The Lost Changeling: Taken it Back

After getting out of the throne room, I teleport me and Starlight back to the Crystal Empire Train Station. However, instead of seeing the same ponies I did before I ultimately trusted Chrysalis, all I see are six sleeping changelings, next to the platform, one of them looking to be a rather young nymph (obviously Aita).

“All the ponies must’ve gone to Ponyville to look for me.”

Starlight shrugs.

“Maybe all of Equestria. Who knows?”

“Okay, but let’s try Ponyville first.”

“Actually, Twilight...”

“Oh, right... the cha-”

“Twilight, it’s not them.”

Out of the bottom corners of my eyes, I see a shrinking shadow of myself, prompting me to look into the incoming light.

“Whoa... Twilight, how’re you at Cadence’s height now?!?”

Well, it’s not Sun Burst. That’s for sure.

“Um, who’re you again? I recognize the voice, but that’s it.”

“It’s me! Pane Fall!”

“Oh, you were the unicorn with that orange pegasus, right?” Starlight tries recalling.

Pane nods.

“Yeah, he decided to take off to Vanhoover and explore a little before preparing for tomorrow.”

“Well, do you mind helping us with the changelings here?”

“Actually, no. I have nothing else to do at the moment.”

;=;

When returning to Ponyville, and after returning the changelings to their nests, Starlight and I decide to start looking for our friends in the castle. However, by the end, the only pony the three of us find is Trace Light, who is the newest member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. So I lead the others into the council room.

“Come on in, everypony. So, Pane Fall, other than my family and the other elements of harmony, where do you think the ponies went?”

“Trixie, likely in her little trailer... um, why’re you looking at me like that, Starlight?”

“Carve said everypony was getting worried sick. Did she seriously lie about that? Or was she just tired and couldn’t think straight?”

“Cadence and Shining Armor did look worried when Twilight and Chrysalis disappeared.”

“If that’s the case, then should we look at the hive to see if the ponies are there, since nopony was in front of or inside the castle?”

Suddenly, the four of us hear a knock on the door.

;=;

Um, m-maybe she’s not here. We probably should look e-

Well, she’s got to be here, Fluttershy! Last time this kind of thing happened, she ended up in front of the Golden Oak Library!

Rainbow kinda has a point! ...unless she ended up elsewhere! But even then, she’s able to just poof back into her castle with no real problem, no matter what place! So, now that she hit another milestone, I wonder what’s gonna happen with her? Does she grow in size? And get bigger? And larger? And taller? And more like Cadence?

After trotting to the door, hearing what is very likely my friends, I open door to see exactly my speculation. Pinkie gasps, jumps in positive surprise (squeeing along the way), and falls on her back, a few yards backwards from where she was previously.

Rarity remains speechless though.

“Whoa...” Rainbow Dash mildly exclaims with seed-like eyes facing me, while Applejack puts her hat to her chest.

“Amazin’! She’s transformed all over ‘gain!”

“Wow... you look magnificent, Twilight!”

Fluttershy’s compliment makes me blush a little, but I quickly get over it.

“Thank you all. But I don’t think it would’ve been possible alone.”

Behind me, Starlight and Pane begin walking up to the main entrance.

In two points in time, I was twice replaced.
But now we're free and far.
I, myself, had heard the plan she made.
Revenge on the teacher's star.

For many times, I had no idea
Chrysalis regrets her past.
But if one thing's for sure, it was not just me,
accepting the gift she had.

THE QUEEN IS OUR FRIEND.
she's a changeling we adore.
AND NOW WITH OUR ACCEPTANCE,
SHE WILL SMILE A GREAT DEAL MORE.

I point my hoof, under leg, over to Starlight, knowing her experience with Chrysalis.

Chrysalis and I can relate so much,
we're almost identical.
It's a pleasure to see my heart so touched,
by a changeling who cares for all.

THE QUEEN IS OUR FRIEND.
she's a changeling we adore.
AND NOW WITH OUR ACCEPTANCE,
SHE WILL SMILE A GREAT DEAL MORE.

When Pane looks to her left, there’s a flag to levitate and break in half.

Everypony sees a flag,
like I had seen long ago.
But how's it seen if it drags,
and never harms a simple role?

THE QUEEN IS OUR FRIEND.
she's a changeling we adore.
AND NOW WITH OUR ACCEPTANCE,
SHE WILL SMILE A GREAT DEAL MORE.
AND NOW WITH OUR ACCEPTANCE,
SHE WILL SMILE A GREAT DEAL MORE.

Well, if my friends hadn’t trusted Chrysalis before, they definitely look like they do now, more than ever.

“Y’all are right. Ah thought that one griffin’s name sounded familiar. Grease Ellis if memory serves me right. Twilight, Ah’m so glad abouchu trustin’ the changeling queen. Ah saw it in her when she genuinely said something she’d denied b’fore!”

“Yeah, you know she’s changed when she comes to embrace the element of laughter!”

“Thank you Applejack. Thank you Pinkie Pie. What she said made me realize how hard I was being on my decisions. Even if they’d done something despicable like what I’ve witnessed over the seven years I’ve lived in Ponyville, anypony should be worth trusting in my eye if they teach me something about myself that I should fix. Ponies here have gone through similar situations as I have, and without them, I don’t think Chrysalis would’ve wanted to attempt befriending Equestria.”

Then, Trace Light’s hoofsteps prompt me to turn around, now remembering what I wanted to finally do.

“Trace Light. I wanna give you a simple task. Can you run to the hive and photograph me and Chrysalis together for the Foal Free Press?”

Trace Light flies to be visible and nods.

;=;

“Carve? Caaaaaarve!”

Still in the throne room, I wake up to see Carina’s hoof waving in front of my eyes.

“Oh, hi Carina. What’s going on?”

“Aita and I wanna say goodbye to you before we leave for rest of the month.”

“Okay. Um, do you guys want to visit early for Hearth’s Warming? I know you have a holiday of your own at home, so you don’t have to.”

“Are you kidding? Of course I want to visit you. You live with an urban explorer who never stops finding places to look at. I want to explore somewhere forgotten that still contains positive emotion.”

“Are you talking about Pane Fall?”

“No, the other one.”

“Oh, him. He should be home by now. Well, I hope you have a safe trip back home. It’s getting pretty cold in the Crystal Empire, and I expect the same with Wisconsin.”

Carina chuckles nervously.

“Yep. I guess so. I hope the rest of November will do you good this year.”

I look up at Carina, still from the throne and lend off a smile.

“...I hope it’ll turn out well for you as well. If I can accept losing a place where I can reminisce, I can definitely accept nearly anything coming my way. Nobody we know is going anywhere anytime soon. With Equestria officially our friend, every single pony will be there for us alongside your family and all of the changelings. Now, I look forward to the next time you come.”

“Thanks, Carve. I’ll see you for Hearth’s Warming.”