The Sinister Plot

***One Year Ago***

Azalea didn't know how much time had passed when she woke up again, but it must have been quite a long time.

As her eyes opened, she realized that she had been completely buried by snow.

The cold felt numb to her, like it didn't bother her as much as it might have under different circumstances.

Azalea quickly figured out that she was still able to move her legs, and she stretched them out in an attempt to find the way up and out of the snow.

Her horn began to glow softly, melting a little of the ice around her.

Then, she saw them.

Little droplets of water from the melting ice were falling.

Mustering as much strength as she could, Azalea tunneled upward.

Her right hoof broke through the surface of the snow first.

She pulled her head up and took in a deep breath of the cold air.

Azalea breathed heavily as her lungs filled with oxygen before exhaling again.

Exhausted after climbing out of the snow, she collapsed in a heap on the surface, and she began to shiver.

Azalea look in her surroundings carefully.

The cave was dark, much darker than it had ever been before.

It was as though a shroud had fallen over the entire frozen north, blotting out the light of the sun.

The darkness marked the age of the eternal blizzard, an eleven month period where the snow never stopped pouring from the sky.

To make things even worse, great winds from the far north would ravage the the landscape, kicking up massive clouds of snow that would blind anypony foolish enough to venture into them.

The eternal blizzard made the frozen north, already a treacherous place, into a land of nightmares.

Azalea’s horn was the only thing granting her light, the ability to see in the dark cave.

“Mmmm… Ma?”

She turned her head, and the light from her horn came over the lifeless face of her caretaker, causing her to flinch.

Azalea shut her eyes as she fought against the urge to cry.

Phasmid’s body was all but completely buried, now.

Only a little of her face and horn remained above the creeping snow.

Azalea opened her eyes and nuzzled her affectionately.

“Mama…”

When she couldn't look any longer, she turned her gaze, looking inward.

The changeling nest to her left looked inviting.

Somewhere in that nest, there was warmth and food, her two greatest needs, at the moment.

Azalea wanted so desperately to run back into the nest, a place she knew, but that would mean running into the agents that had tried so hard to kill her.

She looked to her right, towards the certain death that was the frozen north.

In the cave, she had at least some protection from the howling winds, but outside, she wouldn't last more than a few short moments.

To her left, death.

To her right, certain death.

Out of options, Azalea fell on her rear and tried so very hard not to think about the overwhelming feelings of hunger that caused her stomach to roar like a yeti, or some other beast of the frozen north.

She was starving, literally, starving of love and of nutrition.

She had no idea of when her last meal was, or when she last felt any kind of affection from another living being.

Since Azalea last fell asleep, it could have been a few hours, or a few days. Perhaps a week or two had passed since she curled up next to Phasmid’s body for warmth.

Hungry beyond all belief, she began to think irrationally.

Phasmid would never let her go hungry.

She would always have something to give the little queen, but not this time.

Azalea rolled back and forth, holding her hooves across her stomach.

She wanted relief from the pain so badly.

She wanted it to end.

Just as she was considering running head first into the frozen north, a faint glow appeared far up ahead.

Azalea squinted her eyes as she peered into the darkness, towards the dim light.

It appeared to be getting closer, growing brighter and brighter by the second.

A wave of fear washed over the little changeling, and she ran for cover.

It must have been Queen Chrysalis’ agents. They had come back to make sure she was dead.

The muffled sound of hooves hitting the snow grew in volume as the being approached.

Azalea waited in the shadows, cowering behind the mound of snow that covered Phasmid’s body.

It was too dark.

The light coming from the being’s horn obscured the changeling’s view, but she could make out a few key details.

It was an outsider, a pony.

The being was covered from head to hoof in metal, but that didn't stop Azalea from catching brief glimpses of its purple fur and emerald mane.

It walked slowly, taking in the horrific sight around it.

Shortly after, the pony in armor was joined by another.

“Amethyst, what's going… on…”

The first pony, the one Azalea assumed was ‘Amethyst’, turned her back and pointed towards the mouth of the cave.

“Go back… Get Onyx… He needs to see this…”

Azalea watched the outsiders out of curiousity, but she kept quiet.

Still frozen by fear, she couldn't will herself to move.

“There's… so many of them… What happened here?”

The two ponies continued to stare with mortified looks at the slaughtered changelings.

Azalea wasn't sure of how much longer she could stay in the shadows.

The ponies were coming closer and closer, and soon, she would have nowhere else to hide.

Then, the two ponies were joined by a third, and Azalea felt her heart stop.

“Amber, wait up! What's with… you…”

As he came into the light, Azalea recognized him instantly.

His outer appearance may have been changed, but she would remember the smell of the changeling agent that murdered her caretaker forever.

She didn't know how or why, but the third pony was none other than Mantis.

Fear caused her to shake violently.

Her lower lip quivered.

Images flashed through her mind, images of the moment he plunged his horn into Phasmid’s throat, causing her to drown in her own blood.

Then, Azalea let out a horrified scream.

“Mamaaaaa!”

The cry echoed through the cave, forcing the ponies to hold their hooves against their ears in an attempt to muffle the noise.

“Ma-Mamaaaaa!”

Azalea cried out again and again, wanting her caretaker to save her.

The ponies spotted her.

“There!”

Azalea curled up in a fetal position next to Phasmid’s body in an attempt to make herself as small as possible.

“Mama…”

She whimpered now, terrified by the arrival of the crystal guards. Azalea nuzzled the motionless body in which it was seeking refuge as though it could wake it up.

“Mmm-Ma-Mama…”

The pony called ‘Amethyst’ gasped as she inched closer towards the infant changeling.

“It's just a baby…”

She extended a hoof, and Azalea cowered away.

“It's alright… I'm not going to hurt you…”

The pony spoke so softly.

Her voice almost soothed Azalea, giving her a fleeting sensation of security, but Mantis was still there, standing right behind the kind pony.

“W-W-We should get out of here. Just leave it. Leave it here with the rest to be taken by the snow.”

The two mares shot him mortified looks.

“Absolutely not! I will not leave her to die. Go back, and tell Onyx what we've found.”

To Azalea’s relief, Mantis turned tail and bolted down the cave without a word of hesitation.

With him gone, Amethyst turned to face the other pony.

“I need your rations.”

She quickly opened her saddle pack and pulled out several white cubes.

They looked like sugar cubes, resembling the treats in size, color, and texture.

Azalea’s curiosity, and desire for food, was peaked at the sight and smell of the little cubes.

“Here…” Amethyst offered the cubes to the little changeling. “Go on, take it.”

She looked back at her with wide, pale eyes, no longer filled with fear.

Azalea approached her carefully, one shaky hoof after the other until she reached the outstretched hoof.

Once she was close enough, she gave the white cubes a cautious ‘sniff’ before turning her head and retching with pure and utter disgust.

The pony cracked a weak smile at the little changeling’s reaction to the food.

“I know they're gross… You'll feel better if you eat them, I promise…”

Amethyst coaxed the changeling, offering the cubes again.

Azalea didn't have any other options.

If it really was ‘food’, she had to eat it.

Cautious sniffs turned into hungry nibbled, which turned into starving bites.

The more she ate, the better they tasted, and the more Azalea wanted to eat them.

With every bite, she felt herself growing a little stronger, and her mind cleared a little more.

Amethyst let out a sigh of relief as the little changeling ate more and more, quickly finishing the rations.

When the pony’s hoof was empty, she looked up at her.

Azalea didn't know who these ponies were, but she liked them immensely.

She began looking for more, sniffing Amethyst’s empty hoof and exploring under the towering pony’s legs, causing her to smile.

Then, she felt a warm glow envelop her before she was lifted into the air and placed on Amethyst’s back.

“You're coming with me…” She chuckled softly, earning a long yawn from the little changeling. “I'll keep you safe… I promise…”

After eating all of those rations, Azalea was feeling a little bloated, but for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, she felt at ease.

Mantis was gone, and she had been rescued by a stranger clad in shining armor.

The pony’s gentle words echoed in her mind.

*I'll keep you safe… I promise…*

Like a record on replay, her words looped again and again.

*I'll keep you safe…*

*I promise…*

For what it was worth, Azalea believed the pony.

Perched on her back, she could feel the mare’s emotions, and she liked what she felt.

It didn't take long for Azalea to fall in love.

***Current Day***

After the skirmish in Amethyst’s quarters, Gem stormed away.

She didn't know where she wanted to go or what she wanted to do.

All she knew is that she needed to get as far away from the ponies as possible.

Stomping down the palace steps in a huff, she found herself in a secluded courtyard and stopped in front of a large tree in the center of the garden.

Gem glared at the tree with disgust before throwing her hoof into the stubborn, wooden colossus.

She was angry.

She was furious at… everything, and she needed to vent.

Letting out a sadistic cry, she tore her helmet from her head and tossed it at the tree, creating a loud crash and ripping some of the bark away.

Piece by piece, Gem ripped her armor off and threw it in a heap at the base of the tree.

Now wearing nothing but her fur, she kicked her helmet, sending the protective headgear flying across the courtyard.

Having nothing left to rip from her body, Gem fell on her rear, huffing and puffing as she struggled to regain her breath.

After yelling for so long without taking so much as a single breath, she felt light-headed and dizzy.

Her vision was disorientated, and things around her seemed to blend together and pulse.

At last, she fell on her back, looking straight up through the branches of the tall tree.

The sun’s rays shined through the shaking leaves above, creating a stunning effect that could only be described as ‘beautiful’.

As the minutes passed, Gem’s breathing slowed, and the rising and falling if her chest became more shallow.

The silence was welcomed by the changeling outcast, and for a brief moment, she felt a sense of peace she had never felt before.

Her vision had cleared, and Gem sat up.

No pony was around to see her, so she decided there was no harm in losing her pony form.

Gem vanished in a bright blaze of green fire, and in her place, Cicada rested on her back.

With her hooves behind her head, she looked up at the blue sky through the branches of the tree as they swayed in a gentle breeze.

Everything around her contrasted immensely to the dark cave she had grown used to for so long.

All her life, since the moment she had hatched, Cicada had been taught that the ponies were selfish and ruthless conquerors that drove the changelings from the surface world in order to govern it themselves.

That was the history lesson all changelings were told, and she believed it.

The ponies looked down on everything that wasn't equine, and in doing so, they created a world where two national powers, Equestria and the Crystal Empire, ruled most of the continent.

Even the dragons, with all of their might, were too afraid to challenge the power of the ponies.

Here she was, a changeling masquerading as a Royal Guard.

What an incredible sight…

Cicada let out a long sigh, completely oblivious to the armored mare approaching her from behind.

“Ci… Cicada?”

Amethyst cleared her throat, startling the changeling.

“Cicada?”

At hearing her true name, she spun around and quickly resumed her pony form, Gem.

Her eyes glanced around the courtyard, making sure that no other ponies had seen her acting so carelessly.

When Gem realized she was alone with Amethyst, her eyes narrowed at the guard.

“You again… I came here to get away from you freaks!”

Amethyst’s gaze fell, and she removed her helmet, gently placing it on the ground next to her hooves.

“Did you want me to kick your ass again, or are you here because you can only feel good by showing off your authority?”

The captain walked forward until she was standing right in front of Gem.

She took a deep breath before looking up and meeting her former adversary's gaze again.

“I'm here to apologize, Cic… I mean… Gem.”

That took Gem by surprise, and for a moment, she lost her razor-sharp edge.

“You're right about… everything. I don't know what's going on, and I don't know why Queen Chrysalis hasn't made a move, but someday soon, she will, and I need to be prepared to do whatever it takes to protect my friends.”

Amethyst reached out with her hoof, taking Gem’s in her own.

“You asked me once why I did it, why I blew myself up in the frozen north…”

Gem’s eyes shifted towards the prosthetic leg and the scars that made up the right side of the pony’s body.

“I did it because I love my friends, and I love my daughter, and I'll give my life if it means they get to see Celestia’s sun rise again.”

Their eyes met again, and under the large tree, a warm wind swept through the garden, blowing their manes.

Gem shook her mane away and retracted her hoof.

“Why are you telling me this?”

Amethyst took another step closer, shortening the gap between them.

“I'm telling you this, because Princess Cadence and Prince Armor have tasked me with a very important assignment, and I want my closest friends by my side.”

*Friends…*

The word echoed in Gem’s mind, and she glared at Amethyst.

“We… are not friends, pony…”

Amethyst shot her a sly grin.

“Is that right?” She pointed her hoof towards the pile of assorted pieces of armor by the tree. “You're a Royal Guard, Gem. You watch over Pyrite for me when I'm not around. I’ve even seen you talk and laugh with Mantis and Amber in the commissary. Even Onyx is warming up to you.”

Amethyst’s grin widened.

“Face it, Cicada, you like being a pony. You're practically family, now.”

Gem scowled at her.

“You're delusional, Amethyst…” This earned an obvious eye-roll from the captain. “What is his ‘assignment’ you so desperately need me for?”

Amethyst’s smile faded as she took a step back.

“Canterlot is holding its Grand Galloping Gala, and I am to attend alongside Shining and Cadence as their personal guard and guest, but in my current condition…” She raised her prosthetic leg for Gem to see. “I don't believe that's something I can do alone.”

Gem looked at the ground, like she was deep in thought.

“Canterlot is a long way from the Crystal Empire… If Queen Chrysalis is going to strike, she will surely do it there.”

She nodded her head slowly.

“Alright, pony, I'll go with you, but only because I want to make that bitch pay for what she did to me…”

Gem turned around to begin reassembling her armor.

“Don't think this is because I like you or your friends…”

Amethyst couldn't stop herself from smiling as she picked her helmet back up and put it over her head.

“Whatever you say, Gem. We leave by train in the morning.”

***

They walked back into the palace together.

Side by side, they made their way into the barracks and the commissary inside.

Amethyst could see Emerald and Amber inside, sitting at a table while talking to Onyx.

They laughed and cheered in each other's company.

Pyrite was with them, looking lost and very much not apart of their conversation.

She looked towards Amethyst and Gem as they stood under the archway leading into the dining area and waved.

Amethyst beamed at her and waved back.

She began to walk in but noticed Gem was standing still.

“Are you coming? You're welcome to join us, you know.”

Gem shook her head.

“No… You've given me a lot to think about, Amethyst.” She turned her head, looking away from the pony’s gaze. “I want to be alone while I… get my head straight.”

The purple mare gave her a kind smile.

“Alright, but I want you to join us for dinner, later tonight. The officers and I are meeting at a little place on the Palisades Strip.”

Gem managed a weary smile.

“I thought that place was only for the wealthiest of the Crystal Empire.”

Amethyst pointed to the grand plume extending from her helmet.

“Hey, when you're a captain of the empire's Royal Guards, you can pull a few strings.”

After a few moments of silence, Gem agreed, nodding her head.

“Yes… Yes, fine…”

Amethyst’s extended her hoof, and when Gem took it, expecting a shake, the pony quickly pulled her into an embrace, shocking her.

The disguised changeling couldn't bring herself to say anything as the pony held her tight.

“I've forgiven you… It's time you forgave yourself…”

Then, Amethyst pulled away and turned around, walking into the commissary and leaving Gem alone under the archway.

Gem’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched the pony retreat to the table with her friends.

It felt like nothing she had ever experienced before.

She had grown numb to the feeling to stealing love from a victim, but never before had she been given love willingly.

Her heart raced involuntarily, filling her body with the desire for more, the desire for love.

Gem quickly shook her head of the thought and bolted down the corridor as quickly as her legs could carry her.

She ran until she finally came to a stop outside of the mares’ wash room, and she pushed the door open, rushing inside.

Gem made a dash for the sink and pulled her helmet off before turning the faucet on ‘high’.

She splashed the cold, refreshing water on her face again and again in an attempt to numb the feeling that was shaking her to her very core.

“Is something wrong, Cicada?”

Gem froze.

The air around her dropped drastically in temperature.

She looked up, into the mirror, as a thin layer of frost began to cover the glass.

Gem turned around just in time to see Queen Chrysalis emerge from the shadows.

Like a monster from an inescapable nightmare, the queen towered above her, looking down at her with green fire in her eyes.

“You look… confused…”

Gem bit her lower lip as her eyes met the queen’s.

“No, your majesty… I'm just… nervous…”

Chrysalis’ horn glowed, and the wash room door locked.

“There is no need for such fear, my child.” She raised a hoof towards Gem’s cheek, caressing her softly. “If anything at all, we should rejoice.”

Gem swallowed hard and flinched at the queen’s touch.

“You have played your part excellently. Not only does Captain Amethyst trust you, I believe she has come to… love you…”

Chrysalis reared her head back and roared with laughter.

“This will most certainly give you an advantage when the time comes to kill her. Wouldn't you agree, my loyal servant?”

Gem’s eyes fell, and she nodded her head slowly.

“Y-Y-Yes… Of course, your majesty…”

Then, she looked up with malice and hatred burning in her eyes as she met the queen's gaze.

“Amethyst will never reach Canterlot or the Grand Galloping Gala alive.”

***Up Next: Trust and Lies***