It was a happy time in the Castle of Friendship. Ponies, Griffins, and most importantly, dozens of Changelings filled the castle's main hall. Everywhere one looked, you could see smiles and new friendships being forged. Princess Celestia took in the sight with an ocean of joy forming in her heart. For many centuries, the thought that such a sight would one day come to pass seemed like nothing more than a foolish dream. But here it was, the union of both Equestria and the long separated Changeling Kingdom. No longer would the two nations be divided by fear and hate, but, under the rule of their new King, Thorax, the Changelings could begin a new renaissance of peace and friendship with Equestria. Things may also begin to become more interesting between the two kingdoms if the blush on her sister's face was anything to go by as she continued to mingle with the newly appointed ruler. Deciding to shelf that interaction for future teasing, the Solar Monarch shifted her attention to her former student and her now graduated charge. Nothing brought more warmth to her heart than to see the growth of others, but it was more meaningful for her to see that growth have such a massive impact on others by extension.
It was then that she sensed something that made her smile shrink ever so slightly. Or, to be more exact, the fact that she didn't sense something. In a corner of the room by one of the many punch bowls there stood a small zone with an absence of magic. With a light sigh, she discreetly made her way towards the small magic void. Upon reaching her destination, she found a lone pony covered with a slightly tattered hood and cloak.
"You know," she said, taking a seat next to the figure and glancing at the crowds. "You could at least try to make some friends."
The pony snorted as he reached a red hoof into his cloak.
"C'mon Celestia," he said, tone light with mirth as he pulled out a hip-flask. "You know I don't intend to stay here for very long."
As he said that, he undid the cap to the flask and brought it up towards his muzzle.
"Besides," he said, tone chilled. "You know why I can't do that."
With that, he took a quick swig of his drink then let out a satisfied sigh. Celestia gave a sigh of her own, though not for the same reasons as her companion.
"You do realize that Pinkie Pie will find you eventually, right?"
The hooded stallion stared up at his significantly taller companion, the incline showing the barest glimpse of his dark green mane and sapphire eyes. The gem-studded ring that hugged his horn caught the briefest glint of the main hall's light, slightly dazzling the white Alicorn. He gave her a cocky smile and took another quick gulp of his brew before he gave her an answer.
"Yes Celestia, I'm well aware of Miss Pie's...peculiarities and have set the proper preparations well in advance."
This got a raised brow from her.
"What kind of preparations?"
He shrugged before he took another swig.
"A bit of this. A bit of that. Nothing lethal of course, but let's just say house guests are going to need to VIPs for the foreseeable future."
Celestia frowned at that comment but decided against saying anything. She knew this pony long enough to know that even she couldn't get him to change his ways. The last time she tried had ended with the entire Royal Guard needing to be refit for new armor. Though she had to admit, that was a rather well preformed multi-link Shrinking Spell.
"Where is Chess?" she asked, swiping the flask from her partner with her magic before he could take another drink.
For a moment, he stared at his empty hoof with an annoyed grimace before he answered.
"She's putting the finishing touches to my home's security. As much of a party animal as she can be, even she has her social limits. Plus, I don't think most ponies could stomach her eating habits."
As he said that, he grabbed a hold of a paper cup from one of the nearby drink tables.
"Really?" she said, taking a curious sniff from the stolen flask's opening. "I would've thought she'd be present for such an event. She could probably become fast friends with Pinkie Pie if allowed the chance considering her appetite."
In a blue flash, the hooded stallion had his flask back in his grasp while a nonplused Celestia found herself holding an empty paper cup. She stared at the slightly smirking stallion as he took a quick sip of his self-returned property.
"If you want some, ask nicely," he said smugly, sticking his tung out at the Princess.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Hey, practice what you preach, Your Highness."
Celestia maintained her glare for a few more minutes, before she let out a defeated sigh that took away her scowl.
"Very well, you have me there. All the same, do you think it wise to drink in such a place?"
He shrugged.
"We all celebrate in different ways. If memory serves, you told me of a less then healthy victory practice you did in your younger years that involved a five tear cake and Commander Hurricane's-"
"I thought we agreed to never speak of that," Celestia whispered harshly, golden glow snapping the hooded stallion's mouth shut. Once the glow vanished , the stallion gave her a cold glare while messaging his jaw.
"You could've covered my muzzle you know? You almost made me bite my tung off."
"At the moment, I fail to see how that would be a bad thing," she growled, cheeks slightly flushed.
"Well, maybe you should've thought of that before you told me that story."
Before the argument of ethics could escalate, a loud laugh from the party's host brought the pairs attention to the center of the room. Celestia smiled as she watched the younger Alicorn mingle with her friends and the newly reformed Changelings, both exchanged stories and thoughts both mundane and topical to all involved. It was a sight that Celestia would've loved to photograph observe forever if she could. Her partner saw it as something else entirely. To him, it was nothing more than the crystal clear tranquility before a truly devastating storm. And when it hit, he knew that it wouldn't be pretty. There would be casualties, many of them. It was something he felt from his core all the way out to his bones and horn. It was a revelation that made it hard for him to truly appreciate this moment of calm, especially when his eyes landed on one pony in particular.
"Is it true?" Celestia asked, eyes still locked on the crowd. "Will she make her move?"
"Unfortunately," he sighed. "Now that her greatest pawn has failed her, it's only a matter of time before she makes the first move."
Celestia nodded, her smile now false.
"Do you believe you can stop her?"
The hooded stallion gave her a rueful smile.
"Probably. She isn't a normal enemy after all. It'll be difficult for me to establish an effective battle strategy on my own."
Celestia nodded.
"I see. And Twilight?"
The stallion raised a brow at her.
"Sparky? What about her?"
Celestia held back a light chuckle at the old pet-name her neighbor gave her former pupal.
"Do believe she could help lighten your burden."
He frowned, then took on last drag from his flask before he capped it and put it back into his cloak.
"If I can, I'd rather keep my burden to myself."
With that, the hooded stallion disappeared in a flash of blue light. In his place stood a single grey rock.
