally understand your reasons for not liking her.”

Checking his neck for bruises, Scatty seemed none the worse for wear. “To be honest, Scatty thinks he and nice Glass caught Razor on good day.”

Glass lifted a brow as she looked at him. “What do you consider a bad day?”

Before Scatty could answer the sound of approaching hoofsteps stopped him. And judging from the sound of the pace they were making, Razor wasn’t in any mood to hurry.

The wolf was the first to enter, its head was hanging low in shame, and no scorpion was in sight. The bat seeing this flew to a different side of the cave, looking to get as far from the reckoning that was sure to follow.

Razor was the last to enter. Her perky attitude was gone. Replaced now with a bitter scowl, matched only by her harsh and edgy tone.

“Splinter…” she said softly. “Do you have even an inkling, an inkling, of how much time I spent trying to locate that specimen?”

The timberwolf gave no gesture of a response. Judging from how its eyes were shut it was too scared to give any sort of answer, so Razor continued.

“Honestly, what good is having you as an assistant if you can’t do something as simple as stopping one, small, bug, from escaping?!” With each word she leaned in closer until her eyes were aligned with the frightened wolf. Her teeth were grinding so hard in anger it looked almost like little traces of bone were falling out of them.

And then out of nowhere, as if her personality did a flip turn, all traces of anger left her face, and her perky smile returned. “Aw, I can’t stay mad at you. Come here.” Extending her forelegs she caressed the wolf’s face in her hooves as she lovingly rested her forehead on it.

Glass looked just about as confused by her behavior as the timberwolf did. However, it soon returned her affection as it leaned into her.

Glass could only blink at the scene. Scatty, however, showed no confusion, because he knew what was coming.

Recalling her hoof Razor suddenly smacked the wolf so hard its head went clean off its body and flew to the other side of the room.

“Now then,” she commented as she dusted her hoofs of any sap from its body, “hopefully you’ll learn from your mistakes. Am I correct?”

Despite being headless, the body of the wooden wolf still shook its neck in answer.

“Good. Now go get your head.”

The timberwolf complied and trotted off to find its head while Glass watched in stunned silence. Razor’s behavior toward outsiders, and test subjects she might’ve understand, but her own pets? And Glass’ own pack had the audacity to call her mean?

Wiping some sweat from her brow Razor breathed a heavy sigh. It was so unfair, all she wanted to do was drop a living creature into a vat of searing hot water for the purpose of scientific study, and maybe a bit for her own pleasure. Was that so wrong? She needed something, anything, to get her mind off it.

A grin crossed her features. And she knew just the thing.

“Stalker…” she cooed, causing the bat to flinch where it stood. She then pouted her lips while showing off her sad eyes. “Mommy’s feeling a little down. Could you come here give her one of your sweet hugs?”

Beckoning the creature with open forelegs the bat, showing some hesitancy, heeded her call and threw its wings around her neck, nuzzling its face under her chin as she rested her head on it. The whole scene was almost touching in a way.

That is until Razor started drinking in its love. Literally.

Glass simply watched the whole thing. With how she treated the timberwolf she wasn’t surprised by this. If anything she was half sure she found the real reason Razor kept her pets around.

“Ah…” Razor exhaled. “Delicious.” Having fed enough she released the bat from her embrace as it body rested in her hoofs, dizzy from its experience.

She gave it a small smile before her eyes darted to her silent guests. Her gaze then fall back on Stalker before she gave an audible gasp. “Oh, where are my manners?”

Trotting up to them she shoved her pet into their faces as an offering. “Help yourself, she said with a smile. “Just leave enough so he’ll live. Mommy wouldn’t want to part with her lovely so soon.” Despite still looking out of it, the bat still managed to force a hiss of warning to the two.

Both changelings exchanged a look of discomfort, before backing away from the possibly rabid beast.

“Scatty’s fine.”

“I… already ate.” It was a lie. Glass felt like she could eat a pony, hooves and all. Yet even if she was dying of hunger, she wasn’t going anywhere near that thing.

“Suit yourselves.” Releasing her pet Razor watched as it fluttered away, swaying a little as flew.

“Well, seeing as my experiment’s a bust, perhaps now you can explain your reasons for being here? I assume you didn’t just come here just to see little old me work?”

After a short time delivering the Queen’s message and explaining their reasons for delay, Razor took a few moments for contemplation as she paced around her domain with a hoof to her chin.

Finally she stopped, turned toward Scatty, and then clapped her hooves giving a squeal of joy. “Sounds like it’ll be fun. And it’ll be a delight to see Mirage again.” Her smile fell a bit. “Shadow, not so much.”

She gave small bow for excusal. “Just give me one moment.”

Her brow furrowed as she barked, “Splinter! Stalker! Go out and fetch me a new specimen! If I get back and you haven’t found one, you’ll be looking for your heads in an ant hill!”

After managing to recover from their previous experience from their mistress, the two wasted no time as they galloped off.

She waved them off with a smile. “Be safe, darlings! Mommy looks forward to what you find her!”

Turning towards Scatty and Glass, she waved them to follow. “Come then, we don’t want to keep our Queen waiting.”

Razor Trotted off with a cheery hum to her tune. Glass and Scatty followed from behind, deciding to keep their distance from the clearly disturbed changeling.

“Well,” Scatty said with a breath of relief, “Scatty thinks that went okay.”

Glass was pretty sure her brain just short-circuited. She looked at the little changeling like he just went crazier than Razor. “You think what happened back there was okay?”

His face fell flat as he shot her a dull look. It was the first time he ever showed any lack of emotion other than joy or fear. “Last time Scatty came here, Scatty left with his flank singed and both wings tied through the holes in his legs.”

Well that shut her up, but now she was kind of curious. “Just what in Tartarus happened last time you were here?”

“Scatty may have tripped and broke a few of Razor’s trinkets.”

“How many is a few?”

“… A lot?