[16 days till the Summer Sun Celebration]

"Scott's Video log, entry one. It's been three days since the last entry. I'm currently putting together a list of important questions for when I see the princesses again, and I need to make sure I have every last base covered. I'm not sure what it is about the mention of Eclipsed Blackheart that has me second guessing everything I thought I knew, or how the Anthodopterran monarch knew anything about them, but I intend to get to the bottom of it. On a related note, I'm still trying to process what happened with the Anthodopterrans," Scott looked away from the lens, looking vehemently disgusted. "Zapp, he-- h-he didn't even give me a chance to get them to leave peacefully, he just attacked them, burning everything down to the ground with some fancy burning arrows, burned the bodies of the Anthodopterrans and his soldiers, too... likely didn't want any evidence of his involvement, then he's in for a surprise once he finds out I saved one of the Anthodopterrans... it's not their entire species, but at least I saved someone," Scott clenched his teeth, a burning righteous anger had been roaring in his chest ever since he got Zapp out of the Everfree. "He doesn't even seem that choked up that he lost some of the soldiers to the Anthodopterrans, or to the raging fires he started... I never felt so ill and angry in my entire life, and that was definitely my breaking point, but I kept myself in check. Thankfully, I left out the part that pegasi were going to put the fires out, and anything that survived, I'd personally make sure to get my hands on it. I won't let him get away with this, not while he got sloppy," Scott looked frustrated and conflicted, but he took a few deep breaths as he kept his wits about him. "Many apologies on my part, getting angry isn't going to solve anything, but I need to be careful about my emotions. One slip up could mean I let him go for nothing. After Dash, AJ and I are done questioning the princesses, I'm going to send them both back to Ponyville, while I lag behind, hoping to find and confront Zapp on his horrendous change in behavior. I don't expect to get anywhere, but I will be keeping my eyes and ears open for any inconsistencies. Wish me luck. This is Plumber Cadet Scott Baristo, signing out. End Log."

Scott stopped the recording on the Picto Box and hooked it onto the side of his jeans. Scott looked at the Altnetrix for a brief moment, and all he could feel was something crying out for justice, the kind of justice he let slip through his fingers by letting Zapp go without suspicion.

Scott heard a knock on the door and got up, opening it to see Flintgraad and Pitch, the two bat ponies he, Dash and AJ saved from the Everfree. "Hmph, the other guards weren't kiddin', you are one tall sumbitch!" Scott wasn't expecting to hear that so early in the morning, but Flintgraad's attitude seemed to let a small smile form on his face. "I don't suppose we were properly introduced. I'm Flintgraad, and the mare next to me is Pitch Ink. We were part of Zapp's crew, but from what's happened since then, that's probably the last thing ya wanna hear, and I understand wholeheartedly," Scott sighed in relief, he was thankful that someone at least understood how he felt. "We just wanted to stop by and let you know that we are in your debt for saving our hides not just once, but twice on the same day. We'd either be food for the bugs or fuel for the fire, ain't that right, Pitch?" Flintgraad explained, looking over at the mare by his side.

Pitch nodded her head and held her hoof out, as if gesturing for a handshake. Hoof shake? Scott still wasn't that caught up on the Equestrian-friendly idioms yet, but decided to shake Pitch's hoof firmly, smiling a bit at the appreciation shown for his hard work. "Now, I know you must be busy, but one thing to note is that uh... word got around recently that you're on your way to Canterlot, and you're gonna request an audience with the princesses. Flint and I wanna come and state our case, since we were there and saw the whole thing go down, if that's alright with you." Pitch suggested.

Scott sighed and thought about it for a moment. He wanted this to be just him, Dash and Applejack, but then he began to think about the possible benefits of letting these two come with him. Knowing he had two living witnesses to Zapp's sudden display of cruelty and betrayal, it was likely the sort of useful info he could use right now. Scott quickly grabbed his bat and the Hylian mask, just so he'd be more equipped and prepared in case anything happened, then stepped out of his hut. "That would be for the best. You two are the only living witnesses and the only known survivors of Zapp's group that can provide your own perspective on what happened," Scott looked up at the sky, noticing the sun still rising. "Come on, we need to get to Canterlot before the conductors break for lunch." Scott stated, closing the door behind him.

Flint and Pitch followed behind Scott as they ran down the trail, unaware that something has decided to hitch a ride on the tail end of Flint's armor.

Within Canterlot Castle, Dash and AJ were sitting patiently inside, waiting for Scott to arrive. "He just had to make us wait. Freaking great, when exactly did he say he'd be here?" Dash asked impatiently.

Applejack snickered, much to Dash's chagrin. "Still as impatient as ever, huh Dash. Not used to havin' someone make you wait for 'em for a change?" Dash scoffed and turned away. The farm pony put a hoof on the impatient pegasus' shoulder and smiled. "Relax, I'm just pullin' yer leg. Scott said he'd catch the last train on the morning schedule, and I know he'll be here in no time at all." Applejack reassured.

Dash sighed, relaxing a bit as her wings fidgeted. "I hate waiting, it's just-- Why didn't he just hitch a ride with us when we asked! A bit of blood on his clothes wouldn't have been that bad." Dash remarked.

Applejack put her face in her hooves, rolling her eyes as a smirk formed on her face. "Dash, ya never approach a royal drenched in blood, no matter the color. Not only does it make ya look like yer more than a few scraps shorter than a blacksmith, but it's not appropriate either," Dash stopped fidgeting and tried to keep herself still, but it wasn't working all that well, considering she still needed to move and fly. "Just try to calm down and take some slow breaths, it works for that human feller." Applejack advised.

Dash sighed and tried to breathe slowly. She hated to admit it, but ever since the sudden wildfire in the everfree, the pegasus has been desperately trying to keep herself from freaking out and jumping down Zapp's throat. "Why did he even do what he did? Where's the logic in what he did?" Dash questioned, trying to change the subject.

Applejack looked at the pegasus in mild confusion. "You're gonna have to be a bit more specific, there was a lot happenin'," Dash frowned at that response, but she had to agree with the farm pony. "Who exactly are ya talkin' about Dash, Scott or Zapp?" Applejack asked.

Dash groaned in frustration and shrugged her shoulders. "Both, I guess. What Zapp did was messed up, practically on the level of Tartarus itself. What Scott did was not just stupid, but it was such a stupid decision that I'm trying to invent a new word to describe how dumb it was to let him go after what he did." Dash remarked.

Applejack steadily nodded her head. She figured what happened at the everfree forest had been, metaphorically speaking, burned into Dash's brain, and by some degree, it had been burned into hers as well. She couldn't sleep properly without hearing the lingering sounds of screeching pain from the Anthodopterrans, but it's not like she could do anything about it.

What pissed Applejack off more though, was that Zapp individual, and how Scott seemed to feel about his sudden attack. From Applejack's perspective, she could see that it felt so unprovoked and sudden, she could see how Scott was almost becoming oblivious to the fires that night. As much as Applejack didn't want to agree with Dash, she had to admit that she was right, in the vein that Zapp shouldn't've been let go for such a heinous act.

Applejack wasn't sure what Scott was thinking, but he clearly had his reasons, and he was just as disappointed in himself for letting him go, so she can't fault him too much if this helps with getting the princesses to hear their plea. "Scott is a strange creature, but he has done a lot of good since comin' to Equestria. Try not to give him much grief about the whole "Letting Zapp Go" thing, he's probably still feelin' the shock, hasn't processed it yet, and is hidin' behind a brave face to not make anypony concerned, ah seen that type of behavior before," Dash looked at Applejack with a curious expression. "Long story short, Braeburn nearly got into a rather sticky situation back in Appleloosa. Somethin' involving a city girl appropriating their culture, then it escalated into a shoot-out, someone lost their violin, then it ended with him gettin' locked in the brig dressed in drag. By the time I bailed him out, he was still putting on a brave face, like he didn't want me concerned, but deep down, he's still wonderin' how things went as far as they did." Applejack explained.

Dash sighed and rubbed her temples with her hooves, letting a dry laugh escape her lips. "Your family is crazy, ya know that, AJ?" Dash remarked.

Applejack smirked, but then the sound of the drawbridge coming down got their attention. The sight of Scott walking in reassured the two mares, but what confused them was seeing Flintgraad and Pitch walking behind him. "Speakin' ah crazy, good tah see you made it, partner! We're still waitin' for them fancy royal escorts tah give us the right away, so take a load off," Scott smiled and sat down in one of the small chairs, all while Flintgraad and Pitch stood at attention. "So, they're here as well, what in tarnation are ya plannin', Scott?" Applejack questioned.

Scott pointed to the two bat pony creatures and cleared his throat. "They wanted to give their perspectives on what happened that night in the Everfree. I was on my way out the door this morning when they showed up. I would've been here faster if I transformed, but since they stopped by, I took the train here instead. Fun fact, did you know ponies are prone to panic when a human's on board? Crazy." Scott remarked.

Dash snickered, all while Applejack groaned and put her face in her hooves. "Of course they panicked... here I was thinkin' it was a normal train ride, land sakes." Applejack hissed.

Flintgraad cleared his throat. "The passengers were more terrified of impending danger, rather than being terrified of the human himself. They also spotted me and Pitch, which also freaked them out. Most ponies rarely see our kind out and about, it's why we are primarily night workers. We weren't put on Luna's night guard for nothing. Pitch and I had a couple cups of coffee before approaching your shapeshifting friend, so we're not as exhausted as the rest of our kin must be." Flintgraad explained.

Pitch nodded in agreement. Scott yawned and pulled an apple out of his pocket, biting into it as he leaned into his chair. "So, how long have you guys been waiting for the right away so far?" Scott asked.

Applejack looked over at the closed set of doors, noticing that the guard was still waiting in front. "About a couple hours now. Didn't think it'd take this long, otherwise ah would've gotten mah daily chores done, and still have the time to wait." Applejack answered.

Scott handed Pitch his apple and got up from his seat, approaching said guard. "Excuse me, do you know how much longer me and my compatriots will have to wait for the princesses to be ready? Not trying to sound rude, but this is very crucial to my job and lives are potentially at stake. You understand, right?" Scott asked.

The guard didn't seem to pay the human any mind, which did irritate Scott a bit, but not enough to start a fight, he knew better than that. Then, a set of hooves could be heard coming from behind him, stopping right by the right side of him. "Excuse me, but if I may interject, might there be a problem here?" A smooth, posh, regal and dainty voice spoke out.

Scott looks down to his right, being rather surprised by the unicorn stallion that stood beside him. They had a pristine white coat, bright turquoise eyes, dark purple cloven hooves, wavy and messy blonde hair with a well-styled tail, a tuxedo top with a white dress shirt underneath, as well as a dark blue bow tie. From underneath an extended part of the tuxedo's coattail, Scott could see what looks like a periwinkle colored compass of sorts on their flank.

The guard in front of the door seems to immediately take notice of the well-dressed stallion and seems to nearly trip over themselves. "P-Prince Blueblood! A-Apologies, your highness, y-your aunts are preparing themselves for a m-meeting." The guard sputtered out.

Scott's interest was now piqued. 'Celestia and Luna are aunts, never knew that. This is their nephew? I never would've guessed... kinda pisses me off that the guard was so eager to get brown on his nose when it comes to royalty, though, but that's politics, and thank god that's not my specialty.' Scott thought.

Blueblood smiled warmly and chuckled. "Right, the meeting. The one with the human, I presume, about why the Everfree suddenly erupted into a pyre of flames?" That got Scott's full attention, as well as Dash, Applejack, Flintgraad and Pitch's. The guard was sweating profusely, stammering gibberish as they tried to think of actual words to say. "Speaking of, it's nearly about time for that meeting to begin, isn't it? Show a bit of kindness to a fellow soldier and let them pass, would you kindly?" Blueblood asked politely.

The guard nodded his head quickly and opened the door. "T-The meeting will be taking place in the last room on the right! Can't miss it!" The guard stated frantically, smiling nervously.

Blueblood nodded his head. "Thank you, that'll be all," Blueblood looked up at the human, seeing the curious and puzzled look on his face. "Scott Baristo, was it? It was fairly pleasant to make your acquaintance. I am Prince Cas Amore Blueblood, or just Blueblood if you so prefer. I do wish I could attend such an important meeting, but my duties call for me elsewhere in Canterlot's ground district, so I wish you and your allies the best of luck with this fiery kerfuffle," Blueblood turned around and walked towards the drawbridge, but then stops for a moment as he shakes Dash's hoof, and continues on his way. "Tell my aunties that I wish them the best, and should they need my expertise, they can find me in the soup kitchen on Larson Road. Fare thee well, shapeshifter!~" Blueblood stated, casually walking away.

Scott, as well as the other four ponies were just as confused as the prince walked away. "Who in the hell was that? I spaced out for a moment." Scott commented.

Applejack sighed as she looked at the human. "That was Prince Blueblood, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna's nephew. He's somethin' of a celebrity in and outside of Canterlot, but he certainly don't act like a royal, from what I last heard." Applejack stated.

Dash scoffs. "That's putting it real mildly, AJ. Blueblood's the poorest royal in Canterlot's royal family, he's barely got a few hundred bits to his name nowadays, but he's rich in selfless acts. Ever since that near death experience he had years ago, he hasn't been the same. No longer is he the spoiled and entitled little jerk he was as a kid, but now he's this kind, generous and selfless stallion who could do no wrong, even if it got him his family's fortune back." Dash explains.

Scott raises an eyebrow, curious as to what Dash meant. Before he could ask, he immediately remembered the meeting he wanted arranged with the princesses. "Hey, let's talk about this later. For now, let's get down to business and meet with the princesses. We have enough on our plates, so let's deal with one thing at a time." Scott spoke up.

Flintgraad nodded his head. "The human is correct. We can speak about the prince when we aren't preparing to meet with the royal sisters." Flintgraad stated, agreeing with the human.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash nodded their heads, and the five of them made their way inside and towards the last door on the right. The guard stayed out of their way, and once all five were inside, he closed the doors and resumed guarding the entry.

As the five of them walked inside the room, they saw Celestia and Luna, with Gleaming and Sunset by their sides. Scott bowed and took his seat, as did the other four ponies he brought with him. "Your royal highnesses, it's a pleasure to finally speak to you again, I just wish it wasn't about something so... drastically unexpected." Scott spoke.

Celestia nodded her head. "Likewise, mister Baristo. Luna, could you please read the report we got from Privateer Zapp the day of the fire?" Celestia asked.

Luna stared at the human for a solid minute in silence. She saw a false show of bravery behind the human's eyes, and behind the façade was a feeling of guilt, shame and regret. Luna sighed, knowing she needed to know the whole story after this. "Of course, sister," Gleaming pulled a scroll out of a satchel and handed it to the princess. Luna then cleared her throat and began to read the report. "From what reports we got from the leader of the scouting party, all but Zapp had been executed or lost their lives in the fire, as well as what seemed to be a hive of unidentified species of insect no bigger than a dog. There were whispers among Ponyville's guards that you, miss Applejack and miss Dash ventured into the everfree to go after them and supposedly, a fight broke out, resulting in many casualties. Can you explain your side of the story?" Luna requested.

Scott looked at Dash and AJ, who nodded their heads. Scott looked back at the princesses. "If it's alright with you, princesses, these two guards come from Zapp's scouting party, they came forth to me so they could have a chance to tell you their side of the story." Scott suggested, gesturing to Flintgraad and Pitch.

Luna was a bit surprised to see two of her former night guards standing with the human. Celestia was more-so confused and rather suspicious of what exactly the human was doing. "Pray tell, who are they, are they off-the-clock, and why are they here to tell us their story?" Celestia asked, seeming skeptical of why two bat ponies were present in this meeting.

Scott sighed. "Since you asked, these two are Flintgraad and Pitch, they're the only confirmed survivors of Zapp's scout troupe that we saved from the fire, because the rest of them were attacked and swiftly killed by the alien species that was going extinct, and were just defending themselves. That alien species is now extinct due to the fire, so there's also that to consider," Luna and Celestia looked rather surprised, but Scott held his hands up defensively. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to explain that part of the issue in a moment, but please, If you'd be so kind to spare your time to do so, please hear them out. I beg of you, it's important to know that you've been fed false information in that report..." Scott paused as he felt a cold sweat on his brow, or was that... Scott was silent for a moment, but he eventually found his words again. "I don't say that lightly, and I've never said that at all before, regardless of who my superior was... please don't assume I'm stepping on anyone's hooves for not being okay with what happened that night, I would've rather handled it peacefully and relocate the species to a safer environment, rather than deal with the surprise wildfire that started." Scott pleaded.

Luna and Celestia looked at each other for a moment, then looked to Flintgraad and Pitch. "If mister Baristo says your stories about the incident tell a clearer story, then we would like to get a clearer side of the story to this whole situation. Speak whenever you're ready." Luna stated.

Scott gestured for Flintgraad and Pitch to speak their perspectives, leaving only Flintgraad to debate how he was going to word his explanation. It took the stallion a moment to find the courage, and he tried his best to keep his nerves calm and steady. "I-It was hours after the latest blood moon a few days back before the incident. Pitch and I were about to clock out and go home after we did our last nightly patrol, until Zapp approached us and offered us a spot on his new troupe," Scott, AJ, Dash and the princesses listened intently, all while Sunset and Dusk wrote and documented Flintgraad's story. "He described it to us as a scouting position, out-in-the-field type work to chart out the Everfree Forest and hopefully bring back some old artifacts for the royal archaeologists to study. We told him that we weren't exactly the brainy-types he'd need for such a troupe, but he reassured us that we'd be guarding and protecting the brainy-types he supposedly already got for his troupe," Scott was rather confused at Flint's words, as were Dash and AJ, since they didn't see any archeologists or any of their equipment among the soldiers they found. "He told us we'd start the job a day before this whole mess occurred, which was the day after we clocked out. We were tight on bits, too, bills and taxes aren't exactly cheap, ya know. Zapp promised that he'd give us a couple more bits to help us get by after the mission was successful, so... because we needed the bits, we took the offer." Flintgraad explained, feeling a bit ashamed.

Pitch nodded her head, rubbing Flintgraad's back as he put his head down on the table. "When the dawn broke the next morning, we clocked in like usual, and then Zapp came to bring us to the Everfree. Flint and I noticed there weren't any archaeologists in the troupe, just more soldiers. He told us that they were armored up for their own protection, which in hindsight, it should've tipped us off that something was wrong. We just realized too late why he needed us," Celestia continued to listen, while Luna was just trying to process the information Pitch was giving. "When we got halfway down that uncharted trail, we heard a buzzing sound from the trees. We didn't have enough time to react until our helmets suddenly vanished off our heads. Something tough and thick smacked against our heads and knocked us out, he abandoned and left us at the mercy of those creatures," Luna looked appalled that one of her former night guards would betray and abandon not one of their own, but two, and on false pretenses by an attempt of premeditated murder. "We eventually woke up, stuck to some kind of wall as the mother of those bug things stared at us, as if trying to figure out who and what we were. They backed off and their monarch told us that she wasn't going to kill us, but she was still trying to ascertain if we were friend or foe." Pitch explained.

Scott looked at Pitch and Flintgraad. "That actually reminds me. I was meaning to ask you both, did she tell you both anything in particular?" Scott asked.

Pitch nodded her head. Scott was just concerned for what he was about to hear, as was Sunset and Dusk. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were mentally preparing for the worst. "She said she was only after one of our troupe's members. She described them as, and I quote, "A thrall that masquerades behind a false façade. They sensed their vile pheromones, hiding behind a wicked guise of magic, one that once again lead more poor souls into what would be a death trap, masquerading as an ambush"," Scott's eyes went wide, his face seemed to lose its color for a moment as a sickened and frightened expression slowly formed on his face. Scott felt like he was gonna throw up, scream or try to do both at once, but he did feel a burning anger rising. One he recognized all too well. "Flint thought it was nonsense and tried to break out, but he found out the hard way that by doing that, the goo that held us drained us of our magic, weakened the hell out of us, even making me pass out in the process." Pitch explained.

Scott looked over at Applejack and Dash, seeing the fire in their eyes and looks of disgust. Scott looked over at Pitch, who gestured for Flint to continue his side of the story. Flint cleared his throat and readied himself to speak. "We had been up on that wall for a day, but there was a few things the monarch told me, because she eventually realized me and Pitch could be trusted as friends of her hive. She asked if we knew of a person who wore a powerful watch, capable of turning them into these things called "aliens", and we knew nothing, until we finally met him properly days after the incident," Celestia felt very conflicted with what she was hearing, but it was becoming rather obvious that there was a pest in her ranks. "She told me a lot of strange things, things I'm sworn to only tell to the one who wields the uh... What do you call that thing on your wrist again, mister Baristo?" Flintgraad asked.

Scott held up his right arm to let the Altnetrix be shown. "The Altnetrix. Don't worry about it, you'll get used to saying that if you and your pal stick around," Scott took a moment to think about what Flintgraad said just a moment ago, and suddenly the gears in his head started going into overtime. "Wait- What do you mean by that? Things she swore you to only tell me, what exactly did she want you to tell me? Why didn't you tell me this on the train ride here!?" Scott asked, his curiosity starting to get the better of him.

Applejack tapped on his shoulder. "Let Flintgraad finish the explanation, partner. I swear your brain functions like a squirrel who discovered coffee," Applejack looked over at Flint. "Sorry about that, partner. Please, continue." Applejack said.

Flint nodded. "No apologies needed, I'd be curious too with such a device. But, things basically end there for Pitch and I's side of the story. Pitch was still passed out, and I was getting there myself when these three showed up to save us," Flintgraad looked at the princesses. "I started to pick up on the smell of smoke before I passed out, and it was clear that someone didn't want witnesses or evidence of their involvement, especially if they risked setting fire to the Everfree, the most unpredictable and hostile environment next door to Ponyville," Flint shifted his gaze to Scott, Applejack and Dash, smiling gratefully in appreciation. "Pitch and I, we would be burnt to ash piles, had it not been for mister Baristo, miss Dash and miss Applejack here getting us out of there, your highnesses." Flintgraad concluded.

Celestia and Luna looked at each other with concern, then looks down at the supposed report. "Well, that certainly... denotes the entire report Zapp sent in. Still, we need Scott's side of the story, just to confirm if this is true," The princesses look at Sunset and Dusk, who immediately get some new parchment ready to write on. Luna and Celestia look over at Scott. "Start from the beginning, if you would kindly." Luna suggested.

Scott took a deep breath and sighed. "It all started a few days ago on the day of the incident, hours before it all went to hell in a handbasket. The morning was on the rise, and I was trying to get some much needed and very much missed hours of sleep after what I had to put up with during the last blood moon on Applejack's farm," Scott gave a side-eyed glare at the farm pony, earning a nervous chuckle from the farm pony. "And I just wanted to spend the day catching up on catching some Zs. But it seemed like I was not allowed to relax that day, so me, Dash and Applejack went to the Everfree to see if Zapp and his troupe needed any assistance. It was only after seeing the rainbow powder scattered all over the Everfree, which made it become quiet and tame," Luna and Celestia looked at each other in mild shock, then back at Scott. "That was the point in contention when I knew I had to handle this, or this was going to escalate. How ironic, truly, given what happened." Scott stated.

Scott cleared his throat and continued to speak. "Zapp and his soldiers knew jack diddly squat about who and what the Anthodopterrans were capable of, so that explains a lot about needless casualties. We ran into him and he claimed that the Anthodopterrans ambushed him and his soldiers, but the truth is often stranger than fiction, as we humans say," Luna looked at Scott, noticing a look of anger, disappointment, and shame on the human's face. "The Anthodopterrans only perceived Zapp as the only threat in their eyes, due to his abnormal pheromones and hiding behind another form. He used his own soldiers as bait, meat shields, possibly both, so he could escape and try to manipulate us into assuming the Anthodopterrans were a real tactical threat, trying to play us for fools, but he clearly forgot who he was dealing with," Scott's expression slowly formed into pure pain. Something was irking the human, and it was driving him nuts, like it tried to divide his thought process. "However, I knew from the start that Zapp was trying to prepare an alibi for his own supposed "failure" regarding that mission... if it even was a mission at all to begin with. As a Plumber, you're trained to hone your skills and utilize them at all times in the field, but I... I never thought Zapp's change in demeanor would come to such extremes," Scott wiped his face with his hands and slowly processed the information racking around his brain. "The Anthodopterrans are sentient beings, but they couldn't ambush a snail with the buzzing sound they emit. Zapp got innocent ponies killed for a goal I still have yet to figure out, and pushing the Anthodopterrans to extinction seems like just the beginning of something worse... they didn't even stand a chance, he made them suffer and burning them to ash was... cruel, worse than cruel." Scott explained, his tone slowly became more cold, disgusted, disturbed and disconnected, all while the anger inside him just burned like embers.

The room was abnormally silent, the air was tense and heavy. AJ and Dash looked at Scott, a bit surprised and mildly taken aback by the words the he spoke. The princesses could feel it in the air that something has brewing within the human's mind, two different sides waging war and arguing over what needed to be said or believed. Scott took a moment and tried to compose himself, but Scott's exhaustion was starting to finally wear his will down, and his personal feelings were conflicting with the logic he usually applied to his job in situations like this.

Still, Scott could barely believe the words that came out of his mouth. He thought of Zapp as a friend, yet everything that happened with that sudden changeling attack in Ponyville, Dash and Zapp's falling out, the incident with the Everfree wildfire, he felt like he was finally starting to feel the weight of his job as a Plumber, or was it the hope that he had a friend, or someone he could trust who understood the difficulty of the jobs they had, and everything about this incident had finally felt like a dagger buried in his spine?

Scott had more than many questions and opinions desperately bouncing in his head, it almost felt like he was going to split in two. Nothing made sense from a personal perspective, but from a logical perspective, it made perfect sense. Zapp was a rat, a traitor, responsible for luring soldiers to their deaths and used arson to rid any evidence that pointed to him, yet he couldn't imagine the same bat pony he first met being capable of such horrors. While he never had the chance to say it, Zapp was a friend, something he hadn't had since he lost his parents.

Scott got up from his seat and couldn't seem to look the princesses in the eyes. "I need a moment on my own, I'll keep it brief. I'll be back." Scott stated, his voice sounded almost hopeless.

It didn't take any special training, magic or whatever for everypony in that room to notice that Scott was clearly split on the incident. Sure, he did care about the casualties that didn't have to happen, and didn't approve of Zapp's actions, but Scott clearly felt uncertain for condemning one of the few ponies he's worked with to stop alien-related crimes in Equestria to being a traitor.

Celestia was about to get up, but Princess Luna got up first and immediately stepped in front of Scott, blocking the door. "Scott Baristo, you clearly seem conflicted. Am I right to assume that Privateer Zapp is a friend of yours?" Luna inquired.

Scott clenched his teeth as he walked past the princess and opened the door. "That's what I need to figure out. I'll be right back, apologies for the disruption," Scott put one foot out the door, before he remembered something. He looked back at the princesses. "Before I go, I ran into your nephew, Blueblood. Nice guy, he wishes you the best." Scott stated briefly.

As Scott walked out the door and closed it behind him, Luna looked to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "What was that about?" Luna inquired.

Dash shrugged her shoulders. "I guess he just wanted to remind you that your nephew wished you the best, I don't know exa--" Dash felt Applejack nudge her in the side, interrupting her sentence. "Ow!" Dash yelped.

Applejack sighed and rubbed Dash's back. "She's referrin' to Zapp and his supposed connection to Scott. Never heard of or met the feller before until the Everfree caught fire. Ah didn't even know bat ponies could even look like some of Princess Celestia's guards," Celestia and Luna were now very confused, to which made both mares feel concerned. "Ya know, light blue mane and a pristine white coat, it was like mah eyes were playin' tricks on me, like one ah them fancy schmancy illusions, ya never noticed how a ton of yer guards look the same?" Applejack inquired.

Celestia nodded slowly. "I'm well aware most of them look the same, since a lot of them do descend from a few close-knit families that served equestrian royalty for many generations. Numerous similarities in appearances were bound to happen if they kept to making the guard more diverse," Celestia looked towards Luna, seeming concerned. "But I've never heard of, let alone seen a bat pony that had such a distinct color scheme that lumped them in with the rest of my usual guard detail. Unless one of the night guard began fraternizing with one of the day guards after their shift, there's no record of a bat pony with such a description. You're certain they're as you described?" Celestia inquired.

Dash nodded her head. "Yeah, I've been around Zapp often when I work with Scott, and he looks like one of the night guard, but colored exactly like one of your day guards. With all due respect, how in all of Tartarus does someone like that not stick out to you?" Dash questioned.

Luna places the report Zapp sent to them, staring intently as a look of fear seems to rise within her. "That's a very good question, but here's another string of questions. There were reports of a supposed "Sotoraggian" creature that attacked an exclusive club, and then days later, attacked Ponyville. They were caught and interrogated by you, miss Dash, and mister Baristo, but hasn't been prosecuted for their crimes due to their escape from our custody." Luna stated.

Dash was now very confused. "Wait what? Me and Scott chased after that psychotic alien thing when it broke out. Zapp even assisted us in catching it, how did... d-how did... w-wait a minute..." Dash paused for a moment, trying to remember what happened that day. She remembers Zapp carrying Seventy-Four away to a special cell, likely to disarm him and lock him up, but now something wasn't adding up for the blue pegasus. 'If Zapp took him away, and Seventy-Four has yet to be prosecuted and is dubbed as an escapee, then where... oh my faust, he didn't!' Dash was finally starting to realize that Zapp didn't bring Seventy-Four to their cell. "Oh dear Faust... Z-Zapp had Seventy-Four in his hold when Scott rendered his alien bounty hunter butt unconscious. Zapp said there was a special cell in Tartarus for him, but if he's dubbed an escapee... Zapp didn't put him back in a cell, but instead took him somewhere else!" Dash exclaimed.

Applejack looked at the pegasus by her side with a concerned expression. She could tell clear as day that Dash wasn't lying, and that kinda scared the farm pony a bit. "Dash, answer this carefully. If Zapp didn't take him and throw that sucker in the slammer, where in tarnation did he take that armor-clad varmint?" Applejack asked cautiously.

Dash shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, but it would explain why Seventy-Four isn't locked up now, or getting prosecuted for their crimes. Zapp has been playing an insane game of manipulation tactics, and is clearly up to something, and it isn't good. It would also explain why he was also absent during the Changeling attack in Ponyville, and only came back when the Changeling was chased away." Dash stated.

Celestia was very concerned hearing about a changeling attack in Ponyville, and was beginning to wonder why this wasn't immediately brought to her attention. "What's this about a Changeling attack!? What happened!?" Celestia inquired, her voice filled with distress.

Dash cleared her throat. "Me, Scott and Zapp were taking a day to ourselves to relax. We went to order our food at a diner in town, when we heard a commotion outside. Before we heard the commotion, Zapp snuck away while we weren't paying attention, that's important to note. Me and Scott ran out and saw a big muscly changeling on top of a pony they killed. It was horrific," Dash paused for a moment, but shook her head and continued to explain. "Regardless, Scott and I managed to fight against the Changeling, sent it running back to wherever it came from. Zapp finally came onto the scene after the Changeling fled, and I told him that he should've been there helping us, and he got all uppity about Seventy-Four's condition, talking about the machines it had, or whatever. He was just fixated on Seventy-Four, not the dead pony or the changeling responsible for their murder." Dash remarked, clearly still angry about what happened that day.

A lot of this information was rather new for Celestia and Luna, they almost wanted to assume Rainbow Dash was lying, but they saw Applejack's face. The orange mare's face wore a rather horrified expression. It was a mix of terror, anger, and pure shock. Rainbow Dash was telling the truth, her body shook with rage just remembering that day.

Applejack pulled Dash in for a hug, being surprised by how Dash reciprocated the gesture without hesitation. Celestia and Luna looked at each other, both had a knowing look on their faces, unaware of the problem that was in the room with them. The small unseen thing that hitched a ride on Flintgraad's armor managed to scurry to the door undetected, and wormed its way under it, scurrying in the opposite direction of where Scott went.

Once it was far enough from the meeting room, it enveloped itself in a burst of green flames, shapeshifting itself into one of the guards and walking away like nothing happened.

Speaking of Scott, he was no longer inside the castle, but was now on the streets of Canterlot. He walked through a crowd of ponies that seemed to pay him no mind, but Scott tried to not pay them any attention at all, the conflicting thoughts in his head screamed in his head, as if the angel and devil on his shoulders finally lost their damn minds and constantly shriek like judgmental banshees.

Scott walked through the streets of Canterlot, trying to process what happened in that room, all while looking down at the ground. 'Come on, Scott, you need to focus. Zapp did some pretty bad stuff, the kind of stuff that the Plumbers would go on manhunts for. You heard what happened with Area 51, the military imprisoning tons of innocent aliens against their will, and one of them was willing to die if it meant seeing their family again... Magister Tennyson really didn't like talking about that incident, and I wouldn't blame him,' Scott looked up, noticing a few ponies looking at him. Scott smiled and waved at them, only for them to sneer and walk away. Scott's smile faded and he sighed. 'Now I'm the alien that's trapped, but at least I'm making the attempt to save this world, rather than demand vengeance and senseless bloodshed, and Zapp... he was what I could consider a friend, but after all of this... why would he do this? What reason does he have to do any of this!?' Scott thought.

Scott hears a commotion, which snaps him out of his train of thought and inclines him to look up ahead. He notices Blueblood as he stands in-between two quarreling mares. "L-Ladies, please! I-I'm sure there's a way to resolve this peacefully, I assure you." Blueblood pleaded, trying to de-escalate the situation.

The mare on his right growled through her clenched teeth, glaring daggers at the mare in front of her. "As if! I'll knock those fake lashes out of this poor excuse for a pony! And that's just the start of what I'll do to her!" The mare threatened.

The mare on his left smirked and cracked her neck. "Try it, you fast food junkie! I'll knock the tens of thousands of calories you shoveled down your spacious whore mouth out of your fragile little body!" The other mare taunted.

Scott walked over and cleared his throat, getting the mares and Blueblood's attention. "A-Ah! The human has graced Canterlot with their presence. I presume the meeting went well?" Blueblood inquired.

Scott looked... surprisingly uncomfortable at the mention of the meeting, but tried to keep his thoughts to himself. "It's complicated, I stepped out for some fresh air, to clear my mind and such. What's happening here?" Scott asked, trying to change the subject.

The mares immediately started butting heads, believing the prince to be distracted. "I'll tear your mane up with my teeth, you homewrecker!" One mare exclaimed.

The other mare tried to put their hooves on the opposing mare's neck. "Not before I loosen you up, like your bachelorette party, you hussy!!" The other mare roared out.

Blueblood was rather terrified by the mares that were going to start a brawl in the streets. Scott couldn't believe what he was seeing, but he did feel as if the prince needed some assistance. "Apparently we're both dealing with some serious shit." Scott stated.

The prince nodded his head, backing up as the sight of the mares trying to fight each other left him a bit worried. "Context is key, old boy. I was on my way to the soup kitchen, when I see these two mares arguing about a rather promiscuous issue in their personal lives, so I was trying to simply provide some help to these mares who were having an issue about love, and it didn't go as well as I had hoped," Prince Blueblood points to the two mares who are wrestling in an aggressive manner, trying to tear each other apart. "Somehow, I unearthed two marital scandals for the price of nothing at all in the midst of it, and now they're getting aggressive. I can't help but feel that I may have unintentionally stoked the fires of their ire, and I haven't been able to get them to calm down. I'm at a loss to know what exactly it is I need to do, but I can't in good conscience let this go on unabated." Blueblood explained.

Scott's eye twitched, out of every second he spent in the academy to train himself to become an intergalactic law enforcer, he always struggled with these particular cases, and the fact that this happens in another world populated by ponies, didn't make him feel any better. Scott looked to the direction he came from, noticing a few guards approaching. "Oh great, now the guards have been assembled, this can only end well," The guards stopped and looked up at the human, while Scott focused on the tall mare in front of him adorned in golden armor that complimented her white coat. "Well, I'm ready to expect the worst. Who might you be, and what's going on now?" Scott asked unenthusiastically. Scott wasn't mentally prepared for going back to that meeting, not while his own thoughts on the situation were having a civil war. He needed a distraction, and the approaching guards were not that in the slightest.

The mare took her helmet off, revealing a long unicorn horn and a well styled, but still matted and split end-ridden purple mane. "Admiral Tempered Cut, reporting for guard duty. Terribly sorry to approach on masse like this, darling, but we've been meaning to report to the princesses that another one of those "aliens" you're so familiar with, has been causing problems recently." Tempered explained.

Scott's eye twitched again, but he let out a sigh and nodded his head. "I'll check it out as soon as I can. Give me details, what do they look like and where did you and your guards see them last?" Scott asked.

Tempered cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "They were a golem of some kind. They were incredibly large, slim yet robust, comprised of this lovely assortment of Moonstone gems and Moonstone deposits, but don't let its smooth and decadent appearance fool you, it's quite the beast," Scott raised an eyebrow at the description, he's never heard of an alien like that, and he doesn't exactly have his Plumber Badge anymore, so information was more sparse than ever. "As for where it was last seen, it was last seen heading for Canterlot's abandoned mines. It's on the other side of the mountain that Canterlot's castle is built along the side of, you can't miss it. Follow along the old railroad tracks to the north, hook a left, and you'll find the entrance." Tempered explained, handing a folded paper map to the human.

Scott took the map and saluted to Tempered Cut, who in turn saluted back. Before Tempered left, however, Scott quickly tapped her head a moment, getting her attention again. "Hey, if you wouldn't mind, could a couple of your guards handle this domestic situation, and another couple guards help escort Prince Blueblood to the soup kitchen? If this strange creature, if it's even an alien, is causing problems, then I need to take care of this ASAP. When you're done, inform the princesses that an alien problem came up and had to be dealt with." Scott requested.

Tempered looked at the two arguing mares getting ready to charge at each other, and Blueblood trying to find a way to end their conflict. "I'll see what my guards and I can do. Fare thee well, darling, hope everything goes well." Tempered Cut stated.

As Tempered and her group of guards disperse, Scott runs in the direction Tempered Cut told him, all while a guard slowly steps out of an alleyway the human passes. Zapp was following behind the human, keeping himself a few feet away as he eyes Scott in a curious manner. "Well well... Scott Baristo, this isn't the meeting room. Where are you going?" Zapp asked himself, letting a wry fanged smirk form on his face as he took to the skies, flapping his wings.

As Tempered Cut and a couple other guards escorted Blueblood to the soup kitchen, the prince couldn't help but stop dead in his tracks and notice Zapp flying into the air, following Scott from above. Blueblood didn't think about what he should do, he just acted on the first impulse that came to mind. Before Tempered Cut could ask why Blueblood had ceased in moving, Blueblood ran in the direction of the castle. "Auntie!!" Prince Blueblood exclaimed in a panic.

Tempered and her guards ran after Blueblood, unaware of the entity that followed Scott from above. One of the other guards who tried to help with the two arguing mares, simply looked in Zapp's direction for a moment, smiling in a sinister manner, chuckling as their eyes became entirely blue and bulbous for a second, only to then return to normal.

Somewhere within the more restricted sections of the castle, the fake guard looked around carefully, as if looking for any signs of other ponies. Once it confirmed that it was alone, a burst of green flaming lights enveloped it, revealing the changeling's true form. The insectoid pony creature fluttered its wings and noticed a large blue door that had a large lock on it.

The changeling shapeshifted itself into a Detrovite, and tore the lock into pieces, tossing the pieces aside as it threw the door open, nearly knocking it off its hinges in the process as it changed itself back into its guard disguise. The changeling walked inside, seeing a huge collection of old books and scrolls on dusty shelves, but it knew what it was after, and it didn't intend on wasting time looking around.

The changeling flew up towards a large glowing blue light contained in a large hourglass-like structure. The changeling changed back into its real form, reached a hoof into its mouth, and pulled out what looked like a small shard of red glass. The changeling carefully refracted the blue light off the shard, letting a green beam of light refract and bounce around the dark room, until it landed on one particular book.

It looked to be made of solid stone, heavily bound in thorns. and the pages inside seemed to be made of some kind of marble. The changeling swallowed the red glass shard with little issue, changed back into its guard disguise and grabbed the book, walking out of the room. As the guard stepped into the hallway, he noticed a few guards standing in his way, likely curious about the noise he had made breaking the lock. One of the guards stepped forward, standing in the changeling's way. "Hold it, soldier! What in Celestia's name is goin' on here, and why in tarnation do you have that book!? There's a reason why it was locked up!" The guard questioned, staring at the disguised changeling sternly.

The disguised changeling said nothing, but it did let a wry smirk form on its face. It let out a buzzing chittering noise as its eyes became bulbous and blue, which immediately put the guards at ease as they readied themselves for a fight. "Good, you're one ah them bugs. Means we don't have to be the civil and merciful types. Swat the bug, you glorified show ponies!! That book doesn't leave the castle!!" The guard ordered.

The guards charged at the changeling, who changed into its real form, and flew into the air. A couple bat ponies and pegasi flew up to intercept it, but the changeling barreled through them. A few of the ponies crashed into the walls, the sound of various snapping bones and pained yells echo out as the changeling flies through one of the windows, shattering the glass as the few earth pony guards threw their spears, and the unicorns fired magical blasts, to which nothing seemed to significantly slow down or damage the insectoid infiltrator.

The guards looked at each other, each one concerned and terrified of what to do now, but it was clear that they were in for a hell of a stern reprimand from the princesses.

The princesses, their students, Flint, Pitch, as well as Applejack and Rainbow Dash left the meeting room, seeming refreshed. "Well, a lot has been covered today, can't help but wonder where mister Baristo went off to instead of returning to the room, but I'm willing to bet it was important. This meeting will be the first of many, I presume, so it'd be wise for both miss Applejack and miss Dash to properly prepare themselves and keep working with Scott to bring this "Zapp" individual to justice." Luna stated.

Applejack looked around, noticing a distinct lack of noise in the hallway, until a bunch of guards came barreling down the hallway, carrying a few pegasi and bat ponies on their backs. Their bent and broken wings looked unnatural, but it was clear the princesses had yet another issue to take care of. Celestia cleared her throat and looked down at the guards, who kneeled in front of her. "Based on what happened to these guards, am I right to assume a problem has arisen?" Celestia inquired.

One of the guards looked up at Celestia. "It was one of them damn bugs, your highness. They disguised themselves as one of us, and broke the locks on the royal archive! They stole that old stone book and broke these poor bastards' wings! It shattered a window and flew away, none of us could hit it!" One of the guards explained.

Everyone was shocked, but the shock was the least of their worries. Luna and Celestia looked at each other with concern, until the doors to the castle's front entrance were thrown open, revealing Blueblood and Tempered Cut, who were running right for the princesses. "We have a problem!" Blueblood exclaimed.

Celestia put a hoof to her face, grumbling. "Blueblood, whatever you're talking about can wait, we're already dealing with a crisis. A changeling breached the castle, broke into the archive, and stole that forsaken book," Blueblood was taken aback, genuinely surprised at the news. Celestia knew her nephew rather well, so it concerned her that this wasn't the problem he was referring to, and something was clearly off if he came to tell her face to face. "Pray tell, dearest nephew, what could be so important for you to tell me this instant?" Celestia inquired.

Blueblood looked to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, and sighed. "That "Zapp" individual, the very same individual that your meeting was about? He's shown his face in Canterlot a recent moment ago. He's tailing Scott Baristo to the abandoned mines, where the human intends to face some kind of Moonstone golem gone rogue," the guards were shocked, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were very concerned, but also rather irritated. Flintgraad and Pitch huddled together, almost out of fear. The princesses were clearly angry. This was all calculated, a setup. A means of distracting not just the princesses, but also the displaced Plumber as well, just to steal a very dangerous book, and to get Scott out of their way. "If you're telling me that the same book we're both thinking of was the one stolen, and by a changeling no less, I suspect foul play is at hand. We need guards to go to the mines and provide aide for the human, he's likely not aware that he's being tracked!" Blueblood explained.

Tempered Cut bowed her head at the princesses, and saluted to them, all while Applejack and Rainbow Dash eyed the mare with a sense of familiarity. "This is the first I'm hearing that the archives were breached. Your highnesses, with all due respect, the human informed us to aide your nephew with escorting him to the soup kitchen, and to solve a domestic dispute in-progress, we're a bit stretched thin. If I could request your permission, I'll venture to the mines and provide the human with aide, should he require it." Tempered stated.

Flintgraad and Pitch stepped forward. "We'll go with you. We have a personal problem with that poor excuse for a pony and the things he's done, so we intend to make him pay, with all due respect, ma'am." Flintgraad stated firmly, saluting to Tempered Cut. Pitch Ink followed her friend's lead, saluting to the mare.

Applejack and Rainbow nodded and stepped forward. "Count us in, too. I'm gonna buck that jerk's teeth down his throat for endangering Scootaloo's well being, and for trying to burn us alive." Rainbow Dash remarked.

Applejack nodded her head, agreeing with the pegasus by her side. "Ah still owe it to Scott fer helpin' me during that blood moon. Plus, ah want tah take a crack at that wily no good fer nothin' varmint." Applejack said with a smirk.

Blueblood stepped forth. "If you're heading to the mines, like you mentioned earlier, you'll need someone to get you there the fastest, and my special talent isn't in directions for no reason at all. Besides, he intended to help me, so it's only fair that I return the favor." Blueblood stated.

Tempered was a bit hesitant, but she knew she'd need all the help she could get. "Then let's not waste anymore time. Come along, darlings, we have to play a bit of catch up!" Tempered Cut ordered.

Meanwhile, Scott has been moving through the forest, pushing through the brush as he looked for any signs of train tracks. So far, he was having very little luck, and as if things weren't already sucky enough, he felt like someone was following him. He heard the sound of buzzing and chittering, like it was some kind of large insect, and he really wanted to hope it was just a bug, and nothing else.

But, life isn't fair, and Scott learned that when he lost his parents. Scott stopped in his tracks, not even bothering to turn around or even look at his surroundings. He hung his head low, feeling as if a set of eyes were on him, he felt a gaze ever since he left Canterlot a mere moment ago, and here he was, feeling that same gaze after running three miles away from Canterlot itself and spent an hour pushing through the brush.

Scott took a deep breath, and mentally prepared himself for the worst. That was when the buzzing and chittering stopped, leaving Scott in nature's sounds of silence. "You know that I know you're there, hiding from me, right? You've been following me, keeping your distance since I left Canterlot without so much as a heads up. The moment Blueblood started yelling, I knew something was wrong, so I kept my cool till I knew we were alone. Ya might as well show yourself, we need to talk, Zapp." Scott called out, his tone of voice was almost sad, yet clearly agitated and disappointed.

From the top of one of the trees, Zapp drops down and smiles at Scott, eliciting no response from Scott. "Guess you're smarter than I gave ya credit for. Then again, you were trained for these kinds of situations, so I'm not--"

Scott wasted no time and readied his bat, gripping the handle so tight, he felt as if the wood was splintering and digging into his fingers. The bat crackled with magical electrical energy, and Zapp finally saw the human's expression. A scowl that seemed to make the bat pony catch his words in his throat. Scott wanted answers, and he was going to get them. One way, or another.

Scott pointed the bat at Zapp. "Cut the crap, Private, or do I just call you Zapp... can I even call you that anymore, or is that a fake name you came up with?" Zapp's eyes widened a moment, Zapp's eyes darted in every direction, then he started to back up as Scott stepped towards him. "Either way, you sure do like to lie, quite the nasty habit you suddenly picked up, and apparently, arson is quite the hobby, if the Everfree meant anything." Scott stated coldly.

Zapp tried to act as if he didn't know what Scott was talking about, but it was becoming all too obvious that Scott was in no mood for games or tricks. "Tell me. Were you taking an interest in me out of the kindness in your heart, because you wanted to be my friend, or were you just trying to use me till you set the Everfree on fire!?" Zapp gritted his teeth and charged at Scott. Scott brought down the bat, which made Zapp jump out of the way. Electrical sparks shot out in every direction as Scott ran at the pony. "A lot of stuff isn't making sense, Zapp, cut the bullshit, stop lying, start talking and explain yourself! Where were you really when that changeling attacked a pony in the middle of town, why did you think it best to leave your group behind in the Everfree and attempt to burn their bodies, why did the Anthodopterrans only perceive you as a threat?! Do you have something to do with Eclipsed Blackheart, or is it something else!?" Zapp dodged Scott's many attempts to swing the bat down onto him, but Scott finally managed to hit Zapp in the side of his torso, shocking the pony badly as they careened into a tree. "Why? Why!? WHY!!!" Scott exclaimed, his voice beginning to break as the anger and betrayal finally won over in his mind.

Scott's voice echoed out across the air, it sounded horrifying. Like a dying gasp and a second wind all in one guttural scream, fueled by nothing but betrayal, anger, confusion and sadness. He was conflicted, he felt horrible, he was mad at Zapp for what he'd done, and didn't even know the rest of the things he's done. He wanted Zapp to explain himself, yet another part of him didn't wanna hear more excuses or lies. People and aliens died because of his lies and excuses, and he was done putting up with it.

Zapp weakly got up, and it was rather obvious that things weren't working out. 'Okay, this isn't right. This was supposed to be an ambush to get him out of the way, but he got the drop on me instead! Now he's getting aggressive, I need a new strategy,' Zapp looked up, his eyes widened at the sight of Scott standing above him, brandishing the bat with both hands. Scott's eyes stung like hell, his face now wearing an expression reminiscent of anger, all while tears stained his face. Zapp could hear Scott's breathing. it was erratic, and he was clearly hesitant on what he needed to do. "A-Alright, you win... w-what do you want to know?" Zapp asked.

Scott used one of his hands and roughly grabbed Zapp by the scruff of his neck, picking him up as he stared into his eyes. "I want the truth, you know that. Who are you really, what are you, why did you do all of those horrible things, who do you work for, what is the endgame for all your crimes against not just ponies, but alien life as well?!" Scott gritted through his teeth.

Zapp let a dry chuckle escape his lips, which simultaneously angered Scott further, and confused him greatly. "You're certainly full of questions, but not all of them were the right questions to ask," A green fire envelops him, causing Scott to let him go. Scott's eyes widen as the flames dissipate, revealing some kind of blend between a stallion and a changeling. "As for the who, I'm what my kind call "The Hybrid", but the name Zapp was something I concocted all on my own, for when I used my disguise to integrate myself into pony kind. I drew my own pony form long ago and was able to mimic it perfectly, but to answer you plainly, I am Chitin. Bastard son to the changeling queen, and the eldest of the queen's three sons." Chitin introduced.

Scott gritted his teeth, he felt as if his stomach was churning and turning itself inside out. Something didn't sit right, and it wasn't the fact that Zapp, the pony he once considered a friend, never existed... no, this was different, a different kind of unsettling. "As for the what, I suppose you're entitled to a more... familiar reminder. Tell me, you remember when that elven creature showed up, don't you? I believe they were a Hylian, from what was explained previously, correct? Pathetic." Chitin remarked.

Chitin was immediately met with a sudden hit to the face, the sound of his snout cracking and breaking sounded unfathomably sick. The end of Scott's bat was now covered in a light mucus green substance, likely blood that came from Chitin's busted muzzle. "You're the one who's pathetic! I trusted you, and you got people killed! You made an entire alien species endangered!!" Scott exclaimed angrily.

Chitin smirked, wiping the light green blood with his hoof. "And? Am I supposed to feel bad for making sure no other insects can challenge the changelings, get real!" Scott, through many tears and a brief moment of contemplation, swung his bat again, but Chitin jumped out of the way and snickered, which just pissed Scott off more. "Ya know, it's kinda funny. Never thought I'd face some whiner, who ended up stuck with the most powerful alien device in fiction. All that power at your disposal, and you waste it on a bunch of meaningless lives, when in the grand scheme of things, you couldn't comprehend what it means to be in this position. I'll gladly watch as you get annihilated." Chitin snided.

Scott was very confused, but his anger was still prevalent. He grabbed Chitin, Zapp, whatever he was supposed to call him now, Scott grabbed them by the neck and pulled them close. "What the hell are you talking about!? Why are you doing this!" Scott exclaimed.

Chitin laughed, which was getting on Scott's nerves beyond explanation. Chitin kicked Scott away, but Scott was done messing around, and Chitin was done entertaining the human. Scott got up, tossed his bat aside, and cracked his knuckles as he lunged at him. The two got into a very messy brawl, with Chitin shapeshifting a type of bladed stinger and a pair of pincers onto his body, but Scott didn't care anymore. Chitin charged forward, snapping his pincers at the human, only for him to dodge and deliver a jab to Chitin's face. Chitin shook off the hit, but was suddenly met by a jump kick from Scott, pushing the hybrid into another tree.

The human got to his feet and charged after Chitin, who then swung his stinger at the human. Scott ducked down and narrowly avoided the attack, though the stinger did brush against the side of his neck, cutting into his neck a fair bit as a bit of blood slowly seeped from the wound. Scott put his hand on his neck, then saw the blood for himself, and managed to get Chitin into a chokehold. The changeling tried to break free from the hold, but Scott decided that he was done with the niceties, especially if this guy wasn't his friend, let alone an ally.

Scott proceeded to slam Chitin's face into the ground repeatedly, then lets him go, only to then kick him into another tree. Chitin coughed up a bit of light green blood, all while it leaked from his nose. Chitin growled, barring his fangs as he got into a stance. Scott glared at the changeling, deliberately ignoring the issue of blood slowly pooling in his mouth, and just spits a large glob of dark red onto the grass. The two were already covered in scrapes, cuts, and a few bruises were beginning to form on their bodies, but that didn't matter to either of them at that moment. Scott's shirt was starting to become more and more stained in his own blood, his body felt numb, but it was obvious that Scott intended on making him pay, even if it got him killed.

Chitin shifted into a lookalike of Needlepoint and unleashed a barrage of quills. Scott dodged and rolled across the ground, all while Chitin continued to try and make him into a human pin cushion. Scott kept moving and exerting himself so he'd stay ahead, but then he stopped in front of a tree. The quills fired, but Scott was luckily unharmed, though his clothes were now getting torn up. Chitin laughed, thinking Scott was trapped and at his mercy, only to be irritated when Scott pushes through the quills, tearing his shirt and jeans extensively. Scott's shirt was already stained in his blood, and he was feeling woozy from blood loss, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins, and the anger he felt for Chitin, it made for one hell of an anesthetic.

The two were unrelenting in their brawl, to the point where Chitin managed to dislocate Scott's left leg, while Scott broke both of Chitin's hindlegs. The two were in excruciating pain, but they were both getting exhausted. Chitin wasn't as winded as Scott was, but he was certainly feeling it.

Scott slowly backed up, hoping to think of a plan, only to suddenly bump into a large creature that towered above him. Scott turns around, seeing the creature that Tempered Cut described to him. A golem made of moonstone gems and moonstone deposits, though it seemed a bit more feminine in its body shape than what Scott was expecting. Bright white in color, often having streaks of blues across its smooth mineral structure, with two bright purple eyes staring down at the beaten, bruised and bloodstained human.

The moonstone golem reached out to Scott, to which he slowly backed away, wincing from the pain in his dislocated leg. "Guess our fight's over with, but I'll let you face that, and I'll watch you get every ounce of red beaten out of your body... You humans weren't around when these babies were made, so you're not that familiar with what a Hecatrelom is, or what it's capable of. Gotta love how things work out... you get angry and ruin my ambush, and now you'll get the hell bludgeoned out of you..." Chitin suddenly heard the sound of various voices to the left, and sneered. "Nevermind, then... looks like your backup's arrived. This isn't over, and it's not the last time we'll see each other. Just remember to heed your elf friend's words, and you might just survive to see the end of everything you tried to protect here." Chitin remarked smugly, flying away from the scene.

Scott growled in irritation, but soon noticed his bat was at his feet. Scott grabbed and readied his bat, hoping to strike Chitin, but his anger finally reached its boiling point. He couldn't focus on what mattered, and ended up firing a loud thundering shot of electrical energy at the changeling hybrid by accident. Chitin felt the electrical current pulse through him, earning a startled groan of pain and agony, but he continued to fly away, though he was now in critical condition. He eventually couldn't push through the pain another second, and crashed into a nearby river.

Scott groaned in frustration, only to then remember that the Hecatrelom was trying desperately to reach out, almost as if it was focusing in on Scott's anger. Scott tried to back up, but soon enough, he tripped over one of the old train tracks, landing on his ass as the golem reached down at him, seeing himself in the reflection of two moonstones in the palms of its hands. Scott's anger began to dissipate, and his anger began to subside, letting a feeling of shock and shame begin to wash over him. 'Dear god, what have I done... What have I let myself become?' Scott thought.

He looked up at the Hecatrelom that stood above him, looking as if it were trying to come off as friendly. "L-Look, I don't know how much you heard or saw, and it may seem like I was attacking him out of nowhere, but there's a lot going on. It's hard to explain, but he-- h-he..." Scott lost his words, barely able to speak at all upon feeling the moonstones rub against his temples, glowing with a soothing white light.

Scott stopped moving, and his body began to relax. As if all negative thoughts in his mind were fading away, a feeling of calm began to pulse throughout Scott's body. The Hecatrelom gently massaged the human's head for a few seconds, before letting its eyes fall upon the Altnetrix. Scott manages to finally push through the sense of calm, noticing the golem's eyesight being directed to the watch, and decides to try and interact with it.

Curiosity got the better of the golem, and it begins to reach its hands to the dial, barely letting its big and bulky fingers graze the faceplate before the Altnetrix finally starts to glow yellow, indicating that its DNA was being scanned and sampled. The golem flinches and jumps back, as if worried it had broke the watch, something that Scott took definitive notice. He looked back at where Chitin flew off, and while he did want to drag that bug to the princesses and make him pay, he didn't want to let his anger get the better of him and take the law in his own hands. He was a Plumber Cadet, not a crooked cop, he'll bring Chitin in one day, but that day wasn't today. Too much was on his mind, his emotions felt volatile, and his wounds were pretty severe, he was done fighting he'll bring Chitin in when his emotions aren't as aggressive as they were today.

Scott got back onto his feet, wiping the tears from his face as he slowly approached the golem. "Hey, it's okay... T-The watch is fine, it just took a sample of your DNA... It's not broken, if that's what you're... worried about," The golem stopped trying to back away, and seemed more so curious, as well as cautious. Scott felt himself calming down, but now he was starting to realize that he might've lost more blood than he initially thought, slowly stumbling forward like he was drunk. "I'll be honest with you... I don't know if you can understand me, but the Altnetrix, the watch on my wrist, isn't broken. I'm... I-... rrrghh..." Scott fell to his knees, trying to prop himself up with his arms. Scott coughed up a bit of blood onto the ground before finally collapsing onto the ground, falling unconscious as his wound continued to bleed, his bat bouncing and rolling across the ground.

The Hecatrelom slowly approached Scott's body, lightly poking him as it grew to be concerned at his lack of movement. Noticing the sound of multiple somethings approaching the area, the Hecatrelom seems conflicted on if it should leave the human be, or take him with it, should it be predators. The Hecatrelom quickly ran away, feeling guilty that it left someone injured to the elements, but it was clearly scared.

"Come on! I heard the thunder come from this direction!" Dash's voice called out.

"Rainbow, slow down! Ya don't know what you're gonna run into!" Applejack called out.

From the brush, Applejack and Dash step into view, and soon notice the blood on the grass, as well as the bits of white and blood stained fabric pinned to a tree. "Woah... okay, something happened here. Is it recent?" Dash asked.

Applejack lightly tapped one of the red stained blades of grass, only for a small string of blood to stick to the bottom of her hoof. The farm pony shuddered, it was still warm to the touch. "Looks like signs of a scrap, and it got more messy than last year's cider season," Applejack walked over to the quill-ridden tree and tore off a piece of the pinned fabric. "Dash, can you make heads or tails of this?" Applejack called over.

Dash flew over, seeming surprised by the quills and the blood stained fabric. "Those quills came from Needlepoint, one of Scott's newer forms, but that fabric could've come from his shirt. Either he was fighting against Zapp, or somehow he was... I dunno, fighting himself? Maybe he ran into that golem thing, and Zapp happened to get involved. I'm spitballing ideas here, but I'm not entirely sure myself... sheesh, things must've gotten hectic." Dash stated, shuddering at the thought.

Not long after, Dash and Applejack move further ahead, seeing more and more red and light green blood staining the grass and the trees. "Well, ah can't say he doesn't know how to defend himself, things clearly got aggressive, but sweet Marlene, just what exactly happened 'ere?" Dash looks around until she finally looks ahead, her eyes widen, and she drops to the ground. Applejack looks over at Dash, seeing how still she was, it was rather strange to the farm pony, and she tries to snap Dash out of her sudden state of being. "Dash, what's wrong?" Applejack looks over to where Dash was looking, and suddenly began to understand why the rainbow mare was frozen in place. "Land sakes..." Applejack uttered, a chill traveling up her spine.

The two saw Scott's body a few feet away. Unconscious, stained in blood, his clothes torn to shreds, covered in bruises, cuts, and scratches. "AJ, go and get the others! We need to get him some help!" Dash stated urgently.

Applejack shook her head. "No, you're faster than I am, you go get the others!" Applejack stated.

Dash wanted to stay, but her friend was on the ground, unconscious and stained in blood, she needed to get him help. Dash flew back the way they came faster than a speeding bullet, while Applejack stayed by his side. The mare noticed the wound on his neck, and took off her bandana, wrapping it around his neck and applying pressure, earning a wince of pain from the unconscious plumber. "Don't you clock out yet, partner, help's on the way. Dash is gonna get the others, and yer gonna be fine," As hopeful as Applejack was that Scott would be fine, he felt unnaturally cold to the touch. Applejack's mind was racing as she nervously gnawed on her lip. Soon enough, Dash, as well as Flintgraad, Pitch, Tempered and Blueblood came onto the scene, almost aghast by the scene. "What're ya waitin' for, an invite?! Help me get 'em to a hospital!" Applejack exclaimed.

Dash looked around, even flying above the tree line to see further ahead, but she didn't see any sign of Zapp. Dash landed on the ground and got underneath her friend, helping take some of the weight off of Applejack. "So, I know this isn't the best time to talk about this, but something doesn't make sense. Let's assume Zapp was here, and Scott likely had to fight him, how did things get this aggressive, and where'd he go?" Dash asked.

Applejack shook her head. "Ah couldn't begin to wonder where that shifty varmint went. If we was followin' Scott, like the prince said, he likely heard us comin' and made out like a bandit before sunrise. Regardless, I am more concerned for this feller's well being than for that poor excuse for vermin, and maybe when Scott wakes up, it's likely he knows something about what happened." Applejack stated.

Prince Blueblood approached Scott's body, noticing that on his fist, was the same light green substance that was present on the grass and one of the trees. Blueblood takes a handkerchief out of his pocket and wipes Scott's hand clean, then pockets the now unclean rag in one of the pockets in his suit. He also noticed Scott's bat on the ground, and picked it up with his magic. "I'm sure a couple of the royal alchemists can figure out where this green slime came from, just in case the human's memory isn't up to snuff when he awakens. Better to play it safe for everyone, than to hope for miracles and run risks. Still, from how auntie Luna spoke about this individual, I never expected him to be on death's doorstep." Blueblood stated, mildly horrified by the human's condition.

The six ponies carefully maneuvered through the brush, taking great care in making sure Scott's body was unharmed on the way back to Canterlot. This was a very tense day, not just for the human, but for his allies, too. The meeting went as well as anyone could hope for it to, a changeling snuck in and stole a creepy stone book, and now Scott was beaten, bleeding, and in dire need of medical attention, all because of the mental conflict about what to do about Zapp, and the physical conflict he endured against Chitin, the changeling behind Zapp all along.

Scott wasn't sure what he was going to do now, he was still unsure what Chitin meant by how he wasn't asking the right questions, but maybe Chitin was playing him for a fool the whole time, yet something didn't feel right.

Chitin stared down at a magical orb that glowed with a vile green energy, looking at Scott's pony allies carry his carcass off to Canterlot. He roared out in frustration, stamping across the hardened resin floor in a fit of rage, attracting the attention of two more changelings. One was smaller, more meek, and the other was taller, more mature in stature, had purple eyes, and was clearly entertained at Chitin's outburst.

Chitin growled, emitting a buzzing and chittering sound. "That stubborn prick, can't even die properly!! Should've known nothing good lasts forever, and now he knows my identity! I should've figured it was too much to hope for that damned Hecatrelom to pound him into a paste!!" Chitin's anger soon shifted into a sense of panic, and all he felt was a looming sense of terror. "This is bad... no, this is worse than I could've imagined! With Scott Baristo still alive, I'm running more of a risk of him finding out who and what I actually am! I have to hope he doesn't try to contact that damn Hylian when he recovers, or I'm doomed, and everything I've worked hard to do for this hive will be tens of thousands of years of preparation, infiltration and integration wasted! Wasted, I say!!" Chitin exclaimed, a nervous sweat trickled down the side of the hybrid's face.

The purple eyed changeling approached Chitin and smacked his hybrid brother on the back of his head. "And you've clearly forgotten what an inside voice is, brother. Honestly, might be the only time I tell Thorax that he has better manners than you do," Chitin sneered and barred his fangs, but the pure changeling wasn't phased at all. "Let me get to the point, Chitin. Mother isn't ready for her invasion, and if what information you got from this human is true, that the mare in the moon is fated to return, let's let him deal with it, and if he succeeds in stopping this "Eclipsed Blackheart" from usurping the royal sisters, this just means we need to bide our time and let mother take the reins." The changeling stated.

Chitin scoffed, clearly unamused by his younger brother's sass. "Pharynx, need I remind you that I am the result of combining pony and changeling biology together, and can do things purebloods cannot? Mother made me like her for a reason, and I will prove that my creation was no mistake on her part. Maybe you should work on getting Thorax to grow an exoskeleton and get him out of the hive for a while, teach him what it means to be a devoted member of this hive!" Chitin remarked snidely.

Pharynx hissed, but decided to keep his composure. "Well, if it makes your privileged pansy flank feel better, we're making fantastic progress with that Sotoraggian you brought home, just in case you were curious. The tech he had on him is wonderful, for something not of our world." Pharynx stated with a smirk.

Chitin, Pharynx and their youngest brother, Thorax, traveled down a set of stairs, looking at the various other changeling drones examining the tech from Seventy-Four's suit. Seventy-Four himself, now stripped of every piece of his armor, also seemed to be alive, but he twitched in unnatural and erratic manners, almost like he was convulsing. "We also deduced pretty fast that the suit also acted as a form life support. This alien bastard won't survive the next thirty-six hours without it. Whatever this thing's planet is usually like, it seems like Equestria and its environment isn't exactly hospitable for its kind. If only we could say the same for that human who's given you trouble, but this tech will benefit our invasion plans, once we've figured out how to replicate it and make more of it." Pharynx explained.

Chitin watched as the few changelings fumbled with and examined the Sotoraggian's armor and equipment, and while it was some form of good news, it wasn't enough to make him forget his failure of getting rid of the wielder of the Altnetrix. "Still, Scott Baristo will be a problem, he was able to deal with this Sotoraggian on his own, so it's no surprise I lost. Damn that human and his bootleg watch. He didn't even bother transforming, he fought me on his own. No weapons, no magic, no transformations, nothing, and I still lost. This won't stand, and I won't lose again." Chitin growled through his clenched teeth.

Chitin turned around and began to walk up the stairs. "Both of you, return to what you've been doing. I need to have a private discussion about this matter with mother... she's not going to be pleased, but it must be done." Chitin ordered.

Chitin walked over to a large bubble-like protrusion in the wall, and tapped on it. "Speak, whelp! I'm busy!" A cruel and commanding feminine voice spoke out.

Chitin took a knee and hung his head low. "Mother, it's me, Chitin. I have news about the mission. In regards to the wielder of the Altnetrix, he... he's still alive, my ambush failed, but he is in critical condition, he lost a lot of blood during our fight. I intended to leave him for dead, but his allies managed to find him," a tense feeling of silence permeated the odd hardened resin room. "We have been making progress with the Sotoraggian's technology, though, if that means anything. I won't lie to you, this mission was a personal failure, all the way through. I'm not even sure if our spy managed to steal back your book, but I stalled the Altnetrix wielder for as long as I could so they would succeed." Chitin reported.

A set of hoofsteps approached the other side of the bubble. The bubble opened up, splitting open to reveal a tall lanky bipedal insectoid creature. It had long cascading dark teal webbing-like hair, deformed moth wings made of the same web-like substance, but a pitch black three fingered hand reached out and caressed Chitin's cheek, surprising the hybrid, all while a slightly distorted chuckle caught his attention. "You did what you were supposed to do. Far as I'm concerned, you did your job perfectly. You manipulated him, befriended him, earned his trust, and managing to make that pathetic homosapien bleed in your confrontation, you truly are my offspring," Chitin bowed his head to his mother out of respect. "Still modest and loyal to me, unlike your father. He'd he horrified of the stallion you've become, and the thought delights me. Far as I'm concerned, I'm actually eager to see the Altnetrix wielder recover from what you've done to him. It will make it all the sweeter, not just watching Celestia and Luna crumble beneath my feet when I take Canterlot by surprise, but being able to tear the Altnetrix from its wearer's lifeless corpse, and to bestow it's power unto you, will be the ultimate demonstration of despair." The woman expressed in a joyous and sinister tone.

Chitin nodded his head, letting himself be pulled into an embrace by the woman. "Many thanks, my queen. I shall return to my duties. Farewell." Chitin stated briefly.

As Chitin walked away, The changeling queen walked back into her room, studying a small terminal on the floor of her private quarters, chuckling to herself as she eyed a holographic image of Scott himself. She reached over to the terminal, clutching the stone book that was stolen from the royal archives in an eager manner. "Soon, Scott Baristo, you will know the true terror of the changeling empire, and you, much like those who came before you, will know true devastation... by the hands of I, the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis." The changeling queen smirked.

A sinister symphonic cacophony of villainous laughter echoed from the queen's chambers, all while she relished in the thought of annihilating this new Altnetrix wielder.

Author's Note

And so, the truth comes out. Zapp isn't a pony, he's a pony/changeling hybrid named Chitin, and apparently, he seems to know a lot more than he lets on, and not just about Scott's alien watch, how peculiar.

And now, the changeling queen has set her sights on the human, as if danger wasn't bad enough.

The changelings are making their moves. One ambush failed, but that doesn't mean they got away empty-hoofed. That book is likely going to be a problem later on, but one can only hope things relax from here on out.

Oh yeah, Scott's kinda unconscious again, but at least he got another new DNA sample, in the form of the Hecatrelom.

The Hecatrelom, much like the Anthodopterrans, is another custom alien species I came up with. Similar to how Diamondhead and Chromastone have a complex connection, the Hecatrelom share a connection with another species. Rocks' species, the Basalt.

I'll likely go into the lore of the species at a later date in a much later chapter, but for now, know they do have a power relating to absorbing emotions and converting it into energy, in a similar manner to how changelings feed on emotions, and that's as much as I'm willing to disclose, for now.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, because the next one will be out whenever I finish it.