Monday started about as well as one could hope for.

Behind the counter at Sugar Cube Corner, Buck’s patented customer service smile was being sorely tested. This was a shame because that smile was about the only thing holding Buck together.

A vaguely familiar woman with pink skin and an expensive purple hairdo was fuming at him over the counter, her copper-colored eye twitching.

“I’m sorry ma’am but we really don’t have any gluten-free cupcakes left. We’re cleared out, and the next batch isn’t ready.” Buck said.

“When will it be ready!?” The lady fumed.

“About forty minutes, give or take.”

“My models need them now! You have to make more, right now!” The woman yelled.

Buck’s smile creaked like an old wooden ship. Scootaloo saw his hands clench behind the counter, but his even temper held.

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience. In the future, I’d suggest you make this kind of order in advance. Again, real sorry.”

“Oh, you’re sorry!? You don’t know the meaning of the word! I am going to give this place such a scathing review, you’ll wish you’d never gone into the bakery business! You just lost yourself a customer!”

The woman stomped out of Sugar Cube Corner, slamming the door so hard it made Scootaloo jump.

“Geez, Buck. Are you okay?” Scootaloo said.

Buck stared at the door, blinking slowly. Scootaloo nudged him, and he came back to life.

“Huh? Yeah, I’m good. It’s just another needy uptowner that don’t know how to order catering. We’re gettin’ a million of ‘em this season.” Buck said.

“No, I mean, you’re obviously going through some stuff, and it's like they don’t even care! Why is everyone in this city such a jerk?” Scootaloo said.

“Maybe our soda’s spiked.” Buck laughed.

“Is that why Berry Punch keeps showing up to bug you?” Scootaloo said, elbowing Buck.

“Haha, that girl needs help. Anyway, I think that primadonna is the last of the big business for the day. Should be smooth sailing.”

Buck rolled his neck slowly and flexed his fingers, making a sound like crackling pop rocks.

“Seriously, Buck. That was like the fifth customer to yell at you today. If I had to do register like that, I think I’d go nuts. In like an hour!”

“Well, it’s like this. The customers don’t know I’ve got it rough. How could they? We come from totally different situations, and I’m sure they’ve got some shit on their plate as well. That girl? Probably has a stable of hungry, bitchy clients that she’s tryin’ to feed last minute, and that’s why she’s so aggro.”

“How do you know that?”

“I don’t. But people tend to get desperate when they’re hungry, or the people around them are, so I’m gonna assume she’s having a bad time.”

“But that doesn’t mean she gets to scream in your face!”

“That’s just customer service. We’re all of us carryin’ weight, Scoots, and people have different ways of reacting to it.”

“There’s no way that lady is as messed up as you are now.”

“Nice,” Buck said.

“No, no, I didn’t mean it like that! I mean it’s not fair that she gets to come in here and throw a tantrum, and we have to stand here and take it!”

“No it’s not, but…listen, the shitty things that people do, nine times out of ten is just a projection of things they’re actually mad about but can’t change. When you realize that, it’s hard to stay mad at people.”

“Well sure, but-”

“Besides, I’ve been hit with enough slurs in my time that they just don’t mean anything anymore. Here, watch; Hey man! How’re you doin’?” Buck said.

A barrel-chested man with tanned orange skin, dark hair, and a basketball under his arm turned from where he was sitting under a ceiling fan. Across from him sat another man with a stumpier build, dark brown skin and pale, cream-colored hair. He looked up and blinked at Buck like a pigeon on the sidewalk.

“Yeah, you! How’s your day? Gonna go shoot some hoops?” Buck said.

“Go fuck yourself, loser!” Said the dark-haired man.

“Yeah! What’s your name?” Said the other.

“It’s Buck.”

“We’re gonna call you FUCK from now on!”

“Haha, yeah! See you later, Fuck! AHAHAHAHAHAH!”

The two men high-fived and walked out of the restaurant.

“Yeah, see? Doesn’t do a thing to me.” Buck said, turning back to Scootaloo. She was slowly pulling a pocket knife out from under her shirt, but at Buck’s shaking head, she put it back.

“Okay, I guess…but Buck, what’s the plan?”

“Whaddya mean?”

“I mean, what are you going to do? About the mission?”

“Well…I guess I’ll do what I always do when shit gets this bad.”

“What’s that?”

“Whatever I have to.”

“I wish I could come with you guys. I feel so useless with this thing on my leg!” Scootaloo said, looking down at her cast.

“Just take it easy. You’ve been bustin’ your ass lately, so you deserve a break.” Buck patted Scootaloo on the head and smiled, but then his shoulder shook in a shudder.

It was that prickly feeling that comes when you know a storm is on the way. Buck had the odd sensation that this could be the last time he got to do that, that if he screwed up in the field, he’d never see Scootaloo’s blushing cheeks or hear her laugh again. For a moment, Buck stood there, lost in that dreading space between now and then.

“You okay?” Scootaloo said.

“I think it's time for my lunch. I’m gonna see if I can squeeze a nap in before I have to come back for round two of food service purgatory. You good up here?”

“Yeah, I’ve got it!”

“Okay, cool. I’ll be in the back.”

“Hey, um…since track season is over, I’m gonna have a bunch of free time coming up. Would it be okay if I hung out with you?”

“Well, sure. You can come over whenever you feel like.”

“Really?”

“Of course, Scoots! You’re always welcome at my place. If it wasn’t for tomorrow, I’d wanna hang tonight. With all this crap falling on my plate one after another, I could really use some love, you know?”

“Hey, Buck?” Scootaloo said.

Buck stopped in the threshold to the combination dish pit and break room.

“Yeah Scoots?”

Scootaloo hugged Buck from the back and squeezed him tight, so hard that it cracked his back a little.

“...You’re my friend.”

“You’re my friend too, Scoots.” Buck sighed and closed his eyes, patting Scootaloo’s hands at his stomach.

“...Now you should maybe let go before Mrs. Cake comes over here and bites my damn head off.”

Scootaloo looked askance, then put her hands behind her back.

Mrs. Cake continued rolling dough, but her sharp eye didn’t leave Buck as he went to the back, sat at the squeaky old table next to the lockers, and put his aching head down.

His hand slid up to grab at the tarnished changeling stone hanging from his neck, and despite all efforts to keep his mind clear, a red haze formed in the air, like the corona of a star, suggesting the shape of a pair of horns on his forehead.

Far away from Sugar Cube Corner, outside the bounds of Canterlot’s city limits, a ravenous malevolence stirred.
In a gloomy corridor, among walls lit only by a sickly green glow, the queen of hungry mouths strolled through the dark with purposeful poise.

She didn’t truly know the layout of her new fortress, but it didn’t matter. With nothing more than a thought, the tunnels opened up to grant her passage.

The ornate, moth-eaten carpeting of her hive made no sound as she strode along on awkward human feet.

Everywhere she looked, the queen saw her drones scuttling to and fro on their hollowed limbs. Some walked upright as their human forms allowed, but some could not help but trot in the traditional quadrupedal way that had been hardwired into them through generations of evolutionary memory.

Their spindly bodies were ashen and stunted like melted candles, their horns barely even formed, and they moved sluggishly, leaving spotty trails of slime behind as they scuttled along.

This hive was no empire in the making. These were not her children, but pale shadows of her once-glorious legacy; fetal abortions that this world had rejected.

The Queen felt the slightest tinge of sadness, somewhere far off in her shriveled heart. She could not afford to ache.

Her true plan was already underway, beating slowly but constantly in a hidden chamber, waiting to turn this tragedy into a triumph.

Every sacrifice she made here was the foundation of the grand vision she had in mind for this world, and not even the suffering of her current brood would turn her from the task.

As the queen strolled along, she could hear the gentle hissing and clicks of her minions communicating, sending messages down the line to keep the hive informed.

There were no secrets here; information for one was information for the hive, and thusly it all found its way to the Queen’s ear one way or another.

A crate was being pushed down the hall. It was open on top and nearly overflowing with pastel-colored crystals. It said “Everfree Quartz” on the side.

The heist in western Canterlot had gone well. A candidate for Them and a small stockpile of enchanted quartz for the hive. Excellent.

The Queen hissed a short order, and her minions scurried off to hide the box.

Another scout came to click in the queen’s ear before shuddering away from the frown on her face.

No luck on capturing that horrific body double of Starlight Glimmer. No matter. She was nothing more than a consolation prize.

There was only one component left to gain.

A hole in the wall retracted, leaving the Queen in a posh suite.

The high ceilings, white columns, and opulent interior of this hive reminded her of the times she spent infiltrating Canterlot. It was almost like returning home. Or it would be if she wasn’t missing a key component.

The Queen sat before a tall mirror, and her keen, hunters’ eyes told her that she was on the verge of starvation.

The holes in her extremities had grown to yawning proportions. Her mossy hair was thin and matted, coming away in clumps as she brushed it. Her eyes were sunken, her proud, dark carapace was ashen and sallow.

Worst of all, without her horn and crown, she felt entirely naked.

There were a few pictures attached to the edges of the mirror around her face, but she was far too hungry to waste her mana on idle practice.

Instead, she picked a photograph off the glass and smiled as a child smiles at a birthday cake.

It was a picture of Buck.

As Chrysalis stroked it with a finger, she started to sing a joyous, predatory song.

“Missing? Goodness no!

I have been right here all along.

Well, I stepped out for a moment,

But I’m back where I belong.

Yes I, the one you care for!

Really who else could I be?

Now just relax my darling

And give all your love to me~!”

Chrysalis rose from her stool, licking her lips, and waved her gnarled talon at the middle of the floor.

A tunnel opened, and from its shadowy depths came a pink light, pulsing with a steady beat.

“Buck! Wake up!” Starlight barked.

Buck blinked awake as a light clicked on.

He was in the back seat of Sunburst’s ratty jeep, it was Tuesday morning, and it was still dark.

The car passed a billboard that said “Canterlot City Limits”.

Starlight Glimmer was driving, Sunburst was in the passenger seat, and Adagio was sitting across from Buck, though she was curled up and her head was down.

The car light was on over Buck’s head, illuminating a notepad with a cross-section of a bizarre combination of beetle and a horse with more question marks on it than descriptions. Sunburst dropped it into Buck’s lap, atop the bundle of clothes he was using like a blanket.

“Are you alright, Buck?” Sunburst said.

“God damn. Who’s dumbass idea was it to come out at the crack of dawn?” Buck grumbled, rubbing his eyes.

“I wanted to leave earlier, but Sunburst insisted we let you sleep in.” Starlight said.

“Sleep in? The fuckin’ sun’s not even awake yet. This a bug hunt or a fishin’ trip?” Buck said.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Starlight muttered.

“Say what?” Buck said.

“The Everfree Mountain Range is three hours away. We don’t know how long this mission will take, but I don’t want to be out here at night.” Starlight said.

“That’s funny, I didn’t want to be here in the mornin’. I do my best to pretend that mornin’ doesn’t exist, unless I have work.” Buck said.

“Well, you’re working now, so pay attention.” Starlight said.

“You gonna comp me for the travel part?” Buck said.

“You’ll get paid once we bag the changeling queen.” Starlight said.

“Great. Tell me when we get to the evil lair.” Buck said, then promptly shut his eyes.

“Buck, can you at least try to take this seriously?” Starlight said.

“I’m listening.” Buck said. “Hit me with the bullet points, brother.”

“Okay! So changelings are one of the least understood species in Equestria. The trait they all have in common is their unique diet. They are the only animals known to equestrian scholars that can naturally consume mana and metabolize it.” Sunburst said.

“You mean besides the sirens, right?” Buck said.

“He said ‘naturally’, Buck. There’s nothing normal about what Adagio is.” Starlight said.

“Yeah, because freaky xenomorph bugs that can suck the fuck out of your brain sounds super normal.” Buck yawned. “What type do you think they are? Bug/Psychic?”

“Bug/Dark, definitely.” Sunburst said.

“I guess Adagio is Water/Psychic?” Buck said.

“Water/Dark. Maybe even Water/Fairy.” Sunburst said.

“Like a Primarina? I can see that. She’s definitely got Sing, and Hyper Voice. Probably has Bubblebeam, and uh…”

“Perish Song?” Sunburst said.

“Nasty Plot.” Buck said.

“Can we please focus?” Starlight said.

“Right, changelings feed on mana as their primary food source. Since their metabolism is so fast, they have a naturally voracious appetite, and without a stable source of energy, they begin to starve. Their bodies start cannabilizing their own biomass in order to survive. That’s what those holes are in their limbs.” Sunburst continued.

“Okay, that’s fucked. But didn’t you say they were sorta…melty?” Buck said.

“That’s not normal. I have a theory, though. Changelings have unstable forms by nature; it helps them transform, but they use mana to maintain those forms; especially the hard exoskeleton that keeps them together. With the mana in this world being so thin as to be non-existent, their bodies start to break down.”

“Fucking hell, that’s a nightmare. They come over here for a new start, only to find out that the world is not just hostile, but nature itself is starvin’ them out.” Buck said.

“Don’t give them your sympathy. They’ll use it against you.” Starlight said. “Changelings are predatory by nature, and their survival instinct drives them to swindle as much emotion as they can. The queen is the worst of them all.”

“And that’s who we’re here to get.” Buck yawned. “So what’s her deal? What’s she look like?”

Sunburst looked at Starlight for a moment.

“You don’t know?” Sunburst said. “I’d think the time she attacked you would be a pretty memorable experience.”

A spinning nonsense doodle appeared over Buck’s head as he rubbed his temple.

“It’s…a blur. I remember her comin’ at me disguised as Adagio. I remember being scared out of my fuckin’ mind, and I remember Ditzy bein’ there, and I think I heard Starlight, too.”

“I guess that makes sense. It must’ve been traumatic.” Sunburst said. “If this is too much for you-”

“We can’t afford to have Buck sit this one out.” Starlight said.

“Because I’m the bait.” Buck said.

“Chrysalis-–that’s the queen—is tall and somewhat skeletal.” Starlight said.

“That’s a pretty name. Do they all have names?” Buck said.

“She has dark gray skin, and matted, greenish hair. When we fought her, she was swollen with your mana like a tick, but she burned through it very quickly, so she’s probably going to look emaciated, but don’t let the sickly facade fool you; she’s immensely dangerous.” Starlight said.

“Yeah, I saw some of that blurry-ass video. She was movin’ super fast and turnin’ into all sorts of shit. I got that much.” Buck said.

“The most dangerous thing about her is that she’s calculating and tricky.” Starlight said.

“Well yeah. Changeling.” Buck said.

“More than the rest, Buck. She as old as Adagio and twice as vicious.” Starlight said.

“Older.” Adagio yawned. “She’s older than me by a long way, and she’s deranged.”

“Right. You two are acquainted.” Sunburst said.

“Birds of a feather.” Starlight said.

“Don’t you dare compare me to that creature!” Adagio hissed.

“If the shoe fits…” Starlight said.

“Excuse me?” Adagio said.

“I said, if the shoe fits!” Starlight said, louder.

“Now, now, we’re a team today! Let’s not start bickering.” Sunburst said.

“Okay, okay but if the queen’s starving, and her people are starving, and not even fucking with Canterlot is enough to keep them fed, why don’t we just let ‘em alone? Won’t they starve themselves out in time?” Buck said.

“That’s…cruel.” Sunburst said.

“Isn’t it, just?” Adagio smiled. “But we can’t afford to wait. We can assume that the hive’s numbers are very few right now due to lack of resources, otherwise their attacks would be more frequent. The queen is desperate enough to work with humans who are stockpiling mana for something big. If Chrysalis has been working with them thus far and is confident that they’re going to give her what they owe, then that means…?”

“It means she probaby knows what their plan is.” Buck said.

“Very good.” Adagio said.

“Which is why we’re going to capture her, and interrogate her instead of killing her.” Starlight said.

“That’s why?” Sunburst said, under his breath.

“Another query; the cloaks have not deigned to give Chrysalis enough mana to keep her children fed. Why do you think that is?” Adagio said.

“If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because they know if the changelings become too numerous, their entire operation could be overrun, and suddenly Chrysalis would have the keys to the castle. Whatever the cloak’s resources are, whatever their plans are, they would become property of the queen. Chances are, that has been Chrysalis’ goal all along.” Starlight said.

“...very good. But I was talking to Buck.” Adagio said.

“Whatever. So we’ve got to deal with her before the cloaks make their play, because as long as the changelings are operating, the cloaks have the numbers advantage. And because she’s too dangerous to leave alone.” Buck said.

“Correct,” Adagio said.

“So what’s the play?” Buck said.

“Before that, there’s one more thing you need to know about the queen. Changeling queens habitually absorb the total mana collected by their scouts, and then spread it evenly across the hive.” Adagio said.

“How do you know that?” Sunburst said, scribbling notes.

“I studied the process of metabolic mana conversion at G.G.A.A. I had to in order to control the amulets, and figure out what not to do when feeding. Taking in too much emotionally charged mana, or even taking in the mana of a disorganized crowd…it’s overstimulating, to say the least.”

“Like when you were on the bus that one time?” Buck said.

“Exactly.” Adagio blushed. “Imagine having to process the love, affection, arousal, terror and anguish of hundreds of people, every single day, otherwise your children will starve. Chrysalis has been doing it for countless generations.”

“So you’re saying she's a pretty good mom?”

“She's dangerously unstable, almost certainly. And desperate. Everyone has a limit, and their minds can only bend so much before they finally snap. It is imperative that you don’t take her lightly, Buck. If you give her even the slightest emotional opening, she’ll pounce.” Adagio said.

Buck turned and stared at Adagio for a long moment.

“Yeah. That sounds familiar.” Buck said.

Back in the hive, an orange light flickered with black flames behind a wide, wooden desk. On either side of the desk was a pair of grand staircases that sloped upward into the green gloom.

Ages ago, this space was used to greet visitors, but now the wall behind the desk was stripped of photographs to play host to an intricate spell circle filled with blasphemous runes.

The unholy light howled with the voice of hades before opening to reveal a cloaked figure standing in an ominous cabin room lit exclusively by a crackling fireplace.

“Hey there, Chrissi!” Said the figure.

“It’s Queen Chrysalis. Why do you insist on wasting mana to contact me via scrying?”

“You’re a special case! We don’t mind using a bucket of magic to get in contact with you, even if we can’t do it all of the time!”

“You could just call me on my phone.”

“Oh, you old so-and-so! You say the funniest things! Didn’t you steal that phone? It’s not yours!”

“It is a phone. That I have. Therefore, it is my phone.”

“Well, I like what you’ve done with the place! Very, uh…green.”

“What do you want?”

“Oh, just a normal check up! I just wanted to peek in and see how you’re doing, and have a little girl talk! How are you? How are the kids? What’s the buzz? Hehe! Get it?”

“We’re fine. Lively, even. There, does that suffice?”

“No, no! Tell me what’s been going on! Are you doing something with your hair?”

“No.”

“Well, our master wants to know if your bugs have found any viable candidates!”

“None that you would be interested in. Now, I have queenly duties to attend to, and I don’t have time for idle prattle.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Yes, naturally. If I find anyone in this disguting town that’s worth the effort of kidnapping I will let you know, now are we done?”

“No, I don’t think we are. Your little kids have been busy lately, haven’t they?”

“Going on wild goose chases for your sake, yes.”

“Oh, Chryssi. You know that’s not what I mean! You’ve been reckless, sending your little feelers out with no permission! Our master wants to know why.”

“If your organization would give me more than a piddling pittance of mana, I wouldn’t need to rove out. And you can tell that shriveled up bag of bones that if he wants to quiz me, he can do it himself.”

The scrying circle blazed. The surface of the image stretched like cellophane, then rent asunder with a sizzling pop.

The figure stepped through the thin walls between distant spaces and emerged from behind the desk. The hood fell back, revealing a bright smile beneath a frigid blue glare.

“Say that again.” Minuette said, her toothy smile extending nearly to her ears. When she spoke, the top of her head shifted unsteadily, and her sunken eyes resembled the sockets of a skull.

“I understand, I didn’t mean to-” Chrysalis started.

“No, no you don’t,” Minuette interjected. “You don’t get to scuttle away from this one, Queenie! You seem to be going a little deaf in your old age, so let me remind you how this works.”

Minuette paced around Chrysalis, her every step feeling like the breath of a freezing tundra. The desk and banisters twinkled with gathering frost.

“We give you mana. You make your freaky little bloodhounds and send them sniffing around the city. You tell us who smells like magic, and then we go and get them. If they aren’t viable candidates, we send them to you as a little bonus. We do this until our plans for Canterlot are done, at which point, there will be more than enough magic to go around.”

“I-” Chrysalis began, but Minuette continued.

“We achieve our goals, you get your mana. Everyone wins! But only if we work as a team! Now tell me, do you really think that what you did the other day counts as teamwork?”

“What is this? Why are you talking to me like we’re in a boardroom meeting?” Chrysalis said.

“Oh, well I know you spent some time as a businesswoman. I thought that tone would suit you! Here, let me try another one.” Minuette said.

Minuette pointed a finger, and a beam of crackling black energy struck one of the drones wandering up the stairs.

It squealed like a stuck pig as its limbs froze over, shuddering and weeping as it reached for its mother, but it was too late. The dark ice hardened over the drone. It teetered down the stairs, rolling once, twice, and then shattering at the queen’s feet.

“You know what I can do to this place if I feel like it.” Minuette said.

“Yes.” Chrysalis said.

“You know what’s at stake if you fail us.”

“Yes.”

“So you’ll rein in your little horseflies because you know that if you cooperate, your people’s future is assured.”

“Yes.”

“Great! Now, how about a smile?”

Chrysalis’s cheeks creaked like a rusty door hinge. Her lips turned up.

“No, no, bigger! Like you really mean it! This is for the boss!”

Chrysalis’ smile widened to show her vicious fangs.

“There! That’s perfect!”

Minuette pulled a phone from inside her cloak, and without the barest hint of irony, she threw an arm around Chrysalis’ neck and dragged her down cheek-to-cheek to take a selfie. The remains of the flash-frozen changeling drone were in the background, right past the queen’s pained smile.

“There! Now the boss will know you’re totally serious about cleaning up your act, right!?” Minuette said.

“...right.”

“Okay, well, it’s been a lovely talk!” Minuette strode toward the scrying circle, now a portal.

“Speak for yourself…” Chrysalis muttered.

“Ooh! Actually, I changed my mind. Since you’ve been such a busy bee, I think I’ll have a look around and see if you’ve grabbed any decent candidates by mistake!” Minuette said, turning on a heel.

“You don’t have to do that. They’re all just fodder.” Chrysalis said.

“Oh, Chryssi, my fun bug! Funny, clever Chryssi!” Minuette giggled.

“What?”

“I wasn’t asking.”

After that last exchange, Buck had sat quietly for what felt like fifty years, watching as morning light slowly filled the world around the jeep. The countryside to the west of Canterlot was surprisingly verdant and packed with towering elm trees, shifting in the summer breeze.

Despite the changeling stone around his neck, red fancies fluttered just outside the window where Buck was looking; a fuzzy image of two people jazz dancing energetically.

“What is that little bundle of clothing you have there?” Adagio said.

“It’s an old jean jacket and a scarf.” Buck said, joylessly.

“Well, I think the faded blue and the bright pink will make for an interesting compliment in your outfit.” Adagio tried.

“Yeah, sure.” Buck said.

“Why did you bring winter clothes? Sunburst said.

“I figured since we’re going to the Everfree Mountains, it might get nippy.” Buck said.

“That’s asinine.” Starlight said.

“What? Why?” Buck said.

“First of all, it’s summer. Second, we’re not going to the top of the mountains!” Starlight said.

“Well, why the fuck not!? If I was a freaky flying bug bitch, I’d definitely put my fortress of doom on top of a mountain!” Buck said.

“Changelings are vulnerable to the cold! They don’t live in snowy regions!” Starlight said.

“How was I supposed to know that?” Buck said.

“Because it’s obvious. They’re insectoid.” Starlight said.

“It’s easier to understand if you think of them like awful little cockroaches,” Adagio said. Changelings prefer warm regions, and thrive in inhabited environments where they can leech off the scraps of others, multiply under their noses and then take over.”

“Eww.” Buck said.

“They tend to prefer warmth; both in their habitat and their food. That’s probably why the queen was drawn to you in the first place.” Sunburst said. “They typically establish a throne in an area dense with living foliage and then pull mana from the very ground until it becomes an arid desert.”

“So what are they doing in the mountains, then? Ain’t that a bit counter-intuitive?” Buck said.

“Considering they’re using a network of tunnels beneath the mountain, I think it's a fair assumption that the hive is somewhere below ground. This world doesn’t have any ambient magic, so it makes sense to prioritize defense over potential mana gains when constructing a lair.” Adagio said.

“Is that why you live in a suite overlooking Canterlot? Because invading it on foot would be hard?” Buck said.

“Very good, Buck.” Adagio smiled.

Buck rolled his eyes.

“Let’s go over the plan.” Starlight said. “When we get to the foot of the mountain park area, Sunburst, Adagio and I will cast the spell we developed to seek out mana signatures at a long range.”

“What’s it called? Does it have a name?” Buck said.

“The spell? No, it doesn’t. It’s just a locator spell we made to track that sprinter girl.” Starlight said.

“Well, why not call it the Locatorinator, or something?” Buck said.

“I was thinking about Starlight and Sunbursts’ Magnificent Manafinder.” Sunburst said.

“Since my contribution is going to make the spell function over such a distance, I’d like the augmentation to be called Adagio’s Excellent Extension.” Adagio chimed in.

"That sounds like a siren-branded strap-on." Buck said.

"That's not a terrible idea, honestly." Adagio said.

“It doesn’t need a name!” Starlight barked.

“I mean there’s three people on the project. Kinda sounds like it needs a name.” Buck said.

The steering wheel creaked as Starlight clenched down on it. Sunburst touched her thigh and smiled.

“Whatever, Buck. The spell will give us a direct line to Chrysalis. We’ll then apply the enchantment to a tracking talisman.”

“So it can act as a freaky bug bitch compass! Got it.” Buck said.

“We can expect to be intercepted along the way. If we get separated, the priority is getting back to Buck.” Sunburst said.

“Buck, can you toss up a signal if that happens?”

“Yeah. If I get snatched and y’all’re nearby, I’ll just make a huge fart noise.” Buck yawned.

“If you get lost on your own, just stay put. We’ll come and get you.” Starlight said. “Since you have the biggest, loudest mana signature, you’re obviously the priority target.” Starlight said.

“Okay, Mom.” Buck said.

“The best case scenario is that we make it to the hive without being detected, capture the queen and take her in. Our components are running low, especially since Cauldron Bubbles was hit.” Sunburst said.

“Buck, we’ll be depending on you to give us mana boosts. A combined assault on Chrysalis by me and Adagio would probably be enough to take her down.” Starlight said.

“I can take Chrysalis myself. I’ve already done it once.” Adagio said.

“Yes, but you had rain and you drained Sunburst for it!” Starlight said.

“Your point?” Adagio said.

“So that’s not happening. You’ll take her head-on while I attack at range with mana bolts. We’ll whittle her down, and once she gets tired, we’ll knock her into a snare spell, and that will be that.” Starlight said.

“And what about the legion of slimy drones that’s sure to come for our heads?” Adagio said.

“I was getting to that. Sunburst, can you do crowd control, like you did at the park?” Starlight said.

“With Buck’s power? I could do a lot more than that.” Sunburst said.

“Oooh! Confident! I like it.” Starlight smiled at Sunburst.

“Look at that! You do have a heart.” Adagio laughed.

“Yeah, well, uh…moving on! Since we’re going spelunking, what do we have for a light?” Starlight said, blushing.

“I can do light, no problem. It’ll give me somethin’ to do besides bein’ bait!” Buck said.

The snowcapped Everfree Mountains rose in the west as the jeep bumped along the country road. As the party discussed their strategy, they didn’t notice a barricaded side road that was all but grown over, marked by a large and fancy sign that was more bush than billboard; one marked with the name ‘Snowdrop Inn’ in big, ornate letters.

In the dense tree line, several pairs of green eyes narrowed, then swiftly took off into the underbrush next to the path.

A door clattered open, revealing a spacious kitchen that would have been very warm and welcoming if it weren’t for the rows of hanging cocoons lining the walls and ceiling.

A small portion of Canterlot’s resident population groaned in despair against their slimy restraints, their unsleeping eyes filling with dread as two monsters strolled in.

“Well isn’t this a cute little pantry! Let’s see what’s on the menu.” Minuette said.

Chrysalis trailed behind Minuette, her head filled with internal screams as the ghoul perused her selection of snacks.

“Kind of an empty fridge, don’t you think?” Minuette said.

“If finding magically potent humans was easy, you’d do it on your own.” Chrysalis said.

“Oh, Chryssi, you know that magic isn’t all that matters! It’s all about their attitude! Let me see…too sad, too sleepy, too normal…how about this one?” Minuette said.

Chrysalis waved a hand and a slimy cocoon opened, revealing a woman with purple skin and pink hair who blinked as if she was in a dream. She looked around, then her eyes widened. She was still in her apron from work.

“That’s the freshest one we have,” Chrysalis said.

“She looks…boring.” Minuette said.

“Excuse me!?” Said Cauldron Bubbles.

“It’s a bit old by human standards, but my scouts are certain she has potential.” Chrysalis said.

“What is this place? Why am I…OH GOD WHAT IS THIS!?” Cauldron Bubbles said.

“Shut her up.” Minuette said.

Chrysalis waved a hand and a glob of green slime enveloped Cauldron Bubbles’ mouth, turning her panic attack into a muffled, wide-eyed whimper.

“Let’s see what she’s got!” Minuette said. A stream of black energy, tinged with light blue sparkles came howling out of Cauldron Bubbles’ chest and collected in the palm of Minuette’s hand.

She lifted it and shook it like a melon in a produce aisle, then frowned.

“Well?” Chrysalis said.

“Vanity, Greed…Boredom. But only a teeny tiny amount of despair. Needs more time in the oven, don’t you think?” Minuette said.

“That one came from a location which my scouts claim was filled with emotional energy. That’s the entire reason we struck it in the first place.”

“Then your scouts are dumb. You must have grabbed the wrong person. You can’t seriously think that this weak, stale mana was worth breaking the rules, right?”

“My children are starving. If you aren’t going to give us the mana we need to survive, then-”

“Then you’ll just have to work with less bugs. Maybe make some minions that’re like, at least semi-competent? Did you seriously go against orders just for this? Or…did you find something else?”

Minuette turned slowly, just barely missing the look of panic that flashed across Chrysalis’ face.

She couldn’t know about the plan. It simply wasn’t possible.

“Actually, your bugs have been looking a whole lot like slugs lately. Why are they breaking down so fast? I could have sworn we just gave you your mana rations…” Minuette said. Her smile spread once more, and now Chrysalis could see the edges of Minuette’s lips part further than was humanly possible.

“You requested more scouts than I could reasonably make with the pittance of mana you gave me. Of course they’re somewhat defective!” Chrysalis said.

“But you still sent them out to collect without telling us. Are you hiding something, Chryssi? You wouldn’t do that, would you? After all, we’re friends, right?”

Chrysalis opened her mouth. Suddenly, Minuette had her by the throat, her free index finger glowing with a dark blue light.

“Time to test out my new trick!” Minuette said, and she touched Chrysalis on the forehead.

Thoughts raced out of Chrysalis’ head like they were being sucked through a straw. She knew this spell well, it was a simple mind-reading spell she’d used many times before to peer into the brains of hapless patsies and learn their dirty little secrets.

Images streaked by Chrysalis’ eyes; stalking Adagio and Buck briefly on the boardwalk, stalking Adagio at the office, stalking Buck to his apartment. A lot of stalking, in retrospect. Chrysalis desperately tried to anchor her thoughts and stop them from being dragged out of her skull.

As long as she didn’t find out about the plan, nothing else mattered.

Suddenly the spell broke, and Minuette let go.

“So you had to case the siren for a while before you could take her identity. And you’re sort of obsessed with that Buck guy, too! Did you know he was part of the group that donked up our plans the other day?”

“He did?”

“See, I’ve met him, like once, and he seemed pretty dumpy. But he’s Adagio’s special pet, isn’t he? I heard that his mana is a little extra, but I didn’t know he was so potent until now! Why didn’t you tell us?”

“He doesn’t have any of the characteristics you told me to search for!”

“He’s overflowing with mana, and he looks like kind of a mess. That’s exactly what we want.”

“But his mana signature is-”

“Not what we want. But we can fix that.”

“No!” Chrysalis hissed.

“What did you just say?”

“Let me handle him! I spent just as much time watching him as I did watching Adagio Dazzle. I know his weaknesses; there is no one in your stable that could break him better than me. Surely, you must understand that!”

“Didn't you already get beat by them once?”

“Yes, but that was different! I was out in the wild, alone and without any support. If I could just get him here, I could twist him to your purposes with the greatest of ease.”

“Are you sure, Chryssi?”

“I would stake my life on it.”

“Deal! You’re gonna capture that Buck guy and fill him with so much hatred and despair, he’ll be the perfect fuel for our big day! But if you can’t? We’ll see how he feels after he comes back from a little trip to hell.”

The blood drained from the changeling queen’s face.

“Trust me, Chryssi, dying has a way of…sorta…changing your perspective!” Minuette smiled.

A scout rushed into the pantry. Its back legs were forming a puddle on the floor as it skidded to a halt before the queen. It hissed a quick and dire message to Chrysalis before hobbling off to go die somewhere out of sight.

“What’d he say?” Minuette said.

“They said we have guests. Our mutual foes are approaching by car.”

“Ooh! Who is it?”

“That pathetic excuse for a sea monster, the manaless meddler, the…orange one? And Buck.”

“Oh. Oh! Would’ja lookit that, Chryssi! Just in the nick of time! Tell you what; since you’ve been such a good host, I’ll help you out!” Minuette said, heading for the door.

Chrysalis followed with a quick stride as Minuette marched past the welcome desk, up the grand curving stairs and to a glass door leading out onto a balcony.

“What are you going to do!?” Chrysalis said.

The balcony overlooked a sloping valley filled with towering trees and a singular road that was largely overgrown.

“You’re gonna need help dealing with all those guys, so I’ll make things super easy for you!” Minuette said.

Minuette stepped out into the humid summer air and swayed to a tune that no one could hear.

"Are...you about to sing?" Chrysalis said.

The ghoul’s jaw dropped, unleashing a ghastly howl that sounded like the lamentations of a thousand lost souls.

The trees on the mountain slope shivered and shook. The wind wailed, and the sky darkened.

A snowflake drifted into the room and landed in Chrysalis’ hand, then there was a clamorous patter on the roof that ranged out across the vista.

Chrysalis shivered as she looked out on what Minuette had wrought; a sudden and violent snowstorm blanketed the valley in white, and just as quickly as it started, it came to a stop.

“...why?” Chrysalis said, shivering.

“This will make it hard for them to move around out there!” Minuette said.

“But why is it around my hive!?” Chrysalis said.

“A little incentive! You’ll go and get Buck like you promised, and after you fix him up, you’ll hand him over to us! If you don’t, well…we’ll just leave you here to freeze to death. Either way, you’ll do what we tell you. Okay?” Minuette said.

“...Understood.” Chrysalis said, through gritted teeth.

It was for her future, for her kingdom. She would do anything for her kingdom.

Chrysalis hissed in the language of the changelings, and all of the drones around her erupted into a flurry of motion.

“Great! Let’s go!” Minuette said.

"What?" Chrysalis said.

"I'm going to help you!"

"You can't be serious."

"We can take them, together! You know what they say; teamwork makes the dreamwork!"

"Did you just make that up?"

"Oh, sorry, that's kind of a human thing to say, isn't it? Here, let me try again."

"You really don't have to do that."

"You know what they say! Friendship is magic!"

The air behind Minuette rent open with a sound like meat being seared. Ghastly orange energy crackled into a portal, the hole in space showing a place far further down the mountain.

“And Chryssi?” Minuette said.

"What?" Chrysalis seethed.

“Don’t forget to smile!” Minuette said.

Chrysalis screamed for murder inside her own head, then with agonizing slowness, her lips turned up in the most uncomfortable smile to ever sour her face.

At the foot of the Everfree mountain range, Sunbursts’ jeep came to a stop as it cleared the trees. Several feet of freshly fallen snow coated everything in sight, with more drifting down from the dark clouds overhead.

Starlight, Sunburst, Adagio, and Buck stepped out of the vehicle, mouths agape at the transformation that had taken place, their breath steaming up in the frigid air.

“Hey, Starlight?” Buck said.

“What?” Starlight said, shivering.

“Eat a dick.” Buck said. A small swarm of middle fingers floated around his head.

As Starlight glared at Buck, then at her feet then at the absurdity of the situation, Sunburst came from the back of the jeep with a jacket that he draped around her shoulders.

“I guess it never hurts to be prepared!” Sunburst said, pulling on his teal, starry cloak. He also had on a postman’s bag, which was definitely populated by books.

“This is ridiculous! How could I possibly know there would be snow!? It doesn’t make any sense!” Starlight said gesturing around at her snowcapped surroundings.

“It’s magic. We ain’t gotta explain shit. Buck one, Starlight nothin’!” Buck said, putting on his jacket and bright pink scarf.

“Magic is just metaphysics with a horn!” Starlight said.

“That’s an opinion that you are having!” Adagio said.

Buck turned his head. Adagio had just put on a familiar hoodie. One with a pink interior.

“That’s…that’s my hoodie.” Buck said.

“Hm? Yes it is. I took it when I went grocery shopping with your precious Ditzy Doo.” Adagio said.

“You kept it?”

“It’s comfortable. Of course I kept it, Buck.”

“Did you also think it’d be cold, or what?”

“You can have it back if you want it.”

Adagio started to slide the hoodie off, giving Buck a peek at her midriff.

“No, no, no, you’re good! You can keep it! It suits you!” Buck said, turning away.

“Fair enough.” Adagio said. With a smirk, she leaned into the jeep and came back with a rapier, which she promptly belted to her side. It had an insignia of a dolphin emblazoned on the side of the scabbard.

“This has to be some kind of trick to slow us down. Adagio, do you taste any changelings nearby?” Starlight said.

“This snow is watering down the flavor of everything nearby. So no, I don’t taste anything besides you seething.” Adagio said.

“So we’re going in blind. I wonder how they did it? The amount of mana it would cost is…” Sunburst trailed off, writing down notes.

“Guess we oughta get goin’ then. Before they find us.” Buck said.

“Too true. Let’s get started on that tracking spell.” Adagio said.

“But how are we supposed to put down a spell circle in all of this mush?” Starlight said.

“Do you have the diagram?” Adagio said.

“...yes.” Starlight said.

“Give it here.” Adagio said, holding out a hand.

Starlight hesitated for a moment, glaring at Adagio.

“Really? Would you rather throw your hands up and go home?”

Starlight sighed and handed over a piece of paper covered in diagrams and calculations. Adagio’s eyes dashed across the page quickly.

“Buck? Could I have your hand for a moment?”

“Fine.” Buck said.

“Without that horrible thing around your neck, please.” Adagio said.

Buck took a moment to steady himself, then he gingerly removed the changeling stone necklace and handed it to Sunburst.

Adagio took Buck’s hand and winced at the bad taste in her mouth. He was past upset. He was deeply wounded; bitter and cold. Something had happened.

Instead of making mention, Adagio held out a hand and hummed a soft tune to the ice at her feet.

The snow shifted slowly, gradually forming a spell circle that matched the diagram one for one.

“There, now. It won’t last long with this falling snow, so let’s get started. Like we discussed.” Adagio said, moving to the edge of the circle, pulling Buck along.

“Can I have that back? It’s leaky, but it’s keeping my mana in.” Buck said.

“Actually, I think you should keep it off. You’re supposed to be bait, for one, and we’re about to perform a spell, anyway. We need your mana to be unobstructed.” Starlight said.

“I guess that makes sense. But if Sunburst has it, how’s he gonna do the spell?” Buck said.

“Oh, it’s actually pretty interesting! It turns out that changeling stone has a sort of attunement property! It has to be directly attached to a person, place, or thing in order to nullify magic. So as long as I have it here in my bag, the only thing it’s protecting is the bag!”

“That’s…okay, wow. Magic.” Buck said.

“Changeling stone is technically an artifact, and their specific method of enchantment is actually very interesting. If you want, we could-”

“Alright, alright, let’s not get sidetracked again!” Starlight said.

Starlight plucked a tracking talisman from her pocket and placed it inside the circle.

Starlight, Sunburst, and Adagio stood around the small spell circle, leaving a spot open for Buck.

“Buck? If you would?” Adagio said.

Buck closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, and suddenly his hands grew warm. A spark of pink zigzagged down his arms to Adagio on his right and Sunburst on his left, through to Starlight at the far end.

“Excellent form!” Sunburst said.

“Thanks, brother.” Buck said.

“This is a surprisingly small amount. Can't you give us some more?” Starlight said.

“There’s fucking four of you, and I’m tired. Give me a break.” Buck said. The mana wavered a bit.

“A break? We just got here!” Starlight said.

"Buck, don't worry about it, just go with the flow." Sunburst said.

“Enough chitchat. Sunburst, the arrow and tether.” Adagio said.

The spell circle ignited with pink light. A ball of mana formed, floating over the center, flickering like a flame. Sunburst muttered under his breath, and the pink flame slowly sculpted itself into the shape of an arrow with a trailing thread of force at the end.

“Now, the signature…” Starlight said.

Adagio hummed. The mana shifted to a sickly green color, dripping like the fangs of a venomous snake. It turned slowly to point north.

“I’ve got it.” Adagio said.

The spell crackled and guttered unsteadily.

“Hold it together!” Starlight barked.

“I’m doing my best!” Buck said.

“If you don’t put some more heat behind it, it won’t reach the target!” Starlight said.

“Shut up and launch it already!” Adagio said.

Starlight grunted and pointed in the arrow’s direction. With a sound like a silenced pistol, it snapped out in a straight line, through the trees, through the mountains, out of sight.

Starlight picked up the sensing stone in the center of the circle, now sending off a beam in a northward direction, down a path through the trees.

Buck quickly pulled his hand away from Adagio.

"Alright. Let's get going. I'll take point. Buck, you're right behind me." Starlight said.

"Why? Because you’re the slowest walker?" Buck said.

Starlight turned to glare at Buck and found only an oblivious expression.

"With your power, I can blast anything that attacks from the front. Adagio, you take up the rear." Starlight said.

"Naturally, since I can eviscerate anyone that tries to flank us, and I'm easily the best fighter here." Adagio said.

"Second best." Starlight said. She began moving briskly down the path despite her limp.

"Adorable." Adagio said, pulling her hood up over her hair.

Buck and Sunburst shared a bewildered glance.

"...how the fuck did you do that?" Buck said.

"Do what?" Adagio said.

"The hair, and the hoodie and…physics?" Sunburst said.

"How are you fitting all of that in there? Buck said.

"What can I say? I'm good at fitting large things in tight spaces. Isn’t that right, Buck?" Adagio said.

Adagio gave Buck a smirk, but he just frowned and followed after Starlight Glimmer.

"Do you want me to say something to her?" Starlight said, quietly.

"So you can start a fuckin' fight? Naw. She doesn't mean nothin' by it. She just has a hard time turning it off."

"Or she's trying to get under your skin again."

"Who cares? I'm about business today, and as long as she is, too, there's no problem."

"So you're finally taking this seriously?"

"No promises." Buck smiled.

“Can you try to not be a disaster today? That’s all I’m asking.” Starlight groaned.

“Me? You’re wearin’ that jacket, and I’m the disaster?”

“This jacket? It came out of Sunbursts’ trunk. What’s wrong with it?”

Buck looked at Starlight, then at her back.

The jacket was a relic from their college days, a slightly tarnished leather affair with custom embroidery on the back.

It said “Your waifu is trash” in bold white letters.

“...nothin’. Nothin’ at all.” Buck said.

The party was in no way prepared to trudge through several feet of snow, and so walking along the path toward their target was slow going and obnoxious.

Buck complained about wet socks exactly once before resigning himself to the dark fate of cold, wet toes, and every once in a while he snuck a glance back at Adagio, who was keeping a respectable distance. Whenever Buck looked her way, she turned her head to an interesting shrub or a bird in a tree.

A few yards ahead, Sunburst noticed Adagio lagging behind. Her arms were crossed and she looked like she was lost in the metaphorical woods.

After thinking about it for a moment, Sunburst slowed down to walk with her.

“So. Here we are again.” Sunburst said.

“You don’t have to slow down for me.” Adagio said.

“It’s fine, I’m not really the hiking type, anyway.” Sunburst said. “So why are you all the way back here?”

"He hates me."

“No he doesn’t.”

“He hates me, and he’s being dramatic.”

"Adagio, don't do this today. Buck is having a very hard time."

"He’s always having a hard time, for one reason or another."

"Do you want to keep being one of those reasons?"

Adagio turned to glare at Sunburst, and found a look with just as much venom in his eyes.

"Don’t test me, Sunburst."

"Leave him alone. He's trying to focus on the mission."

"Well, you're awfully friendly today."

Sunburst said nothing in response.

"Look, I'm sorry I hurt the love of your life again, but I did not come out here to be judged."

"Do you want some advice?"

Adagio tasted fresh sadness, clear and cold like snowmelt. It shocked her.

"...please,"Adagio said.

"Stop playing with him. If you want to keep acting as colleagues, which is about the best you can hope for, you need to create an environment in which you both feel safe and respected."

"I did that!"

"And then you made a move on him regardless. So why should he trust you?"

"So he told you what happened. Is that why you’re so angry?"

“I was on your side, Adagio.”

“We’re on the same side.”

"I really thought you two were a good fit. Now I get exhausted just looking at you. You're so frustrated with each other that it's hard to tell if you were lovers before or enemies.”

"I don't think I'd mind being his enemy for a little while. At least then he'd talk to me." Adagio said, blushing.

"Has anyone told you that you're kind of the worst?" Sunburst snorted.

"That title is highly contested among my sisters. I don't have the right to claim it." Adagio smiled.

"No, but seriously, leave him alone. He's hurting, and you’re bad for his stress."

“I will do as I please, little boy.”

“Adagio, it’s me. Sunburst. Everyone’s friend?”

"What?"

“Even though I’m upset with you, you don’t have to do the Adagio thing with me. We can just talk.”

“I don’t have a thing! Why does everyone think I have a ‘thing’?”

“I guess that’s just the price of being known.” Sunburst shrugged.

“You don’t know me, Sunburst.”

“Yeah. I guess I don’t.” Sunburst sighed.

Sunbursts’ disappointment was like a thousand pitch-black coffees. It rankled Adagio so much that she failed to notice the subtle shuffling in the trees overhead.

Adagio frowned, then reached into the pouch in the front of her hoodie.

"We're about to do something very dangerous. Take this.” Adagio said, holding out a black leatherbound book

"Is that what I think it is?"

“Stygian’s Book of spells. Take it.”

“Are you sure you want to give me this?”

"Buck trusts you with his power. I can trust you with this."

"You know this doesn’t change anything, right?" Sunburst said.

“I know. I know! I’m the villain in Buck’s life and I’ve ruined everything and he despises me now and you’re protecting him from me, and everything is terrible. I get it.”

“Playing the victim isn’t going to change anything, either,” Sunburst said.

“If you promise to use it responsibly, you can take the book. For today.” Adagio said.

Sunburst took the book with trepidation and flipped through it, his frown gradually turning up.

“Now when you say ‘responsibly’...” Sunburst said.

"I knew I liked you." Adagio smiled.

"You guys keepin' up?" Buck said, over his shoulder. He was several paces ahead.

"We're coming! We're just taking in this clear air!" Sunburst said.

"Oh yeah, there's a silver lining, huh? Canterlot always smells like piss and income disparity, but out here…I mean, just look around!"

Adagio sucked in the brisk mountain air.

"Ancient trees, running streams and even fresh snowfall. Clean, unobstructed nature. It's majestic." Adagio said.

"You can say that again." Buck said. "Kinda wish we were out here for fun."

Adagio and Buck smiled at each other, and for a second, everything in the world seemed fine, but then Buck’s warm expression fell away, and he turned to catch up with Starlight.

Sunburst followed behind, smiling and shaking his head.

“What are you smiling about?” Adagio said.

“This all would be so much easier if you two were friends. He really liked being your friend.” Sunburst sighed, tasting mournful as if he was attending a funeral for Buck and Adagio’s bond.

The days of getting violently inebriated and watching cartoons at Buck’s apartment seemed like a distant memory. It was painfully amazing how complicated things had gotten.

“How would it be easier, exactly?” Adagio said.

“I’ve read plenty of friendship lessons, but none of them were like this.” Sunburst said.

“You…friendship….what?” Adagio said.

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just do our best today, okay?” Sunburst said, patting Adagio on the shoulder.

“We’re friends…?” Adagio said.

“Move it, people!” Starlight barked, from much further down the path.

After another twenty minutes of walking, Starlight approached a cave carved into the side of the mountain, large enough for a small group to enter, shoulder to shoulder. The sound of rushing water echoed faintly from inside, and there were no visible light sources.

“Well, that’s ominous.” Starlight said. Her sensing stone’s beam led directly into the darkness.

“Is it?” Buck said, standing in front of a sign placed just inside the mouth of the cave. “Seems pretty touristy to me. Check it out; says that the caves are mostly made of dolomites, limestones and shales. Neat. Oughta bring Maud here, she loves this shit.”

“Ooh! There’s trivia?” Sunburst gasped from far behind on the trail. He paused and doubled over, hands on his knees as he caught his breath.

“Can we please focus for just a second? This isn’t a day trip, and we’re not here to sightsee!” Starlight said, standing between Buck and the depths of the cavern.

“Isn’t it, though? I mean, this is probably the closest thing I’m going to get to a vacation this year!” Buck said.

“Well, that’s depressing.” Adagio said, bringing up the rear. She caught up to Sunburst at a casual pace, then stopped mid-stride and drew her rapier.

“What, what is it?” Sunburst said.

The canopy on either side of the path chirped like a chorus of crickets.

“Company.” Adagio said.

Sunburst suddenly jerked backward with a yelp, a glob of green slime smacking into the ground where he had been standing.

Adagio pulled him by the collar into the trees as phlegm rained onto the walking path with a smattering of wet plopping sounds.

Sunburst heard shouts from the mouth of the cave, but it was drowned out by the buzzing of wings.

“Move!” Adagio shouted, and Sunburst rushed through the trees, flipping frantically through Stygian’s spellbook.

Adagio heard a queer shifting noise somewhere nearby. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Babe?"

Adagio turned and saw Buck looking at her with concern.

"Buck, what are you doing?"

"Babe, it's okay."

"What?"

"Babe, it's okay." Buck repeated. He touched Adagio's cheek and smiled.

Buck coughed and looked down to see Adagio's blade had pierced him. His face melted off to reveal a hideous visage as Adagio booted him off her sword.

Adagio looked around and saw Buck again. And again, and again, and each Buck she saw had his arms out as if to embrace her. Each of them bore a perfect recreation of Buck's tender smile.

"You horrible little vermin!" Adagio screamed, tears pooling in her eyes as she brought her blade to bear.

Buck screamed in pain as Adagio's rapier sliced through him over and over.

More drones were coming, climbing down the trees, too many to count. Adagio couldn't possibly fight them all, and she wasn't sure how many times she could kill Buck before she vomited in her mouth.

Adagio ran.

She sang to the snow piled up in the canopy above, and it slowly sharpened into spikes.

Flashes of light came from past the treeline at the mouth of the cave, where a blast of blazing pink light smacked a copy of Sunburst into the cave wall.

"So much for 'very few numbers', huh!?" Buck said.

Starlight took a staggering turn, supporting her arm as another blast of pink mana exploded out of her palm, sending a copy of Scootaloo flying through the air.

“These are supposed to be beams! What is wrong with your mana!?” Starlight said.

The changelings that were blasted away rose to their feet and came charging right back, seemingly no worse for wear.

“I dunno, I dunno! I’m sorry! Fuck!” Buck said.

Buck was suddenly tackled to the ground by Ditzy Doo, who tried to grab at his throat.

"My Buck! My Buck!" The Ditzy Doo smiled.

"Ooh this is fucked! This is so fucked up!" Buck wailed in terror, a pathetic whine that carried back to the trees, where Sunburst and Adagio were being chased by a mob of Starlights and Scootaloos, Mr. and Mrs. Cakes, Ditzys and Dinkys and Bucks.

Icicles fell from the branches above, spearing through a line of the changelings behind them and yet many more lay ahead, between the treeline and the cave.

Beyond the phalanx of friends and family, Adagio caught a glimpse of Buck and Starlight fighting in the mouth of the cave, but over their heads on the mountainside was another squad of drones rolling boulders down the slope.

“Oh no, you disgusting little roaches!” Adagio screamed.

“Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!” Buck said, on his back. He kicked the scrambling, hissing Ditzy Doo with oozing jet-black skin off him, and got to his feet only to see a small army of friends approaching from outside the cave.

Starlight was blasting into the crowd, but every changeling she sent flying was quickly replaced by another. She pulled a piece of quartz from her pocket and a sparkling blue beam sliced through a row of marauders before the stone crumbled into dust.

“Buck! I need more mana, now!” Starlight said, pulling out another stone.

“We need to get the fuck out of here right now!” Buck said.

“Just do it! We don’t have time to argue!” Starlight said.

Buck raised a hand, trying to focus energy on a single point. There was a pink spark, a little fizzle sound, and nothing else.

“Buck, this is no time for joking! Just give me the mana!” Starlight said.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck! Come on! Come on!” Buck shouted, slapping Starlight on the back. Nothing happened.
Buck saw Adagio beyond the swarm, sword drawn, sprinting in his direction. The snow at her feet parted to form a path for her as if the world itself was trying to get out of her way.

Behind her, Sunburst was mumbling in a gasping breath as the book in his hand started to glow.

“Get away from there!” Adagio shouted, slashing into the back of the pack with her rapier.

Buck heard a rumbling overhead.

“What are you doing!?” Starlight said.

“We gotta move!”

“What!?”

“We gotta move, now!” Buck grabbed Starlight by the wrist.

“No, we’ve got to punch through!” Starlight said.

“GET BACK!” Adagio screamed.

Rocks fell over the mouth of the cave, smashing everything beneath with an earth-shaking crash.

“BUCK!”

Author's Note

Okay, alright, now let's see, where were we? Oh yeah. In the pit of despair.
Adagio and Buck's relationship has officially hit the "Driving montage set to sad pop music in the credits" zone. Did a whole hell of a lot of pruning on this one, believe it or not. There's a lot of setup here, and it's easy to get lost in the weeds on that type of thing.
Instead of dragging it out, I tried to focus in on very specific discomfort of having to do something you don't want to do with someone you'd rather be away from. That's sort of the theme of this incoming arc.

Song Review: Say Something I'm Giving Up On You is a song that I first discovered through a cheesy anime AMV. It's about a relationship that is falling apart, and the singer is trying to find some reason, any reason to stay and make it better. It has a simple chord progression and even simpler lyrics, but it carries a heartfelt ache that resonates better than a lot of trashy breakup songs of its ilk.