Chapter 5 - The New Student

Dear Princess Celestia,

Friendship is delicious...

-***-

Tumbler found himself exploring the Everfree Forest as he normally did when he was feeling bored.  Asouva was very busy now that he landed himself a cushy job at Carousel Boutique, even if he hated it.  Asouva felt it was a frivolous use of his magic.  Tumbler chuckled at Asouva's "plight".  Then again, being cut off from friends and family was certainly not easy for him, no matter how well he's treated in Ponyville.  He must miss it sometimes, Tumbler thought.

It was getting close to Zap Apple harvest, so he had to be careful of timber wolves.  They'd usually hang around waiting for the first apples to bloom.  Being made of wood, they were more resistant to the electrical shocks given off by the trees when trying to pick the apples early.

-***-

The ponies here in Ponyville have been nothing but kind to me and have accepted me into their home.  I'm currently on my way to Canterlot, and I must say I'm very nervous.  It's been a while since I was last here, and it was on very unfriendly terms.

-***-

Tumbler tried to look around, but it was too dark to see well.  He reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a lantern and lit it up so he could see.  Unfortunately, as it has in the past, it made him easier to see as well.  In the past he's had to run from a green dragon (whom the Ponyvillians seemed to have nicknamed Reginald for some odd reason) and a manticore so far.  He never did find Zecora's Hut, despite having wanted to meet her and possibly ask her out.

Tumbler grunted in frustration.  He wanted to show Asouva the Ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, although mostly it was just an excuse to hang out.  Knowing Rarity, it'll be a while before Asouva will have time to hang out again with all the long hours he'll be putting in.  Asouva had been reading up on a lot of Equestria's history since he had nothing better to do at the library.  Tumbler wanted to show him a very important part of the history in the flesh, or, chitin, or whatever phrase Changelings used, he didn't know.

-***-

I'm here with Rarity, the fashionista that runs Carousel Boutique.  I understand she designed the dresses that Princess Cadence and her bridesmaids wore.  She's very talented.  Your highness should have her design something for you to wear too.  Unless you prefer to go everywhere naked, that is.

-***-

Tumbler trotted along carefully, as quietly as he could to avoid waking anything.  It was a personal challenge for him.  This was compounded by the fact that ponies have hooves.  Hooves are just not quiet when struck upon anything.  He tried to retrace the steps taken by the element bearers when they had traversed the Everfree Forest the first time.  Between a bridge, some cliffs, a wild river and local wildlife, it was quite the trip.

Despite all the horrors that live in the forest, it's odd that none of them came out to trouble Tumbler, and he didn't know why.  The river that the element bearers crossed was home to a sea serpent that mysteriously gone.  The manticore was mysteriously gone.  Heck, even the timber wolves that normally came out this time of year were mysteriously gone.  Tumbler wasn't quite sure what was more unnerving, the wildlife, or the lack thereof.  Once he arrived at the castle, he was startled by what he found there.

-***-

I don't want to cause a ruckus, as I'm sure if I slip up and reveal myself at all, it'll send the whole castle into a panic again.  Because of this, I have taken the form of one of Ponyville's groundskeepers, one by the name of Tumbler.  Rarity assured me that no one in Canterlot would recognize him.  Ah, we are pulling into the train station now.  I suppose I can deliver the letter myself while we are here.

Sincerely,

Asouva

-***-

“Ready Tumbler?” Rarity asked, with a wink and a smile.

Tumbler put the quill down from his writing, then cleared his throat.  “Ahem, I reckon we're ready to tangle with a rattlesnake somethin' fierce,” he replied.

“Tumbler sounds nothing like that,” Rarity scolded him.

Asouva looked down at the floor.  “I know, I'm just messing around.”

“Don't worry about it too much.  Just act normal, well, just don't draw attention to yourself.  Avoid talking if possible.”

Asouva understood.  He was just there with his new boss on a business trip.  He's the hired help, there to get a good look at the client, then assume their form once back at the boutique so Rarity will have a perfect 'mannequin' to tailor her dresses on.  He felt it was a waste of his talents; His skills were much more well-suited to tactical espionage/reconnaissance applications.  But, if it allowed him to earn some coin and be a productive member of pony society (not to mention get his own house in the north side of town where nothing happens), he could put up with it for a while longer.

“Besides, you've spent more time with Tumbler than anypony else has,” Rarity pointed out.  “You before anypony should know what he sounds like.”

“I'll just.. not talk, and we can say it was due to some accident or something,” Asouva said.

Rarity thought for a moment, but then finally said, “well, deception is more your line of work, so I'll leave that to you.”

Asouva winced.  His past life with the swarm did involve a lot of deception.  It was a Changeling's nature.  That's how they fed.  But that's not who he was anymore.  Despite still being good at it, Asouva didn't like being reminded of it.

“So, who's the client?” Asouva asked.

“Some ponies I met the last time I was here on a business trip.  Jet Set wanted two new gala dresses for his wife, Upper Crust.” Rarity answered.  “It's of utmost importance that I don't mess this up.  It could lead to all sorts of new clients if I can get it right.”

“Wait, am I going to have to take a female shape?” Asouva asked.

“Dearie, you're just full of questions today.”  Rarity smiled.  “Now, when we meet with the client, I want you to take the measuring tape I gave you earlier, and get her measurements while I discuss what type of dress she wants.  It'll help you become more familiar with her dimensions, and help me make the dresses the right size.”

Asouva nodded and trotted behind Rarity at a brisk pace.  They headed toward a large house that was outside the castle proper, but still within city limits.  Rarity knocked on the door.

“Hello, Madam Rarity,” a pony said as she opened the door.  “The mistress has been waiting for you.”

“Ah, thank you dear.  Surely she won't mind if my assistant joins us?”

“Not at all, Miss Rarity.”

The servant pony leads the two visitors to the backyard where Upper Crust and her husband, Jet Set were waiting.  As Rarity discussed a few things with the client, such as the next Canterlot Garden Party and the Grand Galloping Gala, in addition to what type of dress and what colors to use, Asouva went about the business of taking Upper Crust's measurements.  Once he was done, Asouva nodded to Rarity who then addressed the couple.

“Well, I better get to work on this right away.  I want you to be absolutely pleased with what you see when the dress is finished.”

After exchanging smiles and glances, Rarity and her assistant departed, but instead of heading toward the train station, Rarity led Asouva up to the castle.  Asouva started getting nervous, given the last time he was here it was under much different circumstances.  Rarity assured him that there was nothing to worry about, and the guards let her and Asouva in once they recognized her as one of the Elements of Harmony.

“Um, Rarity, what are we doing here?” Asouva asked.  He didn't have much opportunity to admire the beauty and craftsmanship that went into building the castle the last time he was here.  Again, different circumstances and all that.  Admiring the scenery wasn't exactly on the itinerary.

“You wanted to deliver your letter personally, did you not?” Rarity responded.

Asouva shuddered nervously.  He had only seen the princess before as a foe on the battlefield, as she dueled horns with the Queen and lost.  Now he was about to see her in a much less tense scenario.

Rarity addressed one of the guards, “We wish to see Princess Celestia.  Is she available?”

The Unicorn guard looked at her sternly (as they always did) before answering.  “She's busy teaching a class right now.  I can pass on any message you may have for her.”

Asouva found a little courage and spoke up, “It's personal, I have to deliver the message personally.”  He quickly swallowed a gulp after boldly stating his intention.

The guard looked at him suspiciously and seemed to be deep in thought.  “Very well.  Follow me.  But under no circumstances are you to interrupt any of the other classes at the academy.  Is that clear?”

“Crystal,” Rarity smiled, with Asouva nodding in agreement.

Rarity and Asouva followed the guard into the castle and to the wing where Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns was located.  The guard knocked on the door leading to Celestia's classroom.

“Come in!” a gentle voice called from inside.

The guard opened the door and let Rarity and Asouva in.  Celestia looked at the two of them and smiled.  “Well look we have here class, a popular fashionista from Ponyville, and a Changeling!”

Asouva froze in his tracks.  This was precisely why he assumed a form and did NOT want to be singled out.  “Hey uh, um, how did...”

Rarity spoke up, “I let the princess know ahead of time that we were coming, so she could let the guards know to not be on alert.”  She approached the princess at the front of the class.  “I'm most sorry for interrupting your class, but Asouva here has written a letter to you and wanted to hoof-deliver it personally.  Of course, he's much too shy to say anything himself, so I had to drag him with me to meet a client and stop by here on the way back.”

“That's wonderful, Miss Rarity.”  Celestia turned to face Asouva.  “Do you have that letter with you now?”

“Yes, your highness,” Asouva replied.

Asouva hoofed over the letter from his saddlebag.  Celestia took it in her horn aura and opened the scroll.  She briefly skimmed it, chuckling at first, then as she got further down, seemed a little bit embarrassed and chuckled again.  Once she was done, she rolled the scroll up again and placed it in her teacher bag.

The princess suddenly turned to Rarity, “Rarity, would you be a dear and take an order for a dress for me?  I would very much like to have something nice to wear for formal occasions.”

Rarity froze in place, unable to speak.  Making dresses for her friends was simply being generous.  Making gala dresses for all sorts of ponies for wearing to the gala was good business.  Making dresses for the Canterlot elite was more than she could've hoped for.  When Celestia asked her to make the dresses for Princess Cadance and the bridesmaids she was floored.  But now, to make a dress for the ruler of Equestria herself!  That was something quite extraordinary.

"Oh, and while you're at it, you may need to visit my sister as well.  I believe she desires formal attire for the evening of the Gala too."

While Rarity was standing there babbling incoherently to herself, Asouva kind of shuffled nervously on his hooves, not sure what to say or if he should even say anything.  His letter was partially to blame for this, after all.

Remembering what he was supposed to do, he quickly got out the measuring tape and approached the princess.  The guard mistook the action as a potential assault and tackled him, right in front of the class.  Celestia looked sternly at the guard who got up, noticed the princess's look of discontent, and sheepishly backed away.

“Lieutenant, surely you didn't think he was going to garrote me with measuring tape, did you?”

The class was chuckling before at Rarity's reaction to Celestia's request, but they outright broke into laughter at this point.  An intense, stern look from the guard silenced the class.

The guard faced the princess again to address her, “But your highness, he's a Changeling, he's-”

“Here with my blessings,” Celestia interrupted.

“Yes, of course your highness, please forgive me,” the guard said.

“Of course, you're only doing your job, and I commend you for it.”  Celestia smiled.  She had a way of disarming others and making them feel comfortable again.  It's part of how she's kept peace in Equestria for so long, as well as minimizing hostilities with neighboring nations.

Asouva picked himself up again, grabbed his measuring tape and proceeded to measure the princess.  Rarity, was unable to act at the moment, so Asouva took the initiative.

Meanwhile, Celestia kept lecturing the students on magic theory and basic spells.  It was this point that Asouva noticed that all the students were unicorns.  Asouva then remembered one of the things Pinkie mentioned he could do as a profession was work in Canterlot, probably in some schooling manner.  Teaching about Changeling culture, how to spot a Changeling (which would be considered treason, he was sure), maybe even simple illusion spells to change one's appearance, similar to the ones that the young Changelings learn to use before they can fully change their form.

During all this time, Rarity hadn't moved.  Once Asouva was finished taking the measurements, he nudged Rarity to let her know that it was time to go.  The guard had already left after Celestia assured him there was no danger.  Asouva asked to speak to the princess after the class was over, and she agreed.

“What can I help you with, Asouva?” she asked when the room was clear.

“I understand that you told the ponies in Ponyville to be my friend, is that correct?” Asouva asked.

“Yes,” the princess answered.  “Because I believe that your queen isn't evil, she was just hunting for food.  If we gave you a chance at having friends, you wouldn't have to resort to your queen's deceptive tactics to steal love from my little ponies.  You would receive it willingly, and in abundance.  I also let them know that it could be the ultimate friendship learning experience for them.”

“Ah, okay...” Asouva looked around the room, trying hard not to look nervous.  “It's just that Pinkie said-”

“Yes, Pinkie Pie,” Celestia interrupted.  “She can be quite insensitive in her word choice sometimes, but she means no ill-will by it.  I've had the pleasure and privilege of meeting with her adoptive parents, the Cakes at a party they had while I was visiting.  I had brought my pet phoenix, Philomena, with me and... Well, that's a story for another time.

“Just keep in mind that Pinkie always means well, despite her naive insensitivity at times.”

“Got it.  By the way princess, I hope I did not offend you with anything in my letter.  Your student, Twilight Sparkle, suggested I start writing them to you to keep you updated on things in Ponyville.”

Celestia agreed, “That sounds like a marvelous idea.  I look forward to reading anything you have to write.  Maybe we can learn a lot from each other.”

“Alright!  I guess it's time we got back to the shop.  Rarity will no doubt want me to assume your shape so she can design a dress around, well, you, without you having to be there.”

“I'm sure whatever she makes will be wonderful.”  Looking up at the clock in the classroom, Celestia realized she was about to be late for a meeting.  “I'm sorry Asouva, I really must get going.  Matters of state and whatnot.  Duty calls!”  With a large flash of yellow magic sparkles, Celestia disappears from view.

Rarity was no longer able to hold herself up in her petrified-with-surprise state, and fell over.  This also woke her out of said state and allowed her to come back to reality.  “Wha, wha?!?”

“It's okay boss, time to go.  You have an unexpected client or two,” Asouva told her.

“Yeah... I mean, yes.  I need to get started right away!”  Rarity was still a little awestruck at the sudden order the biggest name client of them all.

The two left the classroom and found the guard again, who started to escort the two back to the train station, but was stopped by the Changeling.

"Princess Celestia told us that she desired to get a dress ordered for her sister as well," Asouva said.  "May we be escorted to the Moon Princess?"

"Very well," the guard said, and led them to Princess Luna's quarters in the castle.  It was still day time, so the guard knocked gently, not knowing if the night princess had awoken yet or not.

"Who is it?" came a soft feminine voice from behind the door.

"Lieutenant Whistles, Your Highness."

"Come in," the voice behind the door responded.

The door was opened into a most extravagant bedroom, with a large fireplace, a beautiful silvery canopy bed, a vanity, and of course, pillows everywhere.  The vanity looked like it hadn't been used in a long time, despite the night princess having been back in Canterlot for two years now.  Princess Luna was sitting in front of it now, but it was still dusty though.

"You're here to measure me for one of your dresses," Luna stated plainly, sitting in front of the mirror on her vanity.  There was an intense look on her face, like she was trying to study and pick apart the flaws of her visage.  She didn't seem pleased with what she saw.  "No doubt my sister put you up to this."

Coughing nervously, the guard excused himself.  "By your leave, your highness..."

"Very well," the princess's voice boomed.  She stood up and turned around, facing Rarity and Asouva directly instead of their reflection in the mirror.  "My sister has been wanting me to participate more in the things.  One of the duties.." that last word sounding like it had a bad taste in her mouth, "she wants me to attend the Grand Galloping Gala, for example."

"Oh, I know, it's simply the biggest event of the year, and it would be a shame to not have both princesses in attendance for the evening!"

"I RAISE THE MOON, MY SISTER, THE SUN!" Luna yelled before taking a moment to compose herself.  "We should not have to put up with all of... this," the last word seemed like it tasted awful as she gestured vaguely around her.

"But Princess," Rarity pleaded, "it simply would not do to not have both of you there.  Equestria needs you, Your Highness."

While the two were talking, Asouva was already busy taking Luna's measurements.  As the argument started to get more heated, Asouva just dropped what he was doing and gave the princess a hug.  This took everypony by surprise.

"Asouva!" Rarity yelled, "What do you think you're doing?"

Luna gasped and looked down in shock at this pony hugging her.  Not out of anger, but genuine surprise.  Nopony just ups and hugs a princess.  Asouva leaned his head into her shoulder, nuzzling her with a smile on his face and looked up into her large round eyes.  This went on for just under a minute while everypony else just stood there aghast.

Asouva noticed that everypony was shocked, and relinquished the hug, taking a step back.  "I'm sorry Your Highness, you looked like you needed a hug just now," he said meekly, tears beginning to well up in his eyes.

The room was quiet for the longest time until Rarity interrupted the silence by clearing her throat.  "Umm, well, your sister commissioned me to make a dress for you as well as her, so... I shall make it my duty, neigh, my privilege  to make this the most fabulous dress ever offered a matriarch."

"Very well, I shall permit your assistant to finish his task so he could assume my shape later."  Luna turned toward Asouva who was busy as a bee.  "You are a Changeling, right?"

Asouva looked out the corner of his eye at her.  Does everypony know I'm a changeling? he thought to himself, maybe I shouldn't have bothered with the disguise.  Asouva nodded, "Yes, Your Highness..."

-***-

“Seize him!” came a voice from behind one of the statues.

Tumbler found out why there wasn't any wildlife in the area.  At least not anywhere near the castle.  He found himself face to face with a group of eight Changelings, one of which was clad in blue armor.  Some of them leapt out from behind trees, and some from behind stone walls, but all descended upon the unlucky Earth Pony, pinning him to the ground.

“Alright, what have you done with the Exuvia?” their leader asked.  At least, Tumbler assumed it was their leader, given it was the only one wearing armor, or anything for that matter.

“What in Tartarus are you talking about?!” asked a very confused Tumbler.  “What's an Exuvia?”

“You know exactly who I'm talking about,” the leader snarled.  “The traitor!”

“If by traitor you mean friend, then I don't know where he's at.  Could be in Canterlot, could be Dodge Junction, how am I supposed to know?”

“This is getting us nowhere,” one of the other Changelings said to the commander.

“He'll be of use to us, one way or another,” the leader said, grinning in a way that Tumbler found unsettling.

“Why are we hunting an Exuvia anyways?” asked another of the Changelings.  “Shouldn't that mean he's dead to us?”

“Normally, yes,” the leader replied, “but that Exuvia was one of my elite fighters, and has knowledge that could provide the ponies with a significant tactical advantage against future Changeling attacks.  He's a huge security risk.  We cannot let that valuable resource fall into pony hooves.”

“Yes sir, of course.”

The General turned his head to face Tumbler on the ground, still being held down by half a dozen Changelings, “We've got plans for you, little pony...”  His laughter reverberated throughout the ancient castle, bringing chills down Tumbler's spine.