The Broken One

The next two days were a blur of activity as we made preparations for the arrival of my personal assistant’s mother. I had a feeling that after our last encounter she would be arriving with a rather large force. In order to prepare for this possibility Shadow sent word out to the surrounding areas requesting volunteers. Some were more successful than others but to my surprise our ranks had swelled from thirteen to one hundred and thirty eight. I was impressed, but it still wasn’t enough.

I sent a letter to my mother explaining the situation and within hours I got the reinforcements I had asked for in that very same letter. Within hours a mixed unit of unicorns and pegasi numbering two hundred came soaring into our midst. I approached the lead unicorn of the unit and shook his hoof. His shocking blue hair stuck out from under his helmet and I cocked an eyebrow.

“Shining, you do have a pair”, I grinned at him.

“A pair of what”, he asked as he tilted his head.

“Nothing”, I sighed and waved it off. “I appreciate your troops getting here so fast.”

“Would you mind telling me what the situation is, your Highness”, he asked.

“Okay, here’s the deal. I have a Life Claim on the changeling Cindra. I had an… encounter… with the Queen of the changelings. I found out later on that Cindra is in fact Princess Cindra of the changelings. Chrysalis is going to be here at noon tomorrow. You guys are here as a show of force, since that’s something she respects. I don’t anticipate any fighting, but I don’t want to be unprepared. If we show any aggression we’re screwed. Just find somewhere to put your troops and just… I don’t know, get prepared?”

“Yes, your Highness”, he bowed.

He trotted off to relay my orders and I couldn’t help but be impressed with his efficiency. I just hoped his battle skills were up to snuff. I made my way to the front doors of the castle and looked around me at the busy little ponies sharpening weapons and bolstering defenses lost in my thoughts. A pair of hooves wrapping around my chest from behind brought me back to the real world.

“Don’t go too deep down the rabbit hole”, my fiancé grinned at me. “Wouldn’t want to get lost this close to our wedding, now would we?”

“I only need to worry about getting lost in your eyes”, I smiled back as I turned to her.

How is it possible to love somepony this deeply, I thought to myself as I stared into Shadow’s loving eyes. How did I fall this quickly?

“What is it”, Shadow asked as her smiled faltered slightly.

“I was just wondering what I did to deserve your love”, I replied and leaned in to kiss her.

“I often wonder the same thing”, she smiled warmly.

“I love you more than I can say”, I said with a smile. “I haven’t been alive for long, but I haven’t felt this way about anypony. It’s kinda scary.”

She hugged me tightly before she jerked her head to the side and stared over my shoulder. I turned and followed her line of sight, a jolt zipping through me. I noticed a tiny speck on the horizon just above the trees.

“Your Highness, a changeling scout has been spotted”, one of the pegasi called as he landed near me.

“It looks like we may be receiving our company a bit early”, Shadow said quietly as she turned her eyes to the setting sun. “I don’t like this, love.”

“Me neither”, I admitted. “Shining, Silver, on me!”

The two guards stood at attention in front of me in less than five seconds. I motioned my head to the side and they followed me away from the Pegasus.

“Okay, we may be moving the meeting up unexpectedly”, I said quietly. “I want all of your guards on cautious alert. Show no aggression, but show no weakness. Stand tall, stand your ground, but don’t antagonize them. Understood?”

“You essentially just repeated yourself, your Highness”, Silver Lance said with a cocked head.

“Ask Cindra about this”, I said darkly as I held my right hand in front of his face. “But at least I know you were paying attention.”

Shining cocked an eyebrow at me but I shook my head. The two went off to relay my newest orders and I turned my attention back to Shadow. I noticed the worry on her face and smiled reassuringly. She let out a teary grimace before burying her face in my neck.

“What’s wrong”, I whispered as I stroked her mane.

“I’m worried for you”, she murmured.

“This is a political conference, not a battle”, I laughed.

“What if something goes wrong”, she whimpered. “What if Chrysalis decides to attack and I can’t get to you in time and… and… you…”

I held her tightly against me as she cried softly. My heart wrenched when she voiced her fears of losing me amidst heaving breaths and bouts of tears. She tried to argue with me when I told her she would be teleported to Canterlot at the first sign of danger but accepted my decision when I rubbed her belly. She turned her teary eyes to me and nodded before kissing me yet again.

“Your Highness, there is a trio of changelings approaching”, Silver called as he trotted up.

“I’ll meet them outside the gates”, I said as I disentangled myself from Shadow. “Send me two pegasi.”

He nodded and darted off to fulfill my request. While I waited I adjusted my sword belt, tightening it around my waist. In no time flat I was winging my way over the wall flanked by two pegasi. We settled down about fifty yards from the gate and waited for the trio of changelings.

“Forgive me, your Highness”, the pony on my right said, “but is it wise for you to meet them personally?”

“Yes”, I grinned at him and laughed at the confusion on his face. “See, changelings respect strength, so what could be more badass than a Prince that isn’t scared of a fight? Besides, they wouldn’t ambush me out here because they would never make it out of here alive. If they did, it would bring the wrath of Equestria down on their heads.”

“Good thinking”, the other guard said with a nod.

The changelings came into view as they rounded the last bend and began to cross the rope bridge. I stepped forward as the three armored bug ponies stopped about ten feet away. I turned my eyes to the middle changeling and couldn’t help but wonder how easily her armor would come off.

Where the fuck did that come from?

“Queen Chrysalis”, I greeted evenly as I bowed my head slightly. “Kinda early, don’t you think?”

“I’m just anxious to see my daughter”, she replied as she narrowed her eyes slightly. “Speaking of which, wherever is she?”

“Most likely enjoying one of our massive tubs”, I laughed.

“I beg your pardon”, she said as she jerked her head back.

“Cindra-“

“PRINCESS Cindra”, she hissed.

“I’m sorry, Princess Cindra loves water”, I explained. “She hated it at first, but she grew to love the water.”

“Fascinating”, she replied flatly. “This little rendezvous is a formality. I wish to remind you of our arrival at noon tomorrow.”

“You’ve already arrived”, I grinned, but held up my hands when she began to get flustered. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. How many of you may I expect?”

“Hmm, why in Equestria would I tell you that”, she asked mockingly.

“Because a certain prince holds a Life Claim over a certain princess”, I grinned wickedly. “Anypony that violates or interferes with a Life Claim forfeits their own life, don’t they? And a war between nations is a nasty business indeed. Also, I need to know how many guests to prepare for since it’s good hosting. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I would”, she said cautiously after studying me for a moment.

“I ask again, how many?”

“Six changelings including myself”, she said coolly.

“Thank you for the information, your Majesty”, I bowed. “I’ll prepare accordingly and look forward to the meeting tomorrow. Be safe.”

“And you as well, Prince Jackson”, she almost purred.

Oh no, that ain’t ominous at all, I thought to myself as the trio of changelings began walking away.

I motioned to the guards and we took wing back to the castle. When we landed I called the two “S Class” ponies as I took to calling them in my mind. When they got close I told them to double the guard in the castle and keep at least four pegasi on patrol at all times until I directly said otherwise. They bowed and scampered off like good little minions and I pondered the possibility of hiring Shining Armor temporarily.

I dismissed the thought and headed inside. The throne room doors were shut tight and guards were posted at regular intervals throughout the halls. I nodded at the two guards standing at attention outside my chambers as I passed. The sound of light splashing made me roll my eyes as I made my way to the bathroom doorway.

“Having fun”, I asked as I leaned against the doorframe.

“Hello, master”, Cindra blushed as she shook soapy water from her mane. “I was taking a nice hot bath but I kinda got carried away.”

“That’s adorable”, I laughed but sobered quickly. “I just had a bit of a parlay with your mother.”

“Oh”, she whispered and lowered her eyes as water dripped from her ears. “How did it go?”

“Veiled threats were issued, points were made, I confused her, the usual”, I shrugged nonchalantly as I pushed myself from the door and moseyed into the bathroom.

“Is she making a mess again”, Shadow called as she trotted in from the antechamber.

“Eeyup”, I called back. “Water everywhere.”

The vampony trotted in and giggled when she saw the cuddly bug pony in the tub. She walked over and nuzzled against me before she hopped into the tub herself. She sighed happily as she sank into the steaming water.

“Oh, master”, Cindra cooed suggestively as she slipped from the tub and propped her hooves up on my chest.

“Well, fuck.”