Twilight was definitely Confused. Not as much as she has been in other episodes, but enough to be concerned.

When she had received of a changeling, she was worried. When she heard it was a strange changeling, she was even more so. When she heard that it was discovered by Princess Luna, she sighed. Then when she read that it was someone Luna had rescued, she was confused. Then, not just her, but also Her sister and her bride, Princess Cadence.

Why would one changeling need 3 ponies to interrogate him. It's not like she was even that good at it. While she had been a princess for a while, Tirek had shaken her confidence, a lot. Sure, she could definitely handle such a threat as one changeling, but the prospect of not just her, but also her sister, captain of the royal guard, and Princess Cadence, which I don't even need to elaborate further on her, was something to get her confused of.

Walking to the holding cell, she passed by a guards pony. He was gruff, and looked tired.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked, out of curiosity. Sure, being a guards pony was difficult, but he shouldn't look so beat up.

"Oh yes I'm," He stopped and coughed. "I'm doing fine princess." Twilight doubted this, but continued onward. Was the changeling the result of him looking torn up? Plausible, but unlikely. He should be able to subdue them easily.

Gleaming got his keys out, gotten from Luna, and inserted one into the lock of the changeling's supposed door. Then another. Then another. She nervously chuckled, blushing as she kept putting in keys.

"Uhm, Gleam?" Cadence said to her husband. "Do you need some-"

"Nope! Don't worry Cadence! I'm fine! I got it! Come on and open! You Stupid door!" Gleaming said, getting angrier.

"Uh ma'm? The key fell off your ring," The guards pony said, pointing down to Gleaming's feet. low and behold, the jade colored key was lying down.

"Ah hem! I knew that," Gleaming said, fake coughing, eliciting a laugh from her sister and her wife. The laughing stopped when the door opened and a sight they were not expecting entered their eyes.

"Whoa...why is this better than the guard dorms?" Gleaming Shield said, raising an eyebrow. The room was covered and doused in gold and gemstones. It looked like the Canterlot vault was turned into a penthouse suite. A Jade colored water fountain, 1800 thread count sheet mattress, Silk curtains and blankets, a small bath house area, a bookshelf, even a gold-plated fridge. Who needs that?

"I'm not honestly sure," A voice said to their left. Looking in that direction, they saw what they had thought they would find, but also not what they thought they would. It was a changeling alright, just no normal one.

He was wearing a standard black T-shirt, and regular sweatpants. No shoes or socks. His horn was curved, similarly to a changeling, but also different. It seemed to jot out at certain points of the horn with crystals. In fact, most of his body had this same feature of crystals, including one main one on his chest, with a transparent yet glowing hue. Some of his body resembled that of a changeling, yet others resembled that of a normal pony. His legs weren't holed in, yet he still had fangs. He grew a pony mane and ears, yet still had the stripes on his belly and, a somewhat similar tail to the changelings. His wings...well...his wings, even when retracted, they could tell it wasn't either side of the coin. A Base line starting from beneath his shoulders seemed to extend and had small flat blocks where the rest of the wings would be. Most shockingly though was a slit on the top wrists. A Straight slit. Nothing seemed going out or going in.

The changeling made a sheepish grin and waved to the 3 entering. He frowned almost immediately after.

"Go ahead and say it," The changeling told them, before looking out the window.

"Say what?" Twilight asked. The changeling turned back to them.

"'What are You?' I know I look barely anything like my species, much less anything like your species. Despite my obvious differences, I am still a changeling," The changeling said, looking at his hands before sitting down. "Now, let's get this interview started, shall we?" He said, civilly.

The three looked at each other before cadence spoke up, "I agree Mr..."

"I don't really have a name as of now, but you can just call me jabber. It's the name I was told was mine, even if I had no say in it. Also, no Mr. I hate formalities towards me," 'Jabber,' told them. They looked at each other again and then sat down at the gemstone encrusted table. "Like, seriously, I don't know why my room is the peak of luxury, I haven't really done anything worthy of this."

"I'm sure either Celestia or Luna would have a reason for such a...rich...cell," Twilight said, admiring and taking in all of the minerals and priceless gems.

"You must never want to leave this room. I wouldn't want to," Cadence said, also taking in the room.

"I'd agree, but a cell of gold, no matter how luxurious and beautiful it may be, is still just a cell," Jabber said, looking at the outside world. "Now, this cell is admittedly about 162% better than my previous one, but it is still just a cell."

"Wise words. Now, let's start this, shall we?" Gleaming said, snapping his party back to the main reason they were here.

"I agree Madam. Let us begin," Jabber said. "The faster we get this done, the faster I either get to remain alone of be out in the world."

"Right. Okay Mist- er, Jabber," Twilight started, with jabber nodding. "What hive, if any, have you come from?"

"And we're starting off strong," Jabber Mumbled. "Well, I was, Born, in the hive of Queen...chrysalis." Jabber finished. Expectedly, Gleaming's eye twitched, but surprising to the 3, so did jabber's.

"Ehm, okay, uh, do you have any plans for if you do get out?" Twilight continued.

"Admittedly, none as of now. Really the only plan, long term, is to find my...'Queen' and show her a wretched time," Jabber smirked at the concept, and he could swear that, while she still looked a bit concerned, Gleaming also lifted a smile for a second.

"Jeez. What for?" Cadence asked, not knowing what she unleashed.

"BECAUSE SHE'S AN ENTITLED AND SELFISH WITCH. She calls herself the queen of all changelings, but she might as well be the queen of a bunch of corpses. She keeps all the resources and love storage to herself. She's a total Fuck up and I don't care if she knows it, the title still stands. Not just that, BUT SHE'S THE REASON I'M LIKE THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE! I DON'T WANT TO BE DIFFERENT, AND BY HER MEDDLING IN MY LIFE, OH LOOK! I'M A FUCKING CRYSTAL MONSTER!" Jabber screamed in rage, sitting up from the table as twilight and cadence stepped back, while Gleaming stepped in front of them and created an aptly named shield. Twilight saw his chest crystal glow red.

"Stand down Jabber!" Gleaming ordered as Jabber snarled, but sat down.

"Only if you don't mention...her or my past again," Jabber dead eyed them.

"Now, while I agree with your statement, yelling at us isn't gonna get you or us anywhere," Gleaming told him, as they sat back down, twilight a bit paler.

"I...Sorry, I just get upset whenever my mother is mentioned. She...well, you know she's a terrible creature, correct?" Jabber asked. The three nodded as Gleaming dissipated her shield, still on edge. "Heh...did you know she was my mother?"

"Aren't all changelings the children of the queen?" Gleaming asked. Jabber scoffed.

"Please, not only is that not true, but the children of the queen are the only ones treated with any form of decency. Everyone else is the equivalent of early equestria Peasant Saxons," Jabber explained, looking out the window again. "You'd think with that kind of privilege I would've been the second coming of the changelings, or one of the best warriors, or even a researcher, or something that would be respected in some form. Nope, first chance she got, I was gone."

"Why though? I'd feel like, even if you weren't what she was expecting, or if you weren't a great changeling in general, she still would've kept you as, I don't know, just a regular drone," Twilight pondered.

"You'd think so. I don't remember much about my early days. Only what I've heard from my...captors," Jabber stared off-wards as twilight looked down at her notepad.

"Okay...uh...If this is fine with you...Can you provide any information about your captors, so we could potentially find them?" Twilight asked as Jabber chuckled.

"I wish, but you'll never find them. The only way Luna found them is because they were near canterlot during the monthly changeling detection. I was close enough for them to find me, but they move almost twice a month. They can escape easily. Heh...I remember them trying to get me to get them out of the area of canterlot. Boy did I laugh whenever they panicked at the sight of the Princess of the night. The faces I saw were incredible. Terror and shock. I honestly thought I would die from laughter, the fact that someone had found their hideout," Jabber laughed for a few seconds afterwards. "But seriously, the only definitive information I can give you is that they were all ponies, it was about a ratio of 5:2 girls to boys, and one of their first names was Neal. Oh, and of course, they were all sadistic, except for one, but she did NOTHING!" Jabber shouted again, but sitting down quickly. "Sorry again. I...I really need to control those."

"Don't feel bad. I would be angry too. Twily, wanna continue?" Gleaming asked her sister.

"Oh, yes, right. Okay, Do you know of any specialties you have?" Twilight asked, reading off the notepad she was given.

"Oh boy, I was waiting for this. This is gonna be a long one, so get comfortable," Jabber said, looking at his hand. The 3 shifted a little, and their suspicion grew.

"So, you see how my hand has claw, similarly to some changelings, right?" Jabber said, showing his hand to the interviewers. Sure enough, small points were seen at the end of his fingers. They nodded. "Now, while these are useful, they would be a bitch to someone with not training with them. I remember how much I failed to measly pick up a balloon with these. Can't imagine how hard it must be for the others, heh," Jabber smirked. "Anyway, look at my claws for a second," Jabber said, holding his hand out, palm to them. Suddenly, a spiked crystal extension appeared over his whole hand, almost like an assassin's knife, coming from the slit in his skin. Cadence backed up, being the closest to it.

"What the-?" She got out before coming back to her senses.

"Yeah, I had the same reaction when I first used these. I can forcefully set these little crystal daggers out whenever I please, albeit they have somewhat of a cool-down. I can only use it on one hand at a time, but I feel like one crystal knife is enough for almost anyone, wouldn't you agree?" Jabber smiled a bit, looking at them. Gleaming and twilight nodded, while cadence nodded fast.

"I take it you've had an experience with crystal weapons before?" Jabber asked, and cadence side nodded.

"Somewhat. Sharp crystals in general is what I've dealt with," Cadence confirmed.

"Ah, fair enough. Anyways, that's really the only offensive...upgrade, I believe is the word, I was given by the freaks. There are a few others, but they aren't exactly total offense. I suppose wings could be, but it's different," Jabber thought, looking off.

"Speaking of those wings, would you like to explain why they look, pardon me sounding like rainbow dash, epic?" Twilight asked as Gleaming and cadence chuckled, and twilight slightly blushed. Jabber smirked.

"I agree they definitely look cooler, but they certainly don't feel cooler. See, changelings are built to be stealthy, that's how we work after all. That's the point of the holes in our legs, it gives us less sound whenever we move. Pro-tip there for you guys. Having trouble figuring out who's a changeling, who is making the least amount of sound, or you could use the wing method, as every single changeling's wing makes a buzz sound as it's going so fast. You won't notice it right away, it's subtle, but it's able to be heard," Jabber explained, Gleaming making mental notes for her guards later.

"So, I assume from what your wings look like you got them from your captors?" Gleaming asked. Jabber sighed.

"Indeed. While, I agree they look absolutely awesome, they aren't as functional for a changeling. Remember, we're made for stealth, so we're not supposed to be strong, and even it is only one part of the wing I have to lift, It's still heavy as a rock. Took me about 3 years to even figure out how fly with these things. Other than the fact that I can't be hurt by striking the wings, there really isn't any benefit to these. It's just a heavier and more durable wing," Jabber explained.

"Still, even if they don't have much use, I bet rainbow dash will freak out," Twilight smirked, before the group laughed again. "Anyways, what about all the other crystal parts of you, especially the glowing one on your chest. I noticed you have a hole in your shirt. Was that on purpose, or is it just that sharp?" Jabber looked down at his chest and the crystal poking through his shirt. He sighed again.

"It was on purpose. This thing is practically another lung. It needs to breathe too, for some reason. However, it is definitely worth it. This crystal thing in my chest, while I never wanted it, is useful," Jabber started.

"Can you explain why?" Cadence asked, Jabber pulling of his shirt. They could tell, while he wasn't anywhere near starvation, he was thin.

"This thing in my chest, while it is a lung, it is also my...power source? Basically, while I've only encountered one so far, sometimes I'll shift into an alternate version of myself. From what I remember, there were supposed to be around 20 or so, however I've only encountered 1, and while it wasn't anything groundbreaking, it was an interesting experience," Jabber started.

"Wait, so you can feel when you...like, switch to this alternate version of yourself?" Twilight started, and before Jabber could respond...

"And what does that even mean?" Gleaming asked.

"Well, yes, and it's goes like this. Think of yourself, and then dip in a coat of paint. This coat of paint just so happens to change how you act and feel. Maybe it even changes how your body works, or your body in general. Maybe it changes your intelligence, or your strength. Maybe it even changes your powers, but either way, that base of changing how you act and feel are guaranteed," Jabber explained, with twilight writing it down and Gleaming nodding the whole way through.

"So, basically, you can shift your personality, and sometimes, your power set? Like some kinda, super changeling? What one have you encountered?" Cadence asked.

"Pretty much. The only one I've encountered was my blue form. I become incredibly dexterous and try to make people have fun. You can tell when I'm in a, as I call the, majin forms, based on my skin and the center crystal, as the other crystals disappear when in a majin form. In my blue form, my skin is a dark blue and the crystal is a cyan, hence why I call it my blue form. I haven't come up with an actual name for it yet, but I'm sure I'll have time," Jabber explained, pointing at his crystal. "Is that all?"

"Yes indeed Sir Jabberwock. That is all doth needed to mention," A voice appeared behind them all, and a smiling jabber breathed a sigh of relief.

"What? Princess Luna? Were you listening the entire time?" Twilight asked, before bowing.

"Please Twilight, no need to bow. We are of the same status, no? And besides, I feel like you should've known I would've been listening. You looked directly at me, did you not?" Luna smirked, and she noticed that jabber has as well.

"Wait...You were the guard pony?" Gleaming asked as Luna chuckled.

"I do enjoy putting on a performance," Luna said, showing herself in her guards pony form.

"It impressed me as well, as well as confused me, but I got it," Jabber pointed out, as Luna blushed.

"Really? I doth impress the race that can shift itself to anyone instantly?" Luna asked.

"Well, considering you can actually change in the first place? Absolutely. I'm just as impressed as the three ponies in front of you," Jabber explained, confusing the rest of them.

"Wait, you can't change your appearance?" Cadence asked as Jabber held up a hand.

"Only when in a majin form, but it still looks like me. The only difference is the deluxe color sheet I'm dipped into, but other than that, I'm always me," Jabber explained as Gleaming breathed a sigh. "What? Did you think I would just be trolling you by pretending to be your wife or something?"

"W-w-what? N-No! Not that at all!" Gleaming Shield exclaimed, blushing and feeling accused. The three princesses laughed as Jabber smirked.

"Anyways, I believe that Luna referred to you as Jabberwock? Is that your name?" Twilight asked.

"I was wondering that too as well Luna. I did tell you my name was Jabber, didn't I?" Jabber asked.

"Your memory serves you right Sir Jabberwock," Another voice came down the stairs, as a signature triple colored mane came into view from the stairwell.

"Princess Celestia!" The 3 Royals as well as Jabber bowed down as Celestia gave a motherly smile.

"You may stand, My little ponies. There is no need to bow, even if in such a luxurious room," Celestia beckoned for them to stand.

"With all due respect Princess, may I ask why this room is as wonderful as it is?" Gleaming asked Celestia, as he stood up.

"I was also wondering that as well, and what is with the Sir Jabberwock, if you don't mind answering?" Jabber asked, as Celestia looked at him decisively.

"As for the first question Shining, this is our cell for those un-convicted and harmed. I like to think of it as a waiting room more than a cell, but as Sir Jabberwock said, 'A Cell of gold, no matter how beautiful, is still a cell,' and speaking of Sir Jabberwock, let us begin the recognition you deserve, shall we?" Celestia said, sitting down with her sister.

"Yes we shall. I don't believe I deserve such a rank as sir, and where did the last part of my name come from?" Jabber asked. Celestia, once again smiled.

"You said it yourself, didn't you Sir Jabberwock? You are the son of a queen. Whether it may be a rival queen or a allied, and whether or not you or anyone else might like it, you are a prince. The title of sir is an understatement," Celestia explained, causing jabber to scoff.

"I wish I never was one, but I guess you are right," Jabber said, eye twitching. "And as for my name now adding a 'wock?'"

"A Mythical creature named the Jabberwock, or also Jabberwocky. There isn't much known about it, only it's physical description. We've decided that, not only do you have same first part of the name of the creature, but you also seem to be a legend yourself, with all the mystery surrounding you. It's a weak connection, but I do believe it's a better name rather than just, "'Jabber,'" Luna explained, Jabber raising an eyebrow.

"Okay, sure, but I'd still prefer Jabber, unless you're referring to me as a...prince," Jabber struggled to finish his sentence.

"You really hate your mom. I can somewhat feel why," Gleaming said. Jabber smirked a little.

"Hmm, is it that obvious? Anyways, what happens now, princesses?" Jabber asked, staring down the Solar and Lunar Monarch.

"Well, I have a plan for you Jabber. I'm not sure if you'll like it, but I believe that it will end well for you," Celestia explained. Jabber felt a sharp pain in his stomach, telling him it won't end well.

Author's Note

This chapter and the previous were especially inspired by The Betrayed by Thadius0. Check out that story, it is glorious.