As the girls prepared for the wedding practice. Check made his way through the underground passage. He scanned the area for anything that may be a hint about what he was able to do with this area or at least the gems.

"Stay alert everypony. There's no telling what traps were set for us." Check orders. "Any luck with locating our target?"

"We're close sir." She replied. "It's coming in clearer."

"What can you tell me about it?" Check asked.

"She's not doing well."

"SHE!?!" The three replied in unison.

"Double time everypony." Check called out. With a nod the four rushed off to try and find the female as fast as they could.

Time was running short and Check knew that if they didn't find the real princess, then it was likely that the fake would have an upper hoof in the coming fight.

Check turned to one of the guards. "Go back to the princesses and prepare for the invasion." Check orders. "And don't let the wedding party know about it."

"Yes sir." The guard replied before rushing back for the exit.

It didn't take them long to find the mare. Once she saw the green glow she tried moving away. Seeing this the three slid to a stop and bowed to her as Check spoke. "We have come by orders of princess Luna to rescue you and get you to your wedding."

The mare sighed and looked away. "How can I trust you?"

"By us first trusting you princess." The mare said as she stepped forward and dropped her disguise. "I told the princesses about our queen's plan…" She proceeded to explain what led up to us finding her.

Cadence went through several reactions before finishing with a soft smile. Moments later however, a nearby wall blasted open. All eyes turned to see a frazzled Twilight ready to jump the first thing she saw.

As her eyes fell on the princess and changeling, she jumped to attack them.

Seeing this, Check and the guard quickly moved to stop her. "Twilight! Stop!"

"Let me go! I'm not going to let that monster get away!" She raged. "You can't block me from your master!"

"Twilight. This isn't like you. Stop and think." Check snapped. "You are a rational pony. Take a deep breath and think."

After a few moments, Twilight went limp and panted as she nodded slowly. "Yes… you're right." Sitting back, she watched as the changeling checked on Cadence. Turning to Check, she smiled. "I'm glad you're here. It sounds weird, but you knew just how to calm me down."

"I find it easy to know as much as I can about those close to me." He explained with a smile. "That way I know how to help them and when I should step back."

Twilight blushed. "R… right… anyway. We need to get to the wedding. That fake is about to marry my brother."

"She won't." Check countered as the changeling helped Cadence to her feet. "The guard is stalling the wedding while we make our way back."

Twilight moved to Cadence's side and started walking with her. "How do you know this? What's going on?"

"Luna invited me to look into the threat." Check explained. "I put a few things into action to avoid a war."

"Like?"

"Like looking for Cadence while you and the others prepared for the wedding."

Twilight thought for a moment before nodding. "That sounds like it'd be a reasonable… wait… YOU KNEW SHE WAS A FAKE?!?!"

Chek shrugged. "After seeing how she acts to the ponies she claims to care about. I thought it was obvious."

"THANK YOU! Finally somepony gets it." Twilight sighed. After a few minutes she asked. "Are you sure we'll make it?"

"Yes." Check replied as they drew close to the exit. "You two should go ahead. I have something I need to take care of."

"What?" She asked, watching him pull an odd white thing from his bag.

"Princess. Would you mind holding onto this for me?" Check asked holding out the object to Cadence.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Like you. She is the most important piece on this board." He replied.

"I don't get it. But if the princesses trust you. Then I shall keep it safe." She said with a bow.

"Thank you. Let's hope it won't be needed." He said returning the bow.

With that they split into two groups. Twilight and Cadence made their way for the wedding as the others went off to prepare for the upcoming attack.

Check slid to a stop as he panted and looked out the window at the cracks in the shield. "Not good." Turning he watched as a guard was passing out chess pieces, as they rushed past to put them in position. "Let's hope that everything is in place." He sighed.

"Sir." A guard called as he trotted over. "We've placed all the… things the princess instructed us too."

'Luna?' Check thought. 'She probably guessed that I was going to do something along these lines.'

Nodding, Check smiled at the guard. "Good. Let the others know to prepare for a fight and keep everyone safe. Pony or otherwise."

"Sir! Non lethal takedown. Understood." He replied before galloping off.

Taking a deep breath he turned and started to make his way to the wedding, as he slipped a white king piece around his neck. "Time for the king to take the queen."

Author's Note

Looks like the pieces are in place and the king is making his move. But will his queen still be in play?