The Changeling Gorbfest

“I still can’t believe we’re actually going to see an authentic changeling gorbfest!” Twilight said, barely able to contain her excitement as she reclined on her seat in the train cabin. Now that train lines had been established to the Changeling Hive, Twilight and her friends had decided to take up King Thorax’s offer to invite them to the traditional changeling festival.

“Eh, it’s probably just some weird bug thing,” Applejack said, lazily lounging in her seat and staring at the scenery as it passed by.

“Now now, darling, don’t be prejudiced,” Rarity replied. “Changelings are NOT bugs, they’re arthropods.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Since when did you become so brainy?”

“Ever since I began to realize just how bold and striking their colored carapaces were,” Rarity added. “I’ve been drawing on them for inspiration for quite a while now.”

“Whatever!” Rainbow Dash suddenly interjected. “It doesn’t matter what changelings are, I just want to see this whole gorbfest thing. It must be really awesome; my friend in the Wonderbolts went to one for a vacation and liked it so much that she quit the team and never came back!”

“Yeah! Yeah! I want to see too! Maybe it’ll give me new ideas!” Pinkie Pie squealed. “I tried looking it up so I could do some party prep, but I couldn’t find anything about the specifics, other than that it’s REALLY fun! See?”

Pinkie Pie pushed a travel brochure into Rainbow’s face, right at the section that talked about changeling culture.
“The gorbfest is amazing! All ponies should come to see and participate! I’m totally not a changeling!” It said, quoted from an ubiquitous “Pony McPony”

“Pinkie’s right,” Twilight continued. “I must admit, I’m really curious about it. Starlight, you went to the last one, right? What was it about?”

Starlight Glimmer giggled. “Well, I’d tell you, but I think the gorbfest is most fun when guests know nothing about it. I WILL let you know that I had lots of fun last year, and it’ll probably be a blast this year too!”

“Well, if you say so, then I won’t ask any more questions,” Twilight said with a tender smile. She was worried about the changelings, even after their revolution, but her student was already demonstrating wisdom and maturity by using her friendship with King Thorax to build ties between ponykind and changelings. She could not be more proud!

“Oooh, a surprise party? Those are the best kinds!” Pinkie said, nodding in agreement.

Starlight smiled. Oh, and what a surprise it’ll be, she thought.