Twilight and her friends boarded the train on their favorite cart. Meanwhile Check and Spike slipped in the back cart. The dragon agreed to join the girls till they arrived. As the train made its way to the capital, Check sat in the back studying the happy couple. Most of the information was either second hand or had gaps.

"My, my." The voice purred. "Such a dish. She sounds like the type of pony a guard would go heads over tail for."

"I really hope you don't plan on doing one of those surprise villain reveals." Check sighed. A few moments of silence he added. "I can already guess how everything would go if you hadn't brought me in."

"Yes…. Well…" the voice groaned. "How soon do you think it'll be before they fail to see what you think you do?"

"It's the princess. Isn't it?" Check sighed. "You're not being very clever about it."

"Look. The roles aren't exactly my idea, ok? At least give me some credit for coming up with the idea of making it a mystery for those involved." The voice huffed.

"I guess the mystery would be to find a way to convince the others before the wedding."

"True."

"My guess is the imposter didn't do their research."

The voice thought for a moment. "You know. I never thought to ask… that would be a rather telling detail… wouldn't it?"

"Then it's settled. I know how I'll clear this round."

"I should point out this is a two parter. A mystery and action round."

Check sighed. "Great. I get to be sweaty."

At the train station

As the train pulls into the station the first thing anypony can see is the amount of guards. "Well… this isn't a red flag." Check sighed as he slipped out the back.

After a few steps from the train, he bumped into a dark figure.

"I see you made it safely." She said flatly. "As you can see, we had to up security…"

"A threat against the wedding." Check finished. "And I take it that you think there's something bigger coming?"

After a moment she nods. "Yes… though I'd rather you let me finish in the future." She huffed. "Anyway, I am Princess Luna. And I want you to find out what is going on and stop it."

Check bowed with a smile. "I shall do as you ask. But I ask, you pramit me full access without restriction."

"Why would you need that?"

"If what you fear is true. Then there's no knowing how deep this threat might be." Check explained.

"We don't have much time."

"Please, have faith in my skills."

After a moment's thought, Luna lit her horn and pulled out a crescent moon pin and placed it against his chest. "This will mark you as MY private… informer?" She tapped her chin, before shaking her head. "Go. Find the truth. I have much to think about." Turning away she started to fly off muttering. "Laws these days… Can you still bed or wed your advisor?..."

With a sigh he turned and flew up to a balcony where a guard stood. As he was about to say something, he saw Twilight with her brother. "Yea… I definitely don't want to be the stallion she brings home." He laughed to himself.

Hearing the comment, the guard chuckled. "Good one sir."

"Thanks." He replied as he watched a pink alicorn approach the two. "Wow. She's even cuter than her records say…" his eyes narrow as she snubs Twilight. "And definitely not the real one."

"Sir?"

"I want all guards to keep an eye and ear on her. But keep it discreet. Understand?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Let's just hope, Twilight isn't the only one that sees what I do." He snarled before flying to one of the towers. "Time to get my pieces moving before I lose one to her."

Inside the room a mare was shifting through the trash. "Really? Are you even trying?"

She gasped and jumped away as she turned to look at him. "Sorry sir… I was just… ummm…"

"First, tell me why you're here."

"I'm looking for… food."

"Did you try the kitchen?"

"I… need other food."

Check looked from her to the trash then back to her. "You're a spy. Correct."

"Trader really." She replied. With a sigh she hung her head. "I've been exiled for giving out plans."

"The attack. You told the princesses." Check thought for a moment. "Ok. Stay with me. And try not to dig through the trash."

"But…"

"Why don't you tell me about your kind? That way I can help."

"First… I don't normally look like this." She explained as she slowly was covered in green flames that burned away her pony disguise and revealed a black bug like form. "I'm what's called a…"

"A changeling. I read about them. Little is really known about your kind. Other than you kidnap foles and take their place, even doing the same to fully grown ponies."

"Well… most of that is true. But the kids are never harmed. In fact. A sister hive has been trading for them and taking good care of them." She explained eagerly. "At least till the Queen stops being power hungry. Speaking of… we eat emotions. Love is the most preferred."

"I see." Check sighed. "That might be a problem."

"You mean because you don't love anyone but your brothers?" She guessed. "Sorry. We can see mental images of those others love. It makes gathering food easier."

"Wait… gather?" Check smiled. "I think I just came up with the perfect plan to help both sides. We just have to find a way to convince your queen before the wedding."

Meanwhile: Twilight let out a groan as she paced her room. Complaining to Spike about how tied up in this mess her friends are. Spike, for his credit, was pretending to only partly pay attention as his tail kept notes on the day's events.

"I really hope Check has a plan." He thought. "Because I think Twilight is going to lose it soon."

At a donut shop across the street from the castle.

"I know we agreed not to question it. But I still don't know what she was talking about. Dis… whatever it was." Applejack huffed, to which the other three at the table nodded in agreement as they shared the confusion.

Author's Note

"Why is it so hard to set up a good mystery?" Discord huffed. "That's it next game I'm upping the stakes. Let's see..." shifts through a list of games. "Well... that might get a bit heated. But let's save that a few rounds.... oh... maybe... yes. I do so enjoy an old classic."