Celestia sighed as she stood in front of the door to her sister’s private study. She had been there for several minutes after knocking politely, then not so politely in a futile attempt to draw Luna from her reading and back into the world of living ponies. She knew it was not likely to work, but had always felt it was rude not to try. Her sister’s study was in truth more of a vault writ archive filled wall to wall with scrolls, books, documents, and dusty behemoths which could only be described as tomes. Each of them in one way or another deemed unfit or too dangerous to allow into public circulation, had found its way into the dusty windowless tomb of knowledge. Some where the most vile texts, containing spells and rituals for dark magic that could twist a pony's body and soul in ways Celestia could only wish she had never seen or imagined. Others were more benign, and simply held reference to creatures or magical artifacts that the sisters thought it better their little ponies didn't go looking for.

Shaking herself from her musings, Celestia decided she had waited longer than good manners dictated. Ensuring she made herself audible, she opened the door and trotted heavily into the room. Luna was at her desk, slowly flipping through the pages of a very old looking book, a steaming mug floating next to her head, ensconced in a deep blue glow. The sight reminded Celestia of Twilight when she would cram for a test. She might even have found it funny, if the sight hadn’t become so commonplace.

Despite Celestia's best efforts, her sister was oblivious to the world, and still had not noticed her entry. Snickering quietly, Celestia sneaked up behind her sister, leaned in close and whispered in Luna’s ear “Lulu”

The dark alicorn jumped in her seat as her drink fell from her grasp, but a golden aura wrapped around it, carefully returning the liquid back to the cup before setting it on the desk.

Luna looked to her sister, bags visible under her eyes, “Why are you up this late?” She asked.

Celestia gave her a soft smile, “It’s morning.”

Luna rubbed her eyes and spoke between her hooves, “It feels as if it has only been a few hours-” Her eyes shot open as a realisation dawned on her, “The moon!” She tried to rise but was quickly stopped by Celestia.

“I took care of it,” Celestia explained and putting her sister at ease. “I thought something like this may happen when I heard about the documents from Zebrica you received. Anything of value?”

Luna sighed and closed the book that lay open on her desk, “Just the same recycled dribble I have read hundreds of times now.” She said, leaning back in her chair and stared at the ceiling, feeling far more tired than she looked. “Ten years Tia, ten years and I have yet to find anything on what that Demon was. Honestly, I am beginning to think there is no information, and all of this.” —She waved a hoof to the books around her— “Has just been a waste of time.”

“If we're lucky, Twilight and her friends will find something useful in Saddle Arabia. In the meantime why don’t you focus on your other duties, it'll probably be a while before we hear from Twilight anyway,” Celestia said.

Luna stood and stretched out her sore limbs, with her magic she grabbed her drink and took a small sip before speaking, “What duties would you be referring to?” she said, in a tone that told Celestia she knew exactly what she was talking about.

“You haven’t held Night Court this week or last week.”

Luna trotted passed and out into the hall. She didn’t need to tell her sister to follow, as she stuck close to Luna’s side. Once in the hall Luna cast a spell and sealed the door to the chamber closed, nothing would enter this room that she or her sister didn’t approve of. Content that the secrets were safe from prying eyes, she turned and headed to her tower. Seeing as the halls were empty and she couldn’t feel the presence of other ponies Luna addressed her sister once more, “What is the point, no pony ever comes any more, and why would they. After all, who would want to seek counsel from one who led their colts and fillies to slaughter?”

“Luna, they don’t think—”

“They do think that Tia, they just do not say it.” Luna stopped at the door to her tower. “I cannot really blame them, it is better they blame my incompetence then know what really happened. If there is nothing else you need I am going to get some rest.”

Celestia turned and stepped away, “Pleasant dreams Luna.”

***

Mystic Blade sat in front of a grave marker: a simple slab of stone. He placed a few flowers in a holder on either side of the marker before removing his helmet and setting it down in front of him. His two tone red hung down loosely moving gently as the wind blew through, and cooling his light blue coat from the summer heat.

“Hey dad, it’s me,” Mystic Blade said, smiling lovingly at the grave. “Sorry it’s been so long since I last came by, but I have news: I’m Captain of the Guard now. The princesses told me the truth about how you died, the real truth. How when everything was going to tartarus you stood your ground and faced that Demon. I’ve seen the likes of Discord and Tirek, yet I still have trouble believing some of the things I’ve read in the reports. Just when I thought I’d finally gotten to your level I find out you’ve faced something like this.” — He laughed to himself—“I guess I still have a ways to go. Not much has changed at home mom is still pestering me about finding my special somepony, but my work with the guard takes up so much of my time.”

Mystic turned his head at the sound of somepony clearing their throat.

A white pegasus stallion stood at attention, his wings tightly pressed agent, his eyes forward. Apart from his head, he was clad in the golden armor of the Royal Guard, Day Guard branch. His brown mane was a short squire on top of this head. “Morning Star, what brings you out here?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you, Princess Celestia has requested your presents. I’m to escort you back.” Morning Star said.

“It’s alright, I was just finishing up here anyway,” Mystic retrieved his helmet and slid it back on.

Morning Star trotted to Mystic’s side and read the plaque.

In loving memory of
Solar Shield.
Devoted husband. Loving father. Protector of Equestria.
May he rest in peace.

“I served with your father for many years, so you can believe me when I say: he would be proud of you.”

Mystic smiled. “I still remember that last thing he said to me before he went off to that war: I’ll be back before you know it, so look after you mother.”

Morning Star gave a long sigh, “Not many of us came back from that hellish war…your father, he saved a lot of lives.”

“I know. I’m as proud of him as I’m sure he is of me.” Mystic turned and trotted away with Morning Star following close by. “So did the Princess say why she summoned me?”

“No,” Morning Star was quick to inform. “But as the saying goes when a princess summons you it’s either something dumb or something bad.”

“Something dumb?” Mystic found himself asking.

“I guess you haven’t been called to open the peanut butter jar yet.” Morning Star answered with a laugh.

Mystic Blade approached the door to the throne room. The two guard stood watch on either side of the door, doing their best imitation of a statue. He gave a quick nod to the guards and let himself in. Celestia was on her throne as she listened to her assistant, Raven, go over her report, “…because of that the supplies for the garrison at the Badland Wall will be delayed until early spring.”

Celestia rubbed the side of her head clearly annoyed at the situation. Mystic had heard that the Badland Wall had been causing the princess no end of trouble throughout its construction: from the workers having constant nightmares, despite Luna’s interventions, to the problems laying railroad tracks forcing them to transport supplies by air. And now they were having trouble keeping a garrison, as guards kept requesting transfers to a different post. “Inform the commander they will have to make do with their current supplies, but if need be he is free to purchase supplies from any nearby settlement.” Celestia said.

Mystic cleared his throat. He stood patiently at the base of the throne, catching the princess’s attention, “I hope I’m not interrupting.” He said.

The Princess looked almost relieved to see him, “No, in fact you're just on time.” She turned back to Raven before continuing. “We will continue this later, Raven.” She stepped down the throne, walking past Mystic Blade and called, “Come, we have much to discuss.”

He followed her out the door and down the hallway, quickening his pace to keep up with her long strides. “You look good in that armor,” Celestia said, looking to his purple and gold lined armor.

“Thank you your Majesty, but it’s strange not to have the enchantments that change my coat colors.”

Celestia smirked at him, “One of the perks of command.” Her voice took a serious tone as they turned down another corridor. “Have you read over the reports from the war?”

“I have your Majesty,” Mystic said. He recalled spending hours reading over every report from the surviving guard. Some of them were detailed with careful thought placed in them, while others seemed like mad ramblings. “To be perfectly honest, if you hadn’t requested I read that I would have passed it off as just a hoax. I can see why you chose to hide it from the public, just knowing that something like that is out there is unsettling.”

“I have talked it over with the other princesses and we are in agreement. It has been too long without us knowing the happenings within the Badlands. We will be sending a scouting team to find out if the Changeling still live, and if so, what they are up to, as well find out if the Demon is still there. And you will lead them.”

Mystic stopped dead, his eyes going wide, “Princess, if even half of what I read is true then going to the Badlands is suicide.” He didn’t have a fear of death he, as would any guard, would gladly give his life for Equestria, but he was not one for charging into what was likely certain death.

Celestia stopped and looked at him with confidence filling her eyes, “And that, my little pony, is why you will be going prepared.”

They entered the palace’s Special Research Laboratory. It was the only lab within the palace itself and only the most qualified were allowed to work there. As Mystic passed through the archway he felt the magic from the numerous barriers placed on the walls; the amount of power sent a shiver through him.

The lab was about as wide and long as a hoofball field, although from what he had heard the room had a dimensional spell placed on it, making its inside far larger than the outside. The interior gave off the feeling of a hospital with how clean and white everything was, and it was made up of smaller closed off rooms with scholars and mages working on their various projects. The staff did little more than give glances or slight nods to Celestia as they moved through, it was a stark contrast from when whole room would stop to bow to her. That alone show just how much time Celestia spent here.

Mystic trotted through the room as he tried to figure out what they were working on. In one room there was a circular platform in the center of the floor, emitting a bluish light with liquid floating inside. Another room held a chariot sized steel sphere, slowly rotating and giving off green sparks.

“This way,” Celestia directed toward Mystic and led him into a room. Lab equipment was setup in the first half of the room, with the second half dropping down a foot into a large pit. Mystic lend over the rail that separated the two halfs and examined the metallic blue rings set into the floor. There were eight in total each set within the next ring until it reached a glowing blue orb.

“Princess,” Mystic Blade turned to see an Earth Pony in a lab coat trotting inside the room. He had a brown coat and a grass green mane. “It’s so lovely to see you again. Are you here for the items?”

Celestia smiled at him, “Hello Groundwork, yes, are the items ready?”

“Oh of course,” Groundwork said. He trotted over to a table where a steel case set. He opened it to reveal a round silver amulet and a light blue crystal that seemed to hum with magic. “It’s packed just like you asked.”

“Thank you,” The Princess said. “Now if you wouldn’t mind giving us the room.”

Groundwork nodded, “Take as long as you like your Majesty.” He said, as he left the room, closing the door behind him. Celestia flared her horn and Mystic could feel the sound from outside being cut off.

“We still know very little of the Demon Luna and the army faced ten years ago,” Celestia began. “But what we do know is thus: its primary form of attack is inducing madness, and its only other observed attack is simple striking with its claws. Its strength is comparable to an elder dragon, but with it able to change its size that may vary. It can heal seemingly endlessly, but it does have a limit, as Luna was able to disperse the creature for a short time. It can also change itself into formless smoke, but we do not know if it is able to take a form other than its own…and the most alarming of all, it can raise the dead, although we don’t know if these are true undead or puppets that it controls.”

Celestia lifted the amulet from the case and presented it to Mystic. He took it in his magic and examined it closely, one side was embedded with a sun while the other side had a crescent moon. “The amulet has been enchanted to protect the mind from outside influences. We’ve tested it against every form of madness inducing dark magic we know of, but we still don’t know how it will hold up against the Demon.”

“I assume that’s where the crystal comes in?” Mystic asked, as he watched the amulet spin in his magic.

“Precisely, this is the first teleport stone we have successfully created. It’s bound to the platform you see there.” She pointed a hoof across the room. “So it will teleport you and anypony within a five feet radius back here. But the crystal burns out after a single use and we don’t have many spares, so use it sparingly.”

Mystic set the amulet back into the case before retrieving the crystal, “What’s the effective range on this?”

“From what I have been told it is effective within five hundred miles, but…” Celestia said, she opened her mouth to say more but quickly closed it as she thought about how to phrase the next part. “Just make sure you and your team are very close to the crystal when it goes off…we lost quite a few dummies figuring that one out.”

“What…what dummies? Figuring what out?”

Celestia smiled bright enough to warm the room, “Moving on, due to the sensitive nature of this mission only those with prior knowledge of the Demon will be sent, you the obvious exception, so Luna will be personally hoof picking the other members of your team. Do you have any questions?”

“When do we leave?”

“In the morning. Please, take the rest of the day for yourself or to be with your loved ones, because there is a very real chance that none of you will be returning alive. As much as it pains me and the other princesses we must find out what’s happening in the Badlands.”

Mystic raised a hoof in salute, “There’s no need to worry your Majesty, for Equestria I would die before I fail this mission.” With a nod from Celestia he turned and left the room.

Celestia slowly set the crystal and amulet back into its case, she sighed and whispered to herself, “Let us hope that will not be necessary.”

***

Twilight slowly sipped her cup of wine as she listened to King Haakim drone on from across the table about the warrior days of his youth. The room they were in was lavishly decorated with golden vases, silk drapes, and an embroidered rug that took up most of the floor. Twilight was sure that the only reason King Haakim wanted to have their meeting here was to show off his country's wealth. Not to be looked down on, Twilight wore her formal cerise colored dress with yellow ribbons around it, and her crown was polished to a shine. She looked into her red wine as she wondered how many more over exaggerated tales she would have to listen to. “Hmm, I’m sorry what was that?” She asked, as she realised she was asked a question.

“I asked what you hope to find in some old ruins, while I’m proud of my peoples heritage the few ruins we have are nowhere near as old or, if I’m being honest, as interesting as what you would find in Equestria.” King Haakim said, as he refilled his cup. He held out the pitcher of wine for Twilight who only shook her head.

“Oh, I’ve always had a love for archaeology,” Twilight said with a nervous giggle. “And there is only so much you can learn from books.” She had chosen to leave out that she had read every book on Saddle Arabia history, culture, and mythologies. Twice.

“Well then, explore to your heart's content,” King Haakim said, he raised his cup and clinked it against Twilight’s. “I want you to consider Saddle Arabia as your second home, and Amira would kill me if I didn’t invite you to the Spirit Festival at the end of the week.”

“That sounds wonderful, I’m sure my friends would love to go, but speaking of my friends I should really get back to them. They are probably waiting for me at our hotel.” Twilight rose from her seat as did Haakim.

“As always it was a pleasure speaking with you.”

Rainbow Dash looked into a mirror as she adjusted her Daring Do hat, she had spent weeks saving to get it. She was a little worried when she heard about the trip, but thankfully Rarity had finished her Daring Do shirt in time. The green color looked just like the original and she even got the front pocket the right size.

Rarity looked up from a magazine she was reading of local tourist spots, and gave a small tisk “Rainbow, darling, I do love to admire my work as much as anypony, but you’ve done nothing but stare into the mirror since we got to our room.” She and her friends were waiting for Twilight to finish up a meeting with the King. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Spike were playing cards while Pinkie Pie was making snacks in the room’s kitchen.

“How can I not,” said Rainbow. “This is just like Daring Do and the Tales of the Red Sands! I can’t wait to find some artifact of a long forgotten civilization. Guarded by deadly traps, and giant creatures with mouths full of fangs that crave only for pony flesh, but I’ll use my superior fighting skills and take them down.” –Rainbow struck and kicked the air as she acted out the scene—“And with my awesome agility I would avoid the traps, securing the artifact for the win.”

“Are…are there really going to be predatory monsters that want to eat pony flesh?” Fluttershy asked, as her cards fell to the table. Spike had to fight the urge not to look.

“I think Rainbow read those books of hers one too many times Sugarcube,” Applejack said as she took a card from the deck. “Oh and it’s your turn Shy.” Fluttershy, quickly apologized and gathered her cards up.

“How long was the meeting supposed to run anyway?” Spike asked. But before he got an answer the door to the room opened, and in walked an exhausted looking Twilight. She drug herself over to one of the beds and collapsed onto it.

“So how was the meeting?” Rarity asked.

Twilight gave out a tired groan. She looked up from her pillows into the half amused eyes of Rarity, “I didn’t think I would ever get out of there. I had to listen to how King Haakim single hoofedly defeated a sand dragon, or so he claims,” Twilight said. She tossed her crown to the side as she set up on the bed. “King Haakim, is giving us free rein for our investigation, although he still thinks this is a simple archaeological hunt. Oh and that reminds me, we have to attend the Spirit Festival Queen Amira will be hosting at the end of the week.”

“Spirit Festival, that sounds spooky. Is it anything like Nightmare Night?” Pinkie Pie asked as she trotted into the room. She placed a plate stacked with flaky squares on the table, “And try one of these, they’re a local snack called Baklava.”

“Don’t you normally make Cupcakes, why the change?” Ask Spike as he popped one of the snacks in his mouth. “Not bad.”

Pinkie Pie giggled, “Because it’s fun to say Baklava.”

“To answer your question,” Twilight said, taking one of the offered snacks. “It shares similarities such as: wearing costumes and having parties. But the Spirit Festival is more about honoring the dead then scaring ponies; I guess you could consider it a celebration for the dead.”

“So it’s a party! I am so there!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Well anyways, I thought we were here to look for clues about big, dark, and evil.” Rainbow said, not trying to hide her impatience.

“Just let me get out of this dress and we’ll get going.”

“Any idea where we’re gonna start lookin’” Applejack asked.

“Yes, after looking at our possible locations I think the national library is the best place to start,” Twilight informed, and was met with a chorus of groans from the others. She also didn’t fail to notice Fluttershy passing bits over to Applejack.

“Sweetie,” Rarity began. “I thought you said you’ve read all the books on Saddle Arabia?”

“Yes, but those were only the books Equestria has, there may be books here we don’t have back home. Oh don’t look so down, at most this will only take us four hours.”

“Four hours!” Rainbow Dash cried, falling to the ground in defeat. “I’ll never make it.”

***

Even after ten years Kelp still found it strange to use claws; it was much easier to use tools now but still strange. After the war most of the city was left as burnt out ruins, with the exception of the Citadel. So it wasn’t a surprise when the rebuilding started that the Citadel became a home for everyling, but with more than twenty thousand Changelings living there space was scarce; Kelp was just glad Changelings weren't claustrophobic. Kelp’s room was a bit larger than most with two beds, one by each wall, and a dressing table with a mirror they had manage to scavenge. It was originally a large meeting room that had been divided with make shift walls.

Kelp looked into the mirror as he worked to get his silk green mane presentable. It was an important day and he wanted to look his best.

“I think you looked far better when you had fins; you had the cutest little fins.” From the corner of the mirror Kelp could see Chrysalis’s smiling face, as she lay on his bed.

“What are you doing here?” Kelp asked not bothering to look at her, “Shouldn’t you be killing the ponies?”

The smile on Chrysalis’s face never faded, “The pact demands we kill the ponies and so it will be done, but it says nothing of when we must do it, so we will take our time.”

Kelp had long ago given up trying to get answers out of Capti. Whenever he had asked it a question he was either met with a nonsensical answer, or it just smiled at him. As far as he knew he was the only one it spoke to, but he didn’t know why it was still in the hive or why it always tormented him with the form of the late queen. “Do you have a reason to be here?”

Chrysalis was at his back within a moment. She wrapped her forehooves around Kelp’s chest and whispered into his ear. “I was wondering, what if all of this is just a dream and you’re still lying in the bottom of that cave; lost in your own madness?”

Kelp struck out with a claw but Chrysalis jumped back, easily dodging the aimless swipe, “Be gone from my sight, foul creature!” The wailing of her laughter filled his ears as Chrysalis disappeared into mist.

“Was it the Queen again?”

Kelp looked to the door to see his red maned beauty, Daphne. She was intelligent and a fierce fighter, but despite that it was her mane that caught his attention the most, not that he would admit to that. Kelp nodded as Daphne stepped into the room closing the door behind her. She placed a claw on his shoulder as she spoke, “Was it not you who said to ignore the whispers of Capti? That even after everything it has done it was not our ally. I know the burdens of the hive weigh heavily on you, but you must take your own advice. Do not let Capti’s words get to you.”

Kelp nodded once more. He leaned in and kissed Daphne on the lips, “I guess I let my nerves get the best of me.”

“Today is not a day for nerves but a day for joy,” Daphne said, taking his arm. “Come, if we are late your mother will have both our heads.” Kelp gave a chuckle and followed out the door.

A small nymph was waiting in the hall as they exited. Daphne smiled to her, “Ready to go?” The young nymph nodded quickly before jumping into her mother’s awaiting arms. Little Wisteria looked much like her mother with the same red mane and two tone eyes. She didn’t have holes in her arms like those of her ancestors, but she did have them in her legs. And like most nymphs her upper wings were fully developed for her size, while her lower wings were still small. But the healers had ensured everyling that as they grow so to would their wings.

Wisteria clinged to her mother's shoulders as she settled In for the ride. She peeked out from behind her mother’s mane and asked, “Daddy who were you yelling at?”

Kelp just looked at her as his brain tried to come up with an answer, but as he stammered Daphne answered in his stead. “Your father was practising what he was going to say to those nasty ponies.” Wisteria seemed content with that so they made their way down the hall.

Their room was on the second floor from the top – with the top floor being reserved for council work. As they headed to the lower floors Changelings going about their day would stop and bow their heads to Kelp, with a “Good morning Councilor.” And Kelp would return the gesture.

As they neared ground level Wisteria spoke up again, “Mommy, why does everyling bow to daddy?”

Daphne shot Kelp a warm smile before addressing her daughter, “They are showing respect. You see little one, your father saved us in the Great War. In our darkest hour he made a deal with the creature we know as Capti, and we became stronger: our bodies are harder, our magic is fiercer. We became the nightmares of ponies.”

Once they reached ground level they made for the center chamber, so they could take the elevator down into the depths. Once a prison for Capti, it now housed a far more precious cargo. Changelings gathered near the elevator each waiting for their turn to go down. As Kelp and his family approached, the crowd shifted out of the way. A guard by the elevator motioned them forward. “Councilor Kelp, this way please,” She called.

“We can wait our turn, there is no need to give us special treatment,” Kelp said as he reached the guard.

“Oh no,” a bystander called out. “We insist you go ahead of us, you shouldn’t be kept waiting especially today of all days.” The bystander's words were soon echoed by other Changelings. Finally Kelp sighed in defeat and stepped onto the platform.

The near pitch black caves from Kelps memories had been transformed. Now it glowed with a soft green light from thousands of glow stones set into the walls. Once the elevator came to a stop Kelp was met by a Keeper. The keepers were those that looked after nymphs while their parents were away, and tended to nymphs still yet to hatch. The Keeper wore a white robe and smiled to the group, “Counselor Kelp, Head Keeper Daphne we have arranged a special room for you if you will follow me.”

They followed into one of the newer caves systems. Before long they entered an unimpressive looking room just rock floor and walls with a tall ceiling. But what the room held was far from unimpressive; in the far corner of the room was a single egg. It was held in place by a series of tendrils that climbed up the wall and out from the floor. There were a few other keepers here along with Abelia, who hopped from one hoof to another, like she was desperately in need of a bathroom break.

Abelia spotted Kelp and his family as they entered, “It’s about time you showed up. Were you trying to miss your own child’s hatching…it’s Wisteria’s hatching all over again.” Abelia said, shaking her head at the last part.

Sorry,” Daphne apologized. “Kelp was a little…distracted this morning.”

“Daddy was yelling at ponies,” Wisteria informed.

Abelia narrowed her eyes at Kelp, “You were what?”

“It’s nothing,” Kelp assured her.

A Keeper cleared his throat, “If you will gather this way it's starting.” Conversation was forgotten as everyling gathered around the egg. The egg shook as the nymph struggled to break the membrane. As much as Kelp wanted to help tradition dictated that the nymph must break the egg before it could be helped. Small tears opened up along the surface of the egg as liquid ran down the side. When a small arm poked out Daphne gripped Kelp’s claw tighter.

A Keeper stepped up and finally relieved the tension in the room by helping the little one out of its egg. She turned and walked back to the awaiting family, balancing on three limbs. “It’s a boy,” Said the Keeper as she handed him over.

Kelp gently took him and as he cradled his child the young nymph gave out a weak cry. He had a small spot of blue mane, and his eyes were shut tight. “He’s beautiful,” Daphne said, smiling lovingly down at him.

“Have you two chosen a name yet?” Abelia asked.

“Anubias,” Kelp answered as he smiled.

Wisteria squeezed in-between her parents to get a better look. “He looks funny,” She said.

Abelia erupted into laughter as she scooped up her granddaughter and told her, “That’s because he was just hatched.”

The laughter soon died down as an uninvited Changeling made their way into the chamber. The glares he received were almost immediate, as every pair of eyes in the room looked at him. It was considered very rude to show up to a Hatching uninvited. The uninvited guest locked eyes with Kelp; he rubbed a claw down an arm as he spoke. “Councilor Kelp, there is a problem that requires your attention.”

“There are other Councilors you can call on!” Daphne yelled, spitting venom with every word.

“I-I was told to fetch Councilor Kelp personally,” The Changeling stammered. “I’m only the messenger.”

Kelp placed a claw on Daphne’s shoulder and she calmed a bit. “I will have plenty of time to spend with Anubias, but for now duty calls.” Kelp past Anubias to his mother before getting up and following after the messenger. Daphne continued to glare until they were out of sight.

Kelp stood among rolls of ponies each with a sheet draped over them. Green pods lined the room, most of which were now empty; the same pods that were used to extract love from ponies. “How did this happen?” Kelp asked no one in particular.

An elderly looking changeling stepped forward, and spoke in a slow tone. “It was the filtration system; it went out in the night. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem, but these ponies were old and their bodies couldn’t take the strain.”

Kelp ran a claw through his mane. They were finally getting back on their hooves, and this was the last thing they needed. “How many do we have left?” he asked.

“About Twenty, but their health is deteriorating so I’d be surprised if they lasted another two years.”

“How much love can we get from just twenty?”

The elder gave it a moment of thought before answering, “If we continued like we have been, enough to feed the Nymphs at least.”

Kelp counted his fortune where he could. One of the side effects of the ascension was that adult Changelings no longer needed to consume love to survive, although they still needed love to recharge their magic. “I will speak to the council about this, but in the meantime see that those ponies are disposed of.” Kelp turned and departed.

After the war many of the caste that made up changeling society were decimated. The Artifex caste, whose numbers were never very high, were wiped out. Luckily, it was the only caste to suffer such a fate, but many of them barely had the numbers to manage themselves. Therefore, it was necessary to enact the council. Each council member oversaw a group of castes and would act in place of a caste leader.

It took Kelp two hours to gather the other three council members and inform them of the situation. They set at a round table on the top floor of the citadel. “So what do we do now?” Desert Sage asked. Her mane was orange, an unusual color for a Changeling; she kept it pulled back to stay out of her eyes. She was the one who oversaw the Harvest and Merchant caste.

“That should be obvious,” Redwood said in answer. “We go to war!” He had taken command of the army after Abelia stepped down at the end of the war, and therefore became the caste leader for the Warrior caste. He was also one of the few who didn’t like having a mane and would regularly shave it off.

“Let us not be too hasty,” said Sundew, his face was an unreadable mask that he had perfected over the years. He oversaw the Worker and Scholar caste. “We are stronger, yes, but it will be generations before we can match the ponies in numbers again.”

“Redwood, what have your scouts learned?” Kelp asked. Be it by lack of options or lack of luck, but Kelp had found himself to be the overseer of the Royal caste, and the accompanying responsibility of overseeing the entire hive. He had been shoehorned into the role of the late Queen, something that did not bring him much joy.

“There’s not been much new information. The populous still thinks we were either wiped out or conquered by the ponies. And this new pony princess, Twilight Sparkle, has apparently gone to Saddle Arabia. We are unsure of the reason,” Redwood informed.

“Kelp, surely you’re not agreeing we go to war?” Desert Sage asked.

Redwood let out a laugh, “What’s wrong, Desert Sage, did you lose your nerve?”

Desert Sage hissed and narrowed her eyes at Redwood as she spoke. “I have no love for the ponies and would love nothing more than to see their deaths, but that does not mean I want to see our people die in a war that can’t be won!”

“Calm yourselves, both of you!” Kelp called breaking the tension between the two. “Desert Sage, another war was inevitable, be it now or generations from now; our sudden shortage of love just happens to make it now. And Redwood, Sundew is right. We don’t have the numbers for a full scale war like we used to. We will need to plan this carefully.”

“Well, what if you have the scouts in the field bring back more ponies?” Desert Sage asked.

“I’m afraid that would only make things worse,” Sundew explained. “The moment ponies start disappearing it would only be a matter of time before the ponies realize we are still alive and send another army, if only to retrieve those we have taken. And if we are set on war then we would lose the one advantage we have: the element of surprise. But if I may speak a bit of heresy for a moment I have another idea. Why don’t we make peace with the ponies? Redwood, if your reports are accurate the Crystal Empire, the newest territory of Equestria, has an artifact that can produce more love than the ponies that live there combined. Surely, there is a way to harness this without the need for us to harvest ponies.”

The looks Sundew received would have shattered the spirit of a lesser being, but Sundew just stared back, his face unreadable. “Whether that is possible or not is irrelevant,” Kelp said. Sundew raised his brow and Kelp clarified. “Queen Chrysalis once told me about ponies so called ‘harmony.’ If we had gone to them for help or lost the war everything it is to be a Changeling would have been stripped from us, and replaced with only what the ponies approved of. We would be Changelings in name only…no not even that.”

Kelp’s words hung in the air until Desert Sage asked, “So how do we proceed?”

Redwood was quick to give an answer, “I will take the army and smash the wall at the Equestrian border. From there I will send off smaller raiding parties to destroy their infrastructure, and while their guards are busy dealing with them the main force will take Canterlot.”

Sundew could only sigh at such a plan, “We don’t have the numbers for that type of plan. A single decisive defeat and we will be crippled.”

“I have a simpler idea,” Kelp interjected. “I see Equestria as a Hydra; a hydra with four heads. If we wish to bring an end to Equestria all we need to do is kill the princesses, and without them the ponies are helpless.”

Desert Sage rested her head on her claws as her face took on a look of deep concentration, after a moment she spoke up. “I’m going to put aside the issue of killing an alicorn because I’m sure Redwood will find a way.” —Redwood smiled at this—“But what of the sun and moon? Who will control them?”

Kelp couldn’t help but give a laugh as he answered, “The notion that only ponies can control the sun and moon is just propaganda they tell the world. The former Queen even told me of several beings that could control the celestial bodies, if they so chose.”

“Let us put it to a vote then,” Sundew said. “If you are opposed to Kelp’s plan speak now.”

A long moment past as each councilor looked to each other, when no one spoke up Kelp said. “Then I hereby proclaim the start of the second Changeling-Pony war.”

***

Chrysalis watched the Changelings go about their busy day from atop a broken tower. Their minds were too untainted to perceive her presence, so it made being the eyes-of-all much simpler. She still considered the Changelings to be her people, and that was part of the problem; a problem Kelp was not helping to resolve. Even after they had granted him a gift he had become stagnant, content with his new found peace.

“It seems the Changelings have decided to return to war,” Chrysalis said and the voices listened. “But I think twenty was too few to leave them; they are useless if they starve to death...Yes, weakening the ponies would help, after all, we can’t risk the Changelings losing too early…I agree, we must be careful not to fulfill the pact.” –Chrysalis licked her lips—“This is going to be delicious.”

Author's Note

To learn why this story was canceled read here.