The Lost Changeling: Taken it Back

Starlight and I look up at the hive in the distance as we stand on the cliff.

“Wow. It looks just the way it did when I first came. When was your recoronation?”

“On the first of this month. The changelings used the remains of the old throne room to rebuild mine, and within three days. Minus all but leaving invasions in the past, changeling life has returned to the way it was before I was ever dethroned.”

“Oh, okay.”

The two of us begin walking onto the sand that leads to my home.

“So, uh, who else visits your hive regularly? I know Carve lives in Las Pegasus, but is there anypo-”

“One. Sorry, Starlight. Changelings usually refer to a group of their kind as ‘one’. But I get what you’re saying. And yes, one other changeling will be visiting consistently. Her name is Carina.”

“Huh. Who’s she?”

“Even now I don’t really know too much about where she lives, but she has a rather extensive family that lives in Wisconsin. And no, it’s not meant as Whinniesconsin.”

“Hmm. What’s that place like?”

“Umm... let’s just say Carina was the hottest topic around when she first ended up there.”

“Oh. I guess it can be kind of boring, huh?”

“Well, I don’t really get bored. If I’m not doing anything, I’ll have something on my mind that I can discuss with myself. Some of it may be a little retrospect, and some may relate to the future.”

“So is that why you left for the hive when Twilight asked you to leave?”

I nod.

“Yes. Even though Twilight has belittled Carve for supporting me, and myself for my past, I can still think of a few more ways to build good terms with Equestria.”

“Well, you are right about the other methods. You seem to have only been going for Ponyville. The royal sisters live in Canterlot-”

“Celestia and Luna?”

“Yes. Maybe we can go to Canterlot tomorrow.”

“And have Carve stay overnight at the hive?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I will have to ask Carve about that. If she doesn’t mind, then we will travel to Canterlot.”

“Okay.”

;=;

Looking across the throne room again, I find it hard to believe that this was the room that Starlight first confronted Chrysalis in, at least it looks like it. It looks exactly the way it did before Chrysalis was dethroned.

Carve?!?

Oh, I know who those two voices are. I get off of Chrysalis’ throne and run to the exit of the throne room.

“Hey, Starlight! Hi, Chrysalis!”

“Good afternoon, Carve.”

Chrysalis places her left hoof on my shoulder as I let her hug me.

“So, what’s Starlight doing here?”

“Well, I don’t really have any plans to return to Ponyville until tomorrow night.”

“But... but you spent last night at Pane’s house; remember?”

“Yes, but Chrysalis and I came up with a plan. If you want another night at Rusty’s, we’ll hold off on Canterlot until Friday. Otherwise, we’re making the trip early tomorrow.”

“To Canterlot? Chrysalis, Starlight, you could’ve just went there from Ponyville! That could’ve saved you a day!”

Chrysalis sighs.

“Well, it wasn’t exactly on our minds when we left Ponyville limits.”

“So, no more Ponyville if you plan on going to Canterlot?”

“No,” Starlight and Chrysalis answer simultaneously.

Suddenly, Starlight’s eyes shoot open.

“Wait a sec. How did you recall Canterlot’s distance like that?”

“Canterlot invasion? Anybody?”

Chrysalis nods.

“Carve is right. Canterlot isn’t even half an hour away from Ponyville. You can even see one town from the other and vice versa.”

“Thanks, Chrysalis. So, Starlight, how’re we going to do this? If you two travel to Canterlot on Thursday, tomorrow, you can probably stay here if you don’t mind sleeping in Carina’s nest. She probably won’t be here until the end of the month, so if you sleep there, you probably won’t have anything to worry about. However, if you want to spend tonight back in Ponyville, that would mean Canterlot would have to be on Friday, unless you don’t mind waking up at about eight or so. After all, if you want to go to Canterlot tomorrow, I can stay here for the night, which would make your travels about two and a half hours earlier than otherwise.”

“U-um, Chrysalis? Can you simplify that for me?”

“What Carve is trying to say is that it doesn’t exactly matter what day we go to Canterlot on, be it tomorrow or Friday. Well, I would much appreciate that you sleep at Ponyville, Starlight. Just because Twilight doesn’t trust me doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t trust her. Besides, if you sleep in Ponyville, I don’t have terribly much of a detour to take on our travels to Canterlot anyway. Does that sound fair?”

Starlight nods.

“...Yes. It’s just from today that got me a bit involved with your plan.”

“Nonsense, Starlight. You brought up a destination that not even my top drones thought about: Canterlot. Now, head to Ponyville. I will wait south of the stream.”

“Hmm... alright then. I guess this is goodbye for now, Carve. See you tomorrow morning, Chrysalis.”

“Will do, Starlight. Farewell.”

Chrysalis waves Starlight goodbye as the hole behind the unicorn fills itself. I begin to sit down, then look up at Chrysalis.

“Hey, uh, Chrysalis?”

The queen walks over in front of me and sits on the floor.

“Yes, Carve?”

“Do you remember seeing Luna when you came to recruit me to help get your hive back?”

Chrysalis nods.

“When I was depressed after seeing Rolling Acres get demoed, Trace Light noticed and went back to Ponyville to tell the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who told Twilight, who told the Royal Sisters about my state.”

“So, what do you mean?”

“I mentioned that you and Starlight could’ve gone to Canterlot when leaving Ponyville. And now that that visits going to be tomorrow, there’s a chance that Twilight is going to tell the Royal Sisters about you.”

“Really? I sure hope she doesn’t tell the Royal Sisters...”

“...Otherwise, I’ll have no other choice but to- well, you know...”

“Yes, I know what you’re saying, Carve. If I return to the hive, telling you to go back to Ponyville...”

“It means Twilight already went to Canterlot, and that the sisters would likely believe her, and whatever she says. There’s nothing I can do about it right now, since we’re well into the afternoon.”

“Actually Carve, telling you to head to Ponyville would mean that the sisters believe Twilight and only Twilight. I know how this is for you. I myself strongly discourage the extreme we might have to take, but if it’s the only option we have left, then that will be taken. Now Carve, before dusk, you’ll need some rest for tomorrow. Does that sound alright?”

“...Y-yes, Chrysalis. Thanks for filling me in on the rest of the situation.”

“Welcome as always. Now, sunset will be approaching soon. It is best to be as ready as possible for the events of tomorrow.”

“Okay. Goodnight, Chrysalis.”

“Sweet Dreams, Carve.”

With our goodnights, I finally head out of the throne room and observe as the newly formed hole fills itself to the way it ways prior.