Soft Wings
“Ow!” I cried as the burlap bag was taken off of my head, exposing me to a blinding light. I, of course, having been ponynapped didn’t know where I was, who had taken me or what time of day or night it was. Nor did I know any of the ponies who were whispering behind the spotlight, this was totally not suspicious. I looked down and to my joy I see hoofcuffs, I looked at them for a bit longer and I found that I was hoofcuffed to a metal chair. Lets see how well-
*Clink… clink*
-huh. I guess they did a good job with the cuffs. Okay, I guess I’ll examine the weird dark room. I can’t turn my head… great. So I’m restrained… is it a dungeon? Possibly, well, we have the hoofcuffs and head restraint so... check; I was ponynapped from the palace, check; And-
“-Miss Soft Wings, do you know why you are here?”
-I’m being interrogated… double check. I guess I'm not in a dungeon after all that's disappointing.
“Wonderful. Look, I don’t know who you ponies think you are but this whole Changeling business was over a long time ago. McCarthneigh flew his commission into Canterlot Mountain and look how well that turned out for him. And besides this whole setup just stinks like a B-rated movie. Like seriously-”
“-I don’t care about any of that Miss Wings. What I care about is your first meeting with McCarthneigh. We know everything Miss Wings but we need you to go over the events of your first meeting with McCarthneigh just to be sure. Then you will be let go. Okay?”
‘Wow. This pony sounds like he hates his job.’
“Wow. You sound like you hate your job mister mysterious pony. How’d you get to be so-”
“-Enough with the sarcasm Miss Wings. We know you don’t want to be here so just make this easy on yourself and tell us everything.”
Wow these ponies are so pushy. I mean, just because I’m… well, a Pony of Interest doesn’t mean that they should just act all high and mighty all the time. But I need to take care of my daughter so...
“Fine, I’ll tell you guys what happened. I just hope you’re ready for it.”
“So, there I was, just a loyal servant doing her job. I had the delightful task of delivering tea and scones to the Princess meeting in Princess Celestia’s personal tea room. Of course, I had a small lantern with me because I’m, well, afraid of the dark and the servants tunnels are kinda dark, gloomy and the perfect spot for a horror movie. But I-well, what I had just heard and seen shocked me.
Servants Entrance to Celestia’s Tea Room
Ten Years Ago
Fluer… Fluer De Lis is a Changeling… I- she- what-
*clang*
‘Oh Fiddle sticks.’
There was a sudden scurrying coming from the tea room.
“What was that?” Princess Cadance asked worriedly.
“It came from the servants entrance.” Twilight quipped. “Princess Luna did you-”
“-No, Twilight.” Princess Celestia interrupted. “I asked for scones and tea. But as for the servant-” I heard some pony moving closer to the servants entrance. “-Hello? Are you okay?”
Okay? Okay! How could anyone be okay with what-this-that! One of Equestria’s best fashion models just revealed herself to be a Changeling and- and right in front of the Princesses to boot! After what happened to Canterlot and Ponyville under the Infiltrators reign why would she do that! She’s going to be killed and I… I’m going to be- oh Celestia! The entrance was opening! I quickly turned tail and sprinted down the narrow corridor leaving the mess of silverware, tea, and scones behind me.
I was never good at running or flying but I was good at changing shapes, just like all other Changelings were. But this situation was big, like real big. So I need some pony important, maybe Raven? No. She was in Celestia’s pocket. Blueblood? NO! He is… immature would be putting it nicely. I can’t go to Fancy Pants because he might be under Fleur’s mind control. The Princesses, I love them, but… the nobles, the ponies-
My thoughts were forced out of my head when I burst out of the servants exit and collided with some pony.
“Umph-”
“-Ahh!”
I really hope it’s not one of the Princesses or Fleur. Looking to the downed pony I saw that he was a lesser known noble, Hoof McCarthneigh. He and his family had been taken advantage of when the changelings attacked Canterlot for the first time. They had all been replaced by Changelings. Even with the news of the reformed Changelings coming in I don’t think he ever let go of that grudge. I think he hated all Changelings just as much as-
“-Soft Wing?” He asked in recognition. “What are you doing running around the halls?”
“I-I-”
He smiled genially and helped me up. “Don’t worry my dear, I’m not angry at you, I’m just wondering why you of all ponies are running around like a Changeling with it’s head cut off.”
When he said those last few words I know I flinched and I know he saw me flinch and yet he smiled.
“I know my dear, the image is gruesome, but that is the least of the things I’ll do to any Changeling I find.” After that slight exposition he took a couple of steps away from me and continued.
“You see Miss Wings, I am putting together a commission that will investigate the whereabouts of Changelings and Changeling Sympathizers.”
“Oh-Oh really!” I squeaked in panic. He nodded and jovially pressed on.
“Oh yes my dear, It will be wonderful. Those nasty little bugs are all around us, why, I bet there are even some of them in the castle staff. We will have to-” He noticed me shaking and took a step forward.
“Soft Wing,” McCarthneigh asked with concern. “Is everything alright?”
“I-I-” Should I lie to McCarthneigh or tell the truth; exposing Fleur and giving his commission an early victory or save myself and remain silent?
McCarthneigh leaned in closer to me with a very concerned look on his face,
“Wing? Is everythi-”
“NO! Nothing is okay!”
“What-”
“-Fleur is a changeling.” I rushed out. “She has been a Changeling this whole time! She just revealed herself at the Princess’s meeting!”
McCarthneigh stopped moving and a slow ruddy color crawled up his face. Stepping next to me he turned my head so I was looking him in the eyes. I was scared, terrified even, that he’d somehow see through my disguise.
“Tell. Me. Everything.”
He didn’t see through my disguise. And… And I planned to keep it that way. It was me or her and I’m sorry but I want to live and so I told him everything.
Author's Note
So this is story number ten. I now have twenty-one more stories to go. 
Thou shalt find this story irresistible so thou shalt be driven to like, comment and follow me.
Can't wait to get the proper coverart for this story.
