The Lost Changeling: Rolling Ends

by Joshua Crapo

Rating: teen
Tags: Changelings, Tragedy, Slice of Life, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 24789

160 moons after the events of The Lost Changeling, Carve makes a visit to Rolling Acres, one that she will never forget, especially when she needs to tear down a parallel her queen has.

One hundred and sixty moons prior, Carve had moved in with Rusty Flashlight. The two of them, along with Pane Fall, have explored far and wide throughout Equestria. However, three days before Nightmare Night, Carve pays a visit to Rolling Acres, a visit that she will never forget, especially when on said holiday, she is told of a parallel she needs to help undo for Chrysalis.

(Reading The Lost Changeling is heavily advised in order to understand this story.)
(This story is written with regards to recent events within Rolling Acres.)

Published 2017-05-03 13:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2017-06-17 16:23:06 UTC

Chapter 1: Rolling Dreams

Somehow, when I open my eyes, I’m in the Ponyville Hospital again. I’m surrounded in the waiting room by a familiar trio of ponies as well as a cloaked unicorn that I don’t know. Immunity, Rusty, and Pane are all facing ahead of me along with this stranger. A doctor comes in and motions the stranger as well as me to come into one particular room.

Apparently, there’s two friends of this pony under emergency care named Feather Blade and Open Fields. Wait a minute. Open Fields? Oh, please tell me that pony doesn’t have what I think he has for a cutie mark.

Feather Blade is a grey coated pegasus with a red to pink mane that reminds me a bit of Rainbow Dash. When I look under the covers that she’s under, I see a cutie mark that contains a mill with a feather beside it. Somehow, I don’t pay mind to it.

All of a sudden, I find myself anxious to see Open Fields, so much so that I’m the first pony to see him. Beeping off and on aside, I see a three-color mane and tail, tan, yellow, and brown, with a white coat. I also notice that he doesn’t have any covers, so his cutie mark is in plain sight. And, swing and a miss, he has the cutie mark of a sun with eight ray stripes over three green hills. Suddenly, the beeping becomes a tone.

“No! NO!!! DON’T GO!!! NOOOO!!!”

I suddenly spring out into a sitting position, somehow without falling, and not being able to see anything anymore. I feel wet in the cheeks. Immediately after my scream, I hear a gallop down the stairs as both Rusty and Pane may’ve heard my cries. Finally, the door to my room bursts open. Rusty and especially Pane look worried.

“Carve, are you okay?!? W-what’s going on?!?”

“Rusty!!! Pane!!! It can’t end like that!!! We can’t lose him!!!”

“Lose who?!?”

“Open Fields!!!”

Rusty has a look of shock now.

“Open Fields?!? I swear that sounds familiar!”

“Who’s Open Fields? Did you meet somepony in Ponyville?”

“I-I don’t know, Pane!!! I saw this pony whose cutie mark was the same as that logo!!!”

“Logo? Which one?”

“A sun over three hills...”

Then, Pane and Rusty calm down.

“Oh. I think Rusty and I might know what that nightmare was about. You were dreaming about Rolling Acres, weren’t you?”

“I-I guess! But why would I get a nightmare like that relating to-”

“Shh... Carve... nothing’s going to happen to Rolling Acres. Why would you think Rolling Acres would be gone?”

“Ugh! I don’t know. I just hope this isn’t a repeat of January thirteenth. I don’t want to spend the next day crawling with nightmares.”

“Well, that nightmare’s over, Carve. With me and Pane on the premises, I doubt you’ll have another one of those. Now, is there anything else you want before you turn in again?”

I buzz my right wing for Rusty to see, who figures out what that means. He walks over to my left and sits down. A second later, I’m pulled to my left by Rusty’s wing. The feeling that results reminds me of wearing a saggy, yet comfy and fluffy winter jacket, facing opposite to an active fireplace on Hearth’s Warming.

“Thanks.”

“No problem, Carve. You can rest now.”

And with that, Pane leaves the room as Rusty follows suit. I fix up my nest and get back into a comfortable sleeping position. Briefly looking around the room, I take note of the fallen piece of paper in the corner of the room farthest from my door: the poem I wrote earlier this year.

Five years ago, I found my forever home.
It was the best week of my life, and A Great Deal More.
The invasion was nothing but a complete disaster.
But not if it made me change, and A Great Deal More.
I hope I can still reminisce to this day.
Otherwise it’d be a sad sight, and A Great Deal More.

After reciting my soliloquy, I begin to close my eyes again.

;=;

Once again, I’m in the Ponyville Hospital.

There’s that pony again... Open Fields. But this time, he is translucent.

Carve...

“Huh?”

Carve...

“H-how do you know my name?”

...I’m an earth pony... ...why...

“Why what?”

...why didn’t you fix it?

“Fix what?”

...ROLLING ACRES!!!

“Um, Rolling Acres has been in complete disrepair. I don’t know what it used to look like before I was-”

You didn’t fix Rolling Acres when you had the chance!!! That chance has been over for almost ten moons!!! You do know who I am. Do you?

“Was it Open Fields?”

Yes. Now, I have to go...

“Open Fields... WAIT!!!”

And just like that, Open Fields disappears from my view.

“He’s gone.”

Fading into my view in place of Open Fields is a pony I definitely have heard of before.

“Princess Luna?”

“Yes. It’s the lunar ruler of Equestria in the flesh. Two ponies have told me that a changeling in Las Pegasus needed help. Are those two friends of yours?”

“Yes, if their names are Rusty Flashlight and Pane Fall.”

“Then I have come to the right place. Are you anxious about this place you hold dear called Rolling Acres?”

“Some random earth pony told me that I failed to take a chance to fix Rolling Acres before it ended ten moons ago. I don’t know what happened ten moons ago that would indicate the end of fixing Rolling Acres.”

“That sounds particularly interesting. It reminds me a little bit of my battle with the tantabus. For whatever harm I had exacted upon Equestria, I had pondered what I should’ve done instead. With enough knowledge, there will be a light at the end of any tunnel if you do what you feel is best to do. I have cast all my doubt that I have changed aside in order to keep Equestria safe.”

“What?!? BUT THAT DOESN’T EVEN MAKE ANY SENSE!!! My doubt has no relevance to Rolling Acres! Applying what you say, I guess that means that if I cast all my doubt aside, nothing will come between me and Rolling Acres!”

“Someday, you will see what I mean when I say to do what you feel is the best to do. The message will become clear within time, Carve.”

And with that, Princess Luna walks away, fading out in the process. In the fade’s wake, the color brightens until it blinks to a black, causing me to gasp.

“What did she mean when she said that? I might want to ask Pane and Rusty.”

Chapter 2: Where He Spent His Early Days

As I enter the kitchen to my right as I walk out of my room, I notice Rusty sipping on some sort of drink, writing some kind of list, and possibly mumbling to himself.

“No, no, no. No food. Hmm... something mobile.”

When he turns his head to his right of the table he’s writing on, his pupils briefly shrink.

“Heh. Didn’t see you there. Up so early?”

“Same could be asked here.”

“Oh. Just thinking of what to bring with us when we visit the former Circuit City we selected. So, what dream did you have after we left your room?”

“I had one that started off with me seeing a spirit version of Open Fields, which disappeared, only for me to see Luna come in.”

“Luna... Luna?!? Do you mean PRINCESS Luna?!?”

I nod.

“Well, what’d she tell you? Did it really work?!?”

“Hmm. I guess you and Pane really DID send her into my dreams. Anyway, she just said to do what I think is best.”

“Oh. Well... that was disappointing. What did she mean by that?”

“I don’t know. But sometime later, I might.”

“Okay. Let me know when you do, alright?”

“Will do.”

Rusty continues sipping on his drink, and writing out his list.

My lack of sleep and excess express from earlier has lowered my energy quite a bit, so I decide to get something to eat on the other side of the kitchen.

Not much of interest lays in the fridge. Just some bagged legumes, yogurt, and some grape juice. In a cupboard though, there’s a large box of... something. I know it’s some kind of cereal, but the font makes the text rather hard to read.

“Hey, uh, Rusty. What are these?”

“Oh, those are Cremcucs. You can have some if you want. I only have those to prepare for the longer distance adventures, which is happening in a few days, so I don’t need them now.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

The growing smile on my face up and fades away when I catch a date on the bottom of the box. Nightmare Night. Off and on, I have caught dates somewhere on certain packages. Usually, I miss, but I don’t care, me being an emotivore and all.

When I open the box and take out the bag, I grab a small bowl from the nearby strainer and pour the cereal in it. The little pieces themselves resemble the shape of bitesize griffon scones. I put the box back after I find a suitable amount in the bowl. I walk back into my room, only to see that Rusty has followed suit.

“So, uh, is there anything you want to do today?”

“Hmm. Nothing that’s on my mind. What do you think we should do today, Rusty?”

“I was thinking we could go out to the old skate rink for a while. I understand if you don't want to. Just offering.”

“I’ll go. You go on ahead; I’ll be right with you.”

“Okay.”

And with that, Rusty runs off, allowing me to eat the cereal in peace.

;=;

When I arrive in front of the abandoned skating rink, Rusty is sitting with a pegasus filly at the entrance. This filly looks like she’d be ten if she was a changeling, so eighteen might sound right for an authentic pony at her height. Her coat has the same rusty hue as Rusty Flashlight, but her mane and tail differ drastically from the grey mohawk and messy tail that Rusty bears as the filly has a wavy, purple mane and straightened tail. The eyes are of the same color as Rusty’s, resembling that of the landing road of Wonderbolts HQ. Finally, she’s a blank flank.

“Hi, Rusty.”

“Ah, hey, Carve. I’m glad you arrived. This is my niece, Trace Light.”

“Oh? Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I didn’t really think it was necessary until my brother came by for a four day weekend with her. She hadn’t been here since prior to the Canterlot invasion.”

“So, at least five and a half years.”

Trace Light nods.

“Yeah. I think it was around the same time as that Frozen North Heat Wave.”

“Oh, okay. So, anyone want to look at the rink?”

Trace Light and I nod at Rusty.

When the three of us enter, the front room is a hall; it only has a bench to the left and a desk near the end on the right, so this must be where ponies are granted admission to skate. Next to that desk is a tall door. Then, we walk into the second hall that leads to the main attraction of the building. Along the second hall, there are roller skates of all different proportions and sizes, all in one rack.

In the arena, aided in lighting by seven mint windows, all there is is an expanse of tile flooring made to look like wood. On the left, there is a shallow wall that stretches to a few yards before the end of the rack hall. In the little bit of space past the shallow wall, there holds an simple, empty vending machine.

“Woah! This looks exactly like it did back fifteen years ago!”

“So, this was where you spent part of your foalhood?”

Rusty nods at me.

“Exactly. I used to come up here at quite a high frequency before the early two thousands. I loved it so much here. I would not’ve traded it for anything. I still can’t believe I was granted permission to enter here.”

“Hey, Rusty. Where’s Pane?”

“She’s just up at Operation Comics, a few blocks west of here.”

“Oh.”

So, for the rest of the time, Trace Light, Rusty and I explore “parts we were never originally allowed in” back when this roller rink was open. Watching Rusty, his reactions start to hit home a bit for me, not enough for Trace Light to notice though, and especially Rusty.

Going left, out of the arena, we come across another hall that contains three rooms. The first room we come across seems to have had an emergency supply of roller skates in case the rack in the hall past admission was all out of roller skates. The second room holds quite a few items that were possibly used in special events. It also has a door that leads back out. Finally, the third room seems to be a management office, which I didn’t really need a sign to figure out, unlike...

I grunt, trying to let the resurfacing memory fade away again, and causing Rusty to turn around.

“Uh, Carve? You okay?”

Chapter 3: She's a WHAT?!?

When the three of us exit the old roller rink, Rusty allows Trace Light to walk ahead while he turns to me.

“Carve... what’s going on? How did you get so glum?”

I groan.

“I don’t know. I didn’t want to ruin your fun, but...”

“...but...”

“But... I failed to take my mind off of Rolling Acres.”

“Oh, Carve. No one told you to take your mind off of anything. Tomorrow’s your visit to Rolling Acres, right?”

I nod at Rusty.

“Good. Once you visit, if there isn’t anything going on over there, then how’d you reflect on the behavior from earlier?”

“Uh, if that were to happen, I’d probably think I was overreacting...”

“Exactly. None of us have any idea if anything’s going to happen to it at the moment, but you will tomorrow when you go. Pane and I will be here for you in case you change your mind about staying in Akron.”

My vision starts to blur as I hug Rusty.

“Thank you so much, Rusty.”

Rusty flares out his right wing and rubs my back with it, once again making me feel as cozy as if my back, covered in a robe, is facing an active hearth on a cold winter day.

“No problem.”

“Uncle Rusty! What’re you doing?”

Rusty takes his wings off me as I release my hug. Then he walks over to Trace Light.

“Oh, I was just talking to Carve.”

“Oh, okay. Say, do you see anything on here? Did I get anything?”

Trace Light proceeds to look behind herself, causing Rusty to chuckle.

“Rusty, what’s she talking about?”

“At it as always, Tracey. No, you didn’t get it in ‘Collaborative Exploration’.”

“Rusty, what is this about?”

“Oh, Trace Light was just trying to see if she can get her cutie mark as always.”

“Oh. Why does she want a cutie mark? Don’t they just come from what I could gather from you and Pane’s pasts?”

“That didn’t discourage her from continuing her ‘quest’ as a ‘Cutie Mark Crusader’.”

“A cutie mark WHAT?!?”

“Trace Light says that a Cutie Mark Crusader is someone who tries to get their cutie mark by finding something they’re good at.”

“Um, why would Trace Light want to rush something that is somewhat seamless?”

“Tartarus if I know. But just watch, Carve; in two months, she’s going to be sent a chair-shaped notepad where she can jot down ideas on her next mission to get her cutie mark.”

“Uh, where would you find that?”

“Well, I found that notepad when I first went urban exploring in Canterlot a couple years before that one invasion. I remember telling Pane about it before our sophomore year finished.”

“So, you’ve had that same notepad for over two hundred and twenty five moons?!? It must be full by now.”

“Actually, it’s been as unwritten as it was when I got it.”

“Surely by now, the covers have to have at least faded out.”

“Every holiday season, I’ve given it a fresh coat of ink.”

“So, the cover doesn’t harden?”

“Not really. Whatever changed is barely noticeable.”

“But Rusty! Why would you give a notepad so long into your possession to your niece? Why this year of all years?”

“This year, Trace Light made friends with, and became one of, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, so this Hearth’s Warming has to reflect that. Originally, it was just in a pile of peculiar items I started collecting, but I feel it’s the best choice to give Trace Light the notepad. I don’t have much reason to use it myself, but I’m sure Trace Light could smother it in pictures from cover to cover in ten days flat.”

“Well, I guess it’s nice you’re giving that notepad to your niece.”

“Uh, thanks. Hopefully, I brought you in a better mood by talking about Trace Light.”

“You sure did. Thanks for doing that.”

Suddenly, Trace Light turns around, causing me and Rusty to stop.

“Uh, Carve?”

“Yes, Trace Light?”

“Can you teleport like Twilight?”

I chuckle of the resurfacing memories of the times I have teleported.

“Yes, I have teleported in the past. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did do it as Twilight Sparkle.”

“Uh, do you think you could take me to the Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse then?”

“Ponyville?”

Trace Light nods.

“Well, I CAN teleport to Ponyville, but I don’t know where the clubhouse would be. Why do you want to go there?”

“Because I need to tell Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo about the whole ‘collaborative exploration’ thing.”

“Who’re they? A-are they other members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”

“Well, yeah. They already have theirs, so I want to see what else I can find that I might be good at.”

Rusty briefly tilts his head to the right.

“I don’t know, Tracey. Urban exploration runs in our family; besides, other fillies at seventeen either would’ve been scared of where we just went in, or would just vandalized it like no tomorrow, which neither happened. You did pretty well in there, I gotta say.”

“Um, thanks? But it didn’t get me a cutie mark.”

“Don’t worry about that. Maybe you could talk to Applebloom about today when you go back to Ponyville.”

“Hmm. You do have a point there. Dad’s here until Sunday, so I really hope that Nightmare Night parade on Saturday pays off.”

After we drop off Trace Light, Rusty and I decide to head home for a particularly late lunch. While I wait for lunch, I head to my room and briefly recite A Great Deal More, a poem I made for my five year anniversary of living with Rusty Flashlight.

As usual, I just flick out my tongue while Rusty just enjoys his meal with big grin on his face. And his choice of food? Pancakes... a ten stack of pancakes... covered in syrup.

I chuckle.

“Must be quite a bit.”

“Oh that’s nothing. Look at the stove.”

I look up where Rusty points, and before my eyes, there are two more ten stacks. My jaw drops.

“Sheesh! Are you planning a party or something?”

“You can have a few if you want. I just made them because of the dates on one of the ingredients being a few days away.”

“But wait. I didn’t see anything in the fridge that looked like any of the ingredients needed to make pancakes.”

“Oh, they were all in the drawer included in the fridge.”

“Somehow, I want to say something, but I don’t know how to say it in Lingo. Well, bottoms up I guess.”

And so, I levitate and consume three of the left ten stack.

Chapter 4: Leftovers

The rest of the day has nothing special going on, so I decide that since I have finally kept my mind off of... that one place... for a while, I could probably keep myself sleeping for quite a bit longer than last night.

After a sunset supper, I head to my nest, ready to trust my dreams. It takes a little bit of time to get to sleep, but I do successfully.

Then, I find myself in the place where Rusty, Pane and I spent the night in when we first met each other, which is across from Rolling Acres. It looks completely unchanged despite it being one hundred and sixty moons since I last visited this particular place.

“Ooh, boy. This is going to be sad.”

To my surprise, I walk through the locked door, and head to the south afterwards, towards Taco Bell. Nothing seems so bad at all, at least not as bad as last night. It’s like I’m actually there, even down to there being nothing unusual going on around me.

With enough knowledge, there will be a light at the end of any tunnel if you do what you feel is the best to do.

I start pondering what Princess Luna had said that one night. What have I done? Did I do what I felt was the best solution to my mental problem? Was taking my mind off of Rolling Acres all it really took to overcome the nightmares? So, this is possibly what Princess Luna meant when she told me to cast my doubts aside? To take my mind off of Rolling Acres?

Somehow, my sudden gallop reflects my mind rate present. Taco Bell appears as normal, and so does the improbable academy, The Office Place, and Regency. However, across that street, I see nothing but lot expanse. Something is missing... Rolling Acres!!!

Where’s Rolling Acres?!? Where is it?!?

“Osia!!! Osia!!! Where the hell is it?!?”

I turn around to hear a completely unfamiliar voice.

Alright! It’s seven o’clock! Time to take it all down!

Suddenly, I hear two sine waves, circling around three thousand hertz, which causes the scene to turn from a sunny day in Akron to just plain black. With the sine waves fading, I jump out of my nest, causing me to hit the nearby wall, and my heart to race, accompanied by my rapid breathing.

Looking at the nearby analog clock, it looks to be around seven o’ five. From what I can see, the sun has already risen; it just hasn’t shown itself yet. I guess I did sleep longer than the other night. I sigh in relief that while my lack of fear isn’t quite present yet, I’m able to keep my sleep cycle from getting messed up. It’s a step in the right direction to say the least, so I’m happy to see some weight taken off my shoulders.

Properly waking up, I proceed to stretch my forelegs out and yawn, smacking my lips afterwards. I recite A Great Deal More, get up, then head out of my room, into the living room to wait for Rusty, who enters shortly after me.

“So, today’s your day yet again huh?”

“Yeah... the day I visit Rolling Acres. I can’t say I’m enthused.”

“I know you aren’t. Hopefully though, things will turn out just fine.”

“I hope so too. But I have wonder.”

“What is it, Carve?”

“What was that sound near the end of my dream?”

“What sound?”

I buzz my wings in a way that always surpasses my laryngeal vocal range by perfectly imitating the two sine waves at the end of my dream.

“Wait. The sound of a police whistle woke you up? What time did you get up?”

“Seven?”

“Oh, fifteen minutes ago? I guess I didn’t hear anything when I was trying to get my wings comfortable, since I slept on them wrong.”

“So, was that it?”

“Must’ve been. I did feel a tickle when I was correcting them, not to mention not many ponies are up by seven o’clock.”

When Rusty flares out his left wing, it looks like it’s vibrating, causing me to hear the same sound from the end of my dream at a much quieter volume. Then it abruptly stops.

“I guess that confirms it, Rusty.”

“So, when do you plan on visiting Rolling Acres? I know it takes an hour and a half to get there from Ponyville, and let’s not forget the extra two hours between that and Las Pegasus.”

“Well, definitely after breakfast. So, I take you also didn’t have any yet?”

Rusty shakes his head, his stomach following suit.

“Nope, but I will soon. Maybe some of those leftovers will do. What do you think?”

I instantly start to drool over the thought of the pancakes Rusty and I had yesterday.

“I thought that would be your response. They should be in the fridge before you take them out and heat ‘em up.”

After putting the remaining fifteen pancakes, from yesterday, into the microwave, twice much less, Rusty and I spend the next half hour indulging in the reheated platter, covered in a fresh coat of syrup. In retrospect, Rusty should’ve known there’d be leftovers since he made thirty pancakes in one day.

Speaking of leftovers, that sound of a “police whistle”, as Rusty calls it, must’ve been the remnants from the night before: my nightmares. In the back of my mind, I know something is wrong, but I can’t pinpoint it exactly, even though I know it’s relevant to Rolling Acres. I certainly hope my instincts are wrong, like Pane and Rusty imply. Only my visit will tell, I guess.

Suddenly, there is a loud ring of the doorbell.

“I’ll get it!!!” Rusty and I shout.

Luckily for me, I levitate the door open. But to my surprise, it’s Pane.

“Oh! Pane!!!”

“Hey Carve. Sorry I couldn’t visit yesterday... exploration.”

“Oh. Well, Rusty and I did some of our own. Do you know about a skating rink?”

“Oh, Bundle Roller Rink! I use to love that place as a foal! I can’t believe it’s been so long since it closed.”

“Fifteen years? That’s the amount Rusty said.”

Pane nods at me.

“Okay. It so happens I’m going to go somewhere abandoned today... that one place.”

I get a smile now.

“Well, if something comes up over there, just come back and let us know. We’ll be here if you do come back. I wish you the best of luck.”

“Thanks, Pane.”

And with that, I walk out of the house, then take to the skies.

Chapter 5: Demo

Nearly a million thoughts pop into my head all at once during my three hour flight, all of them having one thing in common. Rolling Acres. What could possibly be happening that had me in emotional agony for the past two nights? Why did I have those nightmares in the first place? Could there be anything wrong with Princess Luna’s logic when she told me to do what I felt was the best? What did those dreams all mean? Why would there be a pony named nearly after this place? Why would he die? What did Open Fields mean when he said that I missed the chance to fix Rolling Acres? Why had Rolling Acres gone missing in that last nightmare?

As of right now, I don’t know exactly what my instincts are hinting towards. All I know is that it has to do with Rolling Acres. I groan at the constant, still nagging thoughts.

“What is this...”

Blinking a couple of times, I decide to detour over to Taco Bell to whip up a snack from its emotional contents. As I land, I briefly look at the main entrance to Rolling Acres as it’s obstructed by many colorful trees, which I don’t find so far-fetched considering that it’s actually colder here than in Las Pegasus. At first, everything looks particularly normal. Practically everything looks about the same, even the impression left by the recently taken down sign. I sniff the air for the contents, and flick my tongue out once I’m happy with said contents. Then, I fly off.

During the flight though, out of the corner of my eye, something looks off in the back near the northmost sub-structure, causing an urge to fly back home to come from my mind. I fight it successfully, and enter Rolling Acres in the way I always did: the opening in the broken skylight. However, in the process of entering, I hear a particularly faint hum to my right as I still face west. It’s probably nothing. Finally, inside, everything looks like it did last month, so nothing actually changed. It was probably just my imagination with the visual oddity and that faint hum. I guess I feel pretty silly for being so paranoid the past two nights like Rusty had talked about when Trace Light was around.

Suddenly, I hear a muffled, echoing square wave at eleven hundred and eighty hertz. It lasts for a third of a second, and commences every two thirds of a second. Just like that visual oddity, and that faint hum, it’s coming from the right hall. There are thirty instances of the wave.

Something weird’s going on.

I instantly fly back out and check out the northern portion of the ETM and...

Uh oh.

Oh no.

What are those two carriage-drone hybrids doing inside of Rolling Acres?

And why are the roof and wall in the area caved in?

The larger one of the two hybrids heads in front of an edge of the roof in the area and breaks a piece off of the roof.

The piece falls.

I gasp in realization of what is really happening to Rolling Acres.

It’s not pretty.

This is what my instincts were telling me.

I teleport to avoid the two carriage-drone hybrids seeing me. The resulting destination is the Court of Twelve Trees. I think back to A Great Deal More.

Five years ago, I found my forever home.
It was the best week of my life, and A Great Deal More.
The invasion was nothing but a complete disaster.
But not if it made me change, and A Great Deal More.
I hope I can still reminisce to this day.
Otherwise it’d be a sad sight, and A Great Deal More.

I can’t reminisce anymore. Soon, this court will be gone...

“No...”

I slowly walk about the remainder of Rolling Acres.

The first point of interest is where I landed WAY back before I ever met Rusty. It looks so different compared to when I first awoke here. There are no railings on the edges, and whatever railings remain have sagged from a lack of support. The mini structure nearby has a lot more rust than I originally saw when I was first here. For the most part, the mirrors surrounding the court are all taken down. Sometimes, I can even see the skeleton of the building itself, like in parts of where the mirrors used to be, and even in the pillars. I feel an itch, on the top of each of my cheeks, as I look over the area.

Once again, I hear the blinking square wave blare throughout Rolling Acres for about twenty seconds. It stops again, just as suddenly as it came.

I end up flying down to Picnic Place to see that practically half of the letters are missing on the sign. Looking down at the floor below the sign, there they are. Then, I move on to the two familiar sections of Rolling Acres I have left to pay one last visit.

Looking inside the room I found the name of this place in, it looks about the same as it was five years ago. However, the theater that I found Rusty in is a particularly different story. It’s in so much disrepair that I thought I was in the wrong area, especially with the surrounding hallway paying the worst of it compared to five years ago. As of right now, the hall in front of the theater looks more like part of an abandoned camp site than part of an abandoned enclosed town market. My cheeks start itching like crazy now, causing me to immediately fly back to the opening of the broken skylight in front of the entrance to the JCPenney’s Outlet Store.

At this point, I’m ready to fly home, ready to turn to my nest.

When I finally do get home, I lightly knock on the door. When Rusty answers the door, what I briefly see as a confused expression turns to a shocked one.

“Carve? What’re you doing here? Weren’t you going to stay at Rolling Acres?”

Suddenly, I have a small pain in my chest, causing me to walk past him, over to my room.

“...demo...”

Listening in behind me, I hear a gasp come from Rusty, causing me to turn my head back to him.

"Demo?!? ...b-but Carve, what is going on? What is happening?"

“Ve nato mel.”

I look ahead of me again and head to my room. After slamming the door, I instantly plop into my nest, ready for a nap.

Chapter 6: Getting Help

Demo...

That is the last word in Equestrian that I have ever said to Rusty, which was two days ago.

This morning, Rusty enters the room with Pane in tow. I moan.

“Hey Carve. Pane and I are just seeing how you’re doing.”

“Le ve pere mel? Loda?”

“Uh, Rusty? What did she say?”

“I don’t know. She’s been like this ever since she came back.”

“Looooodaaaaa?”

“How long has it been since she had anything?”

Rusty shakes his head.

“Two days. She hasn’t shown her tongue once since she left for her visit.”

“Ze le cono uhede? Osia…”

“She hadn’t been this upset since we first met Chrysalis, who was disguised as Immunity.”

Rusty is puzzled.

“Wait. Chrysalis was disguised as who at one point? Who’s Immunity?”

“You might not remember much about the hospital visit in Ponyville because- well, you know... cocoons.”

“Loda mat.”

I raise my hoof and point to the hall. Rusty and Pane look back.

“What are you pointing to, Carve?” Rusty asks with concern.

I point to the hall again.

“Risa mat.”

“Pane, do you think we should give Carve a little bit?”

Pane nods.

“Well, Carve, if you need us, Pane and I will be in the kitchen.”

I nod at Rusty, prompting him to close my door and leave me to rest and dream with my itchy cheeks. Then, my right hoof begins to fall into my sight. I try to pull it back, but then it goes back into its previous spot, making a bit of a pawing motion.

“Lomenalada... Lorinehicez…”

;=;

Rusty Flashlight and Pane Fall walk over the kitchen to talk in private.

“Rusty. Are you sure it’s going to be a good idea to leave Carve alone in her room for two days? She needs help.”

“Look, we could probably swing by Canterlot on our way to Circuit City. We could fill Celestia and Luna in on the situation.”

“We CAN’T go to Circuit City if Carve is acting like this. Besides, what if Celestia and Luna are in another city when we arrive in Canterlot?”

“Okay, I’m sure that it’ll be before anything entirely important should be going on today with the sisters.”

“Rusty, this is serious! We have a depressed changeling on our hooves! We need somepony we can relay the information to if we want to tell the princesses!”

“Fine. Why don’t we do Circuit City next year then?”

“If that's what you want, then yes, we will.”

Suddenly, the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it!” Pane and Rusty shout.

However, Pane manages to levitate the door open before Rusty can fly over to twist the handle.

“Hey Uncle Rusty! Hey Pane! Where’s Carve? Dad told me I could come over here and say goodbye to her before I leave for Ponyville.”

“Well, Rusty?”

Rusty rubs his chin with his left forehoof.

“I guess you could do that.”

“Oh, thank you Uncle Rusty!”

Trace Light proceeds to hug Rusty quite tightly before heading off to Carve’s room, Pane glaring at him afterwards.

;=;

I paw at the wooden flooring before hearing a knock on my door that causes my first response: moaning.

“Nota leyu?”

“Carve? Is that you?”

“Si. Le ve pere mel?"

“Carve? It’s me.”

Wait. That voice sounds familiar. I gasp.

“Telehis Rahit?”

I levitate the door open to notice that whatever concern was present has been briefly replaced by confusion, only for the concern to return.

“A-are you alright?”

I avert my gaze at Trace light.

“Carve! What’s wrong?”

“Lomenalada... Lorinehicez. Ve ni valpanat ze, Lorinehicez.”

“Lauren AKez? Oh no. Did you lose somepony important to you?”

I shake my head.

“Ni. Ni leyu fu caraba. Leyua fu narata ga ve mataho.”

“In any case, I may not’ve heard of this ‘Lauren AKez’. But I suppose it was important to you.”

I nod, soon realizing that Trace Light may’ve looked at my movements to understand what I was saying. The realization prompts me to pull Trace Light closer to me with my magic and hug her.

“Oh, Telehis Rahit! Lorinehicez le mata! Leyu mata pa alada!”

“...Carve? Can you trust me about telling the Cutie Mark Crusaders about this? I hope there’s any way I can help you.”

I let my hug go and raise my head, initially looking at Trace Light with shock. This filly only met me one other time, and she wants to help me? Well, if trust runs in Rusty’s family, I guess I don’t see what’s wrong with trusting her.

I nod at Trace Light, prompting her to hug me.

“Thank you, Carve. I have to go to Ponyville now. I’ll see you as soon as Dad is able to come back.”

“...Aro. Zen ze, Telehis Rahit. Zen ze mona.”

After a long pause, I’m headbutted on the shoulder.

“...Bye Carve. I’ll go get help for you.”

And with that, Trace Light gets up and leaves my room, giving me the time to close my door and rest a little easier. However, after levitating the door closed, my mind goes back to why I’ve stayed in my room in the first place, causing me to lay my head in front of my nest, on the wood flooring. Finally, I return to pawing at the floor.

;=;

Trace Light begins for the entrance when she sees Rusty and Pane waiting, who she turns to.

“Uncle Rusty... why?”

“Why what?”

“Why didn’t you tell me Carve got so depressed?”

“Telling you would not’ve done anything, Tracey, not anything in this kind of situation anyway.”

“Did the two of you even GO into her-”

“Yes,” Pane and Rusty say in unison, causing Trace Light to sigh.

“You know what? You’re right about telling, Uncle Rusty. Because from the way Carve was acting, it sure doesn’t add up. Goodbye, now. I have to go to Ponyville.”

And with that, Trace Light gallops out of the house, leaving Rusty aghast.

“Rusty... were you even paying attention when I said that we should relay the information?”

Rusty Flashlight chuckles.

“Well, at the very least, the Elements of Harmony live in Po-”

“This is not that time! At this very moment, we have nopony nearby to turn to to help Carve out of her depression, and all because you didn’t tell Trace Light to notify anypony in Ponyville!”

Pane steps out the open door.

“Uh, where are you going?”

“I’m going to city hall to notify the mayor about the situation.”

And just like that, Pane walks away from the house, towards downtown Las Pegasus, leaving behind a thought flooded Rusty Flashlight.

“Nopony nearby to turn to, huh?”

Chapter 7: The Second Visit

So, as it turns out, from what I can gather so far today, that Rusty and Pane decided to cancel the trip to Circuit City.

I wake up at quarter after seven in the morning, knowing that it’s Nightmare Night later tonight, and begin pawing at the wooden flooring yet again before Rusty, shortly after, opens the door. He blinks a couple of times before speaking.

“Hey, uh, Carve. Pane’s going to be here in a bit.”

I let out a moan, with a touch of growl in it.

“Te nata?”

“Uh, what?”

“Risa panatu.”

“...moving on, I just thought I would also pop by and check on you, and see how you’re doing. Still down?”

I nod.

“Well, everyone’s here for you, Carve. If I know my niece, she’s particularly true to her word.”

“Un vi le riva maturo hala ro fa Cihuti Malec Celusehidez. Ve ni sem nuta le pere hodo ehema ve.”

“Hmm. Part of that sounds familiar. Cutie Malk Clue-”

Rusty gasps.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders? Trace Light is talking to the Cutie Mark Crusaders about that? What would they be able to do? Wait... OOOOHHH... they could tell the Elements of Harmony about your state!”

I nod.

“Aro. Va le pereho.”

Suddenly, the doorbell rings.

Pane Fall. I just know it.

Rusty rushes over to the front door, allowing me to return my focus onto my thoughts.

But that is short lived when Rusty returns with Pane in tow. My eye sink inwardly at the sight of Pane’s hooves.

“Well, Carve? There’s some good news, mild news and bad news. The bad news is that when I was at city hall, the mayor denied to help you. However, the good news is that the princesses have gotten word of your depression, which leads to the mild news being that only Princess Luna’s on the way here.”

“Nuta te Serestia?”

“Um, Celestia doesn’t know any of us personally. Right, Pane?”

“I’m afraid she doesn’t. That’s why Luna’s going it alone. We told Luna about that nightmare you had. Remember Carve?”

I nod, bearing the still inwardly sunken eyes.

“Ve sem.”

“I-is something wrong, Carve?”

I nod at Pane again.

“What is it?”

“Lasti?”

I point to the hall.

“Oh. I guess I’ll be in the kitchen if the two of you need me then. Anything before I go?”

Pane and I shake our heads, prompting Rusty to leave the room.

“Okay, so what do you need to tell me in private?”

“Cinam rizaro fi rotecaraba in De Bo i sen. Ze dalama ga nihan leha maturo rotano Lorinehicez. I fuhan si. You lied to me...”

“I... I did?!? When?!?”

Then, I buzz my wings as a way of mimicking Pane’s voice.

Shh... Carve... nothing’s going to happen to Rolling Acres.

“So, you’re talking about what happened before Rusty and I went to Princess Luna?”

I nod, my cheeks beginning to itch again.

“Pehin... nuta ze dalama... hata ve... mona. Neta dalama ze ga?”

“...Carve... I’m so sorry... I... I never realized... nopony knew about... I never thought Rolling Acres would be gone. Is there anything I can do to help you out?”

“...ve omepal. Ve ciman ve valhala ro Lasti pa nuta ve le pere hod.”

“What about Rusty? Uh, do you want to talk to him now? I could go out and get him from the kitchen.”

I nod again, prompting Pane to leave the room. Immediately afterwards, the doorbell rings.

I’ll get it!!!

No guessing who actually answers the door. Nevertheless, when Pane returns, not only is Rusty with her in tow, but Princess Luna is as well.

“Greetings, Carve. I see that those two ponies really are your friends if you live with them.”

I nod at Luna.

“Actually, I frequently visit. That’s all,” Pane adds.

Luna looks amused.

“Hmm. Dually noted. Rusty Flashlight, Pane Fall, you may proceed back to the kitchen.”

With that, Rusty and Pane leave the room.

“Carve... Celestia and I have received word from Princess Twilight that you were depressed. I suppose it’s true, but why?”

“Lorinehicez…”

“Hmm... Lorinehicez? That only translates to one place. One that I had heard about upon Rusty Flashlight and Pane Fall’s visit on Wednesday night... Rolling Acres, if memory serves me right.”

I nod.

“So, your fears have become... a reality of sorts, I presume.”

I nod again.

“Hmm. I may know of a large name, albeit an evil one, that might relate to your situation quite heavily. Tell me; when was the last time you have visited your eldest residence?”

“De Hin…”

“Huh, you don’t say... that was about a week before the throne was destroyed. I find it funny though, the way you say those dates. I could have sworn there was an alternative to say them.”

“V-ve panata.”

“Oh... I’m sorry to hear about your knowledge on the native language deteriorating. Perhaps on your next visit to the hive, the fellow changelings will help you remember. I suppose though that that would have to wait until that large name I mentioned earlier comes by?”

“S-si... Z-zen ze... Runa. Ve cinam ve sem nuta ze pitela dalam.”

“I’m sorry... come again?”

I buzz my wings again, this time to sound like Luna.

With enough knowledge, there will be a light at any tunnel if you do what you feel is best to do.

Luna scratches her chin with her glass shoed left forehoof before speaking.

“I suppose you did find what you thought was the best course of action, did you?”

I nod.

“What was it?”

I let a long pause ensue, thinking of what I actually have found. It seems that I was quick in accepting help, more to take my mind off of Rolling Acres than anything else. What else am I supposed to do in one spot? I’ve been through this before. And unlike that one time, I had ponies constantly popping in and checking my state, even offering to help. Now, here I am, facing Princess Luna, all because I trusted an eighteen year old filly to get some help in Ponyville. I finally disrupt the silence.

“Telehis Rahit. Vi pitela ehema pa ve, ve rela fa nepere, i ve natu.”

“Trace Light? Who is that?”

The doorbell rings once again.

“Do you mind?” Luna asks.

I shake my head, prompting Luna to exit the room.

Then, I hear a very familiar buzz, coming from the living room. I know exactly who it is. If anything, the newest visitor might be able to accompany me on my way back to hive, that is when the situation’s cleared.

Chapter 8: Return of a Tampered Home

Several moments of rest later, Rusty, and Luna come in.

“Um, Carve? You know what I said about that large name?”

I nod at Luna.

“Well, she’s here.”

She? Wait. Who is-

Queen Chrysalis?!? Here?!? Where I live today?!? Why?!? Wait. She’s missing her crown. Oh no! She’s missing her crown!

“Mone Clisaris!!!”

I get up and run to her. She closes her eyes.

“Risa Clisaris pa fa catoro leyur, Calev.”

“Nuta? N-neta le ga? Leyu te Solaz? Ehilihora?”

Chrysalis closes her eyes.

“No. It is not about those two drones... well, at least the latter drone.”

“Nuta leyu?”

“We have a king to overthrow.”

“Fu mono?!?”

Chrysalis nods.

“Yes. Exactly. When we join the rest that are outside, you may recognize a few of them. However, since I heard about what happened a few days ago, I’ll give you a task that doesn’t take so much energy.”

I deliberate on what’s going on. I always have had at least an average level of respect for Queen Chrysalis. She’s aware of Rolling Acres’ demo, so I bet the most that I will probably be required to do is some seemingly miniscule detail that no other member of royalty would ever take into consideration. Piecing together what Chrysalis said, I think back to some report that Thorax was out at the Crystal Empire. So, I’m pretty sure he’s the king that Chrysalis was talking about. Upon this realization, I get angered. Because of Thorax, one simple drone in such a complex home, Chrysalis has lost her hive. I sigh in a final agreement to join Chrysalis.

“A-aro. Zen ze pa rudeninur, Clisaris.”

“You’re welcome, Carve. You may come along with me, now. It will feel quite a bit like elder times once we start moving.”

I nod at my crown stripped queen, then I turn to Rusty.

“Rusty, I must leave with Chrysalis. She’s lost something, and I have to help her get it back.”

Rusty gasps.

“What? You’re leaving now? But-”

“I-I know what you’re thinking. Rolling Acres. Yes, it’s gone. But that’s why I want and need to help Chrysalis. She’s a changeling I care about, and her hive was wrongfully taken from her, and without warning. If Pane wonders where I am, tell her everything about what you saw today.”

Rusty gulps.

“Arrow.”

“Aro,” Chrysalis and I correct.

“But hey, I’m learning.”

I nod at Rusty.

“Where is Pane Fall? I can gather that she left, but where to?” Chrysalis asks.

Rusty and I shrug before Chrysalis walks by us. She stops, and looks back at me, prompting me to follow her. Rusty and I wave goodbye.

“Come back as soon as you can, Carve.”

“I will. There’s no telling how this will play out though.”

“Bye, I’ll see you soon.”

After the brief chat, with me going outside, Rusty closes the front door between us. When I face forward once again, I find myself in front of fourteen changelings, one of them, furthest to the right, looking quite young, about seven years old, and just like Chrysalis said, I recognize a few of them. One pair particularly close to each other in the small crowd are what I presume to be Cervix and Brand. Although another changeling is with the nymph, I can still recognize her. I think it’s the changeling that was named after the queen that once lived before one thirteen (Areola). Other than those three, I don’t recognize them. Everyone turns to Chrysalis now.

“Alright, my drones. If we’re going to arrive at the hive, we’ll have to find a way to arrive stealthily. The entire hive has transformed into rebellious traitors, inspired by a ‘convincing’ Starlight Glimmer. The plan is that we eventually turn the changelings against Thorax.”

“So, what do we all do?” the first left drone asks.

“I’m not actually going to reveal that until we arrive nearby our destination. However, I will tell you that I am aware that a select few of you have lives irrelevant to the hive, and have encountered recent events in those lives, so for those who fit this well, step forth.”

The pair of changelings furthest to the right do as Chrysalis requests, one of them being the seven year old looking changeling. Chrysalis nods.

“Hmm. I see. Perhaps you’d like to join Carve?”

“S-sure. I don’t see why not. Come on, Aita.”

The eldest leads who I presume is Aita over to me.

“Um, what does the large one mean by ‘recent events’?” Aita asks, prompting me sink my eyes.

“I-I don’t want to talk about it.”

“But why?”

Chrysalis turns to the three of us.

“Because anything can affect one changeling more than another! Do you understand, Aita?”

Aita just nods.

“Good. Now, let’s get a move on. There’s no time to lose.”

And with all of that, we head off to the south. For several hours of walking, there is nothing but desert expanse, that is until sometime when I supposedly have my supper, when I see a distant tower in the horizon. It looks jagged like it had before, only difference being that the top of the tower is gone. This must be the hive. Suddenly, the leading changeling, Chrysalis obviously, stops.

“Uh, Chrysalis? What’s going on?” the changeling accompanying Aita asks, who Chrysalis shushes.

“We must be stealthy, which will be of ease. However, my plan may involve avoiding certain reactions. You all must remember to blend in first, then turn the changelings away from Thorax.”

Everyone, including me nods at Chrysalis.

“Yes, my queen!”

“Now, before I dismiss you to your tasks, two changelings will be under special mission, posing as guards. Those two changelings will be Carina and Carve. I trust that you two will be able to handle this simple of a task. All you have to do is stand with the guards until they decide to help out.”

I drop my jaw. Now that I know what she’s heading towards, I have to wonder how Chrysalis can keep such a straight face when giving orders like what she just gave. I regain composure.

“So, are we going to replace anyone?”

Chrysalis smiles and shakes her head.

“No. What we’re doing will add a little speed to what we plan to accomplish. Perhaps we can slip in a detail about the old legend of the mirror stone, not to mention that attendance calls will be overbooked. Enough talking, though. We must enact it. Carina?”

“Carina” walks up to Chrysalis with Aita.

“Yes?”

“Aita will have to stay with me. This is a job only adult changelings can do.”

“I understand. Watch well.”

Chrysalis nods.

“Ready?” I ask Carina, prompting her to nod.

“Ready.”

Then, we catch up with the rest of the changelings.

Chapter 9: Into the Hive

Well, I get to pose as a guard, which apparently means standing around until something bad happens. Well, I haven’t lived in Chrysalis’ hive since the Canterlot Invasion way back when, so I might be a little bit rusty in my performance.

Carina and I stop to let other changelings move ahead, and to take a brief moment to look at the guards from a still far view, who appear to be as colorful, if not more so than any one pony in Equestria.

“What are they doing?” Carina inquires.

“They're just staring forward. But the way they look makes the light in my eyes want to blow.”

“Look. Let’s just dish out as many details about them as we can get. I have 24. And what’s yours, Carve?”

“About 23.”

“Okay. I’ll have a look first.”

Carina proceeds to squint at the hive.

“Hmm... All I can see of their heads is their faces. Everything else is covered in armor.”

Now, I try a closer look at the guards, and it looks like Carina’s right. The rest of the body I can see just fine, only to find one confusion.

“Uh, Carina? Can they fly?”

“Doesn’t look like it.”

“Hmm... maybe if I can fo- oh, I can see the wings. They’re just tucked away.”

“Really? I thought those two didn’t have any wings from what I saw.”

“That’s because of how they’re hidden.”

Suddenly, something catches my eyes. Thinking back to when I saw the guard helmets when I entered the hive last, I remember being able to see the horn through a hole in the helmet. However, the helmets I see seem to hide the horns, yet they’re the same shape as they were during my last visit.

Then, I scan the rest of the hive to gather some of the newer features of these pastel colored mutants of me and Carina’s kind. Some seem to be missing their horns and start falling for the same trick that Carina fell for with the guards with the wings, although those are who were just standing at the front of the hive. Then, the manes seem to be absent, along with the tails being translucent like our wings. The ears look to be a lot longer than the ears of those who I accompany. Finally, the eyes look to bear a color of either dark blue, purple, or red. Contemplating, I have leeway for transformation, so whatever I change into, it’ll be convincible.

I engulf myself in a green flame and close my eyes. After a few seconds, I look at my body, able to see the expanse, hive, and Carina. What I’ve transformed into features whole hooves, large green butterfly-like wings that are still flared out, a long, translucent, draggable tail, and two coats. These coats have two different colors, seemingly contrasting each other in a way that makes Carina avert her gaze towards me. Those colors are green, for my hooves, and orange, for my torso. Looking back at the hive, it seems that I have lost a good deal of detail through the new eyes. Nevertheless, I can still see Carina just fine, which is kind of confusing.

I watch her until she starts looking at me again, this time likely to have grown a toleration for my form.

“Well, what’re you waiting for?”

Okay, it’s weird to hear my own voice sound just like that of a pony.

“How did you do that?” Carina asks.

“Well, we’ve been looking at them this whole time.”

“The guards?”

“Well, them, yeah. What I meant to say is that I managed to get more of the details from bystanders higher up in the hive.”

“Oh.”

Then, Carina engulfs herself in the same green flame as I did, leaving her body looking just like mine. I blink twice.

“In retrospect, that’s actually kind of cool. Alright. Ready?”

Carina nods.

“Ready. Let’s go.”

And with that, Carina and I head closer to the hive. When we finally arrive though, the guards flare one of their wings in a way that they’d touch, the right of the two ready to speak.

“Tahot! Nota enetez eno fa cerohe te Mono Solaz?”

Looking at Carina, she looks particularly confused, causing me to smile before turning around..

“I got this,” I whisper, before raising my voice to a normal talk. “It’s okay. We’re back from looking for the helmets we lost.”

The guards start showing expressions of recognition from my voice. Then, the left of the guards starts to laugh heartily.

“Welcome back, Carve. It’s okay if you’re just visiting.”

“Oh. Uh, really? Okay.”

“Here to give a tour?” the right one asks.

“Uh, no. She’s from here too.”

I can only assume this is true from how she was included when I met the rest of the drones in front of Rusty’s house. I just have to be careful not to refer to Carina by name in front of anyone. The left guard blinks.

“So, uh, what’re you here with your friend for then?”

“Just a simple visit, trying to catch up with the hive ‘n all.”

The guards fold their wings back to where they were beforehoof, the right one nodding.

“Alright, Carve. You and your friend are all set then. You two may enter. Let us know if you need anything.”

Carina and I walk past the guards, through the new entrance that had formed as the guards folded their wings.

“Well, here we are, Carina: inside the hive.”

“Wow. I haven’t been in here in years. It’s a little darker in here than I remember.”

“Yeah, it is strange. I haven’t been in here since the week before Thorax overthrew Chrysalis, and I still can’t believe how different it looks in terms of lighting. I remember there being a lot more cocoons. A lot easier to see back during my last visit. But hey, if we’re going to pose as guards, we’re going to have to get used to it.”

Carina nods before screaming in shock of one of the pastel colored changelings coming up beside her, causing the changeling to take a few steps back.

“Whoa... sorry. Didn’t see you there. I was walking towards the armor room to prepare for guard duty.”

Carina and I freeze, that is before I step towards the changeling after the couple of moments that the room is silent.

“Hmm... need some company?”

“Well, I don’t need it, but it’d be nice.”

Carina and I nod together in response, letting the changeling lead us to where to pick up armor soon to be ours.

Chapter 10: Pane in the House

After Luna leaves shortly after Chrysalis and her drones take off, I decide to take out Nightmare Night decorations for any of the fillies and colts who’ll visit for candy. Last thing I remember before Pane and I started the tradition of Nightmare Night Exploration, or NNE, was that it was typically booked with passersby, hoping for four or five candies.

Looking through the decorations I have, stowed away in a small storage barn, they either are particularly dusty or rusty. I guess I’ll have to go to Sugar Fort and get some soda for some of the decorations that I would otherwise be unable to use. While I’m at it, I might as well get two pounds each of lollipops and chocolate bars. I decide to set up the non-metal decorations, including a “Happy Nightmare Night” banner and some authentic pumpkins. After that, absolutely nothing else happens around the house as I take a break to relax.

That is when what feels like fourteen hours later, but really three, I hear a doorbell. I sigh a hidden hope that the visitor may be Pane. And, yep.

“Hey Rusty. Sorry I left on you and Luna. Home-”

“I already know your reason, Pane. You know Chrysalis better than I do, so I get that you don’t trust her much.”

“Wait. You know?”

“Just a hunch.”

“Well, I’m ready to check on-”

“Carve? Yeah, she kind of left.”

“Left? Well, that’s a first. Where to? It’d make sense if she’s visiting Chrysalis’ hive.”

“Yeah, about that. She and a bunch of other changelings plan to turn the rest of the hive against a king that’s taken Chrysalis’ place.”

“Hmm. This is interesting. Who’s this king?”

“Well, his name in Lingo is apparently Solaz.”

“Solaz... I swear that sounds familiar.”

“Mono Solaz. Maybe one of the princesses could translate that name for us.”

“So, you’re learning Lingo, Rusty, are you now?”

“Only from what I’m hearing.”

“Yeah. How about we go see a linguist about this? Are there any nearby?”

“Pane, don’t worry about it now; I have to go to the store for some soda and candy.”

“Hmm... are you having a party?”

“Well, no.”

“Then what’s the soda for?”

“Are you serious? After all this time, you still don’t know what soda does to rust? Not all my decorations are up right now because what I still have stowed away in the barn is filled with rust.”

“Oh. I see your point. But why don’t we just buy better versions of them? That way you don’t have to worry about buying somethi-.”

“Um, are you forgetting that sodas only cost two and not twenty?”

“...wait a minute. I have an idea. I remember having to partake in an hour of community service after getting caught exploring one place filled with rust. Somehow, I came up with an effective way to remove rust.”

“Before you tell me why you haven’t mentioned this before... you didn’t think it was necessary until now, did you.”

Pane chuckles.

“You’re good.”

I groan.

“Ugh... what a pain.”

;=;

“So girls, where’ve you two lived since you left?”

“I know I’ve lived in Las Pegasus with Rusty Flashlight for over five years; I don’t know about Carina though. I do know she left almost two years before me.”

“Yeah. I kind of have myself a bit of a makeshift family. One other member right this moment is with Chrysalis, and he happens to be the only other changeling in it.”

“Well, okay. So, are you two going to stay in here for a bit or what?”

I nod.

“Yeah, I think we’re fine... uh, what’s your name again?”

“Jag.”

“Okay, got it. Bye, Jag.”

“Bye, Carve. You too, Carina.”

And with that, Jag leaves the armor room.

“Alright Carina, we’re in! Now quick! Which sizes fit us?”

“Hmm... I don’t know about myself, but I think I may have one that’ll fit you.”

Carina levitates one of the smaller helmets and puts it over my head, which somehow doesn’t slide in all the way.

“Nope. Try something larger.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Well, I don’t suppose it could fit you.”

I levitate the helmet Carina tried on me onto her, which actually fits rather snugly.

“Well, I guess that helmet won’t go to-”

“Ooh! Found one!” I interrupt.

I see another of the strewn helmets float towards me and over my head, which fits to my surprise.

“Oh, man, Carve! This is going to be so easy!”

“Wait... man... what does that mean?”

“Well, the way I used it is just an interjection, and it doesn’t really mean anything in that context.”

“Well, no changeling knows that term, so they’ll probably be confused.”

“Chrysalis? Aita?”

“Okay, I can see Aita learning that - seriously, who names a changeling that - but are you sure about Chrysalis?”

“I think I remember saying it in front of her after a friend’s ten year reunion went wrong.”

A hole forms in the wall front of me, allowing me to look into another room. Looking thoroughly, no changeling is in sight.

“Okay good. The coast is clear. Now, do you want to change your voice or what, Carina? I know what I want to do.”

I clear my throat, my voice transitioning from two female voices to only one male voice. Rusty Flashlight.

“Ah. That’ll do.”

Carina proceeds to burst into laughter, prompting me to snicker myself.

“Wow, Carve! How did you do that so easily? It’s hilarious!”

“Heh. The guards are going to crack up at this. They expect a normal voice from me, they get Rusty Flashlight.”

“Wait. You know humans too?”

“Wha- ...what are those?”

“Oh, I thought you did. That name seemed kind of like a human name.”

“Nah. It’s a pegasus name. Now, come up with a voice.”

“Okayokayokay...”

Carina clears her throat now and only changes from two simultaneous voices to just one and sounding a bit more a... what is it... suburban Manehattenite?

“Huh. So you’ve been to... Manehatten?”

“Nope. ’s just one of my friends’ voices. Sophie Handy I think it was.”

I snicker again.

“What kind of name is that? Oh, this starting to be a pain in the- Okay, no more foo-”

Another male changeling comes in and interrupts the conversation.

“Hey! What’re you two doing here? You’re late for afternoon guard duty!”

“I understand, we’ll be there right away.”

“You’d better be...”

Then the changeling walks out. Looking back at Carina, she looks kind of shocked and confused.

“Well, you heard him. Let’s go.”

I finally lead the way out of the armor room over to another, with Carina right behind me. This room so happens to have a line of guards, male and female.

Chapter 11: Faltering Guard

Joining the lineup, a rather tall changeling comes at the forefront of the small crowd and surveys it. The whole way, Carina and I never falter in our static composure.

“Alright, we’re a few minutes behind schedule, but we will carry out with attendance anyway! When you hear your name, you will raise your hoof!”

Everyone nods and solutes, prompting me and Carina to do the same.

“Ana! Buzz! Ciba! Cora! Cornicle! Evola! Giza! Gossom! Henka! Jag! Rep! Mio! Moph! Node! Lean! Leaper! Link! Lucence! Shade! Shell!”

With each name called, every one of the crowd around us raise one hoof belonging to changeling being called.

“Are there any changelings that didn’t have their name called?”

Carina and I raise a hoof each.

“You two! In the back! What’re you names? Your left first!”

“Hatch!” Carina says enthusiastically.

“Gac!”

Every one of the changelings burst into laughter, hearing my impression of Rusty Flashlight. The changeling on my right, Mio, I think, elbows me under the wing.

“Wow! You are such a cocoon! How did you learn to do that?”

“ATTENTION!!!”

Everyone freezes to the outcry from the captain of the guards.

“We do not condone noting of overly insignificant details! YOU!!! You’re name’s not an interjection! What is your real name?!?”

“...Disc.”

Everyone starts giggling again, only to stop when the captain glares at them.

“Listen, buddy. We have enough guards as it is. So why don’t you and your friend just run along the hive and talk to King Thorax about switching positions? Do you hear me?”

I nod at the captain.

“You are dismissed...”

I nod again and run off, Carina following suit. When the two us enter one of the pitch black nestrooms, we stop and catch our breath and clear our throats. The two of us dump our two helmets onto the floor, allowing me to sigh.

“That went well.”

“What’re we going to tell Chrysalis now, Carve?”

“We’re not. We’re going to do what we were assigned, even if it’s by any means necessary. I just took off my helmet to keep up the illusion. Now quick; put yours back on before any of the changelings come by.”

I put my helmet back on, as does Carina with hers, but with a shocked expression.

“Really determined aren’t you?”

“You have no idea, Carina. Chrysalis lost her hive, so I will make sure she gets it back. Aita is with her right this moment.”

“...okay. I agree to stay with you.”

Suddenly, two separate shrieks pierce me and Carina’s ears, prompting us to run to the source.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here! I thought I was seeing a clone of myself!”

“Hang in there. Everything is fine. We’d like to have a word with this ‘clone’ of yours alone though.”

“C-Carve?”

“No time for confirmation! We need to talk with your ‘clone’!”

“Okay. Take care then?”

Carina and I nod at the changeling, leaving us with an exact replica of who leaves at that moment.

“Carve... Areola...”

“Hello, Cervix. Not many changelings get that mixed up with that now, do they? There’s one thing that I’d like to address though. You’re supposed to turn the changelings against Thorax, not senselessly cause a panic!”

“But starting a panic is the key to tur-”

“It’s not the key to anything!!”

“Listen, Carve. You can’t just accuse me of being senseless. I know what I’m doing.”

“Oh, okay then! Let’s see how well turning the changelings against Thorax works out with your method, Cervix!”

“Heh, okay. Bye then.”

With that, Cervix walks out on the two of us.

“Man, that changeling can really get on my nerves.”

Carina chuckles briefly.

“So, I see that you two don’t get along so well.”

“Yeah, there were a few drones during my invasion years that I didn’t get along particularly well with.”

“Wait, how old are you?”

“Twenty-six. I started helping out with the invasions following one thirteen.”

“One who now?”

“I know you don’t remember, but it was over thirteen years ago when it happened.”

“What happened in one thirteen?”

“That’s not important. We have to continue with-”

“Continue with what?”

Another one? Well, okay, I can hear galloping, that is until we see her.

“Well?”

Oh, it’s Correal. It looks like she’s followed Thorax.

“Oh, we were just on guard duty. Carry on.”

I wave my hoof outward, but it looks like Correal isn’t having any of it.

“Wait, don’t I know you?”

Carina and I shake our heads. I chuckle.

“No. How would you recognize one ch-”

“It’s you, Carve, isn’t it?”

I tightly close my eyes and pull my hoof abruptly, only to stamp it back into the stony floor. I growl.

“But hey, not a bad guess, right?”

Carina steps in front of me.

“Will you stop that? Nobody likes a conspiracy nut!”

Again with Carina’s weird terms.

“No... body? Areola, is that you?”

“SHUT UP!!!”

“Actually, do you two promise to keep what I tell you a secret from any other changeling that doesn’t live around the hive anymore?”

I blink.

“Um, okay.”

“Some of the changelings here are really getting us worried. Plus, it’s starting to get a little crowded in the hive.”

“How many more changelings do there appear to be?” I ask.

“About a dozen?”

Carina tries her best to hold in a chuckle.

“Wh-what’s so funny?”

I step beside Carina.

“Oh, nothing really. Correal, are the changelings the same kind like we are?”

“Um, yes?”

“Then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. If you feel so inclined as such, just see if Thorax can do anything about the whole newcomer thing.”

“A-are you sure, girls? I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the hive because of me.”

“No way I wouldn't be sure. To quote Luna, ‘do what you feel is the best to do’.”

“O-okay. I hope it works.”

And Correal runs off.

“Luna? That sounds familiar. Is she that rocker sibling out of a dozen or so of them?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. But no. She’s one of only two sisters, here in Equestria.”

“Oh. I thought you might’ve heard of it.”

“Heard of what?”

“Nothing.”

“Well, no matter the case, Chrysalis gave us the mission of posing as guards. And I’m going to keep falter to a minimum.”

“Actually, Carve, that could be harder than you think.”

“Why?”

“I got the impression that that changeling is a conspiracy nut. And when a conspiracy nut hears, they tell all.”

My eyes widen, causing me to gulp.

Chapter 13: Nightmare Night

Pane walks away from the door, over to Aita, in front of the kitchen.

“Aita, why do you want to spend the night over here? We don’t even know you. Besides, Rusty Flashlight only has one bed in this house.”

“Really? Aw.”

Looks like Aita took that the wrong way.

“Well, that was unexpected.”

“Do you two live here?”

“Um, no. I only visit on a near daily basis. I don’t usually spend the night here.”

“Yeah, I’m the only one that actually lives here. But, I can probably give the top part of my bed to you for the night. Otherwise, you’ll have to roll with Carve’s sleeping nest.”

Aita winces at the offer, prompting my eyes to open.

“What’s wrong?”

“Wouldn’t that hurt?”

“What? Laying on the bottom part of a bed?”

He nods.

“Erm, not really.”

Then, I see him shudder.

“Just the thought of that... yeah, I think I might go with Carve’s nest.”

“O-okay. Suit yourself.”

“Alright, goodnight then.”

My eyes shoot wide open after hearing Aita walk off.

“Wait. You’re turning in now? But it hasn’t even gotten dark yet.”

“Sorry. But after that three hour trip over here, I’m bushed.”

And with that, the door to Carve’s room closes. I turn to Pane.

“Um, Rusty?”

“I know what’s going on. Aita’s definitely a changeling.”

“Why would you think that?”

“DIdn’t you notice what was going on? He refused an offer that you’ve taken whenever you stayed over. He preferred Carve’s nest. AND he’s going to bed at sunset. If I’m right, he’s not going to be waking up before getting up to twelve or more hours of sleep at this time of year.”

“Rusty, no need to pull a leaper. It’s just a young colt. If Aita so chooses this lifestyle he’s showing us, yeah, it would be a little concerning, but colts and fillies need more sleep than ponies our age.”

I sigh at Pane.

“Alright. If any of the foals trick or treating get loud, we’ll tell them that a guest is currently sleeping. Now quick, we have to set up the rest of the decorations. Should we throw away the ones in the barn?”

Pane nods.

“I already see what you’ve done with decorations, so I’ll do the rest of that.”

“Okay then. So, I’ll toss the older ones. See you back inside.”

I proceed to walk over to the back, where the storage barn is. However, I jump, after sliding the door open, to see Queen Chrysalis inside. I slowly land back onto the ground.

“Greta, Lasti.”

“Chrysalis? What’re you doing here? I thought you left to get your hive back.”

“I did. However, plans are unfolding slower than I anticipated. Do you mind?”

“Mind what?”

“Your old decorations?”

“Erm, sure. Why not?”

Chrysalis sighs relief.

“Aro. Thanks. I suppose Aita will sleep in your house?”

“You know about that colt?”

“He’s not just a colt. He’s a nymph. I told him to disguise himself as whatever was of his choosing.”

“Wow. I actually called it. I correctly concluded. But why is Aita sleeping here? Couldn’t he just stay with-”

“Only adult changelings will be able to overthrow King Thorax. While that is happening, I will be watching over Aita. The hive has some leftover nestrooms from before I was overthrown, so you won’t have to worry about Carve.”

I sigh.

“Okay. Say, uh, do you need anything before I give out candy to the trick or treaters?”

Chrysalis shakes her head.

“No. Carry on. I’ll be able to rest in this condition.”

“Okay.”

I slide the door closed and head back inside.

“Well, that was quick. What happened?”

“Change of plans. Uh, do you mind me throwing out the rustier decorations tomorrow?”

“Erm, I guess not. But why?”

“Remember my conclusion on Aita?”

“Yes.”

“I was right.”

“Oh, that he’s a changeling?”

“Yes. I found Chrysalis in the barn, and she confirmed it.”

“Uh, what?!?”

“What is it, Pane?”

“What the hell is Chrysalis doing here?!?”

“She’s spending the night here too. It turns out that her mission to reclaim her position is taking longer than expected.”

“Wait. Where is she going to sleep? The house is already full.”

“Precisely why I’m delaying the discarding of the rusty, old decorations. She’s using those as a nest.”

“Well, I guess you’re on your own then. After everything that happened when Carve first came across us, I am not going to get involved with Chrysalis’ current state.”

“Wait. You’re leaving? But what about the trick or treaters?”

“I guess that's something I’ll-”

Suddenly, the doorbell interrupts Pane, prompting her to open the door.

“Nightmare Night! What a fright! Give us something sweet to bite!”

“Hello everypony. Thanks for coming over. Feel free to grab one piece out of each box.”

The three foals nod, taking turns to take one of each kind of candy that Pane put in when I saw Chrysalis. After that, they all run off with their sacks of candy.

“Well, Rusty, I guess I’ll be heading home now.”

“Oh. Aro. See ya.”

Pane Fall waves goodbye and walks out from the front door.

Throughout the next hour, trick or treaters come off and on. Then, a group of possibly over a dozen fillies are revealed when they sing the Nightmare Night chant, only to be interrupted by Aita, who still has his door closed.

“CAN YOU ALL JUST STOP CHANTING?!? I’M TRYING TO SLEEP!!!”

The lead filly tilts her head slightly to the right.

“Sleeping when we’re all having fun?!? Who does that?”

“Well, at least I set out the candy holders in case the candy goes unattended. Help yourselves to a piece in each holder. I’ll go see what’s going on in the guest room.”

When I walk over the guest room, I knock on the door.

“Yes?”

“Aita? Are you okay in there?”

“Yes, but the only problem is that I can’t get to sleep because of those chanting fillies! Is your friend still here?”

“No, she left.”

“How come? The loud fillies?”

“Nah. Actually, I got the impression that she’s more of a pony that likes fillies.”

“So, why did she leave?”

“She left because I told her what, or who in this case, I saw inside the storage barn.”

“Wait. You went into the shed?”

“Actually, it’s a barn. I decided I would throw out the rusty decorations tomorrow instead of before the trick or treaters came.”

“Good- I-I mean, okay.”

“Don’t worry about correcting yourself, Aita. I know.”

“You know about her?”

“Yes. Remember, this will just be between you and me until you leave tomorrow for the hive.”

“I really hope Mom and Carve get Chrysalis’ hive back.”

I pause, thinking about what to say. After a couple seconds, I smile.

“I... I feel the same way, Aita. See you in the morning.”

“Goodnight.”

Chapter 14: The Wake Up Call

I wake up on the nest I chose last night to find that I’m in my normal form. I get up and stretch my wings before I change back to what I was disguised as yesterday. Suddenly, I hear a call in the hall, a voice that sounds quite familiar.

“CARVE?!? AREOLA?!? WHERE ARE YOU?!?”

I dart out of the nestroom and tackle the source of the intruding voice. Okay, I know exactly who it is.

“Correal! Do you want us to get caught?!? Because it sure as hell sounds like it, you-”

“What is it, Correal? Can’t you see I just woke-”

Carina comes out of her nestroom, initially with a tired expression as she rubs her eyes, that is until her eyes shoot open. She lets out a loud gasp.

“Carve! What’re you doing?!?”

“Looks like somebody found us, Carina. We were searching for her this whole time, yet the changeling came to us. And now, she wants us caught, even after we kept her secret. Nuta fu hunur eldeyen.”

“Carve! DO NOT ever call me that again! Now, GET off of me!”

Correal pushes me off of herself, leaving me staggered for a few seconds. Recovering, I see Correal in the process of getting in a standing position.

“Well, I was originally here to see how you two were doing, but apparently...”

Correal points at me when emphasizing her continuation.

“someone doesn’t want to talk with me, going as far to calling me someone who lies about their-”

“Correal, stop it.”

Correal’s eyes shoot open, just like Carina’s when she found me. She turns around to see Carina standing in front of her, looking near deadpan as she scratches the ground.

“You too?!?”

“Well, I will admit, Carve pinning you was negatively surprising. But I can definitely understand her anger. So, what did you tell Carve not to ever call you again?”

“That last word before I shoved her off...”

“Oh, uh, LJN? I don’t get it.”

“Eldeyen.”

Correal groans immediately after repeating what I called her.

“It’s Lingo for someone who lies about their virtues,” I finish.

“Oh, I got it. Well, I can see where Carve’s coming from then. So, if you continue to keep up with behavior like that, I suppose you don’t mind us telling Thorax about what you told us yesterday, or better yet, about the wake up call.”

“No, Areola! You can’t disturb him just as he’s getting re-”

“That’s it. We’re telling Thorax.”

Carina trots past me, prompting me to follow her to the top level of the hive.

“NO!!! Areola! Carve! You can’t do this!

“Yes we can, Correal!” Carina shouts, looking back briefly. “Carve, you were very right to call her something like that. Thorax was just like any other changeling in form at one point, so that doesn’t excuse how we can get a wake up call the moment we wake up while Thorax has to get ready for the day before getting one.”

“Well, maybe we could just tell Thorax about our wake up call when he is ready for the day.”

“Well, I told Correal we’d be telling Thorax what she told us about the hive. Shouldn’t we be true to our word?”

“Cervix may be hard to get along with, but at least she doesn’t have two simultaneous views. That’s why we can tell him about our wake up call.”

“And tell him that his changelings act worse than Chryaslis’? A little far-fetched; don’t you think?”

Carina?

A voice makes us stop and turn around, Carina turning around three times.

“I-is somebody there?”

“D-don’t you mean someone, Carina?”

And where we look after turning around, there emerges a large changeling, about the size of Queen Chrysalis. He has two antlers, three gems on his neck, and huge wings for the unusual features. His large primary coat is a bright field yellow with a sunset purple secondary coat on his torso, his eyes also said shade of purple. Carina gasps.

“You’re the source of that voice? Phew. For a second there, I thought my mind was playing games on me. I can still remember being brought home by a changeling that had a voice just like that.”

“Huh? Carina, you’re saying you don’t recognize me? But I did that. I did bring you home.”

“Thorax?”

The changeling sighs.

“Yep. That’s me.”

“Yeah, for a second there, I thought you were somebody else.”

Thorax shakes his head.

“Nope. This is the real deal. Not to snoop, but what were you talking about? I heard Chrysalis’ name and I thought I’d find out what exactly it was that you two were up to.”

“Well, Carina and I were actually talking about a wake up call we got from Correal this morning.”

Carina chuckles and sighs.

“Yeah, we were not very happy campers about that. Not at all.”

“I imagine so.”

“Correal even told us not to tell for the same reason that me and Carina’s day started out so rough.”

Thorax takes a moment to think, then sighs.

“Okay, girls. I’ll go talk to Correal about this whole wake up call. Does that sound good?”

“Yes. Thanks, Thorax. Carina and I would appreciate that.”

And with that, Thorax walks off.

;=;

After seeing Carina and Carve, I decide to walk about the entirety of the hive. As I look, I try, and fail, to find some clues to where Correal is. But after about ten minutes of walking, I finally find her.

“Oh, hi, King Thorax!”

“Hi, Correal.”

“So, what’s going on today?”

“Well, not much. I finished my morning routine, which was before I heard a nearby conversation.”

“Really? What was it about?”

“To my knowledge, the two changelings were victims of a wake up call.”

“Who were they?”

“Carina and Carve.”

“Hey, I saw one of the- ohhhhh... those two. Don’t you me-”

“I know what you’re thinking. Areola, not Carina. But don’t forget that that era for Carina is completely erased from her memory.”

“So, where are you going with this?”

“Correal, were you the source of their wake up call?”

“Well, uh, yes.”

“Alright. Just be careful not to do it again. Changelings wake up at different times and some of them may wake up later than you, so try to be courteous of those changelings that wake up the latest when you’re first out and about. Are we clear?”

Correal nods at me.

“Good. Now, if you need me, I’ll be all around the hive.”

“Okay, uh, bye...”

I look back, seeing Correal wave goodbye. I wave back before I finally continue onward.

Chapter 15: It's in the Past

I wake up to hear a relatively heavy knock on my closed door. Having a lone window in my room like the guest room, I use the pouring daylight coming from it to see my analog clock.

7:24, the second hand having just moved past the 1.

I guess I went to bed quite a bit later than I intended because I feel so tired.

Well, no matter. I walk to the door and open it, only to see Queen Chrysalis and Aita behind it.

“O-oh. Hi, Aita, Queen Chrysalis.”

“Greta, Lasti. I wanted to drop in before I return to the hive. I don’t suppose you have any plans?”

“Not really. So, uh, do you know exactly how long it should take before you get your hive back?”

“Well, a few days at the very least would be nice. But given how Carina and Carve are part of the changelings I have left, and that they have special assignments apart from the other dozen of them, there may be a substantial fluctuation.”

“Okay. Actually, I do plan on visiting Pane after I get my breakfast. I want to talk with her.”

“What is this talk going to be about?”

“When I told her about you being in the storage barn, she decided to walk out on the trick or treaters. I thought it was a little, uh... what’s the word I’m looking for?”

“You’ll be likely to find it before you talk to Pane about the matter.”

“Well, okay. In case you two come back for the night, I’ll prepare a proper sleeping nest for each of you.”

“Actually, Aita told me that you portrayed quite the responsible behavior to him, and that you came right away and helped him when he was struggling to get his beauty sleep. Are you up to watching over him for the day? I understand if you aren’t though.”

“Sure, I can do that. Carve’s lived here for five years, so I know how to care for a changeling.”

“Alright. I suppose you want me to stay here with Aita before you return home?”

“Actually, I’ll take Aita with me. I’ll get something for him on the way home.”

“Hmm... that sounds fair enough. Farewell, Aita. I trust you, Rusty Flashlight. Care well. Lomenalada.”

And with that, Queen Chrysalis walks out of the house, leaving me with Aita. I walk over to the kitchen, Aita following suit as I grab a tub of butter from the fridge, then a slice of cinnamon bread from the table.

“So, where are we going, Rusty?” Aita asks as I spread the butter on the bread, now ready to eat.

“After I have breakfast, we’ll start heading to Pane’s house so I can talk with her. So, what do you feel like having on the way back?”

“I don’t know, actually. Nothing I had in Wisconsin tasted very good.”

“Eh, maybe the treats from here might, well, change that. So, what place do you commonly find the most love put into food back in, uh, Wisconsin?”

“Uh, I think it happened the most at the local bakery. And even then, it didn’t happen that much.”

“Alright. I think you might like the bakery here in Las Pegasus. We’ll swing by it on the way back.”

Aita nods while I swallow my last bite.

“And, one more thing Aita, do you mind putting on that disguise from yesterday. Ponies might gawk at me if they see I have a changeling around other than Carve.”

Aita chuckles.

“Would all of them act like Celestia?”

“You know Princess Celestia, Aita?”

“I only met her once, a few years ago, which I still admit was pretty scary, especially when her guards wanted to talk to me.”

“Well, we’re in the present, so it doesn’t really matter now. Right?”

Aita nods.

“Good. I guess it’s time to get to Pane’s then.”

;=;

When I arrive at Pane’s house with a disguised Aita in tow, I knock on the door.

Come in, Rusty!

I open the door, in response to the call, to find that Pane is in the medium sized, fully furnished living room, looking at her calendar on the left. She looks to be levitating a marker before she puts it down on a nearby stand and walks over to me.

“Hi, Pane.”

“So, what’s going on?”

“Not much. Though I do want to talk to you about something.”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Pane, you know about what happened last night, right?”

“Yep. You gave out the candy to the trick or treaters. Right?”

“It’s not about them. After the whole Nightmare Night thing, I thought about you leaving on me and them. Don’t you think it was a bit uncalled for?”

“No. If Chrysalis is there, I ain’t.”

“I know you don’t trust Chrysalis. But the whole night, she was just sleeping in the storage barn. She didn’t come inside until I woke up this morning. I really don’t think that sequence of events would’ve changed if you were with me the whole night.”

“Yeah, but you still didn’t mind me leaving, right?”

“Not initially. But I did start getting a little lonely near the end of Nightmare Night.”

“So, your point?”

“My point is that leaving me to help out the trick or treaters was unnecessary. I’m not asking you to be next to Chrysalis, but she shouldn’t be a reason alone that we can’t spend a pastime together, like what friends usually do.”

“Rusty, why are you telling me this?”

Suddenly, Aita interrupts our conversation, looking to have been made angry.

“Because Chrysalis isn’t as bad as you think!”

“Pane, how long ago was it that you first encountered Queen Chrysalis?”

“Over five years ago?”

“Exactly. The only reason Chrysalis gave you a bad impression was because you may have happened to meet her in the flesh at the wrong time."

Pane looks at the floor.

"Listen, Pane. What happened that long ago really shouldn’t be any reason to avoid her. You have ample time to meet her tonight if you so choose. If you want to come over to my house now, you can get something at the bakery on the way over. And you can always come over later on as well. Otherwise, lomenalada.”

And with that, I turn around and head out of Pane’s house, Aita soon following suit. However, a few hoofsteps before the end of the yard...

“Wait.”

I look back at Pane, who is now wearing a saddle bag, and standing at the edge of her doorstep.

“I-I want to go with you two.”

“Alright! Now, you’re talking. Let’s go.”

So now, the three of us finally start walking over to Greta Scone Corner.

Chapter 16: My Fair Session

When Carina and I look around the hive, we see a few of the changelings walking about in the halls, but not much is going on with them. Some look quite worried, like Correal said yesterday, but others only seem to be minding their own business, although one looks to be flying higher into the hive, faster than I’ve ever seen another fly. As the two of us look at the nest rooms, all of them appear to be open and empty.

“Alright, Carina. It looks like everyone’s awake. This would probably be the time we'd have to tell Thorax, according to Correal.”

“Let’s just hope we don’t run into her or Cervix again. Can’t have a good speedrun if you have more than a hurdle.”

“Uh, where’d you get that from?”

“Never mind; you’d never get it.”

“Yeah. Whoever you live with must be familiar with that. It just flew over my head.”

As the two of us keep walking, there appears to be progressively less changelings around us, walking around. By the fifteenth minute, there’s no telling on how we feel.

“Ugh, is there some sort of meeting going on somewhere that we should be at? Like, seriously, I don't get it.”

“Not to my knowledge. Why don’t we take a break at our temporary nests, Carve.”

“Okay. We can do that.”

Carina and I head from midway up the hive to near the bottom, where our nests are.

However, this entire portion of the hive looks so empty. No changelings are around this area, almost as if the hive had been evacuated and abandoned within an hour.

“Oh, come on! Correal said the hive was getting crowded! This has to be some prank!”

“I don’t know, Carve. Maybe they’re simply in the upper levels.”

Suddenly, we hear a buzzing sound coming by.

“LE CONO!!! Tehinterin Patelor!!! Tahot nata ze le!!!”

Two changeling guards burst into the nestroom we’re in right now. While Carina is just confused, I couldn’t feel more scared.

“WHAT?!? Carina, what did we do?!?”

“Not much actually, but-”

“HALA NI MONA!!! Ze valmat ro za!!!”

“Carina, we better follow them. Otherwise, we’ll be exiled from the hive.”

“Well, you know Lingo better than I do. Right behind you.”

So, after ten minutes of traveling up, Carina and I find ourselves in a particularly large crowd of changelings, standing all about the room, and not just on the floor. The guards that led us head to the opposite side of the room from us. When all of the changelings see me and Carina, they start hissing. Well, all of them except for the one that’s directly in front of us. Said changeling stamps his left forehoof seven times.

“OLDE!!!”

The command silences every single changeling in the room.

“Aro. Calev i Calina valnorat en cono.”

“What is he saying?”

“Just follow my moves, Carina. You’ll be fine.”

I nod to Carina as we walk. I turn my head back forward and get closer to the leading changeling.

“Tahot.”

Carina and I stop.

“Le uhedo lohan hala te lecan za tahet?”

I nod.

“Si. Calina riva omepal Ecuhestelihan. Ve valseya fu alada lenare ga vi le pere omepal.”

And just like that, all of the changelings laugh in response to the hidden, or in this case, not so hidden request, only to be silenced with a second utterance of the previous command, followed by the changeling’s stamping hoof.

“OLDE!!! If the defendant so chooses to make a request, this room will follow it. For this time being, I will speak Equestrian for Carina, and so shall the plaintiff.”

“NUTA?!? NI!!!” Shouts a changeling to our right.

“YOU WILL SPEAK EQUESTRIAN FOR THE REST OF THE SESSION!!!”

The changeling just sighs.

“Okay, Lace.”

“Let’s begin. Moph, you, the plaintiff, found Correal on the twenty fourth level, right?”

“Yes. Lying in a small crater.”

Carina turns to me.

“Oh no. Did she...”

“It sounds like it, Carina.”

“CARVE!!! CARINA!!! What happened this morning during sunrise?”

“Well, Carve and I woke up at the same time when suddenly, Correal was calling for us in the hall. When I came out, I saw that Correal was pinned down by Carve. After Correal pushed her off, we decided to tell King Thorax about the wake up call. That’s all we did.”

“Moph. What had driven you to conclude that Carina and Carve were the changelings that led to Correal’s unfortunate circumstance?”

“When I found Correal last, I saw a nearby note carved onto the wall next to the crater she was in. It read, ‘va cutera Solaz.’”

“They sent Thorax? Who’s they?”

“That would have to be me and Carina, Lace. If this note said anything, then Thorax clearly talked to Correal like we requested. And knowing Thorax, he isn’t easily provoked, regardless of who he talks to.”

“Moph, you said you felt the floor shaking when it happened, right?”

“Yes.”

“Carina, Carve, where were you two after you told King Thorax about the wake up call?”

“We just headed to the bottom of the hive, to our nests. Carina and I didn’t feel anything, so we had no idea about Correal’s situation until just a minute and a half ago.”

“Very well, you two. Carina, Carve, you may go, in exchange for King Thorax.”

“WHAT?!?” Carina, Moph and I all shout.

“But Lace! Thorax didn’t do anything wrong! Not even Carina and I did anything that could cause as much heartache as Correal apparently had! Nothing like this has ever happened in the hive before! You have to be-”

“Lace, think about what you’re doing VERY carefully right now! Should Thorax be walking in here, only to be bashed for something nice he was trying to-”

“OLDE!!!” Lace shouts, interrupting me and Carina’s simultaneous complaints. “You will leave now, and get King Thorax in this room!!!”

“But, Cari-”

“NOW!!!”

Carina and I scramble out of the room. However, just as we get out, we both trip and fall forward. Looking down at us right now is Thorax himself. He simply smiles and waves to us.

“Uh, hey girls.”

“Hi, Thorax. Apparently, Lace ordered me and Carina to get you.”

“Um, okay. Is it about the whole Correal incident?”

We nod, prompting Thorax to sigh.

“Alright. I might as well get this over with. In the meantime, why don’t you two go to the twenty fourth floor and check on the results if you want to see for yourself what happened.”

Thorax enters the room we tripped out of as we head up to the twenty fourth floor like Thorax suggested.

Chapter 17: The New Speaker

When Carina and I head up to the twenty fourth floor, there seems to be nothing in sight. It’s just an empty hall like I imagined it would be after seeing so many changelings in one room. Taking advantage of that, Carina and I drop our disguises. About a minute into walking, I find a carving in the form of a note, just like Lace and Moph had discussed. Suddenly, I hear two shrieks. Carina appears to have her forehooves on the wall of a nearby crater, again, just like what I heard. I gasp.

“Carina! Are you okay?”

“Uh, can you uh..."

I nod and levitate Carina onto a safe distance from the crater. When I look at it, I see who I can only assume is Correal, lying emotionless on the floor. Her mouth hangs open as her eyes are simply closed. Looking closer, all around her face, legs, and especially her horn, there are black marks, seeming to suggest that the nutrients from sharing love is starting to weather away. Below her, I see that the base of the crater has a scorch mark, like Correal was preparing a spell and it somehow backfired.

Looking at the entire picture, I start to gag.

“O-oh... oh, man...”

“Carve? Are you okay?”

I finally avert my gaze at Correal and turn to Carina, sighing along the way. Carina appears to be itching her cheeks a little. I turn back around, facing ahead instead of down.

“Yeah. I just don’t think I can take anymore of seeing Correal like that.”

“And nobody saw this coming. Not even Thorax.”

“Actually, Carina, do you remember when we first met Correal upon our return?”

Carina nods.

“She said that she wouldn’t want anything to happen to the hive because of her. That should’ve raised a stoplight for me, but I didn’t notice, kind of like how the picture on the main entrance to Rolling Acres getting removed should’ve done the same.”

Carina re-approaches the crater, right next to me, to my left.

“It’s hard to believe she’s gone now. And just to think, she was the early bird just this morning.”

“I know, Carina.”

I sigh before continuing.

“But, well, life is weather.”

“Carve, Chrysalis gave all fourteen of her remaining drones one mission. To turn the hive back to her. Carve, what reasons have we found that can convince the hive to abandon Thorax’s title as king?”

“I... I only know off the top of my head that Chrysalis had no idea that her hive was going to get taken over until it was too late, and by a drone that had left on his own accord.”

“Yes, and... what did we have no idea about?”

“...Correal doing what she did today?”

“Exactly, Carve. Now, I have an idea, so follow me.”

I nod. When Carina reapplies her disguise and hovers over the crater, I do the same.

“Uh, Carve? What does the hive do when something like this happens?”

“Well, from what I remember, the entire hive attends a calling, as we say it, except for the male half of the royal family as well as the guards that have exceeded five years of experience.”

“Okay. Thanks for the info.”

We walk back down to where there’s a high amount of chatter going on, even though it’s coming from the next room. After a while, the crowd of chatter emerges out of a forming hole, only to see us.

“Hi everyone. Carina and I traveled up to the twenty fourth floor ourselves and have made up our minds. Carina?”

“I would like to request the location of King Thorax for his approval of a calling.”

“Well, here I am. I think I know what the calling is for, so I approve, Carina.”

“Do you know any royal family members that live here?”

“Well, no. It’s just me. And since you became my very first friend, I’ll send you as the speaker.”

“Thanks, King Thorax, but I’ll send that title off to one changeling I know the most: Carve.”

I nod.

“Thanks, Carina. Let’s head to the site.”

;=;

When I arrive at the crater with the many changelings in tow, I turn around and take a deep breath.

“You know, there comes a time, where we lose something, where a changeling’s chapter closes with a bang. Invasion after invasion, under Chrysalis’ rule, that was very common. Today, not even a month into King Thorax’s rule, one chapter had closed in one of the most unusual of changeling ways, with a single note, carved in Lingo. That chapter came from Correal as she simply wrote ‘va cutera Solaz’. The inability to venture in her last year and a half played a sizable role in how Correal got into the state she was in today. In fact, I saw her fear of something happening to the hive as a consequence for her actions.”

I take a moment for another deep breath.

“I understand where Correal’s fear was coming from. Judging from what she had said yesterday, deep inside, she regretted past actions that may’ve somehow harmed the hive. I am not exactly sure what, but I do know that it has something to do with following Thorax. Lace, how many invasions did it take before we followed King Thorax?”

“Twenty.”

“Throughout those years, I’ve attended up to fifty callings, all of which happened within a span of eight years. Of all of those fifty plus callings, none of them were like this one. Correal has taught us a lesson. Change can be good, bad, or neither, depending on the severity of the consequences, and how we reflect on those consequences. Recently, I went to Rolling Acres to see that two carriage-drone hybrids were destroying it. However, unlike me, Correal had no one to turn to when Thorax talked to her about a wake up call Carina and I were given, something that’s even worse than one thirteen.”

“Why would anything be worse than one thirteen,” Moph asks.

“Because after one thirteen, we had a queen that we could turn to for help. That help has gotten us through many failures, and based on Correal’s reaction, Thorax didn’t portray that same amount of reliable help. I feel sorry about what happened to Correal, and I know how to follow up on that so that she is not forgotten.”

One of the changelings leaps into the air, flailing her hooves, her form changing from the pastel colors I’m used to seeing by now to the form I actually am.

“We’ve got to get our queen back!!”

And just like that, the rest of the changelings follow suit and head out, leaving me and Carina with Correal.

Chapter 18: Preparations

As I walk the woods, south of Dodge Junction, out in the distance is the hive with its blown off top as I face the south. During this long routed, slow paced walk, I have a strange feeling, like I should be at the hive to protect those who had betrayed me nearly two and a half moons ago. I am of knowledge though that the drones I have sent are also inside, so I shall take that into consideration.

Finally arriving at the desert portion, where the hive starts, I bow my head and sigh.

“Whatever this feeling in me is, it has to lead to something pleasant. Well, at least it will not likely hurt not to attend something as important as a calling. How ridiculous of a- ...thought... wait... a calling... that was quite a strange thought.”

I blink to keep my eyes from opening any further, then I gallop quickly over to the hive, that is until two familiar changelings make an exit for the hive, only to see me, prompting them to run to me.

“Carve? Carina?”

“Queen Chrysalis! Boy, are we glad to see you! You should’ve seen Carve up there!”

“What happened, my guard posers?”

“Let’s just say... I was the speaker of a severely unusual calling and managed to show the hive that they needed you.”

“What? You did only that? B-but what about guard duty? And the freakouts?”

“Well, by the end of yesterday, everybody knew that it was us, so Carve and I just dropped the whole guard thing.”

“Uh, Queen Chrysalis? What do you mean as in freakouts? Because there wasn’t any of that going on, I mean not on a large scale.”

“Never mind, Carve. It’s nothing to fret about. However, we will have to make sure that Thorax is located elsewhere during my recoronation.”

“Oh, the hive already is taking care of Thorax’s locale. Carina and I saw the funniest part about it though... the changelings have already dug his room to shreds.”

I hold my hoof over my growing smile, all under a scrunched nose.

“I suppose that is quite amusing. Well, no matter. When will the recoronation be available to commence?”

In the distance, I hear what sounds like a long shout, followed by cheering. Now, alongside Carina, Carve looks to be trying, and failing, to hold in a chuckle.

“Right about now? Because it sounds like they just got rid of him.”

I nod.

“Yes. Now then, I have a recoronation to attend. At that recoronation, Carve, I think you are going to like the surprise I will prepare for you.”

“Make that double, then. Because I already am surprised.”

“What was it? Was it something that I said?”

“Well, you said surprised me in a ‘peaked curiosity’ way.”

“Well, I’m glad I made you curious then. Now, you two, join the rest of the hive and prepare to start the recoronation. I will be present momentarily. And Carve, your friends will be proud of you when I announce this surprise.”

“Huh? My friends?”

I nod.

“Yes. You know who I am talking about. And I will quickly go and get them. Side note being, Carina, you’re son is staying there.”

“Oh, Rusty, Pane and Aita. Okay.”

Carve nods, Carina, following suit. I proceed to wave goodbye and swiftly fly over to Las Pegasus.

;=;

Aita, Pane and I finally get to my house, following having to get a refund at Greta Scone Corner for Pane’s danish being flavored raw cherry instead of strawberry. Everything else went rather smoothly over. But then, nearly half an hour after we get home, I notice that Aita hasn’t left Carve’s room ever since our return. After a little bit of discussion from Pane, the both of us decide that I can handle the situation the best. I walk over at the closed door and knock on it.

“Hello? Who’s there?”

“A-aita? You’ve seemed awfully quiet since we came to my house. Are you okay in there?”

Aita sighs.

“No.”

“I should come in then.”

I proceed to open the door, only to see that Aita is laying on Carve’s nest, looking about as bored as any foal would without anything to do in the room. He appears to be pawing at the floor, kind of like how Carve did when she came home early from Akron.

“Aita, Pane and I noticed you were staying in Carve’s room for a while, and we thought I could talk it over with you. So, what do you think is wrong?”

“I-I think... I-I’m starting to miss Wisconsin. I think I’m getting, well...”

“Homesick? Believe me, Aita. I’ve been there before. Remember saying how you knew about Carve?”

“Yes.”

“She was launched into this place called Rolling Acres, following the failed Canterlot Invasion. After I found her and tried to let her heal, I stayed for three weeks straight in Rolling Acres, waiting to see the changeling. I never left once. I started missing Pane after the first twenty four hours of my presence.”

“You were away for three WEEKS?!? Did you have anything to eat?!?”

“I had cereal with me as well as some water. Aita... if you feel homesick, you’re telling the right pony if you’re telling me. You just have to be patient. You never-”

The doorbell rings.

“Hold on, Aita. It looks like we have a visitor.”

I rush over to the living room, seeing Pane open the door, revealing none other than Queen Chrysalis.

“Pane Fall?”

“Hi, Chrysalis.”

I am prompted by Pane to wave.

“Oh, greta Lasti.”

“Greta, Mone Clisaris.”

“How well did your talk with Pane Fall go? Well, I presume.”

I nod.

“Yes. So, uh, what’re you doing here? I thought you wanted me to watch Aita for the rest of the day.”

“Well, I did. But that was before I could confirm some admirable news.”

“A-admirable? D-do you mean...?”

Chrysalis nods.

“You, Pane, and Aita are all invited to my recoronation.”

“A RECORONATION?!? You got your hive back?!?”

“Yes, Pane Fall. And it’s all thanks to the one changeling you know most about.”

“Well, what’re we waiting for? I’ve got to get Aita out here.”

“I already know, Rusty!”

Aita gallops out of Carve’s room and into the living room.

“So, we’re going now?”

Chrysalis nods at Aita, prompting him to squee with joy, jumping up and down.

“Oh, I can’t wait to see Mom again!”

“Well, Aita, you barely have to. We’re heading to the hive. Let’s go, everyone. We’d best be going.”

And with that, the four of us all leave the house.

Chapter 19: Return of a Queen

Looking at the changelings, having disposed of Thorax, I see quite a match from the emotion they’re radiating. It must be satisfying getting rid of a king that doesn’t act as one should, ruling a single structure. I feel a tap on the shoulder. Turning to my right, I see Carina, smiling to me like how a proud parent would to a child. After a few seconds, she proceeds to hug me.

“Carve... I’m so glad I chose you to be the speaker of that calling. You did such an amazing job there. Seriously, I don’t think I could’ve said it any better myself if I ever tried. You seem to relate very well with Queen Chrysalis.”

“Thanks. Had I never landed in Rolling Acres, I would not’ve related so well to Chrysalis. My name is Carve because Queen Areola had believed that I would someday make one of the biggest marks in changeling history. If she were down here today and had found out about what I did... who knows how high I’d leap in rank?”

“Queen Areola? Was she a queen that was in power before Chrysalis?”

“Exactly.”

The two of us turn around to see Queen Chrysalis. Unexpectedly, I see Pane, Rusty and Aita all behind her.

“I thought I’d just stop and see you two before the actual ceremony.”

“So, uh, who’s going to introduce you?”

“You, Carve. If you gave reason enough to the changelings on why they need a proper ruler, then you should keep going with that, and introduce who exactly it is that the hive really needs. Does that sound reasonable?”

I nod.

“Yes.”

;=;

I will always remember when Chrysalis was officially announced as Queen Areola’s accomplice, when I was only three weeks old. My memory of it was refreshed back when I was seven, when the queen herself came into my nestroom during one particularly restless night I was starting to get.

“Carve? Are you awake in there?”

I nodded.

“I suppose you’re a little nervous about the invasion coming up."

“Uh... yeah?”

“It’s okay to be nervous. I’d rather you tell me if you are. In fact, back when you were about half a month old, I was quite nervous myself, nervous about what to say when announcing Chrysalis’ jump into studenthood.”

“Y-you were?”

Areola had chuckled briefly, prompting me to smile.

“It made the hive a bit on edge on the last few days before the ceremony.”

“So, what happened after you announced Chrysalis as your student?”

“Well, everything was back to normal. All that really changed was that it was publicly known that I had a student, which is still the case to this day. I hope what I said will help with your slumbers. Knowing that subjects connect with how I've felt over the years certainly helps me. For now, my little changeling, alada rote.”

I nodded, starting to yawn as Queen Areola was leaving the room.

“Alada rote, Mone Ehilihora.”

;=;

Snapping back from my resurfaced memory, I find myself in front of the same room the hive underwent the session in, listening to indistinct chatter. The only other changeling in the hall is Chrysalis. Aita, Carina, Rusty and Pane seem to already be in the chattering crowd. Looking close at my hooves, they seem to be the only blurry point in my sight at the moment.

“Is there something wrong, Carve? Your legs look like they’re shaking.”

“Oh, uh, I’m just kind of feeling a little nervous about this.”

“Ha, is that all?”

“Uh, I guess.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about. All you have to do is announce my presence. I will handle everything in the ceremony after the announcement.”

“Okay. When you put it like that, it doesn’t actually sound that bad. I guess we’ll head in then.”

So, I enter the room. However, I hear my name getting called to my left. When I look, I see Carina with Aita, Rusty and Pane. Pane is levitating herself while Rusty is simply hovering in place. I wave on and continue walking to the center stage. Looking around, with the exception of sixteen changelings, standing almost militantly, the rest of the changelings stand on the room wall and the ceiling, all eyes focused on the closed entrance. I take a moment for a quick deep breath.

“Grubs, nymphs, and drones. I am very pleased to hold this recoronation. Everyone had thought that Thorax was the ruler that we needed, but with what happened to Correal, it became very evident that that was quite the contrary, and that there was one ruler that was far more experienced than any changeling. She was Queen Areola’s student for almost thirteen years. And following one thirteen, she came to power for her mentor. Changelings, I present to you, Queen Chrysalis!”

The entrance to the room opens to reveal Queen Chrysalis, prompting those sixteen changelings closeby to use their wings to play a relaxing piece that brings a slight itch to my cheeks as Queen Chrysalis walks up the makeshift aisle over to me. The changelings near the center of the ceiling break off a stalactite, applying a swift flame to morph that stalactite into a crown. The former base regenerates to the point where it looks like the stalactite getting broken off never happened. Finally, the crown lands on Chrysalis’ scalp, levitation ending. As the song ends, Chrysalis clears her throat.

“When I first became queen, the goal I had in mind was to find love for every one of my subjects. Back then, I wasn’t as prepared of a queen as I am now. Right now, I am particularly grateful that you all have given me a second chance. And finally, I would like to thank the changelings that made it all possible. Carina, and Carve. Without you two, I would’ve had no changeling to turn to for this kind of recovery, Carve in particular, for comparing her experience to mine. And as a recrowned changeling queen, I will give Carve the title of a stand-in queen. I see that she has what it takes to rule the hive in case I have to leave. Congratulations, Carve.”

And with that, the crowd roars in cheer, causing me and Chrysalis’ wings to become whole.

“Th-thank you so much, Queen Chrysalis. I will visit again as soon as I can.”

For the remaining time of the cheering from the crowd, Chrysalis rubs my back.

“You may come back anytime so desire. I have no problem with that.”

Following the near minute long cheering, chatter starts to take place.

Chapter 20: Greta Scone Celebration

Several minutes after the recoronation ended with chatter, Aita, Carina, Rusty and Pane all come up to me and Chrysalis.

“Carve! That was amazing! Everything was amazing! Was that all you and Chrysalis?!?”

“Actually, Pane, neither Chrysalis nor I expected the choir, but we just rolled with it.”

“What? Then who came up with that fitting song?”

Carina raises her hoof.

“That would be me, Rusty. And, I didn’t ACTUALLY come up with the music. I just adapted it for a changeling choir to play with their wings.”

Rusty comes closer to Carina.

“Then, who did the song?”

“I actually don’t know. Heh, too many composers.”

“So, it was a collaboration?”

“I guess.”

“Carina...”

Everyone turns to look at Queen Chrysalis, who is wearing a very large smile on her face. Carina comes to her and gives her a hug.

“What you did with the choir of changelings: that was beautiful. I would love to hear what you find when you visit again.”

“Thanks, Queen Chrysalis. I will persist in finding more music that you like.”

Chrysalis nods at Carina, who lets go and turns to us.

“So, uh, does this mean we’re going home, Mom?”

“Yes, Aita. Yes it does. However, this recoronation won’t go without celebration. I sure hope you don’t mind.”

“I’d look forward to going to Greta Scone Corner.”

Aita beams, prompting me to put my right hoof to my chin.

“Hmm, Greta Scone Corner... works for me.”

“Mhmm!” The rest of us agree.

;=;

When we arrive at Greta Scone Corner, nothing looks to have happened since the last time I was present, about a week before my last visit to Rolling Acres. The cashier looks up from his cash register, eyes shooting open.

“Well, Carve. I gotta say, you made friends with Chrysalis of-”

“It’s a celebration.”

“Yeah? That's awesome! So, uh, what can I get for you all?”

The cashier takes a blank sheet of paper out of a drawer behind him, then taking a pen from a cup.

“For me, Pane and Aita, we’ll just have what we had this morning.”

“Okay. And what about you, Carve? The usual, right?”

I nod.

“So, uh, what about the rest of you?”

“Carina and I agreed that we’d have two apple danishes each.”

“Alrighty. So, let’s see if I got it right then. Carve, apple pie; Rusty, grape d-a; Pane, strawberry d-a; Aita, two chocolate chip c’s; Carina and Chrysalis, two apple d-a’s each.”

All of us nod.

“Alright. I’ll give my notes over to the cooks then.”

Nodding and grabbing the notes with his mouth, the cashier heads into the kitchen, moments later coming back, looking to have posted the notes somewhere in the kitchen.

“Alright. Since it’s a celebration that a changeling queen is part of, your orders are on the house.”

Rusty flares his wings out.

“What? O-okay. Thanks.”

The cashier nods.

“No problem.”

After a few minutes, one of the cooks comes out of the kitchen, levitating a tray with all our food, the orders separated. Although I have to say, those two cookies for Aita are huge.

“Here you go. Enjoy.”

Chrysalis levitating the tray, she sets it onto a nearby table as the cook returns to her post. Then, Chrysalis starts humming the song that the choir sung, prompting the rest us to smile as all of us start eating our food.

“I have to admit, Carina, that song the choir did fit so well. I... I almost...”

“Yeah, that almost happened to me as well, Carve. I knew it would fit well, but not that well.”

“Thanks for providing the music, Carina. Pane and I loved it.”

“Eh, it’s no problem. Say, did you know that Aita was the very first one out of all of us to hear that song?”

Rusty, Chrysalis, Pane and I all shake our heads.

“About a year ago, Aita heard the song when Tim was playing a game. Soulsilver I think it was, right?”

Aita nods, causing a long pause between us all. I click my tongue.

“So, uh, Carina, Aita, I suppose you haven’t heard of Rolling Acres before you came yesterday.”

“Actually, I have, but not Aita. If I’m correct, it’s getting taken down from what I heard during the calling.”

I nod.

“I did explicitly make that clear. I actually saw demo on Rolling Acres when I was last there.”

“I imagine that Rolling Acres meant a lot to you, Carve, seeing the way you acted when I first saw you.”

“Oh it did,” Chrysalis, Rusty and Pane answer simultaneously. I only nod.

“So, was that why you were sad when I was asking what a ‘recent event’ was?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to mention Rolling Acres unless it was absolutely necessary.”

Carina smiles at me.

“Well, I’m glad you did that, Carve. Say, I finished my treats. What about you guys?”

Everyone else, except for Aita, raises their hoof, including me.

“Done.”

Rusty turns to Carina.

“So, Carina. Before Aita suggested Greta Scone Corner, what place did you have in mind that we should’ve gone to?”

“Well, I was thinking of Denny’s, but the closest one takes hours to get to from here. Plus, I don’t think there would be much of interest for you or Pane, other than pancakes and french toast.”

“Oh. Heheh, okay. Is syrup applicable to that?”

“Applicable to what?”

“French toast.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Oh. I get it. Here in Equestria, it’s called fancy toast.”

“Okay. Say, uh, you don’t mind if Aita and I go early, right? We kind of live out of Equestria. And, it’s almost sunset.”

Chrysalis nods.

“You may go, Carina. It’s quite a long journey for you two. I must be going as well, in fact. I have my hive to attend to.”

And with that, Carina and Aita exit the bakery, Aita levitating his last couple bites of cookie with him.

“Now, Carve, before I go, I will have to let you know about this. If I ever have to leave the hive, I will send Cilia to bring you to the hive. Do we have a deal?”

I nod.

“Good. And one last thank you for turning the hive back to me. I am truly grateful for what you did, having the changelings find it in them to choose me. I must depart now. Lomenalada.”

“Lomenalada, Mone Clisaris.”

Chrysalis waves goodbye and walks out, leaving me with Rusty and Pane.

“Ready to head home, Carve?”

I turn and nod at Rusty.

“Yes.”

“Coming, Pane?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

Rusty nods and heads out, me and Pane following suit.

Epilogue: A Visit to the Hive

Just three days after the celebration at Greta Scone Corner, I would’ve expected to have some down time with Rusty and Pane, but this morning, we get a knock on the door. When I answer it...

“Hey, Carve! Haven’t seen you since that last visit before we all turned to that one king. How’ve you been?”

“Um, I’m uh, good, Cilia. Does Chrysalis want me to fill in for her already?”

“No, but Carina wanted to visit the hive for the weekend. So, when do you think you can visit?"

“Well, I could come the entire time she’s there. How about if I come over after lunch?”

“That works.”

“So, how has it been with Chrysalis back? Pretty refreshing, right?”

“Oh yeah, it is. But I don’t have any time to chit chat right now. I just wanted to know when you were coming or if you were coming to the hive at all this weekend, since Carina’s going to be there.”

“Yeah. I’ll head that way by two. See you then, Cilia.”

“Bye, Carve!”

Cilia proceeds to walk away from the house.

I head towards Rusty’s room to see him reading a comic. I think it’s called “Power Ponies”. I chuckle inside, knowing back when I first met Rusty, I used to hate titles like that. But from what I saw of the comic over the years, the title is kind of true to what the characters are. I look around the room and find a cup containing five pens on the dresser as the cup is next to a stack of papers. I levitate one pen and three pieces of paper and head to the living room.

;=;

Wearing a makeshift necklace, I head inside the hive, having been granted instant permission from the guards, well, being a stand-in queen and all. Then, I arrive at Chrysalis’ newly rebuilt throne.

“Greta Calev. What a lovely surprise of you to drop by so soon. So, you’ve received word that Carina is returning for the weekend?”

I nod.

“Yes, Queen Chrysalis. I have.”

“Carina hasn’t come quite yet, but I anticipate that she’ll be here momentarily.”

Then, one guard marches in.

“Your majesty, Carina has requested access to enter.”

“Send her in.”

The guard walks out and returns with Carina in tow.

“Hi Queen Chrysalis.”

“Simply Chrysalis will be fine, Carina.”

“Heh. Dually noted. Anyway, I have something for you to see that I got after helping Carve out with getting your hive back.”

“Intriguing. Do go on, Carina.”

“Jon gave it to me for whenever I want to record any song that I find. It can do a lot more, but I have it solely to record songs for the choir to listen to and recite.”

Carina shows what she’s talking about, and it appears to be nothing like I’ve ever seen. It looks to be carefully carved into a rounded rectangle, and made of a stone I’m not familiar with. However, one side feels quite accurate to the type of stone that it’s made of, and the other feels like motite was applied to it after having made to have a noticeable edge. I feel the sides of it, but two rough patches on one particular part of it confuses me. Going over one of them, the way that the more slippery side brightens up reminds me of what I saw in front of the cashier when I was at McDonald’s back when Rusty, Pane and I explored Akron.

“Heh. I see you took interest in it Carve. Here. Let me help you with that.”

Carina proceeds to turn the brightened side back to her. I hurry and stand next to Carina as she puts her hoof under where the time appears. Everything except for the background fades out when going up. Then, what fades in are eight small pictures, all on the bottom. On the top right corner, the time is present again. Next to that is what looks like an upside down double T.

“So, this thing is familiar with the ELF?”

“Elf?”

“Equestrian Logo Format?”

“Um, not that I know of.”

“OOOH! Oh, I see the labels.”

“Okay. Well Carve, it’s almost sunset. I kind of have to get to my nest soon.”

“Okay. Goodnight.”

Carina proceeds to exit the room, still holding what she showed me, the guard leading her.

“Have sweet dreams, Carina... Carve, when do you schedule to go home?”

“Not until Carina heads out. I would like to spend some time with her tomorrow.”

“I understand. Now, you go down to your nest and rest for tomorrow, okay?”

I nod.

“Okay. See you in the morning, Chrysalis.”

“Oh, and Carve?”

“Yes?”

“May I see that necklace of yours? It looks interesting.”

“Sure you can.”

I levitate the necklace and land it in front of Chrysalis.

“Also, Chrysalis, if you see a letter for Carina soon, it’s from me.”

Chrysalis nods.

;=;

Finishing the last Power Ponies comic, I hear the doorbell, so I set down the comic book on my bed and head to the main entrance. Pane is behind the door as I open it.

“Hi, Rusty.”

“Hey, Pane. How’re things going over with you?”

“Eh, not bad. Is Carve here?”

“I think so. Let me look.”

I look around the house, only to see a note on Carve’s door. After reading the note, I take it off of the door, tuck it under my wing, and take it over to Pane.

“Pane... look... she left this. It’s a letter from her.”

Pane levitates the note out of my wing and reads it.

“Oh. She left for the weekend?”

“Yeah. Carina’s at the hive and I guess Carve left to see her. It was no wonder it got quiet when I was reading some Power Ponies. I'm glad that she's been making friends with the changelings again.”

“Well, in any case, I wanted to see if you wanted to go to Bundle. Haven't seen it in so long.”

“Oh, that old place? Eh... sure, why not? I went there once, and it looked pretty good for not being used for so long. I like a nostalgia trip every so often. Let’s go.”

“Perfect. Heheh, I’ve been wanting to visit that place for quite a while now. I really enjoyed it when I was a foal.”

“Me too, Pane. Now, let’s go.”

Pane nods at me, placing Carve’s note over on the table in the living room.

And with that, Pane and I finally head out of the house, out to walk to the long abandoned, mint conditioned Bundle Roller Rink.

Prologue - Night Chat

If anyone had told me, during the invasion of Canterlot, that I’d live in Las Pegasus, much less to this day, I would’ve zapped them right then and there, and even choked them if they even mentioned urban exploration. I’m so glad I changed. It only seems like yesterday that I last oathed against Queen Chrysalis. Over the many moons I’ve lived with Rusty Flashlight so far, my memory has gotten quite fuzzy on speaking Lingo. But eh, I think I can take that over almost dying in a place I didn’t even know existed before the Canterlot invasion.

Speaking of that, I’ve visited that place just to arrive at The Court of Twelve Trees almost every month. Twice, I was caught there by what I first called “earless creatures” that seem to be guards. The second time around, they knew the name of my species somehow. So basically, what I learned from, uh, them, is that Rolling Acres is a “mall”. At the time, I thought that kind of name was quite bogus. But “enclosed town market” doesn’t ring much either. Maybe ETM? Heh, okay, that’s amusing. I think I’ll go with that.

But yeah, after that second time I got caught by those guards, I have managed to slip in every two and a half moons for about eighty more. Now, not long after staying with Rusty Flashlight, the railings around the court I woke up in was gone like someone had access to some sort of disappearance spell or something. As I keep going to Rolling Acres throughout the years, I notice that it always goes further into disrepair with each visit. Recently, “potato” with a smile after it was added to the front of Customer Service. It was strangely amusing. Messed up, but strangely amusing.

For the most part, no one else has been inside Rolling Acres whenever I went in.

Then, each time I went in, I also recently noticed that it looks as if nature really is taking over the ETM. For the past year and a half of visiting this place every month, I have started to hear frogs, and birds, throughout my visits. Puddles have been everywhere, so it doesn’t come as a surprise to hear frogs inside. Also during my last visit, I noticed that the print on the main entrance was gone.

Now, about those bandages from when I first met Rusty, I have actually kind of gotten rid of them. They were pretty dirty after my second week with Rusty, and going with him and Pane Fall would just make matters worse. So, I’m glad about that, added to the fact that there hasn’t been a single changeling invasion in Las Pegasus for ten years. Most of the ponies in Las Pegasus seem to have forgotten June Pega-sixth, Queen Chrysalis’ name for the last time she invaded Las Pegasus ALL the way back when I was still a teen. I still remember it.

My invasion days are long over. But I have to say that, yeah, I am thankful for helping invade Canterlot, otherwise I would not’ve become the changeling I am today. Over the years of transitioning into dronehood, I began losing interest in erosion and reports. At least I still have those skills down pat, as opposed to cocoon making and speaking Lingo.

Right now, it’s nearing Nightmare Night. I’ve always wondered exactly what Rusty and Pane do on that night. Annually, I’m alone at Rusty’s. They always have said that they go on a special adventure for Nightmare Night where they would have to go the day before. Each year would be some sort of freaky name, or some name we've only come across once before And finally, they have invited me to come on one of them this year. They say this year’s Nightmare Night adventure is at a place that used to be called Circuit City. I wonder if that used to be a store that provided racing equipment or something like that because that name actually sounds a little interesting.

But then, something comes up on my mind tonight, so Pane, Rusty and I all gather around to talk about it.

“Hey, Carve. I heard you needed to tell me and Rusty something. What is it?”

“Oh, how do I say this? It’s pretty much been a month since I visited Rolling Acres. And my next visit is in two days. Do you mind if I stay for a couple of days in Akron? You can probably get me by that one place we slept in overnight when I first met you.”

Pane is a little puzzled.

“Wouldn’t you rather stay with us the whole time out of the house?”

“I don’t find much of a point to come here only to go yet again. I could just as easily head down to the nearby Taco Bell and soak up some positive emotion to keep myself filled up.”

“But didn’t Taco Bell use to remind you of one thirteen?”

I gasp in shock.

“Yesyesyesyesyes. But that was years ago, Rusty. My days strictly with the hive are long over. It’s not really going to affect me so much anymore. In fact, now I think of one thirteen as in the room number you two healed in, which has no relation to Taco Bell.”

Rusty chuckles.

“Okay. We’ll let you go early. On Nightmare Eve, we’ll meet you across the street from Rolling Acres. Okay?”

I nod.

“Well, I have to catch some z’s to get the energy for tomorrow.”

Pane stops me.

“Carve... we’re going to be up late, so if you need anything, just let us know. Rusty and I are just going to cook up some s’mores, then play a couple of games upstairs.”

I rub my chin.

“Hmm. I guess I could use a bit of a midnight snack.”

I proceed to stick out my tongue to sip on trickles of love coming from Pane. Then I hug Pane.

“Thanks. I better hit the hay, now.”

“Any time, Carve.”

When Pane leaves, I walk over to my room and tidy up my nest to rest on. I turn out the light and listen to what’s going on outside. I smile at the sound of Rusty and Pane’s muffled, calm voices while I hear the crackles of a starting fire. I watch as the dim, orange light pours from my window, and reaches a nearby corner to my right without any decline in altitude. The dancing brightness trances me slightly, causing me to slowly close my eyes and finally go to sleep.

Chapter 12: What About Correal and Chrysalis

My previously widened eyes close when something pops into my head.

“Okay. I have a backup plan then. We’ll search for Correal and see if she did tell anyone about us posing as guards. Rumors spread particularly quickly around the hive if no one’s careful. Now, let’s hurry.”

Carina nods as I start galloping, with her right behind me.

“Is that what her name is? Correal?”

“Yes, Carina. I saw her every so often. I completely forgot how she was able to save our invasions from going further awry than they already did with her talents. I guess the lack of travel had gotten the best of her this past year and a half.”

Tahot!!!

When I skid to a stop, Carina trips on my tail and lands, face first, straight onto my folded, disguised wings. I wince, glare at Carina, then look back ahead. There appears to be a lone guard in front of us, standing with tall composure.

“Nuta le matur in?”

The guard holds back amusement from me having deepened my voice. Then he stares at me.

“Colir nat halaha te bin tehinterin ga le drasur sa casetodo.”

“What are you two saying?” Carina whispers in my ear.

I use my horn to push Carina away from me.

“Si. I...”

“Le ze fa bin tehinterin?”

I shake my head at the guard.

“Ni. Zi le riva casetodo en catoro bin.”

The guard studies us particularly closely, eyeing our convincibility, Carina’s more than mine. After two blinks, he regains the tall composure from earlier, then nods.

“Aro. Mat en.”

I salute the guard.

“Si, casetodo.”

And with that, the guard walks by us, allowing us to continue our journey to find Correal.

“Alada, Colir le fu eldeyen.”

“What WAS that?” Carina asks after looking back a few times, still shocked from what she heard.

I tap my throat to change back to my normal voice.

“What was what?”

“That language you and the guard spoke. It also happened earlier when we first entered the hive.”

“Oh that was just the common language for changelings. It’s called Lingo.”

Suddenly, Carina starts snickering.

“Okay, what? Lingo...”

...and sigh…

“Well, the language is older than me, so don’t blame me for saying that.”

“Well, any chance I can learn it? Because your understanding seems to make us convincing enough.”

“I’d be up for that next time a guard comes up to us. Just listen. You’ll catch onto a few words soon enough. I know Rusty did.”

“Rusty... Flashlight? Pegasus right? I keep thinking of a human whenever I hear a name like Rusty.”

“Yes, Rusty Flashlight is a pegasus. And can you give me some examples of ‘human’ names?”

“Jon Vibe, Roman Bagley, Sophie Handy, Dan Bell...”

“Um, no. I really don’t see any similarities between Rusty’s full name and those names you listed.”

“Oh. So, uh, this Rusty Flashlight pegasus... i-is he an urban explorer?”

I nod.

“I thought so. The name kind of gave it away.”

“Exactly. If it weren’t for the pridefulness in some of the names, I wouldn’t have minded being given a pony name. It’d be so much easier to get to know someone.”

“Yeah, I see, Carve. Compared to a name like Correal, or Dan, I can see how names like Twilight Sparkle and Rusty Flashlight make it easier to know somebody.”

“Wait. Is that a pun?”

“What is?”

“Some... body...”

“No. No pun. “Body” is really no different from “one” when used as a suffix.”

“Ooooh... okay. I see what you’re saying, Carina. For a second there, that confused me a little.”

“Well, you know what they say... ‘the more you know’.”

“I’ve... never heard a changeling say that.”

“...never mind then.”

For the next few hours, we keep searching for Correal. That is until Carina starts to yawn.

“Carve... what time is it?”

“Well, it has to be nearing sunset. I haven’t seen a single changeling in the past half hour. Maybe they’re turning in early.”

“Well, one thing’s for sure... I don’t think we can look for much longer.”

“Hang in there, Carina. Normally, it’d be supper time for the both of us at this time, right?”

“Um, uh, yeah?”

“Good. You should be able to keep up for another hour. If you have trouble keeping up, just give me a yell.”

“O-okay.”

Carina proceeds to yawn again.

So, walking around, near the top of the hive, all the nestrooms seem to have closed off. Walking back to the bottom, more of the nestrooms are open. Once again, throughout the hive, no changeling is in sight.

“Are there any beds around here?”

“Wait. You sleep on beds? Is it possible to simply sleep on a bed instead of a nest?”

“Well, for me, yeah... I’ve lived with Jon for seven years. Can I just sit for a second though?”

“No. We’re going to find Correal, even if it takes all night. This is for Chrysalis.”

Suddenly, Carina’s eyes shoot wide open unlike their previously droopy state.

“Chrysalis... she’s with my son, Aita. Where will they sleep?”

“Well, she can’t sleep here obviously. Thorax dethroned her.”

“Where will they though?!?”

“Whoa. Relax, Carina. It’s only just one night. Chrysalis knows where I live. I was the last one to be taken on this journey before we set off, after all. She might stay there.”

“As long as they’re welcome there, that is.”

;=;

As Pane and I get home and set the candy and new decorations down, we hear a few knocks on the door.

“Strange... the tricker treaters shouldn’t be this early. We haven’t even been home for five minutes.”

“I got it, Rusty.”

Pane opens the door, using her magic, revealing the pony, to me and Pane’s surprise, who looks like...

“Trace Light?!?”

When we get a better look, the pony sure looks quite a bit like Trace Light as a colt, the only difference being that he looks to be thirteen instead of eighteen. His eyes are also a bit different.

“Who’s that pony?”

“Oh, phew. I thought it was my niece. But I was mistaken. What do you need?”

“Oh, I know Carve. I was wondering if she was here or not.”

“Well, this is news to me. Get comfy, uh...”

“Aita.”

“Aita? What kind of pony name is that?”

“Nothing... I travelled to, uh, Wisconsin when I was a foal. That’s when I got my name.”

“Wisconsin? Are you sure you don’t mean Whinniesconsin?”

“Aita” nods.

“Uh... okay...”

“Hey, uh, I was... wondering if you have an open guest room for tonight.”

“Okay, Aita. Why’re you asking these questions?!?”

Carve's Epilogue Letters (Optional to read)

Rusty Flashlight (and Pane Fall),

If you have any plans about exploring anywhere this weekend, I’m not going with you. I’m visiting the hive this weekend as Carina is as well. I want to spend as much time with her as I can, so I won’t be back until Sunday afternoon. I just thought I would let you know any way I could, given how short of a notice I was given by Cilia. See you on Sunday.

Carve

;=;

Queen Chrysalis,

Thank you for sending Cilia over to my house to let me know that Carina was coming over. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known. In any case, I am so glad that things are back to normal. I guess it's good that I will return to a scheduled visit by the end of the year. Hopefully, Carina will keep true to her word and bring new music to hear around the hive. Will you please let her know that I visit at the beginning of each month in case she doesn’t get her letter? Thanks in advance.

Your subject
Carve

;=;

Carina

I never thought I would see you so soon after we got Chrysalis her hive back. But, I will be staying at the hive for as long as you are. I just thought I’d let you know. I’m hoping someday that I can visit you and Aita. That’ll probably be far off though. I really would like to hear what you think of that idea. In the meantime, I will be visiting the hive at the beginning of each month by the end of the year if you want to meet me there.

Your friend
Carve