"Friendship is the true immortal piece of magic that binds us as one. The friendships you forge will include your lowest point and your highest point in life. The ups and downs your friendships encompass will build up your true character and lead you to your destiny and calling in life. No doubt the journeys in friendship will be bumpy, but in the end, it will make up who you are in the future and define your personality. Remember! Friendship is Magic!"
~KO Linken

The six little ponies ran through the changing hallways, going by raw instinct rather than any actual knowledge. Little did they know, their magic was guiding them along their path.

Zipp glanced around, praying like hell that they didn't run into any changelings before they found the queen. She was surprised they didn't already. They had already been running for a good seven minutes, and they hadn't seen a single one.

Sparky sat on Hitch's back, struggling to keep his eyes open. Hitch didn't know what to do. He wanted to put Sparky somewhere safe until the battle was over, but he didn't want to leave him by himself. And nopony could dragonsit him because they needed all hooves on deck to fight the changeling queen and their army.

To say the least, they wouldn't have Sparky's transformation fire on hoof to change everyday objects to weapons. Why did they have to disarm themselves so dramatically when surrendering?

Suddenly, Zipp skidded to a stop. She peeked through a hole in surprise, seriously counting their lucky stars. They had run past the changeling weaponry. She called to her friends and pointed to the armory, and they all smiled. This was perfect.

They jumped through the hole as it closed. They'd be safe until a new hole opened up. Their mouths dropped open in surprise at the weapons galore they could choose from.

They sprung into action. They didn't know how much longer they had. In the last battle, they were sorely unprepared. This time, they had the opportunity to prepare and they were not going to waste it.

They ran to grab the weapons. Both Zipp and Pipp grabbed swords since sword practice was part of their daily princess training when they lived at the castle. "Royalty mustn't only be able to sit and look pretty as well as sign decrees. They must also be able to defend their kingdom at all costs," their mother always told them.

Misty also grabbed a sword. Opaline was not going to raise a defenseless filly and made Misty practice sword fighting every day. She hadn't picked up a sword since she left the lair, but as soon as she picked it up, it felt natural in her hooves.

Hitch grabbed a club, much like the one Sparky made him. He was pretty good at it during the first battle so he thought sticking to what he knew would be best.

Izzy found a spear, one she quickly bedazzled with her own personal touch by adding extra glitter she always kept on hoof. Sunny grabbed throwing knives. She wasn't well-versed in weapons like Misty, Pipp, and Zipp, but she always did have pretty good aim, and years in making smoothies and cutting up fruits made her pretty good at using knives. Though she grabbed a sword in case she ran out of throwing knives, even though she had close to a hundred of them that all fit nicely in a bag that looped onto the bag she always wore.

Finally, the six ponies were ready to go. They were just about to find a way out when Hitch suddenly spoke up.

"What about Sparky? The little guy is in no position to fight."

Sparky gurgled at him from Hitch's back, smacking his lips and softly closing his eyes.

"You could always leave him in here. That way, when everything's all done and over with, we can come back for him," Zipp suggested.

"Are you kidding me? This place is going to be overrun with changelings when we declare war on their queen! This is their armory!"

"He's got a point," Pipp agreed with a shrug.

Sunny sighed. "Let's just…head to the throne room. We'll find a hiding spot for him on the way."

Hitch sighed, to which Pipp quickly nuzzled him in comfort, gaining a warm smile in response. And then they were off, running through the hallways and looking for the throne room, while Pipp and Hitch looked for a hiding spot for Sparky.

They found something that would suffice. It was a little hole in the wall, just big enough for Sparky to climb through, but the hole was pretty big on the inside. If he stayed against the wall, the stone partially covering the entrance would hide him. Reluctantly, with Pipp's silent comfort, he put Sparky there.

As they continued walking, thinking it best to conserve their energy for the actual fight, Hitch hung towards the back, hanging his head. After a bit, Pipp noticed and hung in the back as well, walking next to him.

"You okay, hun?" Pipp asked concern in her voice, lowering her head so it was level with his.

"Huh?" Hitch asked, seeming startled. He shook his head. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just…" Hitch trailed off.

Pipp gave a small smile. "Honey, it's okay to be scared. I know you like to hide your fear for other ponies' sake, but sometimes, the most inspiring thing you can do is show your fear and do it anyway, despite your fear. That's real courage. I'm scared too. I'm terrified. But I know that if we don't try, I'll spend my whole life thinking of the what-ifs. I refuse to spend my life like that."

Hitch smiled up at Pipp. She always knew how to comfort him when he needed it most. She pecked his cheek and nuzzled close to him as they continued walking at the back of the group. While it lifted his spirits a bit, his heart was still heavy.

"Pipp. I've…there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about and…I want to say it before we…you know…?"

"Sure. What is it?"

Hitch took a deep breath. "When I found out you were captured, and every day since then, I wasn't myself. I'm not proud of the stallion I was. I actually regret him. It made me realize how lost I am without you, my little songbird." Pipp's heart warmed as she heard his nickname for her for the first time in forever it felt like. "But…there are some things you ought to know about me. Things that…that I said and did that I regret. And if you don't want to be with me after, I'll totally understand–"

"I don't want to know."

Hitch looked up at Pipp, confused. "W–what?"

Pipp sighed. "Look. These last few months have been…incredibly trying for all of us. I'm surprised we haven't died from exhaustion. The point is, we all said things we regret. I mean, I told a friend that I regret ever knowing him and that he was a mistake, even though he was just trying to help me."

"Y-you did? Wait, who?"

Pipp's eyes widened as she realized the position she put herself in. She chuckled nervously. "Uh…the who doesn't matter. What matters is that we were put in a position nopony should be put in. And we reacted the best we could. It doesn't matter what happened in the past. I know who you are. Our friends know who you are. Do you know who you are?"

Hitch shook his head miserably. "Not without you I don't. You're my other half, Pipp. I don't know who I am without you. I just know I don't like that pony."

"Well, you ought to be proud of that pony. Because you know what I see? I see a sheriff of Maretime Bay, willing to do anything to protect his fellow ponies. I see the best dragon–pony dad in the world."

"The only dragon‐pony dad!" Izzy yelled from ahead of them. Pipp was about to ask if she's been listening in to their conversation, before realizing she didn't want to know the answer to that.

"Whatever. Anyway, that doesn't negate that you are the best. And most importantly, you're a pony. You make mistakes. You're not infallible. You're going to royally screw up. Tell me, Hitch. Did you learn from the mistakes you made?"

"Yeah. I learned that I should stop and listen before reacting and that the words I say don't just affect me, but everypony around me."

"Well, then. That's what's important. That's what life's all about. Making mistakes, and learning from them." Pipp gave Hitch a small smile. "You know I love you, right? And I always will."

"I love you too, my little songbird."

As they were gazing into each other's eyes, they bumped into the ponies in front of them. Pipp was about to ask why they were stopped when Zipp, the pony they bumped into, gave a firm shake of her head. The both of them quickly shut up, giving one more look of love, just in case they didn't see the end of this. There was fear in Hitch's eyes. He was terrified of losing those he loved the most. But Pipp tried to comfort him through her expression, and she could tell it worked a bit.

The six ponies took a deep breath and entered the hole they guessed to be the throne room, Sunny first, Hitch last. Sunny glowered at the changeling queen who was sitting on the black and green throne. She was inspecting her hooves with distaste.

"Ugh. I really should've been the one to pose as Pipp in Maretime Bay. At least that way, I could get a proper hooficure. Besides, you know what they say. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."

"Give it up, Queen Vespula! You've already lost!" Sunny yelled, not yet reaching for her weapons.

Queen Vespula rolled her eyes. "Don't even try bluffing to me." She looked at them, widening her eyes. "Oh no! You got into my changelings' weaponry! What am I to do?! Spare me from your terrifying wrath!" She leaned back on her throne, her foreleg on her forehead dramatically. "Please, show me mercy!" She taunted dramatically.

Pipp rolled her eyes. "Not your best act, Vespula."

Vespula looked back at the six ponies. Specifically Pipp. "It's called sarcasm, pink pony," Queen Vespula spat with disdain. "Learn it."

Pipp scowled, opening her mouth to reply when Sunny intervened. "Stop playing games, Vespula! Surrender, and we will spare you!"

"You think I'm really scared of six little ununified ponies."

"You should be! Because we are united!" Sunny countered.

"Are you?" She turned to Pipp and Hitch. "Does your marefriend know about your little fight with her sister and future stepsister? Or is she in the dark?"

"This isn't going to work, Vespula. Hitch already beat you to it. I don't care!" Pipp yelled, pulling out her sword. "Do what Sunny said, or face our wrath, you bug thing!"

"Oh? But did he tell you about how bad it got? How it silenced Misty for six long months? How Zipp tortured herself with the words he said? Perhaps you'd like to see the fight for yourself?"

Vespula pulled out her other magical crystal ball, her backup one she had to use after Zipp destroyed the first one. She lit her horn with a green aura, magically starting at the crystal ball.

Pipp gritted her teeth. Like hell, Queen Vespula was going to try and ruin her relationship after locking her up for six months. She held her hoof out.

"Sunny, give me a knife."

"W–what?" Sunny asked, thoroughly confused.

"Give me one of your throwing knives. Now!" Pipp said with more urgency, staring Queen Vespula down as she began to magically pull up the recording.

"W–why?"

"Just do it!" Pipp snapped.

Hesitantly, Sunny gave Pipp a throwing knife. Hitch tried to get Pipp's attention, telling her to think before doing anything brash, but Pipp ignored him. With one calculated throw, the knife soared through the air, pointed end first, and imbedded itself into the crystal ball, cracking it before it shattered completely.

All five ponies stared at Pipp, with wide-eyed shock, though, Pipp could tell there was some pride mixed into Zipp's stare. Even Queen Vespula seemed a little shocked. She looked from Pipp to her shattered crystal ball, back to Pipp, multiple times.

"You…you fool! Do you have any idea what you've done?! Do you have any idea how rare these are?! These two crystal balls have been passed down for generations, for centuries! First your blasted sister, and now you!"

Pipp looked at Zipp, raising an eyebrow, who simply shrugged in response.

"I have no more spares you…you idiot!"

Pipp looked at Queen Vespula with a smug smile. "You should've thought of that before you locked me up, you good for nothing, bug-infested freak!"

"NO! YOU SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT BEFORE YOU SHATTERED MY CRYSTAL BALL, YOU IGNORANT FOAL!!!" Queen Vespula took a deep calming breath before speaking again, this time with a small smile of her own that made Pipp start rethinking her decision. "Fine. That's alright. I'll just have to make another one. Do you know what the most important ingredient for making a crystal ball is?"

Pipp remained silent, glaring at the deranged queen, but she swallowed nervously.

"A soul that's known great sacrifice," Queen Vespula whispered dangerously.

Pipp's eyes flicked to Zipp. In this whole experience, Zipp was the one who had to make the biggest sacrifice. She sacrificed magic, her sister, her friends, and the entire life she built up in Maretime Bay just to save Equestria. Pipp took a small step towards Zipp, ready to leap in front of her if need be. Zipp already made a huge sacrifice. It's time she did the same.

The queen laughed maniacally, her eyes those of insanity. She called for her changeling army to charge. Sunny pulled out another throwing knife, Zipp, Pipp, and Misty all unsheathed their swords, while Hitch and Izzy pulled out their spear and club.

"WE'LL DO OUR PART!!" Sunny yelled, raising her throwing knife.

"HOOVES TO HEART!!" The rest of them echoed before charging at the wall of changelings.

The two sides clashed for the final time, all of them knowing this was a battle to the death. The ponies split in hopes of dividing the changelings, but there were so many of them, that they could barely see anything past all the changelings. Could barely hear anything past the buzzing of insect wings.

Still, they persevered. Izzy was slowly backed into a corner by a flood of changelings, the amount of green flames from most of the changelings blinding her. She saw her friends, she saw Onyx, she saw the Queen, she saw everypony she ever knew. There were even a couple of them in the form of Comet.

She scowled at the changelings. "I know who my friends are, and you are not them!"

She charged at the changelings, avoiding as many as she could. She knew the plan. Priority was the queen. All of them had to do whatever they could to get to the queen. Once they took out the queen, this would be tons easier.

Misty and Zipp ended up meeting in the middle of the throne room, fighting back to back. "Ready for round two, Misty?" Zipp asked with a determined smile.

Misty gave a determined nod and the two of them took out changeling after changeling. However, the changelings were more ferocious this time, trying to protect their queen, actually having battle armor of their own too. Misty and Zipp were quickly disarmed and captured.

Pipp saw this all go down and she called out for her sister. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins and while she was struggling against her barrage of changelings, she quickly disposed of them and hurried after her sister. Like hell, they were going to hurt her.

She galloped towards Zipp and Misty, not ready to let the changelings win after everything they've been through. However, it was as though the changelings predicted her move and threw themselves at her, catching her by surprise. They knocked her to the ground, making her drop her sword. They kept her pinned to the ground before picking her up and dragging her after the two other mares.

The changelings were prepared this time. They had fought these ponies twice before and they knew their fighting technique. They knew when the prisoners escaped, they'd go to the throne room. They weren't idiots. Taking these ponies out would be a breeze.

Hitch watched as Pipp was captured again. Anger welled up inside him. He knew that Pipp could take care of himself, but he had still kept an eye on her. He wasn't going to let anypony harm her after he just got her back. Without thinking, he bolted for Pipp, but the changelings were waiting for him. They tackled him to the ground and dragged him with the others, though he was still struggling and fighting.

That left only Sunny and Izzy left. Sunny had caught on to what the changelings were doing. They were using their friendship against them. While it hurt, she knew she couldn't go after them. The changelings would be expecting that. She kept trying to make her way to the queen, but with changeling after changeling buzzing around, it was nearly impossible to keep track of her surroundings. She noticed some weren't even attacking. They were just flying around trying to disorient her.

That's when she heard Izzy scream. She turned around to see her being dragged away. Sunny gritted her teeth as she fought the urge to go after her. Her first nonearth pony friend. Tears filled her eyes as she kept throwing knives, eventually pulling out her sword so that she'd have enough knives for the queen.

Sunny was the hardest to get, and Queen Vespula was getting impatient. With a growl, she flew off her throne, landing in front of Sunny, wanting to get this over with, but wanting to have a little fun in the process. She smiled wickedly down at the wide-eyed earth pony, who had scrambled back in surprise.

Sunny looked at the queen with a glare filled with tears, only to see a familiar red earth pony step out of the mess of ponies and walk up to her with a wicked smile.

Sprout.

She shook her head. "Really? You're having a changeling pretend to be Sprout of all ponies? Couldn't choose my father again? Or my mother?"

"Oh, you foolish filly. There was no pretending. This is Sprout."

No glint.

She looked at Sprout confused as he stared her down with a malicious grin. "W-what? Why…why…you're working for the changelings?" Sunny asked incredulously.

Sprout chuckled. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I side with my own species."

"W-what?! You can't be serious! You're not a changeling you idiot!"

"Oh, but he is. You see, we've been infiltrating Equestria for centuries. While we change into ponies you know to steal your magic, when we want to simply infiltrate, especially for years, it's easier to just create a whole new pony."

"W-where's the real Sprout?" Sunny asked, completely confused, still not comprehending.

Vespula rolled her eyes. "This is the real Sprout. The entire Cloverleaf family are changelings. Generations ago, they moved to Maretime Bay when travel between the three cities was still common, just when ponies were starting to separate themselves."

"B-but…your mom helped bring back magic…you…you tried destroying it…"

"Yes, the old changeling Sprout didn't get the message that we wanted magic back so we can take it from you. Phyllis had to step in."

Sunny took a step back, wondering what else of her foalhood was a lie. "But…but…"

"Originally, we wanted him to become sheriff, since, you know, he could then control the ponies of Maretime Bay, but, well, you see how that went. The old changeling needed some…help. He was drunk on love, and didn't know how to control it."

"But…your mom she…she was against bringing back…how…"

"Phyllis had to blend in. She had to have power. More so than the sheriff since that part of the plan failed. That way, when it was time to bring back magic, ponies would follow her lead. We have spies all over Equestria. Changelings pretending to be ponies. How else did you think we knew everything about you? Your weaknesses? Your strengths? The fact that you were the key to bringing everypony together? Who do you think started those fights? Back in Maretime Bay? We learned from our ancestors' mistakes. And even if you were to defeat us, only two spies were revealed to you! We have dozens more! Changelings will always be a part of pony kind, waiting for the opportunity when I call them to arms and Equestria will be ours!"

Sunny stumbled back, eyes wide. In her surprise and shock, the changelings were able to grab her and drag her to the throne with her other friends.

Upon seeing her wide-eyed shock, Hitch was instantly concerned. "Sunny? What's wrong?"

"It…it was all a lie. None…none of it was real…"

"What do you mean, Sunny?" Misty asked.

Sunny couldn't talk. Vespula was right. Even if they were to defeat the changelings, how could they trust anypony back home? How could they trust those closest to them? How could they trust each other? How could they trust themselves?

Sunny shook her head. How dare Queen Vespula make her doubt herself? Her friends? Her fellow ponies? The ponies were united…kind of. They…Sunny widened her eyes. This was what Queen Vespula was trying to do! She was trying to sow distrust and separation.

And that was when Sunny began to panic. If this got out…if the changelings revealed themselves…ponies wouldn't just be separated by kind…they'd be separated in general! Nopony would trust each other again. Pegasi would no longer trust unicorns, earth ponies, or other pegasi. Same with earth ponies and unicorns. They could lose the light of Friendship forever!

She would not let that happen!

"It doesn't matter what you throw at us! We're going to bounce back every time! We're going to keep fighting! And we will keep winning!"

Sunny shoved the changeling that was holding her down and stood up. Feeling motivated, her friends followed her. As they stood up for Equestria, their cutie marks began to glow.

"Sow distrust and separation! As long as the Guardians keep breathing, we'll keep fighting!"

With what? Your nonexistent magic? Puh-lease. Give me a break!"

"We don't need magic to defeat you! All we need is each other!" Sunny took a step towards Queen Vespula. "Because with a little Creativity," As Sunny said this, Izzy began to glow a soft bluish-purple color, floating into the air. The other ponies looked up at her in shock, except for Sunny, who was staring a Queen Vespula with a determined smile. "Confidence! Kindness!" As one, Pipp and Hitch began to glow, Pipp a dark purple that matched her mane, and Hitch a dark blue that matched his cutie mark. "Courage! And Empathy!" Zipp and Misty began to glow as well, Misty the same coral color as her cutie mark and mane, and Zipp the same pink as hers. "We have Hope! And when we have Hope, we can do anything!"

Then Sunny began to glow a beautiful gold color, her alicorn wings and horn glowing brightly. Brighter than it ever had before. Beautiful gold necklaces began to glow onto the five ponies, each of them with a gem in the middle in the shape of their cutie mark the same color of the glow around them.

They were all shocked. The magic was supposed to be gone. The crystals were shattered. Magic…yet, here it was. Glowing brightly. They were confused, but they didn't question it. Instead, they trusted it.

"You, and your followers, have done wrong to Equestria for moons, but your magic is nowhere near the might of the Magic of Friendship!"

They all began to glow in a bright white light. Queen Vespula looked up in fear as she predicted what would happen.

But that was when Pipp caught sight of Morphis, standing in the crowd of changelings, looking up with a small smile. She blinked, her eyes going from an ethereal white, back to her normal green. This wasn't right. Not all changelings were evil. Some were sweet. And kind. And even shy.

As soon as she thought that, the ethereal glow faded and the six ponies were slowly lowered to the ground. Confused, five of the ponies looked at each other in confusion, but Pipp's head was lowered towards the ground.

Zipp noticed this. "Pipp? Is everything alright?"

Pipp sighed heavily. "This isn't right," She muttered.

"What? What do you mean this isn't right? We were about to defeat the bad guy," Hitch asked, looking at Pipp, confused.

"No. We were about to defeat a bad guy. And some good ones. That's not what we do. We give a second chance to any creature who wants it."

"You think these guys want a second chance? After everything they did?" Zipp asked.

Pipp looked back at Morphis, who was looking at her confused. "I know one who does," Pipp answered with a small smile. She turned to the rest of the changelings. "You have all been dictated by tyrental queens for centuries! Ones who wouldn't let you be yourselves. Ones who made you believe that you were nothing but drones. But you're not! You can be different! You are different! Some of you are kind. Others are sweet. Some of you are brash! Or adventurous! Or creative! Or…whatever. I have to admit. I thought you guys were all the same. But a very special changeling showed me the truth. That you are all separate changelings with your own personalities." She looked at Izzy, with a smile. "Each with your own sparkle."

Izzy gasped, a small smile on her face.

"LIARS!!" Queen Vespula shrieked. "YOU'RE ALL LIARS!! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THEY'LL GIVE YOU A CHANCE WHEN THEY FAILED TO BEFORE!!"

"Because they gave me one," Misty said, stepping up. She may not have known this changeling Pipp was talking about, but she could feel Pipp's honesty. And she'd kill herself before she'd pass up to redeem anypony or creature. She was given a chance. Who was she to deny somepony else that chance?

Pipp turned to look at Misty with shocked eyes. Misty gave a small smile in return.

"Because it's the kind thing to do," Hitch said, stepping up next to Pipp. He didn't know this changeling, but he had the feeling this was the friend she was talking about earlier. Plus, he trusted her. If she said there were some good changelings out there, then he believed her.

"Because there are always some creative souls out there just waiting to let their imaginations run wild!" Izzy said, bouncing up next to Pipp.

"Because it takes courage to change, and we respect that kind of courage," Zipp said, standing behind her sister in solidarity.

"Because where there's change, there's hope. And hope is the reason we live every day. Without hope, what's the point in waking up every day?" Sunny said as she stood with Pipp.

Pipp stepped forward, looking at the changelings. "I understand how hard it can be to go against the flow. To set new trends. To be the first one to take that first step. But don't worry. A changeling already beat you to it. Morphis?"

Morphis swallowed nervously, stepping up to Pipp with a nervous expression. Pipp welcomed him with a smile. All the changelings gasped in shock.

"May I? I'm an empath?" Misty asked, walking up to Morphis with her hoof raised.

Morphis looked at Pipp confused, as though asking if it was safe. Pipp nodded, and Moorphis took a step towards Misty. Misty put her hoof on Morphis and the first emotion she was flooded with was fear. He was terrified of his queen and going against her. But the second one was joy. Joy that Pipp was still giving him a chance, even after everything his kind had done to her. And deeply rooted bewilderment as to why Pipp would give him a chance after everything that's happened to her. Everything his kind did to her.

Words in Pipp's voice rang through his head. "No. Your Queen is. She's the mastermind behind all of this," Pipp paused. "How many of you actually wanted to go through with this whole revenge plan thing your queen cooked up?"

And most importantly, she felt love. He loved Pipp. Not romantically, but he began to see her in an older sister kind of way. She understood the feeling. Misty pulled away. These were private feelings. She had no right to see anymore. Just enough to prove he's genuine, and she's already done that.

She stepped back, giving a nod of approval. Pipp smiled, tears filling her eyes.

"Hi new friend! I'm Izzy!" Izzy exclaimed, bouncing up and holding her hoof out. Morphis looked down at it, confused, just staring at it. Izzy tilted her head, leaning in to whisper in his ear, "You're supposed to shake it."

Hesitantly, Morphis lifted it, taking Izzy's hoof, and slowly shaking it up and down. He didn't know of this odd custom, but it felt nice just to be included.

Pipp looked at the rest of the changelings. "If he can do it, so can you. Your Queen only has the power you give her. You can fight back. You can do what you want to do. Now's the chance to speak your opinion. Now's the chance to choose your own life! You can either follow her, or you can choose your own path!"

Suddenly, a changeling walked up, this one with a sparkle in her eyes and legs that glimmered like sunlight. "Morphis…I…I don't know about this."

"Please, Jewel? They want to be our friends. We don't have to fight. I…I don't want to have to do this without you. I…I love you, Jewel. You're like a big sister to me. I don't want to lose you."

At this, the changelings gasped. No changeling has ever said the L word in centuries unless they were talking about food. This was unheard of. This was wrong. They could be thrown in the dungeons for this. And yet, the ponies barely reacted, like saying they loved each other was just a normal part of their day.

Jewel took a deep breath. "Love you too?" She said as though it was a question.

Misty walked up to Jewel, holding out her hoof in question. She looked at Morphis who nodded. Jeweled did what Morphis did, taking a deep breath and stepping closer to Misty.

Misty put her hoof on Jewel's chest, much like she did for Morphis. At first, Misty thought all she felt was a black empty void. She wasn't sure what to do. Should she reject her, or okay her? What did the black void mean? Was she lying? Was she telling the truth?

And then Misty felt it. The small ball of love deep in Jewel's heart. The love she had for Morphis as one would have for a little brother. A fierce protective instinct. It was well hidden, and Misty barely felt it, but it was there.

Misty took her hoof off of Jewel and nodded. Morphis smiled broadly and hurried to Jewel, embracing her in a big hug. Jewel stiffened, but let it happen. However, she eventually untangled herself, clearly uncomfortable.

Izzy bounded up and hugged her as well, much like Morphis did, but Jewel quickly pulled away, shoving Izzy to the floor. Pipp was by Izzy's side in an instant, helping her up.

Jewel and the other changelings were ready for the ponies to get mad at them and tell them off for being so violent. To tell them there was another way and turn their back on them. Instead, what Pipp did surprised them.

"Izzy, you shouldn't just run up and hug somepony without their permission. Not everypony knows you. Seriously, keep doing that and you might get pummeled someday. I'm so sorry, Jewel. Izzy doesn't understand the concept of personal space sometimes."

Izzy chuckled a bit as she stood up. "Yeah, that's fair. I did take her by surprise. Sorry about that, Jewel."

"Umm…" Jewel said, at a loss for words. She was really expecting the ponies to Bash her head in for that. "It's fine…umm…I'm just not a huggy…changeling?"

"That's fine. You don't have to be. You just have to be yourself," Sunny said, walking up.

"Right…whatever…look, I'm just here because Morphis is here. He's my responsibility. Where he goes, so do I. I'm not into the whole cupcakes and rainbow thing."

Zipp shrugged. "Whatever fits your fancy, Jewel. Personally, I'm not into the whole rainbows thing either."

Queen Vespula watched all this with horror. How dare they come to her hive and try to steal her subjects. She glowered at the two traitors. There was more to a queen than her subjects. There was power. There was authority.

She stood up, glaring at the traitors. She would not put up with this kind of treachery. Her horn lit up with a green aura, and she aimed a blast right at Jewel and Morphis.

However, Pipp saw this and her eyes widened. "Jewel! Morphis! Look out!"

Without thinking, with no hesitation, she galloped towards the two changelings. Hitch turned just in time to see Pipp jump between the blast and the changelings.

"PIPP!!! NO!!"

Author's Note

*Misty evil laugh*

You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?

Alright, I've decided, two more chapters to go. It's all coming to an end (unless I do a fourth one, which I'm really starting to think I am)

Get ready to cry! (A warning to myself, because I'm still going to listen to depressing music as I write this next chapter)