Changeling Quest Book 1: Enemy Found

Chapters

Chapter 1 : The Letter
Chapter 3 : An Unexpected Friend
Chapter 4 : Surprise Attack
Chapter 5 : I'm Fine!!!
Chapter 6 : Trying to walk....with a broken hoof
Chapter 7 : Finding a Camp
Chapter 8 : WHY IS THIS FOREST TROLLING ME?!
Chapter 9: The Lake
Chapter 10: Enemy sighted
Prolouge
Chapter 2 : Bad News

Chapter 1 : The Letter

"EVERYPONY MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!" screamed the little purple baby dragon as he pushed through the crowds of ponies all doing their usual daily jobs. It was another lovely normal day in Ponyville. But all that was about to change. The baby dragon ran all the way to a giant shimmering tree-like castle in the distance. As he bolted over to the building he tripped over a rock and practically smashed through the doors. A purple Alicorn ran up to him.
"Spike! What did I tell you about smashing through doors like that?" scolded Princess Twilight Sparkle, pushing Spike over with a hoof.

Spike shoved a letter into her face. She rolled her eyes and pulled the paper back with a delicate wave of magenta magic. Her eyes flew open as she read the urgent words of the letter. Then she galloped away, letting the paper fall flat onto Spike's face.

Twilight burst into the throne room where all of her friends were waiting. Pinkie Pie was shaking in her seat.
"HI TWILIGHT! Another cutie map adventure?"

Pinkie zoomed all over the room, checking their flanks for glowing and animated cutie marks. Twilight used her magic to slowly put a hyped Pinkie back in her throne. "Sorry girls. I had you all come at this time because I've received a very urgent message from Princess Celestia. It commands that all princesses must meet up at Canterlot Castle for an emergency meeting. And I'm going. Any one of you with me?" asked Twilight, pawing the ground nervously. Fluttershy glanced at her friend in worry. Twilight's wing feathers were ruffled out; a sign that she was under stress. Rarity was nodding slowly. Rainbow Dash was pretty much karate chopping Spike's favourite plush toy. Applejack pushed her fedora over her face. Pinkie was nodding. Very hard. Then they all agreed, Fluttershy hesitating a little. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. "Then let's go."

Twilight and her friends stepped out of the train. After a few hours of rest she was energetic enough to attend the meeting. She had spent the whole afternoon planning for the meeting and she was really tired after that scenario. As they trotted through the busy streets worry gripped Twilight's mind. Why would Celestia send that letter in the middle of a peaceful year? Applejack noticed Twilight's ears flat on her head and came over to comfort the princess.
"Buck up, Sugarcube. We're all here for ya."

Twilight managed a small smile. AJ's courage had always comforted her in perilous times. Except this time.....well....it wasn't that perilous, but you still got that feeling that everything would turn upside down. Finally the group reached the castle. Twilight blushed as she saw that one particular orange colt with striking blue hair; Flash Sentry. He was at the gates. As soon as he saw Twilight and co he accompanied them inside. As soon as the others were ahead he dropped back to talk with Twilight. "Hey." Twilight blushed even more.
"Uh...hi?"
"So, serious meeting huh? I just hope whatever's bothering the princesses doesn't hurt anypony; especially you." Twilight pictured the scratching sound of a DJ disk going through the hallway as a side effect to the scene. What? So he did have a crush on her! Twilight smiled at him. "I just hope that it's just a false alarm and nothing will interrupt our peaceful life."

Chapter 3 : An Unexpected Friend

Twilight paced back and forth. Spike was watching her, a small smile on his face. "Uh, Twilight? I think you may have made a hole in the ground...." Twilight looked down. There was a massive hole in the ground where her hooves had paced around. She sighed heavily.

"Sorry, Spike. It's just that the thought of going into changeling territory is making me nervous."

Spike came over and gave her a hug. "Twilight, you were like a big sister to me. I always know you would find a solution," said the baby dragon, making puppy dog eyes at her. Twilight managed a small smile. Then she straightened up.

"I need a list."

Then she dashed off, leaving Spike smiling. 'I know you can do this Twilight. Don't give up on hope now,' thought Spike as he watched Twilight dash about making lists and writing timetables.

Twilight stepped out of the train, followed by her friends. Fluttershy was shaking a little.

"It might have been a good idea to bring Discord.." she began.

Twilight perked her ear up. "What? Why?" Fluttershy shook her head.

"Oh, never mind."

Twilight came over and put a hoof around the yellow pegasus' neck. "We're all nervous Fluttershy, but you gotta stay strong." Fluttershy took a deep breath and put in a brave face. Twilight smiled. "Now that's the spirit. Let's go. The changeling territory shouldn't be far from-" she was interrupted by the sound of beating wings and.....no.....were they.....changeling wings? Twilight turned around. Flash Sentry was there, but who was that beside him? Was that guy a changeling? "Flash! Who is that beside you?" Asked Twilight. Flash nudged the changeling forward.

"This is Umbra. I met him two days ago. He changed sides and wants to help us," he explained.

Umbra bowed to Twilight. Twilight blinked. A changeling who had betrayed his own kind? And that name.....it sounds familiar....no....was he the eldest of Chrysalis' children?! Twilight glanced at her friends.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW HE ISN'T GONNA BETRAY US NEXT?! HE COULD BE JUST LIKE DISCORD!!!!" screamed Rainbow Dash, glaring at Umbra with gritted teeth.

Flash looked at Twilight. She narrowed her eyes at Rainbow. "But then maybe he did change sides.....Discord was reformed after a few weeks in stone," reasoned Twilight. Rainbow snorted and stomped over to Umbra.

"Fine. But one wrong move and you're done for," she threatened.

Umbra nodded. "I know many hiding places. We could maybe set up camp in one of them and keep going until we reach my mother's castle," said Umbra. Twilight nodded. If they were going in there help from a changeling could be valuable.

Chapter 4 : Surprise Attack

Twilight looked at the sunset. I wonder what my Canterlot High friends are doing now, she thought, thinking of Sunset Shimmer. Pinkie called her in. They had spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking their stuff and setting up camp. Soon it was dinner. Not really the type of dinner Twilight was expecting but at least it was delicious. She had gotten to know Umbra a little better and she found out he had very useful info about this weird land. The grass was grey and the sky.....well it was always grey. Everything here seemed grey. Twilight wondered if Celestia had even bothered to raise the sun here. After dinner the ponies discussed tomorrow's events. Twilight and Flash would go looking for another hiding spot for then to set up camp while Rainbow and Fluttershy would patrol the sky for any sign of danger. The rest would bring their supplies over to the hiding spot while Umbra would pretend to take them as prisoners if they got caught. Soon everyone was asleep, except for Twilight and Flash. Twilight sat on that cliff looking out into the horizon. Equestria seemed so far now. She shuddered. Suddenly Flash landed beside her. "Eek!!!" She yelped and stumbled backwards. Flash caught her before she could fall down the cliff. Twilight's face was a deep shade of red. Flash helped her up and sat down beside her. Twilight could see that he moved closer. Soon their coats were touching. Flash wrapped a wing around Twilight. She was startled, but she didn't pull away. Instead she looked ahead, both of them staring into the distance and possibly the future.

Twilight woke up early. Last night wasn't really comfortable. Her bed was full of rocks. She stretched her wings. Flash came out and shook his mane.

"Rough night huh," he commented, noticing Twilight's state.

She nodded bluntly. Rainbow kept yawning during breakfast. Rarity kept complaining about the scenery. Fluttershy was disappointed that there were no animals around. Applejack tried to find fruit to make juice but there were none. It was pretty much a dull place, as Pinkie reflected. Rarity still complained about the scenery. Twilight sighed. "You know, when life gives you lemons.." she started, as if reading from a piece of literature.

"I COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LEMONS!" screamed Rarity, then clamped her mouth shut.

Twilight sighed. "Come on Flash its time we went to find a new place," she sighed, nudging Flash. He nodded and then the both of them flew off.

Twilight and Flash ventured deeper into changeling territory. Black clouds darkened the sky as they trudged through the barren landscape. Soon they came across a large collection of caves. Twilight looked around in wonder. She wondered what lived here. " Hey Flash, what do you think lives he-" she was about to ask Flash when the ground caved in from under them. Flash managed to fly away in time but Twilight was still falling. "AHHHH!!!!!!!" Flash tried to grab her but he couldn't reach for her hoof. She hit the ground. Coughing she staggered up to her hooves. She was bruised all over. Flash landed beside her but before he could say anything a large changeling dragon loomed over them. Twilight gritted her teeth and shot a ray of plasma into the monster. The dragon dodged and took a step forward. Flash flew in front of the beast, trying to distract it from Twilight. It swatted him away. Flash spun around in mid air and crashed into a clump of black grass. Twilight staggered up to him. "Are you alr-"

"Twilight look out!!"

Twilight couldn't move away in time as a large dragon tail smacked her on the side and sent her flying through the air. Twilight felt like her wing had been crushed. She slammed into a boulder holding the caves up and soon the caves collapsed on the dragon. But Twilight couldn't get up and debree fell over her. She was dimly aware of blood trickling down her face as the cave gave way and collapsed. She felt her whole body falling from the cave before she heard Flash screaming out her name. Then everything went black.

Chapter 5 : I'm Fine!!!

Author's Note

5th chapter yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. I hope you like it

Chapter 5 : I'm Fine!!!

"Twilight! TwILIIIIIGHT!!!!!" That was the last thing Twilight remembered before darkness enveloped her. She was aware that she was falling from a high ledge of the cave. Flash Sentry got up. He zoomed over, but the dust was too thick for his eyes. "Twilight!" He screamed, his voice hoarse. His eyes scanned around for any sign of the lavender pony, but the dust that hung in the air prevented him a full view. He heard a loud thud somewhere and saw a few boulders falling of a cliff. He flew over. Swatting the dust away he made his way through the debree. The corpse of the dead changeling dragon was buried under a pile of rocks. Flash didn't care. He had to find Twilight. As he came up on a ledge he saw a huddled shape below. A shape with wings and a horn. Twilight! He practically jumped down from the ledge, only slowing just before he hit the ground. Slowly he trudged over to the shape. Stifling a gasp of horror he tried to move the rocks off of Twilight. After he cleared away most of the rocks he grabbed Twilight's wing and started to pull her away. He laid her beside him. She looked like she just got run over by a stampede of Fluttershy's rabbits. One of her wings were twisted out of shape. Her body was covered in scratches and bruises. Blood trickled out from gash on her forehead. Desperately he ripped off some of his mane. Who would have thought he'd do that for Twilight. Then he laid it on her head. He glanced at her chest and was relieved to see that at least she was alive. After a few moments the bleeding stopped long enough for him to pick her up gently and fly back to base.

Twilight woke with a start, then winced as pain tore through her body. She glanced at her wing. There was a small wrap around her right wing. She stared at it in disbelief. How did it get bent out of shape? Then she remembered. Her fore hoof was bandaged up while a big plaster stuck onto her head. Boy did she look helpless. Just as she was about to get off the bed Flash walked in. "Twilight! You're awake!" He exclaimed, rushing over to give her a light hug. Twilight glanced sheepishly at him. "How Iong have I been out for?" Flash grinned. " A couple hours or so. You're friends were really worried," he said. "I'm just glad you're OK. Are you hurt?" Twilight lifted up her twisted wing and raised an eyebrow. "Do I look fine to you?" Flash grinned even more. "Just joking. A couple more days and you'll be fine. But you can't fly until then." Fluttershy poked her head in. "Twilight! Ohh we were so worried about you!" Squealed Fluttershy as she examined Twilight. "Lucky for you you survived. Flash told us everything and we sent a letter to Princess Celestia." Twilight blinked gratefully at her friend. Then as she tried to move her front leg pain shot through it. She winced. "Oh that's right, you can't move until you're hooves are better," remembered Fluttershy. "I'm fine!" protested Twilight, suddenly remembering their mission.

Fluttershy had left some soup for Twilight before she left on patrol. Twilight sighed. She wiggled her injured wing a little. Twilight thought back to the attack. Changelings had dragons now?! Great Celestia was this mission going to be hard.

Chapter 6 : Trying to walk....with a broken hoof

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 7 : Finding a Camp

Flash sneaked into the medical tent. He had to see Twilight, even at this early hour. As he treaded through sleeping ponies and the sleeping changeling, he was trying to think of a way to explain why he woke Twilight so early in the morning. But as soon as he entered the tent he was surprised to see Twilight sitting on her sleeping bag, flipping through a book and occasionally relighting her oil lamp. He coughed softly and stepped into full view. Twilight looked startled for a moment, then her expression softened.

"Uh...Flash? What are you doing here?" she asked.

Flash put a hoof to his muzzle.

"You ready to go find that new campsite tomorrow?"

Twilight lowered her head. Flash came closer. When he got a full view of Twilight he could see that she wasn't ready to go. Her mane was unusually messy and there were dark circles under her eyes. Even that usual sparkle in her violet eyes was gone.

"Oh. Uh.....apparently you aren't ready.."

Twilight lit up her horn and pointed it to her broken wing. It lit up with a magenta glow, revealing the bandages around the joint. There were feathers sticking up randomly in every direction, which was unusual for a tidy pony like Twilight. She usually kept her fur neatly groomed. Then Twilight pointed her horn to one of her hooves. It was wrapped up in bandages too. She moved it a little bit.

"It's fine."

Twilight let the light from her horn falter and eventually burn out. She relit the oil lamp. "I couldn't sleep anyway." Flash took a step back.

"Why not?"

Twilight lifted her bandaged wing. Then she raised her eyebrow. "Ohhh." Flash headed for the entrance. "Well, if you are feeling any better, let me know. Then we can go look for the campsite," he said. "Goodnight Twilight." He didn't hear Twilight's reply as he treaded outside. Flash really hoped she felt better soon. They had to get out of here. Soon.

Flash pushed through the flaps of the med tent. He was relieved to see Twilight stretching out her bandaged hoof and wing. Apparently the bandages were off. Twilight could fold back her right wing now. Even though her hoof hadn't recovered fully, she could still limp. Flash went over, unaware that there was a book on the ground. He tripped over it and bumped into something soft and feathery.

"OOF!"

Twilight fell over as Flash smashed into her left wing. Not her right one, thank Celestia. It had to fully recover first before she could fly again. She pushed herself up with one hoof, kneeling with the hurt one. Flash got up and helped her to stand.

"What were you doing?" teased Twilight, sticking her tongue out at him while winking.

Flash felt his ears go flat and his cheeks go hot. "Whoops, sorreh." Twilight gave him a playful nudge and limped outside.

"Were you looking for me?"

Flash nodded. "You set to go exploring?" Twilight nodded. Flash stretched out his wings. Twilight stared blankly at him.

"Can't fly remember?"

Flash folded back his wings. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. Then he followed Twilight outside. Rainbow Dash gave them the all-clear and they trotted into the outside world.

Twilight was panting. She and Flash had trekked miles into the wilderness without rest. Flash had suggested taking a rest but Twilight had insisted that they keep on going. At last they reached a somewhat dense forest. It was..well....black. Twilight rolled her eyes. Everything here was black. What's up with that? Flash looked at Twilight.

"You ok back there?"

Twilight nodded. "Let's go in." Just as she took a step forward Flash barred her way with a hoof. Twilight's wings flew up in surprise. "Wha?" Flash gave her a concerned look.

"You just got attacked by a changeling dragon. You really want to go in there?"

Twilight sighed. "The others' safety is more important. If changelings found us we would be in big trouble. Yes, I can't fly as well. Yes, I can't walk well either. But I care more about my friends."

Flash smiled at her. "Ok. Then let's go."

Chapter 8 : WHY IS THIS FOREST TROLLING ME?!

Twilight and Flash walked flank-to-flank into the forest. It looked boring so far. Everything was grey. Twilight gave an exasperated sigh.

"I can't get over the fact that literally everything here is grey!" she snapped.

Flash put a wing around her. As they continued exploring the forest, Twilight felt her adrenaline rise. She had got attacked by...what....a big..ugly....stupid changeling dragon....a DRAGON!! That thing made Tirek combined with Discord and King Sombra look like a mere goat. Twilight shuddered. She could feel Flash grow tense as the short grass suddenly sprouted out to long blades of messy grey. At least they had more cover. Then again, they couldn't see their enemy stalking through the grass; if there was one.

"This place gives me the chills. At least the adrenaline rush is comforting," joked Flash as he plucked out a tall blade of grass covering his face.

Twilight gave a nervous laugh. Then the floor gave way. Flash and Twilight screamed as they tumbled into the darkness. Twilight covered her head with her left wing. Crash. Twilight fell on top of Flash. She was choking from the dust and the impact.

"Holy cheese," wheezed Flash, pushing Twilight off and standing up on his feet...erm...well....hooves. Twilight choked her agreement and managed to kneel on the ground, her left hoof refusing to help prop herself up. Flash heaved her up onto her hooves.

"Quite the fall there," Twilight managed to choke out, waving the dust away.

Flash glanced up at the hole. "Forget about that, how do we get out?!" Twilight pawed at the wall hopelessly. She couldn't fly out. Her right wing was still recovering. Flapping it would risk breaking it even more. Flash flapped up. Twilight groaned. Then she lit up her horn. Seconds later she teleported beside Flash. He screamed and fell backwards. Twilight burst out laughing.

"Sorry Flash. I had no other choice," she laughed.

Flash pretended to be cross, folding his hooves somehow. Then he got up. Grinning, he pointed to the trail with a hoof. "Let's keep going." Twilight nodded and rapidly limped after him.

Back at camp, Umbra looked into the sunset. What the heck is taking them so long?? he thought desperately. Applejack came up behind him. "Whatcha worrying 'bout Sugarcube??" Umbra looked startled.

"What is taking Twilight and Flash so long?" said Umbra in his animatronic-like voice.

Applejack squinted into the forest. "I hope their ok. But then again, Twilight's a princess and Flash is a mighty good guard."

Umbra nodded. I hope your alright guys he thought.

In the forest, Twilight looked at the sun setting in worry. She stopped. Flash couldn't hear her steps anymore and looked back. "Why the holdup?" Twilight was about to say something when a vine dropped on top of her head. Flash was about to wrench it off when another one dropped onto his face. Then the vines started to wrap around them and tangle up.

"WHAT IN EQUESTRIA?!" yelled Twilight as the vines wrapped around her hooves. She lost her footing and fell down, Flash crashing beside her. "What is it-" Twilight choked as the vine squeezed around her chest.

"It's trying to-hurggh-strangle...us..." wheezed Flash. Twilight lit up her horn, only to find that she couldn't use her magic.

"Ugh! Whats going on?!" Twilight desperately tried to kick the vine, but it twisted out of reach and strangled her even more. Flash bit into the vine. It loosened a bit. He looked to his right to see that Twilight was nearly covered in the vine. He bit the vine even harder and stretched open his wings. It instantly broke the vine's grip on him. He ripped it apart with his teeth. Then he ran over to Twilight. The plant nearly covered her horn. He destroyed it using the same technique. The vine broke to pieces. Twilight didn't move. He poked her in the ribs. She coughed. "Huh?!" then her head shot up. She coughed violently. Flash slapped her back. "WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR?!" she protested.

"To get your lungs up and running again," joked Flash.

Twilight sighed. Seriously, this forest was trolling them.

Chapter 9: The Lake

Well, apparently this forest was trolling the two ponies. Twilight had reflected. Just yesterday they were attacked by a couple of vines. And a few minutes before, they were chased by rocks. Rocks. ROCKS?! Boy was this place just like the Everfree. Twilight limped even faster. In front of her, Flash looked back and forth to make sure they weren't followed. Then he stretched his wings, flying up and then gliding down to land in front of Twilight. "All clear. You think you wanna give flying a try? Fluttershy did say you could fly after at least two days,"said Flash. Twilight felt her adrenaline pump again. FLYING?! Then she lifted her head. She was a princess. She had to pull it together.

"All right," she said, her voice cracking with a little bit of anxiety.

Flash grinned. "I'll be there if you fall." Twilight smiled gratefully and stretched her lavender wings. Ahh that felt so good. Then she started to flap, the right wing aching a little bit. Slowly Twilight rose up into the air. Flash followed. Twilight kept flapping. "So far so good!" yelled Flash. Twilight took a deep breath and started to glide. After a few minutes she could fly as well as Flash. Then, her right wing gave way.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" screamed Twilight as she frantically flapped her left wing. That helped a little. Flash dove down. Just in time. Twilight landed on top of him. Sheepishly she glanced at her right wing. It looked fine. It was just a little weak. Flash grinned.

"Well, that's a start."

Twilight rolled her eyes and stretched out her wings. Please don't fall please don't fall,she thought to herself as she rose off Flash's back and glided down to the trees. She landed on top of a cloud. "Well, at least this is a little safer," Twilight joked as Flash landed beside her.

"Yes but what if changelings see us?"

Twilight nodded. She glided down and smashed into the treetop. "OUCH!!!!" Flash grinned to himself and pulled Twilight out of the branches. Twilight did not look amused. There were leaves stuck to her wing feathers. She shook them off and flew down to the pathway. "That really wasn't a fun experience," she snorted. Flash burst out laughing.

"Sorry. But you got a little.." Flash pointed to something stuck on Twilight's fringe. She pulled it out with her magic, her horn lighting up a brilliant magenta. She groaned as she threw away the little twig into the bushes. "Let's keep going," suggested Flash.

Twilight and Flash came upon a small lake. Somehow this place was...for once, colourful. "Woah.." Twilight paced around, gazing in awe at the waterfall and the trees full of fruit. "At least this place has colour," said Twilight, looking around for Flash. He was thinking.

"It could be a trap. After all, this is the only place with colour," reasoned Flash as he landed beside Twilight.

Twilight was about to say something when Pinkie Pie burst out of the bushes. "AGGGHH!!!!" squealed Twilight as Pinkie leaped on top of her.

Chapter 10: Enemy sighted

Twilight had poofed everything from their old camp into this little lagoon. Flash had checked around to see if there were any traps. He had declared this spot safe and Twilight had magically summoned everything here.

"Where are we?" Fluttershy's quiet voice broke the silence as Twilight's friends gazed around. Umbra smiled.

"This place is calledRyyn Uria or 'Haven Lagoon' in changeling tongue." Fluttershy let out a squeal of excitement as she spotted the first few birds emerge from the bushes around the lake. They were special birds. Likely cousins of the phoenix, Fluttershy thought. These birds were a beautiful shade of icy-blue, with icicle-like wings and cyan eyes. They were extremely friendly, singing sweetly accompanied by the bubbling sound of the waterfall. Twilight smiled. This place really was a haven.

"We better get something to eat. It's our turn to keep watch." Flash's voice broke her train of thought. Twilight nodded. Umbra reached up and grabbed a fruit. he bit into it and nodded, hinting that the fruit was safe to eat. Twilight plucked some more from the nearby trees, piling them into a basket beside the tent which they used as a dining room. Then she ate one fruit. Flash quickly gulped down his fruit.

"Why do I feel strengthened?" asked Twilight as a strong sensation took over her body. Instantly she felt rejuvenated. She looked up, only to see Flash zooming around.

"I feel great!!!" he yelled as he landed beside Twilight. Umbra laughed.

"The fruit heals you, as well as restoring your strength," he explained. Flash grinned. Twilight spread out her wings and flew up.

"Come on dude. Let's go check the borders," laughed Twilight as she landed on a cloud. Flash nodded and flew up to join her. They began patrolling the skies and checking in crevasses or caves for any signs of the enemy. Then, Twilight saw it. A patrol of changelings headed this way. "We gotta hold them off!" whispered Twilight to Flash. He nodded.

"I got a plan."

Prolouge

Screaming. It was all screaming. The sound of hooves clopping rang out across the entire area. Ponies were screaming and frantically running away to the safest place possible. A lone pony stood on a cliff. This was no normal pony. He had holes in his hooves and his wings were almost insect-like. He was a changeling. But he was not the average changeling. This one was particularly special, his dark blue mane flowing in the wind. His hooves pawed at the ground. His bright red eyes blazed at the destruction around him. Suddenly a harsh voice rang through his ears like water does through a hole. "UMBRA!!!!!" an icy blue she-changeling landed next to him. She glared at him.

"WHY AREN'T YOU OUT THERE, WELL FIGHTING?!"
Umbra glared at her. "All this fighting, and for what? We are hurting these-"

He ducked out of the way just in time as Glacier shot a beam of ice at him.

"SOFT HEARTED! AS USUAL! WHY CAN'T YOU ACT LIKE A REAL BIG BROTHER FOR ONCE?!"
Umbra gritted his teeth. Glacier rolled her eyes and sighed.
"I don't know how to change you...I've always thought of you as the best big brother out there. But now.."

Umbra put a holey hoof around his little sister's neck. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how much it hurt you. But I just...well....I was born like this. And I can't change my personality,"he whinnied softly. Glacier smiled a little, then wriggled out of reach.

"I'll go check on the troops then."

" And with that she flew off, leaving Umbra alone. Six siblings, but he was the oldest; and the softest. How on earth was he going to live up to his younger siblings?

Chapter 2 : Bad News

"How did you even get here? I thought you were supposed to be in the Crystal Empire," said Twilight, looking at Flash confusingly. Flash grinned.
"Cadence brought me here. She told me to wait for you and her friends."

Twilight smiled a little. Cadence did have a tendency to matchmake ponies. Did she suspect Twilight's crush on Flash? Applejack noticed Twilight alone with Flash. "Hey Rarity. Our girl's doing that thing with Flash," she said, gesturing with her hoof to Twilight. Rarity laughed. "Darling we all expected that sooner or later." Aj was about to say something when Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadence trotted over to them. Flash stood up straighter.
"Thank you for coming. We will begin the meeting at night time, where we can talk in secrecy."

Cadence galloped over to Twilight. "Sunshine, sunshine ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Twilight and Cadence laughed. Celestia regarded them with a smile. Luna was covering her face with her hooves, trying hard not to smile. Celestia noticed Flash looking at Twilight. She nudged Flash aside. "You really like her?" Flash blushed and nodded. Celestia burst out laughing. Twilight overheard them and blushed
Flash glanced sheepishly at her. Celestia stopped laughing. "OK everypony. It's nearly sundown. Wait here while my sister and I raise the moon and set the sun." Twilight nodded.

After Celestia and Luna raised the moon and set the sun, the meeting began. Celestia sat at the head of the table, flanked by Luna and Cadence.
"Changelings. They have invaded Equestria. This happened in the past where you six blasted them away-" began Celestia.

"Apparently Cadence and Shining Armor blasted them away," interrupted Twilight. Celestia smiled, then continued.
"We need some ponies to go find out the reason behind the attack."

Celestia looked at Twilight. Twilight noticed the stare and gulped. "We'll go Princess." Fluttershy nodded hesitantly. Celestia nodded. "Good. You leave when you're ready. I wish you good luck. Meeting dismissed." Celestia glanced at Flash and whispered in his ear. " You'll look after them won't you?" He nodded. Celestia smiled.

Meanwhile Twilight stumbled back to the train. She hardly felt as if her legs belonged to her. She and her friends were about to face many dangers. What fate awaited them in changelings territory? Twilight shuddered at the thought. Applejack put a hoof around her neck comfortingly. But even so, Twilight's wing feathers were ruffled out again.