“There you are!” I hear Sunburst exclaim in relief. I turn my head in order to look at him. By then, I already start to notice my new environment. Judging from the crystal walls I see around me which are notably not purple, I realize that I've been relocated somewhere within the Crystal Empire.

Another thing I notice, which is indeed very notable, is the fact that there are no doors or windows to this room. In other words, there doesn’t appear to be any natural way to enter or leave this room. This means teleporting in and out is absolutely required, and that can only be done by somepony who’s somehow been to this place before.

“I was beginning to worry,” Sunburst also says as he trots over to us. “Did you . . . ah . . . have any unforeseen complications?”

“If you're asking me if this is the real Sweetie Belle, we'll soon find out,” Starlight informs her foalhood friend. “I do know that I was able to get to her before Twilight's guards did.”

Sunburst frowns as he looks down before saying, “I hate this! Sneaking around behind the backs of other ponies we should be trusting, but our current situation makes that impossible!”

He sighs before he looks back up at us as he floats his glasses further up his muzzle again then goes on to say, “But Princess Cadence and her husband, Shining Armor, had plenty of reasons to step up security against changelings over the years. Thanks to Thorax, they even got a little extra education on how to hoofle them, and we can trust somepony like Shining to take matters of security seriously.” He looks straight at me as he informs, “Oh, and just in case it hasn't become clear to you, we've relocated you to the Crystal Empire.”

“I've gathered that much,” I mention back.

“But you'll notice there are no windows or doors here either,” Starlight puts forth as she waves a hoof through the room. “Even the furniture is sparse. The only way in or out of this room is to teleport, and even then, certain security measures are in place.”

“I'll take your word for it,” I say back to Starlight. “So where is the table?”

Starlight blinks at me as she asks, “What table?”

Sunburst looks at and informs Starlight, “She is obviously referring to the Friendship Cutie Map,” Sunburst says in such a way that also seems to hint, “She probably doesn't know.”

“Oh. That,” Starlight laments. “Yeah. The Friendship table . . . it's now missing.”

“That actually happened a few weeks ago,” Sunburst adds. “Apparently our culprit has something to hide and somehow knows that the Cutie Map can be a threat to him.”

“And we're obviously dealing with more than one changeling,” Starlight informs. “This is a group of changelings that are highly trained and highly coordinated. As far as I can tell, there is only one possible explanation for this.”

“The Mirror Pool,” Sunburst finishes Starlight's thought. These two seem content to go back and forth between them.

Starlight shakes her head as she says, “Normally I'd think that's impossible. I set up traps that would alert me if anyone entered the Mirror Pool cave because I've foreseen a potential problem like this, but the sheer ease in which the changeling within you disabled Twilight's lock suggests to me that this changeling probably has no trouble disabling my traps either.”

“Though it's always possible that there is another substance out there in the world that's like the Mirror Pool,” Sunburst puts in. “Perhaps something that modern society still hasn't discovered or re-discovered yet.”

“I even wrote Daring Do a letter about that,” says Starlight before she winces in concern. “But so far I haven't heard back from her about that.”

Sunburst rhythmically strokes the long orange goatee on the tip of his chin as he mentions aloud, “I've made a few discreet inquiries about her health lately, or rather to say, Rainbow Dash has. In response, Rainbow has alarmingly replied that Daring does indeed appear to be missing.” Sunburst shrugs as he says, “But the exact specifics of her fate is still unknown. Maybe the hostile changeling targeted her or maybe she noticed something amiss and has gone underground on her own. We can only hope for the best for her.”

“In the meantime, we need all the information we can get,” Starlight informs me. “I know it's risky, but we need to have another interview with the hidden changeling within you.”

Yeah. That's pretty much what I expected, but I feign a shocked and horrified reaction as I remind her, “But remember what happened to you, Ocellus, and Twilight the last time that happened? He's dangerous! And why would you trust anything he has to say anyway?”

“But we've taken a few extra precautions this time,” Sunburst points out. “For instance, as Starlight mentioned earlier, there is no way out of this room without teleporting, and even that method will fail if we don't disable the trap.”

“Trap?” I ask him.

Sunburst smiles smugly as he informs me, “Let's just say that we've learned a few old tricks from King Sombra since last we met him. I am a veritable scholar, after all, and Starlight is very good at finding and patching together old spells.”

“Huh?” I tilt my head at him. “What does all of that mean?”

“It means we're convinced we have enough security measures in place this time,” Starlight assures me. “The changeling within you will undoubtedly realize that as well. He'll soon recognize the fact that he has to get through us to get out of here, and we have conditions.”

“And Starlight is a really good negotiator,” Sunburst adds proudly. “If there is anypony who can get through to him, it's her and/or Twilight.”

“I've learned from the best,” Starlight says with a bit of a blush.

“But . . . what about the two of you?” I ask with feigned worry. “I'm not going to do this if it puts your lives in serious danger.”

“Trust me. I'm much more prepared to defend myself this time,” Starlight assures me. “For instance, you'll notice my horn is all better. With full command of my magic, he'll find I'm not as much of a pushover this time.”

“Um . . . maybe he can shapeshift into something that can burrow through the crystal?” I check.

“I doubt it,” Sunburst says as he looks at the walls around us. “Even if he can assume a form with claws tough enough to burrow through that crystal, he'd be unwise to. We have a few extra surprises for him just in case he tries that.”

“This seems like an unusually thorough setup here,” I realize aloud. “You did all of this just because of the changeling within me?”

“No. We did this for our friends and to restore harmony to Equestria,” Starlight informs me firmly. “Don't ask me how far I'd go to protect the ones I care about. Trust me . . . you really don't want to know.”

“Ditto,” Sunburst concurs. “I may not be as magically gifted as my friend Starlight here, but it is not wise to underestimate me if those I . . . No. If those we care about are at stake.”

“And when we work together, we're an unstoppable team!” Starlight gushes proudly.

“Go Sires Hallow team, I guess,” Sunburst cheers a little shyly as he offer Starlight a hoofbump which she gladly accepts.

I sigh as worry lingers on my face. I look down for a moment before looking up at Starlight and asking her, “And it's just the three of us in here?”

Starlight nods as she says, “Precisely. I figured we'd start with a small group for now and build our information from here.”

“I trust Starlight with my life,” Sunburst assures. “There's no pony I'd rather be with if there's a crisis situation going on.”

“Does Princess Cadence and Shining Armor know we're here?” I check.

For the first time, Sunburst and Starlight hesitate to answer. They even glance at each other for a silent moment as if non-verbally deciding something, but I can tell that they are putting on an act. They had already decided what to say before I even asked and I think I know why.

“We'd prefer to keep the answer to that question to ourselves for now,” Sunburst informs me, the first between us to break the silence. “I say that because anything we inform you also tips off the changeling within you, and we'd prefer for him to be unaware of that fact.”

Thought so.

“But you did say security measures are in place,” I remind the two. “I think that also means you were careful of whom you informed. You knew you couldn't just talk to anypony or it would risk discovery by one of the enemy changelings.”

“Right now, there's no way to tell how far these infiltrators have spread,” Starlight admits with a worried expression for a moment but it soon firms back up as she goes on to say, “That's why we're here. To get some idea. We need at least one hoof hold before we can fully restore our balance.”

I look down as I ask, “So I take it you need to hypnotize me again?”

Starlight gently applies a hoof to my shoulder to comfort me as she tells me, “Yes, Sweetie Belle. I do. Believe me, I wouldn't be involving you if the situation wasn't so desperate. What happened between us at the Friendship Table might have been a fortunate accident after all because it grants us an opportunity we'd otherwise have been denied. I think the original changeling has been cut off from controlling you now and I think the changeling within you knows that.

“But we're not going to force you into anything, Sweetie Belle,” Starlight assures me. “Truthfully, we can't. Hypnosis requires the consent of the subject.”

Starlight lifts a hoof as she clears her throat for a moment before returning her hoof to the ground as she goes on to say, “That said, you surely have some idea what's at stake here too. How far would you be willing to go to protect the ones you love? Is there any line you wouldn't cross if you absolutely had to in order to protect your friends and family? And surely you can see that they might be in grave danger right now. We have to work together towards a common solution before it's too late.”

“Yeah,” I agree as I lower my ears and sag my shoulders. “You're right. As usual, adult ponies always seem to know what's best.”

“Well . . . I don't know about always,” Sunburst says with doubt.

“I'm not going to let him hurt you either, Sweetie Belle,” Starlight promises me. “That's a promise I told your parents too, and I fully meant it.”

I smile up at Starlight and, this time, it's a genuine smile. While I do that, I say to her gratefully, “I know you will, Starlight.”

Sunburst clears his throat in such a way that it's apparent he's gathering attention. Once he has it, he suggests, “We should get started. Time is of the essence.”

I pretend to be reluctantly cooperative.

Now this has been a while. I feel that floating and falling sensation like I did last time. It feels somewhat similar to going to sleep normally except I'm more aware as I go down.

Truthfully, part of me is actually hoping this will work. Raven hasn't spoken to me for quite some time, but it's apparent to me now that things are coming to a head. If he doesn't choose to talk to them, then I hope he'll at least talk to me. I could use his advice.

“Hello, Raven. I'm here,” I call out into the dark void around me. When I do, my voice seems to echo around me. “Talk to me! I know you can.”

The only response I seem to get is to merely feel his presence, but he does not otherwise reply.

“Why hold your silence now? Where's the advantage in that?” I challenge him. “They are trying to interview you right now. They are not the only ones who need information. So do we.”

Still no reply, but I continue to feel his presence around me. I strongly suspect that it means he heard me. He's just choosing not to respond.

“You don't have to tell them the truth,” I compromise. “You don't even have to tell me the truth. Just say something! We need to fish for information and you know it.”

Still no reply. I hate it when he gets like this.

“I think you know, just as I do, that one or both of them might be compromised,” I say out to the echoing darkness around me. “Yet he has to be working through the real Sunburst and Starlight at some level. The spells Starlight cast recently really isn't easy to replicate. Doesn't he need the original host of their bodies to cast the spells he doesn't know? Only by working through their true minds can he somewhat command their full capabilities.”

The silence around me continues other than my own echoes.

“This is a game of Cat and Mouse, isn't it? Both sides are testing to see what the other knows. Now I've understood you better lately, but I can't speak for you as well as you can.”

For the first time, there is a little more of a response. He still doesn't talk to me, but I feel a cold hoof gently apply some pressure onto my shoulder, or rather I should say my virtual representation of a shoulder in this dream-like reality. The kind of pressure he applies to my shoulder gives a very tactile, body language response. From what I can tell, it is both a gesture of comfort and reassurance. It also seems to try to communicate confidence. It's as if he's arguing with me by sort of saying, “Yes, you can imitate me.”

“Is that what you really want me to do?” I ask with uncertainty. “Pretend to be you?”

I still feel his hoof on my shoulder but he gradually applies less pressure. It's as if he's saying, “I said my piece. I won't repeat myself.”

I sigh then look up as I say with some resolve, “Okay.”

All of my life, all I have ever done was to be myself. Even while I was acting. Even while I was pretending to be somepony else, I did it in pursuit of my cutie mark because that is who I am. I'm a trier. I am a doer. Whatever I say and whatever I do, I've always done it as Sweetie Belle because that is who I am. I love who I am. I am proud to be myself.

But desperate times do call for desperate measures. Starlight really did make many fine points, but the one that sticks to my heart the most is, “How far would you be willing to go to protect the ones you love?” The honest answer is any level, but I really have to be pushed to extremes in order to be willing to cross certain lines. If it really comes to that, I don't plan to make a habit out of it except for my willingness to do whatever it takes to protect those I love.

So, when I open my eyes again, I do it as him as much as I can muster. I summon that cold and focused depth into the pit of my eyes.

“Hello, Starlight,” I say in his voice by morphing my lungs into his original form. “Long time, no see.” I tilt my head coyly at her. “How is your horn?”

“Well enough,” Starlight assures tightly. “But I didn't bring you here to talk about that.”

“No. Of course not. We're here so you can exploit a potential advantage as much as you can. For that, I applaud you,” I commend Starlight.

“I take it you know everything I informed Sweetie Belle?” Starlight checks.

I give Starlight a very sinister and cunning smile as I promise her, “Oh yes, Starlight. In fact, I know far more than you do.”

“Which is why we're here,” Starlight brings up.

I notice that Sunburst has not said a word or made a move, so I peer at him sharply as I ask him, “What's the matter, puny sorcerer? Cat got your tongue? Or perhaps it is something worse.” I flash him an evil smile. “If not, I can ensure it.”

“No! You are talking to me!” Starlight demands.

“As you wish,” I say with a bored tone and expression towards Starlight. “It matters not to me. So play loud cop and silent cop if you wish. The end result is the same.”

“I agree,” Starlight concurs. “We're all down here, talking to each other. The only difference is we can get out of here and you can't.”

“And abandon your precious Sweetie Belle in the process?” I ask then give a tsk-tsk sound before I announce, “Your threats are meaningless, Starlight. You should learn to be more prepared.”

“Like your original self is?” Starlight questions. “Let's talk about him. I know he's using something like the Mirror Pool, yet I also know the Mirror Pool itself is clear. I checked it myself just recently.”

“Congratulations,” I say dryly. “Well done, Starlight. You've confirmed the fact that you're able to consider obvious facts.”

“It's even more clear to you,” Starlight reflects. “Have you ever thought about what it would be like if he completely succeeds? Sure, he may succeed in conquering Equestria, but he has to do it off the backs of slaves like you!”

“I'd watch your tone with me if I were you, Starlight,” I advise darkly. “You are speaking to a future ruler of your realm.”

“Really?” Starlight asks skeptically. “A future ruler? Can you really be so sure of that after what he's done to you all already? To that, I ask another question; why abandon a system that works?”

I sigh with aggravation before saying, “It always fascinates me how short-sighted you ponies can be. You who claim to be the masters of your world. You who govern things like the earth, the weather, and even celestial bodies like the sun and the moon. Oh, the sheer arrogance of it all.” I give Starlight a cunning and dark grin. “How you amuse me. I love it when your mind gets further and further off track. It only proves to me how much of an advantage I have.”

Something I have to keep in mind is Starlight is a psychologist too, or at least she has some experience in it not too long ago. She also has a very bright mind. Raven might look down on it, but I don't. I get the feeling that other villains underestimated her before, too, and even some heroes at one time or another.

I feel a little dirty pretending to be someone like Raven, but there is a small part of me that also finds it fun because Starlight is a worthy adversary in this game. Testing myself with her truly is pushing the limits of both of our potentials. In the end, that is actually very good practice.

“And what advantage do you truly have?” Starlight challenges. “Because, right now, all I see is your original self holding all the cards. The only reason you are free of his control is because of an accident resulting from an experiment of mine.”

“And how do you know I'm really free from his control?” I challenge back. “For all you know, this could all be an elaborate ploy of mine.”

“True, but to what end?” Starlight challenges then shakes her head. “I think you're too smooth for that. What's more, I think the rumors of the Ghosts really are true up to a point. There really was an elite group of changelings that hid in the shadows. I think the rumors about them weren't one-hundred percent true, but they did exist.

“However, now there might be a whole army of them out there in Equestria, and all of them ruled and controlled by the original source.” Starlight shakes her head. “You're not special anymore. You're just a slave . . . or rather you were and you'll be so again. Why would a changeling that careful permit flaws in his otherwise perfect society? As soon as he learns of your existence again he'll put your right back in chains. You and I both know that, especially you.

“I think he can't stand errors in any way that might later get in his way. Twilight is like this too sometimes. She also has her own sense of O-C-D. I think he's a lot like her, and that means I understand him on some level.”

“Well good for you,” I once again congratulate dryly. “You don't seem to need me anymore. Why don't you go ahead and bury yourself under more and more false assumptions.” I give her an evil sneer as I taunt her by saying, “I'm just going to sit back and watch.”

“Are you sure that's wise?” Starlight cautions. “Compared to your standards, ponies are indeed gullible fools. Most of us are actually very easy to manipulate. I'll admit that. I've done that to other ponies myself at times. I used to rule over a whole village with an iron hoof.”

In response, I merely yawn.

“Don't dismiss that because that fact is important,” Starlight warns. “Despite all of our faults, we are good neighbors and we do take good care of the environment. If your original self disrupts us then he disrupts the balance of everything else as well. Ponies do indeed have innate magic within themselves but what most others species don't know is that that magic has some conditions attached to it. If we get too depressed, we lose our magic. We drain of color. That also means we can't manage the environment anymore. Can you even imagine how bad the world can get if the sun or moon doesn't rotate for even one day?”

This time I just stare at Starlight because I think even Raven would acknowledge that is a very good point, but he wouldn't openly admit that either because he wouldn't want to reveal any weakness until there is an advantage in doing so.

Meanwhile I am secretly cheering Starlight Glimmer on! While I am forced to play the devil's advocate for the moment, I am really on Starlight's side at heart.

“You wouldn't be the first who attempted to threaten that balance,” Starlight goes on to say. “Years ago, Nightmare Moon also promised that the night would last forever. If she had succeeded to carry through with that threat, then are you really stupid enough to believe that any of us would be alive enough to discuss this on this day?”

“She probably had some contingency plans for her loyal followers,” I surmise. “The Princess of the Night isn't that dumb. If she can transform some of your kind into bat ponies, it would be foolish to assume that is the maximum extent of her powers or that she couldn’t at least repeat that.

“Bat ponies have excellent night vision, by the way.”

Starlight shakes her head before saying, “Messing with the environment on that scale is a very slippery slope. So many things depend upon the cycle of balance that it would be impossible to foresee them all. Not even she could do that. If she had really carried forward with her threat, we'd all be dead.”

“What's your point?” I ask impatiently even though I calculate exactly where this is leading. I just want Starlight to say it emphatically.

“My point is your original self may be driving us all to the same level of doom. No matter what your or his goal is, unless it is total destruction, you'll achieve nothing more than the total annihilation of us all. We all depend upon the cycle of balance more than you know. It’s even more than we know.

“Do you remember those three days when magic was draining all over the world? You must have noticed that, or rather to say your original self must have noticed. During that time, things happened in the world that none of us foresaw coming. For example, food rotted faster.

“Take that one example and multiply it across the whole world. Imagine all food across the world rotting faster. If that one thing about the world goes, then everything that depends upon it breaks down. Ponies will starve out and die and you changelings would lose your food source, too.

“Don't you see? We all need each other for survival. Your original self is about to severely disrupt that balance and you'll be affected too. Do the smart thing for once and let's work together!” When she says that, she sits down and presses both of her forehooves together.

I just stare at Starlight as I do some quick mental calculations. Specifically, I search for counterarguments that he might come up with, but I also look at this from a broader perspective. I ask myself what exactly would he want to achieve in this conversation if he was actually here?

The answer that comes to me is to continue to test them and find out which one of them, if either, might be the changeling spy.

For that, I realize that I'll have to say something compromising to his operation. Something he can't allow me to continue to say.

But I also got to deliver that in a way that sounds convincing even to his original self.

“You Ghosts were trained to be loyal to Queen Chrysalis, but I think that's only the beginning,” Starlight surmises. “Ultimately, your true loyalty lies with your race itself. Chrysalis was simply another cog in the machine. If I'm right, then what you and your original self want is to secure the survival of your race.”

Starlight shrugs before she goes on to say, “Maybe you're also convinced that Thorax is doing a bad job of it, but can't you see that is why he needs you more? Your drive, your determination, your focus on your mission, your skills and suspicion . . . the changelings need it all, and don't you dare deny them either! No matter what form they take, they are still changelings. The hive is right there . . . waiting for you to return home and they do indeed need you. Your strength is why they were so strong before. Without it . . . Well.” She shrugs. “I'm sure you’ve seen the results for yourself, or at least your original self did.”

“Do you even realize what you are asking of me, Starlight?” I ask. “Even if I was interested, you can't imagine how much we'd be up against.”

“Whatever the odds are, I know our chances of success are better if we work together,” Starlight points out wisely. “And you are a wild card in this situation. You can be a tremendous help. He may be working with an elite army, but we're not lacking an army either. The changeling pack is ready to aid us in this endeavor, and I also know that they'd welcome you with open hooves.

“Give them a chance,” Starlight encourages. “They're not as bad as they seem.”

Now? Did Starlight say enough to convince Raven yet? That's my measuring stick before feeling ready for the next phase of this conversation.

Also, WOW, Starlight! Way to go! You go, girl! Woo-hoo!

“We can either be friends together, or slaves together,” Starlight presses. “Although I don't think we'd have to endure the latter for too long, for things will fall apart faster than you can imagine.

“Believe me, I know. I have traveled through time before and I have seen what other realities looks like when the magic of friendship didn't endure.” She shudders before she promises, “Trust me, it's not something you'd ever want to see. I still have nightmares about it sometimes.”

I widen my eyes a bit. Travel through time? Seen other realities? Is she serious?

Huh. I really didn't know that. I wonder what other secrets these adults are keeping from us for our supposedly own good.

Eh. I guess I can't really blame them. If I have seen horrors like what she's alluding to, maybe I'd feel uncomfortable telling my own foals that if I had any.

Something I need to keep in mind is Raven can read other ponies very accurately. His innate changeling ability to smell emotions is only the start. He's also an expert reader of subtle body language. As a result, he'd be able to tell that Starlight is convinced that she's telling the absolute truth as she knows it. It might not match objective reality but it's the truth as far as she knows.

So when she offers her hoof in friendship and claims that we need to work together, she's speaking from the heart and Raven would see that.

Add to that, Raven, in particular, has had a unique perspective this past year. Impersonating a pony is one thing but being one is another. He's been in the passenger seat for quite some time now and he might have learned some new things because of it.

A genius isn't dumb. On the contrary, they learn things usually fast. He might be stubborn on some points but he seems to ultimately hunt for the truth while simultaneously being guarded about his own.

I also have to keep his goals in mind. What is most important to him? Both he and his original self can't be too dissimilar. I think the survival of his race really is important to Raven. He just doesn't want to be a pawn while he's at it.

As I go down a mental checklist in my mind, I realize there's a few left to tick off still but maybe enough of them is checked off to warrant the next step. I hope it isn't my own impatience that's causing me to be overzealous.

I do, after all, need to be careful because there is a lot at stake.

“Hypothetically, let's say I am interested in cooperating,” I propose. “What exactly do you want from me?”

Say you want coordinates to the lair, Starlight! Come on! Say it!

“Isn't it obvious?” Starlight asks. “We need directions to his lair. Once we have that, we can end this threat at its source.” Starlight quickly gives a pushing motion to me as she assures, “And this doesn't have to go down lethally for your original self either or any of his clones. If I can talk you into seeing reason then we are even more prepared if we work together.”

Inwardly, I wince since I know how Raven would reply, but the pony in me is sooo loathe to say it.

Still, I must. I'm playing devil's advocate right now.

I narrow my eyes as Starlight at I challenge her, “Does that mean you lack the conviction to do as you must? You told Sweetie Belle earlier that you'd do anything to defend your loved ones, yet I detect hesitation in you now to draw blood on your hooves. I guarantee you that your opponent wouldn't hesitate if that is what's necessary for him to accomplish his mission.”

I really hate to admit it, but what I just said is totally true and Starlight needs to know that.

“I am not prepared to throw away any option right now,” Starlight assures. “If talking to him solves this problem, then great! I, of all ponies, know how powerful and successful a good conversation can be in saving the world.”

Starlight points at me firmly as she then says with steel in her voice, “But make no mistake! If I really have to draw blood then I will! My encounter with you has already proven that you'd be willing to go that far so I have to take that into account when dealing with your original self as well. Knowing that my friends, Twilight and Ocellus were hurt because of my hesitation was more painful to me than any blow you threw against me directly. Trust me when I say that I am determined to avoid that happening again!” She stands up straight as she says, “I will do whatever I must. That's the bottom line.

“Look into my eyes, changeling. See the fire and conviction in them, and tell me . . . does it seem like I'm telling you the truth?”

“Yes,” I admit.

“Then your original self will reach that same conclusion,” Starlight promises.

I narrow one eye at Starlight as I warn, “He can make promises too, pony, with as much conviction as you, if not greater.”

Starlight gives a horsey snort as her mane and fur stand up straight for a moment. Intense tension is in her stance as she tells me, “If you really wish to test my willpower then I am game! Bring it on, fool! If you do, I'll show you how powerful I really am!”

I stare at Starlight blankly but it is costing me all of my strength to avoid staring at Starlight in stunned awe.

Oh wow! I think I have another mentor to look up to!

“There is nothing I'd be unwilling to do if it becomes necessary to protect my friends! Do you hear me? NOTHING!!!” Starlight screams.

With conservative effort, I droop my eyes listlessly as I say, “Very well, pony. We'll see if your bite can match your bark. Be warned, though, you are challenging an army of the most elite our race can possibly offer you.”

Starlight's expression softens a bit as she assures, “Deep down, we all want the same thing. It's easy to get lost in life but the fundamentals are still always there. He just needs to see that we stand to accomplish more together rather than as adversaries.”

“Huh.” I close my eyes and chuckle for a moment before saying, “Very well.” I open my eyes again. “Now, mind you, a Mirror Pool clone’s memories of the original isn't perfect, but to the best of my knowledge, the location of his lair is-”

I am cut off when I see Starlight's body jerk for a moment then falls forward, unconscious. Behind her, I notice Sunburst had stabbed Starlight in the back with a new pointy hoof that undoubtedly dripped with some kind of toxin.

My eyes grow listless again, at least outwardly. Even though I knew this was coming, I secretly still feel very afraid.

“Now that is interesting,” the fake Sunburst says as his hoof morphs back to normal. Well, at least normal for Sunburst. “I never thought I'd see the day when a mere pony would crack even one of my clones.” He bows to Starlight's unconscious body as he says, “My dear little pony . . . you have my respect.” He rises from his bow. “But, of course, we cannot let a threat like this continue to linger, now can we?”

His horn flashes with magic and it is still with Sunburst’s normal color. However, the result is something far more powerful than the real Sunburst could ever pull off to the best of my knowledge. As a result of his spell, Starlight's body teleports away.

I widen my eyes at this.

“Oh, don't worry about the trap. I've disabled it a long time ago,” the fake Sunburst assures me, then he chuckles with evil glee. “Who do you think helped Starlight establish it in the first place?”

“I take it you sent her to our lair?” I figure aloud. “To be replaced with a changeling clone.”

“But of course,” the fake agrees. “We can't waste valuable resources.” He examines his left forehoof coyly as he proclaims, “These ponies are such fragile and gullible creatures. It is why we are meant to rule them.”

Rapid calculations spin through my mind. Among them is all the reasons why Sunburst was targeted for replacement.

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Sunburst is like Starlight's second in command, yet he doesn't seem too threatening on his own and thus wouldn't draw too much attention. He's like Professor Stygian in that way.

What's more, by accessing Sunburst's knowledge, the changeling establishes a massive advantage for himself. With all of that knowledge serving the changeling, he could secure even more perfect strategies. The real Sunburst would be none the wiser all along.

This also means that the changeling was aware of the Cutie Map project from day one, but he probably underestimated it at first. He didn't know it would reveal the true form of one of his clones or sever that clones ties to him, nor could he predict that Button Mash's mind would be replaced in my body.

But, once that was done, the Cutie Map revealed his true lair for a brief moment by showing where Button was relocated to. Ever since then, he knew that Map was an obstacle that he'd need to get out of his way. He relocated Button Mash, now in my body, to hide the true location of his lair. Once we found Button in my body it misdirected us into thinking that perhaps the body was there all along. Then, after that, he teleported the Map somewhere to make sure it wouldn't be a threat to him ever again.

My only question to all of that is if Starlight ever tried to search for Sunburst's cutie mark?

But then again, he was right beside her all along. Maybe the Map tried to report Sunburst’s true location, but he tampered with the Map enough during those moments to conceal that fact.

However, the experiment with me had unexpected results, and Sunburst wasn't there the first time I did the experiment with Starlight anyway. As a result, he probably was unprepared to tamper with the results during that particular time.

“Now, the question is, what am I going to do with you?” the fake Sunburst asks as he looks at me. When he does so, I realize, for the first time, how surprisingly menacing that nerd can be when he looks at me in the wrong kind of way. I feel severely creeped out at this moment and I fear he can smell it.

But I have to remember that I'm still playing as Raven, so I'd better keep playing along.

“What makes you think any action is necessary?” I ask as I match his coy grin. “I knew it was you all along. I only toyed with the pony to find out how much she knew.” I look down to where Starlight was with a look of respect in my eyes. “For a pony, she was pretty smart and resourceful.” I look back at fake Sunburst as I go on to say, “Obviously she was no match for us, the most elite changelings, but she could be considered an elite of her species. By testing her knowledge, I was able to ascertain the limits of her capabilities. While I'd normally call it pathetic, we're skilled enough to recognize true talent when we see one.

“You know, it's too bad she wasn't born a changeling. She might have had the stuff it takes to join our former organization.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” the fake agrees. “But, in a weird way, she'll do exactly-”

Both of us are surprised when Starlight suddenly appears out of the blue and shoots a MASSIVE hornbeam at the fake Sunburst. That attack nails him to the wall for several seconds before he collapses forward, thoroughly unconscious.

“Wha . . . what?” I ask in stunned shock.

“You can drop the charade, Sweetie Belle. I know it's you,” Starlight Glimmer says over to me with a wide grin.

My jaw drops open. I am flabbergasted.

“You need to come with me,” Starlight says as she trots over to me. “We need to hurry to the next phase of my plan. Unconscious or not, his original self will be aware of the sudden loss of one of his pawns.”

I look down at the fake Sunburst in concern. I notice the fact that he is still in Sunburst's form. Thinking back, I remember when Ocellus was knocked unconscious, she was forced into her true form. However, he is not reverting this time which might be indicative of his elite training.

“Oh, don't worry about him,” Starlight assures as she looks down at the same body. “He isn't going anywhere. I made sure of it.”

Author's Note

"Twists and turns are my master plan, then find the Elements back where you began."

~Discord