The Lost Changeling: Taken it Back

Brand and I are headed for the northwest portion of Equestria. Not many cities to search from, but it’s worth taking in the sights of Vanhoover. The only other places would be the Smokey Mountains, Tall Tale, and Cloudsdale.

“Hey, uh, Cervix?”

“Yeah?”

“I can understand having to go to Tall Tale, but are you sure that we should look at Cloudsdale and the Smokey Mountains alongside Vanhoover?”

“I’m sure. Twilight can be absolutely anywhere in Equestria, so we’ll need to get to every single location in the Northwest if we’re going to help Chrysalis.”

“But in mountainous altitudes, the air can’t carry very much of our food!”

“I know, but I’m not focused on feeding. We’re supposed to be focused on finding-”

“Also, wouldn’t it be silly if-”

“BLAND!!! LODA!!! ...sorry. I already have enough on my mind, finding Twilight and all. I don’t need to hear rambling about something potentially off-topic, so can we please stay focused? We’re near Vanhoover anyway.”

Brand sighs heavily.

“Fine... let’s go to City Hall and ask the mayor.”

“Y’know, the mayor doesn’t have to be in their office twenty four seven. Right?”

“Huh? I thought it would’ve been like a queen!”

“Or a princess? Mayors and monarchs are two different positions. Just hoping the city is around this time of year’s average.”

As it turns out, when we head into downtown Vanhoover, I end up having to fly through the town because of how cold the roads are in the area. Brand apparently doesn’t mind the ice-like temperature on the ground and is actually shivering in the wings instead. I find it kind of weird because I only felt cold below my holes. Oh well. I guess it doesn’t hurt.

As Brand and I walk around town, looking for the hall, the chatter around us progressively quiets down, ponies starting to gawk at us like they’d never seen only two changelings. Suddenly, one of them actually comes to us. He looks quite dressed up: donning a fedora, suit, and tie. His horn is quite visible still though. As I look at the suit, there appears to a name tag with “Mayor” at the top, followed by what is presumably this stallion’s name in his horn writing: “Duffle Bag”.

“Um, uh, you guys are evil, right?”

“Actually, locals from Ponyville had come to the hive to request us to help them find Twilight. So, uh, what’s going on? Had there been any word from Twilight?” I ask.

“Wait a minute. Who’s Twilight?”

Brand proceeds to list off what he knows about Twilight.

;=;

“Well, Vanhoover was a bust...”

“But we still have three more cities Twilight might be located in.”

“Three? Cervix, I want to do just one more.”

“But Chrysalis is counting on us. Food is no excuse to exclude any city. I’m not so hungry. Are you?”

“Well, a changeling is always hungry, which includes us! If you want to go to Cloudsdale and the Smokey Mountains first, I guess I go to Tall Tale to co-”

“DO NOT SAY THAT, BRAND!!! We have to stay together, or else each of us will be perceived as one of Chrysalis’ ‘spies’!!! Chrysalis is good!!! And food isn’t something that’ll prove it!!”

Brand sighs.

“Okay. Which town next?”

;=;

“What do you mean she’s not here?!?” Seta loudly asks.

The pale yellow earth mare in front of us turns around to face us with a rather unpleased expression.

“I’m telling you. The last time I saw Twilight was during Fashion Week, that one year where Rarity came?”

A silence overcomes us briefly.

“Oh well... we tried, Seta. Maybe we can find her in Fillydelphia.”

“Heh. Yeah, good luck, you two. You’ll need it.”

“Um, why?” I ask.

“I’m afraid to say it, but it’s quite a bit more against changelings than most other towns. In fact, they’re on lockdown right now because of what’s been happening across Equestria.”

I look at Seta.

“Aita...”

Seta looks at me.

“Carina...”

“Cervix...”

“BRAND!!!”

“They’re still looking!” we finish in unison.

;=;

“Ugh! Great! Just great!”

“What is it Cilia?”

“First Rainbow Falls, then Our Town... now Fillydelphia?!? Geez, these towns are more difficult to access than I anticipated!”

“But hey, at least ponies still acknowledge what happened to towns.”

“Trust me, Seta. From the looks of our situation, Queen Chrysalis has a pretty long way to go before her goal is met. I just hope the royal sisters trust her.”

Suddenly we hear a sigh behind us, prompting us to turn around.

“Well, those towns were busts.”

“Celestia! What’re you doing here?”

“Funny you two should ask that. I still have one more town to talk to. Are you headed there?”

“Is it Fillydelphia?” I ask.

“Okay, then yes. You are headed there.”

“Well, that answers our question, Cilia. So, are you going to Fillydelphia to ask about Twilight?”

“Why, yes I am. You’re welcome to accompany me.”

Well, that left my jaw on the ground.

“...wow... Thanks, Celestia.”

“You’re welcome, changelings.”

;=;

As it turns out, Celestia went to the towns we had to skip... and she was doing the exact same thing Seta and I were doing, getting exact same results.

“So, I see you and Chrysalis are on good terms?”

“Luna and I specifically, yes Cilia. She has very well meaning intentions, and they show me she’s caring for her subjects the best that she can. Princess Twilight... well, you kind of know.”

“Yeah... I guess no kingdom goes completely without fear, as Seta and I found out from Our Town and Rainbow Falls shutting down on us. Though I’m glad about what I heard of Manehattan being true, everypony for themselves ‘n all.”

“Well, if we, or any of the changelings DO find Twilight, I do know that it can result in a bright future for their kingdom.”

Princess CELESTIA?!? What are you doing here with two of Chrysalis’ changelings?!?

Seta, Celestia and I all turn around to see a unicorn mare in the middle of the road, as we’re now in Fillydelphia outskirts.

“Why hello there. I’m accompanying these fellow changelings in search for Princess Twilight. You wouldn’t know where she is, would you?”

“Wait a minute. There’s a THIRD princess in Equestria? I thought it was just-”

I sigh.

“Well, you’ll have to make that four then. You missed Twilight’s sister-in-law.”

“Um, Cilia, would that mean Twilight has never been here before?”

“I guess so, Seta.”

Well, it looks like that mare’s gone.

“Hm, well, my contributions have finished. Hopefully, I won’t have anymore reports of city shutdowns. Do you two plan on going anywhere?”

“Uh, actually yeah. Carve and Chrysalis were looking elsewhere and Seta and I will have to join them.”

Celestia chuckles a little.

“Surely she may’ve already arrived at their destination. It was nice spending time with you two changelings, but I truly hope we can meet up again. And if you ever need me, you’ll know where to look.”

“Thanks for your assistance, Princess Celestia. Cilia and I will be glad to take it whenever we need it.”

“That’s good to hear. Farewell.”

And just like that, Princess Celestia takes off to the skies, leaving me and Seta to our travels.

“Well? Crystal Empire?”

Seta nods.