The nighttime return trip took the duo first through the dark streets of the lower Canterlot dotted by groups returning home, casual drunks, and accompanied by bursts of laughter and enjoyment coming from various establishments lighting up the streets with the glow from their windows. Gem offered to stay the night at her adoptive parents’ house, but it was crucial for Guiding to return to her kind in order to feed them before she’d be forced to either fully absorb or release the energy she drained from the ambushers, so they took the highway winding around the mountain to the upper city, both enjoying the fresh air, the view of stars above as well as the little dots of light marking the countryside villages of Equestria, and the silence. The final leg of their “journey” took them through Upper Canterlot all the way back to the castle. For a duo of normal ponies, the trip could have been dangerous, especially with the limited guard presence growing thinner with passing time, but whatever few suspicious shadows dared take a peek at the two immediately received a glare from Guiding which clearly stated that darkness was no protection from becoming her prey.

It’s close to two o’clock in the morning when two unlucky Royal Guard unicorns on graveyard shift at the courtyard gate finally let Guiding and Gem back into the castle proper and the zebra yawns back at them. In contrast to the visibly sleepy unicorns and Gem, the open lawns on both sides of the road crossing the courtyard and connecting the main gate with the castle entrance host over two dozen active ponies- bat ponies split into groups that are either locked in mock combat or busy with physical exercises.

Well, with one strange exception - an amber-eyed, sinewy, grey-coated bat pony stallion watching two laughing changelings chase one another with a smile on his face.

Sharp Biscuit, the Nightguard Commander, was it?

Guiding taps Gem on her shoulder before briefly pointing at the peculiar spectacle, and they head that way. Gem yawns again, blinks away her semi-asleep state, and her brain starts analyzing what’s going on. 65536 is chasing the smallest of the dreamlings, who is barely a head taller than the drone but clearly way faster and more agile as well as visibly stronger.

“Hmm, 19 is keeping 65536 at bay while letting it remain close. Good control of the situation,” muses Guiding as they approach.

“That’s expected,” Gem shrugs, “65536 may be training with the Nightguards, but it’s still just a drone.”

“It’s a changeling. Changelings can adapt to anything and become anything if they survive long enough,” Guiding corrects her with a smile that makes Gem suspicious. So far, to her it seems the Queen has been careful with her words but what she did say was never an outright lie, so she decides to observe further.

“YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO FIGHT MEEEEE!” yells 65536 at 19 who is still fleeing across the lawn while laughing out loud and dodging instead of running whenever 65536 gets too close, usually making the drone miss and faceplant into the lawn.

“I WILL FIGHT YOU WHEN YOU CATCH ME!” 19 yells back, digs its forelegs into the ground, spins the rest of its body around, and jumps over 65536 this time.

Stopping at the edge of the changelings’ presumed playground slash training area, Guiding calls out:

“If you take a hit, 19, no food for you!”

“Your Majesty!” the dreamling freezes and frowns at the Queen which gives 65536 a chance to catch up and-

-stop mid-grab when it could easily tackle the dreamling.

“What?” Guiding tilts her head.

“It wouldn’t be fair if I caught 19 only because you surprised it and it didn’t get any food tonight, Your Magic Stick!” 65536 pouts at Guiding, hoof still outstretched.

Gem laughs and says quietly so that only Guiding can hear:

“If they ever update a picture dictionary, 65536’s photo will be next to the word ‘good’.”

“Let’s escalate a bit then!” Sharp joins in with a smile, “If you don’t catch the guy, 65536, no hugs for you tonight!”

“GASP!” says the drone.

“Did it just say ‘gasp’?” Guiding raises an eyebrow.

“Mister Sharp doesn’t mean it,” Gem whispers back, ignoring the comment.

“FOR THE HUGS!” yells 65536 and rushes at 19 who trips the drone up while making a pirouette around it as it tumbles on the ground.

“Of course I didn’t mean it, 19,” Guiding connects to the dreamling through their mind link, “Have fun, but don’t forget to sharpen your skills. Hungry?”

“I’m good,” responds 19, its voice a little distorted after so long of not using mind links due to the lack of energy, “You don’t need to feed me tonight, Your Majesty. It’s tricky eating love after so long, but everyone here loves 65536 and the drone itself is happier than any of us ever used to be and is practically glowing with it. If you and the others are able to eat love and just need some kind of a push to figure out how, this is the best place to learn.”

The Queen smiles as 65536 resumes chasing 19 darting around like a dog chasing its own tail, only interrupted by Gem a few moments later.

“We shared a lot of secrets tonight, didn’t we?” asks the zebra quietly.

“We shared some,” says Guiding noncommittally.

“You don’t need to say anything but… 19 is a changeling, an actual changeling drone. Not one of you.”

Guiding narrows her eyes.

“19 is a dreamling.”

Having been told the basic facts about ‘Nightmare changelings’ tonight, Gem understands what Guiding meant by what she just said, and doesn’t push the subject.

“So you do believe you’ll adapt to eating love?” she asks after a while.

“We aren’t changelings, but I’m afraid that my only option is to bet our future on the off chance of us being changelings enough,” Guiding changes the subject when Sharp Biscuit walks closer and it’s clear that 65536 is losing steam, “19, try getting him!” she nods sideways at Sharp.

“Wha-?” the bat pony dodges entirely on reflex and turns the tables by tripping up 19 who immediately obeys the Queen’s suggestion. Unlike 65536, though, 19 turns its fall into somersault which ends up with it back on all fours, ready, and facing Sharp who smiles.

“Good enough,” Guiding commends the 19.

“Thank you,” it replies.

Guiding walks over to 65536 who is staring at 19 facing off against Sharp with eyes wide and jaw dropped.

“This is how you do it - dodge, don’t run. If you’re slower, you’re losing sight of your enemy, and you have to be both faster and have more stamina to get away, as well as somewhere safe to run too. If you mindlessly flee, you’ll die.”

Gem nudges Guiding.

“Way to ruin the playful mood.”

The Queen takes in the situation and admits it with:

“My apologies.”

“T-that makes s-s-sense, Your M-magic Stick!” 65536 starts shaking as its awe towards 19 changes to fear under Guiding’s admittedly neutral stare.

“You don’t have to be scared of me. You’re in a safe place, surrounded by allies within reach, and I mean you no harm,” Guiding tries to lighten the mood.

Can the drone sense the emotional energy of the drained fear that I’m holding right now from this range or is it genuinely that afraid of me? It wasn't so bad the last time when we tried eating love from the plushie it brought, or even a couple moments ago.

65536 takes a deep breath to steady its nerves.

“You feel so different from the others now. 19 told me a bit more about you guys and I would be stupid not to be afraid. On top of that, I’m a drone. We’re naturally afraid of everything, and for a good reason. We’re small, weaker than most things, and delicious.”

Gem giggles as she hears the Queen genuinely caught by surprise ask:

“Delicious?”

“Why else would everything back in the hive try to eat us?” 65536 shrugs. Before Guiding can come up with a thousand valid reasons, the drone continues, “I’m scared whenever I go outside on patrol at night, but I can’t let that stop me, Your Magic Stick!”

“Call me Guiding Light or Guiding, please,” the Queen summons the warmest tone she can.

“Miss Guiding, then.”

To mirror her, Sharp nods respectfully at 19.

“That was an excellent, unserious attack. You’re good.”

“Can confirm!” 19 salutes.

“You also feel different from other dreamlings.”

“Can’t confirm!”

Sharp chuckles and pats 19’s head who at first shies away while glancing at Guiding and, when the Queen barely noticeably nods, it leans into the touch and only backs off when 65536 comes closer and says with admiration replacing fear again:

“You were so quick you surprised Mister Sharp, and you didn’t hesitate at all when Miss Magic Stick gave you an order. I wish I wasn’t just a drone…”

“You’re a changeling. You can do anything as long as you keep training and don’t give up. Trust me, I know,” 19 smiles, “Would you like to see me and Commander Sharp spar more seriously?”

“WOULD I?!” 65536’s eyes light up.

Guiding nods at Gem and next at the castle who nods back in understanding. The zebra is tired, and the Queen has a responsibility towards her kin.

***

As a change of pace, nine in the morning finds the dreamlings lazily strolling through the vast castle gardens, accompanied by their father. Guiding Light and 3 are by his sides, the others are trailing behind and watching the castle staff taking care of the hedges and decorative flower beds, 1 and 2 are in the back, “herding” the group, and 19 is running around, doing occasional somersaults and, in sharp contrast to other dreamlings, occasionally taking into the air for a brief flight.

“So, how are you adapting to a peaceful life?” asks Blazing Light, “Sharp told me you came home late at night. You know you can’t stay out past ten without your parents’ permission, young lady,” he shakes his hoof at her with a smirk.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know that was a requirement,” replies Guiding with complete seriousness, “I will make a note of it for next time.”

“No, it’s not. That was supposed to be a pretend dad joke,” Blazing sighs before chuckling darkly, “And it was about as good as I’m as a father,” he shakes his head, realizing that his usual intrusive thoughts are winning and ruining the casual mood, “Nevermind, don’t take me too seriously. I’m glad you’ve made a friend, and Gem is a good pony.”

“Do you know about her secret?” asks Guiding, probing Blazing but not wanting to state Gem’s real identity openly, “And if you don’t, I’m not telling.”

“I do,” the unicorn nods, “Princess Luna is responsible for interrogating any ponies of interest asking to live in Equestria, because her dream-walking ability also gives her a good sense of when somepony is lying. I was one of the ponies who were helping her in the wake of the changeling invasion of Canterlot,” he pauses, “I mean, I interrogated my reality’s Gem while this reality’s Blazing interrogated this Gem- let’s ignore all this dimensional nonsense now that we’re all here,” he shakes his head and returns to the point, “I grew up surrounded by pathological liars so I got pretty decent at recognizing the signs. Low class nobility, everypony hating each other and constantly judging every misstep, all the jazz,” he waves his hoof dismissively, “I thought about it, and it might have something to do with how limited your shapeshifting is - you know, the limitation that you can’t just pretend to be anypony at will. Same as how flying making you uncomfortable might be tied to my horrible vertigo,” he looks at 19 currently making circles above the group and happily going ‘wheeeeee!’, “With one weird exception, but I’m no geneticist.”

“Can’t you have been just a little more evil?” asks 3, showing her fangs in an attempt at a smile which only serves to make her look more terrifying, “Full shapeshifting would have made our lives a lot easier.”

“Trust me, if I could throw this body away and just transform into someone better looking, I would,” Blazing laughs, “Without the ability to do so, though, you know that the few friends you can make are the real ones, which brings us neatly back to Gem,” he looks at Guiding, “I wouldn’t say to trust her implicitly, because I can’t shake off the feeling that there’s more to her than I or Luna know, but I’m sure she won’t use you and leave you in trouble afterwards.”

“Should we take the bodyguard deal?” asks Guiding openly.

“I have no doubts that Gem is going to do all she can to help you with changing the way you feed,” Blazing shrugs, “I have no clue whether or not it will work out in the end but, in all practical honesty, the sooner you can get more connections which you can rely on other than me in this world, the better.”

“Speaking of,” 3 steps ahead of Blazing and Guiding and glares at the zebra who trots into view from behind a castle wall, notices them, and runs over, only stopping when 3 blocks her way.

“Uhh…” she nervously catches Blazing’s eye, “Mister Blazing? Guiding?”

“Back off, 3,” orders Guiding calmly but, to everyone’s surprise, the feral-looking dreamling mare takes only a single step back until Blazing himself says:

“Hi, Miss Gem,” he gives the zebra a courteous nod and 3 takes her place by his side again, “Guiding was just telling me she finally made a friend,” he smiles, “3 is still very protective in this new environment.”

“3, explain yourself,” Guiding flashes a mental order 3’s way.

“There is something wrong with her,” is the only thing 3 says.

“Do you not trust dad’s judgement?”

“I do, it’s just… something is wrong with her,” she repeats, “It’s making my carapace crawl.”

“I’ll be more careful. Now leave it.”

The mental exchange is over in a flash, yet from a brief twitch of Gem’s eyes from Guiding to 3 the Queen gets the feeling that Gem knows what just happened.

“I understand,” Gem smiles at Blazing and lowers her voice, “I’m still on edge around so many ponies too. Say, can I borrow Guiding for the day?”

“Sure, I’ll be leaving in twenty minutes for guard training anyway. Don’t forget to bring her back by ten, young lady, or she’s grounded.”

Blank stares all around.

“Another ‘father joke’?” asks 3.

“Ughhh…” Blazing moans, “The last one you’ve heard from me, I promise.”

“Ohhhh!” Gem suddenly beams, “That’s why Miss Fury started laughing when Mister Crest said the same thing with the exact same time to me a couple weeks ago. Heh, I didn’t get it that time either. It’s a protective dad thing, right?”

“Yes, and it’s twice as funny when overexplained,” Blazing facehoofs, “From now on, it’s only self-deprecating gallows humor for me. So, do you need Guiding right now or can you wait until I’m done walking the whole pack?”

“Hey!” 3 huffs indignantly at Blazing who grins back.

“I heard from Miss Choking that you are the one who’s into wearing a leash, Mister Blazing,” Gem winks at him.

“I’M OUT! YOU CAN KEEP ALL OF THEM!” Blazing bolts ahead, blushing like a tomato, “DON’T FORGET TO FEED THEM. THEY HAVE NO ALLERGIES!”

“Waaaaaaaaait!” 19 flies by and lands on the back of Blazing who is still striding away.

“I’m watching you!” 3 growls at Gem, pointing her hoof from her eyes to the zebra’s, and trots away to follow Blazing as well.

“Your Majesty, I need to ask dad something.”

“Understood.”

Guiding looks back at the remaining dreamlings quietly observing the situation.

“Report to the guards for our daily duties as per our arrangement with the Princess.”

Without saying anything to Gem, the dreamlings scatter, leaving her and Guiding alone.

“So?” the Queen reveals her usual chatty disposition.

Gem looks from side to side to check if anyone can hear her, and still lowers her voice when she says:

“It’s about yesterday. I spent way too much time last night tossing and turning, but I think we might be able to figure out who’s going after me.”

“Sounds good.”

“Well…” Gem looks around again while rubbing her head nervously, “To do that, we kiiinda need to br- bend the law a little, enter an active crime investigation scene, and gain access to Mister Cauldron’s ledger,” before Guiding can object, Gem waves both forelegs in front of her face, “I know that sounds too risky for you guys’ current, uhh, political situation, but I think the same excuse we told the guards yesterday will work and won’t make you an accomplice if I hire you officially. That way, unless you’re caught red-hooved, you’ll be able to say I told you to wait for me out of sight. We can even stay in contact using a hive link-”

“No,” Guiding shoots her down in a flat tone that doesn’t allow disagreements.

“No, as in you guys can’t use it or-?”

“We can, but our minds are ours and ours alone.”

“That’s still fine!” Gem’s cheerful optimism wavers a little as she punches the air, “As for the payment - I know I promised to help you find a way to change your feeding habits, but that’s something too likely to become more of a long-term project. No, I can brew you a powerful love potion - short term only because we’re not trying to make anything illegal here. Uhh, on top of what we’ll already be doing if you help me, I mean.”

“Will forced love work?”

“For sure,” Gem lets out a breath of relief at Guiding at least considering her offer, “Changelings can eat tainted love no problem, just not for too long as the only source of food. The love potion is guaranteed to evoke a strong reaction. After that, it’s step two and the whole feeding thing.”

“Does that mean you won’t try to help us long-term?”

“Oh? Nonononono!” Gem shakes her head with vigor, “I just felt bad promising you something that might or might not work or which might take too long to be useful while possibly getting you in harm’s way. This way you’ll have the mercenary cover for our operation or operations, possible leniency if you get in trouble -you know, new to this world and desperately clinging to any offer that would help you avoid starving- and something solid as an immediate reward.”

Guiding briefly ponders trying to take a peek into Gem’s mind to confirm what Blazing said about the fake zebra, but in the light that she got detected by a drone on her first attempt, she decides against it. Mind tricks definitely aren’t a dreamling forte.

“Do I have to sign something?” she asks, taken aback at the mundanity of an unexpected obstacle, “We’re supposed to take reading and writing lessons and I’ve had other things to do recently.”

“Not a problem,” Gem shakes her head, “There’s bound to be a notary here in the castle, so we just need a short contract and their seal.”

***

A couple moments after only semi-voluntarily running away, Blazing stops grumbling to himself with:

“-ChokingyouCelestiadamnedblabbermouth!”

“Umm, Mister Blazing?” 19, still sitting on Blazing’s back and previously busy poking his bronze carapace, taps the unicorn’s head, “Or should I call you dad like the Queen?”

“I told my dad joke twice today and both times bombed harder than a drunk griffon artillery unit having to spend its ammo budget before the end of the fiscal year, so unless you’re really set on the father issue I’d prefer the former,” he grumbles, “What do you need?”

“You said you trained the guards, right? Do you train 65536 too?”

“Technically, I’m under the Nightguard but since I’m not a bat pony I do drill-sergeanting during the day most of the time. 65536 trains with Sharp Biscuit and his guys.”

“Oh,” 19 carefully floats back up into the air to avoid kicking itself off and bruising Blazing’s back, “I was hoping I could practice more seriously with it. It was telling me about its training and I think the Nightguards aren’t doing it correctly. I mean, not in a way that works for a drone.”

“Ask Sharp. He’s a reasonable pony and he’ll listen to you.”

“He’s kinda scary…” the dreamling looks around with its ears splayed back and neck retracted between its shoulders as if there was a chance of Sharp suddenly materializing behind it.

“He does have that aura, doesn’t he?” Blazing laughs, “Don’t worry. Sharp is one of the kindest ponies I know.”

“Really? Alright!” 19 cheers up, flies around Blazing, and blasts off towards the castle and the other leaving dreamlings.

“And what about you, 3?”

“Can I train with you?” she asks straight up.

“I thought you guys were trying to take a break from all the fighting.”

“The Queen is blinded by hope for a better future. I am not,” 3 says defiantly, as if daring Blazing to argue or call Guiding back.

Instead, she looks genuinely taken aback when Blazing nods, leans closer, and whispers:

“That makes two of us.”

Author's Note

Did I say that I'm happy for the few people reading my word salad before?
No matter, thanks for sticking around and reading stuff that at this point has nearly nothing to do with MLP.