The Lost Changeling: Taken it Back

When Trixie returns from her errand, it looks like something strange happened to her.

“Um, Carve?”

“Yeah?”

“Two ponies wanted to see you. Is that okay?”

“I’m not really in the mood to talk to them right now. I know who they are.”

“Y-you do?”

“Cadence and Shining Armor. I saw them earlier today. Just tell them I don’t want to talk to them right now.”

“...o-okay.”

A few minutes later, Trixie returns again.

“Alright. I told them. So, uh, when do you want to go to Las Pegasus? Right now?”

“A-actually, yeah. Now would be nice. I’ll have a little time to reunite with Rusty and Pane. I’m not sure whether or not- oh, wait... wait a minute... okay yeah. Trixie, uh, do you think you can take me over to the southmost forest before the cliffs that lead to the hive instead?”

“The forest before the hive sounds good to me. Why?”

“Because I’m trying to help Chrysalis build good terms with you guys.”

“Okay. But don’t ever tell any of the changelings that I gave you a ride over to the hive. You got it?”

Trixie holds her hoof out, prompting me to bump it with my own.

“It’s a deal. When I have no choice, I'll just mute my voice.”

“Now Carve, have you ever ridden in something like this, just so I know?”

“Ridden?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Well, try not to worry about it. You’ll get used to it.”

“Okay.”

“And a fair warning, I’ve had a few loose items fall during my trips across Equestria.”

I nod at Trixie, deciding to get out from under the bed as Trixie prepares her harness.

The ride starts out smoother than I expect, able to look at Ponyville consistently, aside from one turn. Getting onto the dirt road, the ride starts getting slightly rougher, but still smooth enough for me to look out the windows consistently. Looking to my right, I see the Ponyville Schoolhouse, the Sweet Apple Acres barn following suit immediately after. I guess Trixie can run pretty quickly.

Shorty after we pass the barn, the bumps start to ramp up, making me stagger. I try to look out each of the two windows, but when I adjust to one side, I get knocked back to the other. Whatever I can get, the orchard lasts for a while after the barn.

I decide to lay down under the bed again, completely forgotten how vast Sweet Apple Acres was, also for the safety of my balance. I guess the acres are quite- oh what’s the use of saying that? It’s just going to make me groan. But at the very least, it takes my mind off of Twilight, and the rolling floor.

And I’m so glad I get under the bed. A turn tosses items from left to right as far I can hear. As soon as the turn ends, the bumps ramp up even more. When I try to get out from under, I almost can’t stand up at all.

“TRIXIE, WHAT’RE YOU DOING?!?”

I crawl back under the bed, and close my eyes to the best of my ability.

“Um, Queen Chrysalis? HELP?!? I kind of need you?!? NOW?!?”

For the next couple of minutes, groaning is the only option for vocality, meanwhile the ride smoothing out. Finally, I fall into a sleep that takes away whatever shaking I’d previously felt.

;=;

CARVE!!!

I wake up to Trixie’s voice shouting my name, and moan as a partial answer. I don’t bother to open my eyes from how shaken up I feel.

“Trixie?” I feebly call out.

“Carve!!! What did you do?!?”

I moan again, putting my hoof on my horn this time, feeling a throb-like pulse near it.

“...vido Clisaris... What- mmm-ooh... happened?”

“Note to self: take the next travel alone.”

“Huh?”

“Carve? I want you to answer honestly, please. What did you do... to my carriage?”

“I-I swear... I didn’t d-any- mmm-ooh- I didn’t d-do a thing to it.”

“Then how do you explain this great big puddle on the floor?”

“T-Trixie... I c-can’t think straight right now. Can you g-give me a moment to recover?”

“Alright. But I’m going to get some stain remover and some paper towel back in Appleoosa while you try to gain your land legs back.”

“Trixie?”

“Look, Carve. I’m not mad at you. It’s just that next time, if you have to have me take you on a trip, you should go with having me teleport you to your destination. Speaking of which, the ride is fully satisfied.”

“Okay. Thanks for taking me.”

I open my eyes to see Trixie nod aside before teleporting out, which is kind of confu- OOOOOHH!!! She said she would clean the floors as I tried to recover.

I finally look at the floor of the trai- ooooh man. Oh, man. That floor is going to require more than a roll of paper towels with what I see. I wince when I suddenly sniff a scent I’ve never picked up before... processed love. Suddenly, my headache gone away, I get another feeling in my forehead, like a thought that I never truly surfaced coming to life. After that tingle fades, I look at the floor again, it suddenly looking spotless as if what had been there just moments earlier wasn’t to begin with.

Having the confidence of getting out from under Trixie’s bed, I do so, initially still tipsy from the shaking, then change into Twilight and teleport out of the trailer, closer to the hive. I immediately return natural and resume my journey back to the hive. As I walk, I see the sun at a high enough angle to be able stay awake for another two and a half hours.

When I finally get into my nestroom, I see Chrysalis in my nest, patiently awaiting my return. But when she notices me, that patience is replaced with surprise.

“Well, that was quick, Carve. I suspect that you have managed to help build good terms with Ponyville?”

Oh no... that memory... already? No.

I head over to Chrysalis and head butt her right hoof.

“I’m so sorry Chrysalis. The complete opposite of that happened.”

Chrysalis gasps.

“And what is that?”

“I... I can’t go to Ponyville anymore.”

“But why not, Carve?”

“Because... Twilight thought I was siding with an ‘evil’ queen, even though I was really just-”

As my cheeks start itching during my rant, I get interrupted when Chrysalis levitates me by her side, her right wing wrapping over mine. The queen looks at me with a reassuring smile.

“Carve... you did what you needed to do to the best of your ability. I’m proud of you for that. Yes, I am disappointed Twilight didn’t hear you out. But perhaps we can put another one of the plans we discussed yesterday into action.”

“So... which one were you going to do next?”

“Like the top drones, you, and I have all discussed, if your visit to Ponyville does not mend my fences with Equestria, I will travel there myself. Initially though, we will have to wait until the next day to enact it, that way this plan can be used at its maximum efficiency. Now, you’ve had a long day, Carve. Why don’t you rest up for tomorrow?”

“Thanks. Goodnight, Chrysalis.”

“Sweet dreams, Carve.”

Chrysalis gets up and exits my nestroom, it closing shortly afterward.