Shifting Priorities

Chapters

The Attack [R]
Preorders [R]
New orders[R]
Moving in[R]
Levitation Deception[SR]
Jumping to conclusions[SR]
Cross eyed Fluttershy[SR]
Dashing through the air[SR]
Discovered[SR]
A choice[SR]
To Ashes[SR]
Obey[SR]
Burning Fire[SR]
The Zenith[SR]

The Attack [R]

Spawn number: 666
Name: Skid

These were the two things that defined him. Due to the vast number of his kind under the command of their Queen, his Liège, she referred to them in the order they had spawned in. It was understandable, it allowed her to both remove any personal attachment to her soldiers, and greatly reduced the amount she had to say. After all she could simply say two numbers, instead of a string of names.

‘Spawns 405-718; are you ready for your one moment to shine in the history books?' That included him, so he joined his brothers as they silently saluted their queen and answered in unison.

'Yes, My Liege' they all spoke, their voices a mixture of thoughts that sprung to their minds as they tried to stay official about the process. Skid understood the problems with that; it was hard to keep up a sense of identity amidst a thousand others while at the same time keeping yourself quiet enough they could obey their queen when ordered. It could be considered a hive mind, but they were each their own changeling outside of the link. The only time they ever connected like this was for when there was an emergency, or an invasion. He realised his thoughts had trailed off, and the link had grown distant, so he quickly refocused on his queen. He tried to blank his thoughts, and succeeded for the most part, probably from years of experience. In his mind, he was a loyal soldier and nothing more, who he was or what he felt didn't factor into the equation.

'Before we go; I believe all you loyal to me deserve a little desert from this imbecile of a Unicorn I have fooled.' Skid felt a wave of emotion cross through their mental links, equally distributed among the hundreds of changelings. As he felt himself enjoy the rare taste of love, he felt his second heart quicken as its power grew. He didn't know much about his hearts, only that his second one stored the love his liege game him, enough to keep them from going hungry, but not enough to keep them strong. Skid assumed it was to stop a novice changeling jumping the gun and getting killed. After all, who would go challenge a Hippogriff or Gryphon if they barely had the energy for anything other than walking around and the occasional spar with the other changelings to keep them fit. He felt strong and ready to attack Canterlot and take it for his own. They would feast, and then send the love to their queen who would store it for them, so they never starved. Glancing around, he felt a few who would ferry a small amount in their second hearts to make sure they had a little backup. Skid wasn't one of them; it wasn't his place to decide if he deserved strength. His job was to simply follow orders, and they were simple.

'The element bearers are heading for you 405-718, be ready to fight them back, they cannot reach those stupid trinkets!' They all responded, and the chaos that was the Canterlot attack began. Skid and his cohorts smashed away at the shell that remained of the shield from the Unicorn Chrysalis had sucked dry. After a few attempts, it shattered under their assault and they dived toward the city, spreading out to do their tasks. He saw one group land and begin trying to devour the civilians, he saw two ponies still unaware bartering over some fish, and he saw the element bearers looking up at them, and preparing for a fight. As Skid fell, he turned his attention to the two ponies, an amused smile fluttering over his face as the pony selling it declined the deal, leaving the other pony in dismay. He turned away shortly after as they became aware of the changelings attacking around them. He focused on his task, taking down the element bearers. One by one the forces around him landed, and they gazed at the six ponies they had surrounded. The rainbow one tried to attack first, and blinked in shock as one of them changed into her, right down to the beady little eyes. As they began to change into one of the six ponies in front, Skid felt a smile upon his face. It was more of a smirk but it felt good being powerful for once. They faced off, neither one moving for a moment, and then as a sounds was heard from some distance away, a cry for help, they all sprung into action. Skid dodged a blow from the white one, transforming into the yellow one and forming with the group to take down another yellow one. However she turned out as a changeling so they separated and he found himself face to face with a pink pony as the others dealt with a purple unicorn firing spells off, and a rainbow mare kicking their light out. One of his co-workers; a bully who had been at his neck since he had spawned, mocked him through the link. Skid didn't think it would surprise anyone to know his name was Brute, but it was irreverent in the long run what his name was.

'Careful Skid, Don't want to mess up transforming or sliding on a banana peel.' A few of the other chortled at the comment, and Skid's pride burned. Once upon a time he had trouble transforming once while doing the obstacle course, designed to toughen up Changelings. While a whack to the head would cause most changelings to lose their disguise completely, Skid had managed to hold some sort of oozing half pony half changeling shape as he spread around the course. When he glanced away to see what they were laughing at, he failed to notice one of them had put a banana peel on the track. He hadn't noticed it until he slipped, and he skidded to a stop in front of the commander in charge of supervising training. They have called him Skid ever since. His eyes narrowed, he had trained hard since then, and even now he could do what most changelings could not. He could keep up his form even when hit in the head, and he was quite adept as shifting quickly to suit the situation. Skid stood in front of the pink pony, and demonstrated his skills to any changelings watching while he waited for the right chance to strike. Imagine his surprise when the pony seemed to relax and squeal in delight.

"Ooh do me do me!" Skid frowned, and rolled his eyes and stood on two feet as he transformed, making a ‘tada' pose as he waited for her to say how perfect his disguise was. She paused, and then brushed him off, wounding his pride as a changeling and earning him more laughs in one simple move.

"Eh… I've seen better" and saying that, she pulled her purple friend up to face him, and their eyes locked for a moment, her determination clear as day, before she closed her eyes and Pinkie pulled her tail down as if she was a gun and he was the target. His eyes widened in shock, and he felt himself fly backward from the force of the spell, his illusion fading as if it was paper, and the spell was flame. Skid landed, hard and winded over a nearby railing, snapping it and making him fall down to the streets below. He layed there for a moment; gasping for breath before he managed to pull himself up, his wings flickering in immense annoyance. Jeers and laughter filled his mind as his spawn member, especially Brute, laughed at him skidding to a stop once more, as they put it. He was never going to live this down, but as he was about to fly up and join his brothers he noticed them flying in all directions, and the six ponies heading back toward the building his queen was in, and he blinked in shock. Did this mean they had the elements, or that they couldn't get past their forces? He glanced toward where the elements were and saw an army of changelings smirking in the distance and smiled, settling back on the pavement to take a moment to recover from the blow the spell had given him. He didn't notice the fall of Celestia, nor the two lovebirds reuniting and trying to cast the shield together. However, turning his head and feeling a blush on his face, as their spell took effect he felt their love for each other as such a strong force, he fell immobile under its power. He was unable to defend himself as the pink shield caught him, far away from the other changelings who were also being pushed away, and sent him spiralling through the air, severing the link with his queen and brethren. The force made his eyes blur and he couldn't tell what direction he was going nor which way was up. However, it was the force on impact to one of the thicker trees on the outskirts of the Everfree forest that knocked him out. As his consciousness left his body, all he could think while his eyes passed over the tree was ‘this is going to hurt.' And it did, right up until the moment he blacked out.

Preorders [R]

Waking up, was not pleasant in the slightest. Skid felt bruises and battered, and as he glanced up at the tree he had to curse it for being the hardest tree in living existence. He took a few moments to go over his injuries, before deciding he was all in all ok. A little bruised and shaken up, but nothing was seriously broken, though his wing hurt and he wouldn't be able to fly for a little while. Slowly standing up, he glanced to where he had hit the tree and winced again, before turning to his surroundings. The canopy above him was dark and lush, but it also held a foreboding feeling about it that he couldn't quite name. Through the small gaps in the trees, sunlight glittered through, leaving beams that hit the ground and illuminate the area around him. The bushes were touch and each time he moved he received a new scratch on his body, not that it showed because changelings rarely bled. Honestly he wasn't even sure they could bleed, but he knew all creatures bled, so changelings probably did too. He remembered something about it being a regular red, similar to ponies, but he wasn't sure which one of the others had said that. The thick trees surrounding him made it hard to figure out where he was, but as he gazed around he noticed one direction had thinner trees and his wings fluttered in hope.

"Hmm" he muttered to himself, testing his pony language. He was very rusty, but if it was anything like the other languages, he would remember it very quickly if he needed it. As he walked, the trees grew thinner and thinner, until he could actually glance up and see the sky, and walk on the ground without underbrush scratching him every second. Gazing up, he noticed the clouds moving on their own; and wondered about that. However as he gazed toward what he hoped would be the exit, he noticed the trees thinning and what looked like a city in the distance. He frowned, that would only mean ponies. He sighed, and knew he would have to figure out a disguise if he wanted to enter and find some means of figuring out where he was. However, changelings weren't known for their creativity. It was the main reason they tended to just destroy the pony they were disguising as, so they were never be found out. However with no one in sight he didn't have that luxury, so he had so figure out a disguise.

"Ok let's see…" he muttered to himself, glancing around and pausing as he decided, coincidentally glancing at the ground, that brown would be a good base colour. The body would be a pale brown, and the hair would be a darker brown.

"There is no time like the present" he spoke to himself, and closed his eyes as he began to shape the disguise around him. He wings were cocooned in a layer of magic and faded under pale brown fur and his feet took on the shape and form of regular ponies. His face became that of a male and his horn grew into a hardened type of ivory, similar to his hooves. His eyes opened, a pale green, and his hair was neatly cropped into a spiky style that layed flat on his head. If he had to make a comparison, it was similar to the crest of a parrot, except thicker and spikier and less neat. His ears flicked and his long, but simple tail swished as he tested the limits of his new body. Gazing toward the town he took a careful step, and glanced to his now bare back and sighed at the prospect of no longer being able to fly before turning away from the forest and heading into the town at a steady trot.

"5 bits, that's highway robbery!"

"Fresh fish, we catch em you keep em as pets."

"Buy some apples!" Skid felt overwhelmed by the symphony of sound around him, having to pause to realise he didn't quite know where to go. He gazed around, eventually settling upon a store that had a couch and quill on a sign and headed inside. The store contained a few small couches, and a lot of quill types along the walls. Turning his attention to the Stallion running the store, he noticed the matching cutie mark, and realised he had neglected his own. Pausing behind two couches where his body couldn't be seen, though his head could, he quickly realised how lucky he was that he hadn't caught any attention around town. Quickly glancing around for inspiration, he sweated as he thought rapidly for what his cutie mark could be. Running out of ideas, he sighed and decided he should go with what he knew: a crash landing. Using the barest hint of magic, he quickly painted a mark that reminded him of where he had gotten his name, skidding to a stop in front of his commanding officer. It looked kinda like a ditch, but with a deeper end, or simply a place where someone had skidded to a stop. He had finished his mark not a moment too soon, for just as he began to relax a pony and a dragon walked into the store. Skid's eyes widened at the sight of a baby dragon walking around like he owned the place, but relaxed when he saw no one else reacted, and the fact the baby was grumbling at the pony. Turning his gaze on the pony in question his body stiffened, it was her. She was varying shades of purple all over, with a star cutie mark. He had never actually gotten her name.

"Come on Spike, you're the one that used my last batch of quills. Maybe next time don't use them all to make a hat, even if it's for Rarity." Spike simply grumbled in response, and they approached the desk and ordered some quills. The clerk simply shook his head, saying his last box of quills were reserved for someone else in town, and he didn't get any new quills until tomorrow.

"I don't believe this, when is this pony picking up the quills?" the purple one asked, Skid inched closer, seeming more interested in the couch than anything else.

"2 days from now" the clerk replied. The purple one growled in annoyance.

"Then why not save her a box from the new batch?" Skid glanced up as the purple one; he had never gotten her name, tried to get the clerk to give up the quills. He glanced to Twilight, and at the dragon, and hesitantly made his way to the counter, right next to her.

"Uh…Excuse me sir, but who is it that ordered the quills?" They all turned their gaze on him, and he forced a smile and took a step back. He didn't like this attention. The clerk glanced down at a list of some sort under the counter.

"One Miss Twilight Sparkle" he replied, gazing bored to the purple pony who blinked in shock. Skid hummed, not noticing the purple one raise a hoof until she spoke.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle, but I don't remember reserving any quills." Skid frowned and glanced to her and noticed the dragon's sheepish gaze.

"I ordered them for you last time I was here, you know because you run out so quickly." Twilight glanced to the dragon and scooped him up in levitation and hugged him in glee. The clerk sighed and went to her the order, and Skid scratched the back of his head.

"Thank you Spike, this makes things so much easier!" Skid turned and carefully walked around them, heading for the exit, he wasn't needed in here, he would ask in another store.

"Oh!-Uhm excuse me" he turned to glance and realised Twilight was talking to him. She gave a warm smile.

"Thanks for the help, if you hadn't thought to ask that question I'd be out of quills." Skid gave a warm smile in return, and as she turned to retrieve her quills he made a beeline outta the store and into the town. Gazing around, he noticed a newsstand and walked over and glanced at the name of the paper. ‘Ponyville Daily' was what it's name was. So with a blink he realised he was in Ponyville, and his encounter with the purple unicorn Twilight made much more sense. He breathed a sigh and glanced to the sky, realising even if he knew where he was, he didn't know how to find the direction of his changeling home.

"Excuse me, sir?" he turned rapidly, and blinked in shock to see that same purple unicorn gazing presently at him. He relaxed instantly and chuckled.

"No need to call me Sir, Miss." Twilight raised an eyebrow, and Spike frowned at him like Skid and Twilight were acting strange. Ignoring it, a smile crept on to their faces.

"Oh I am sorry mister; it's just so hard to call you by another when I have not been given a name." Skid bowed, and she bowed in return. Returning his gaze to her, he easily replied in the same tone.

"It is nothing Madam; I merely wish to inform you of my utter distaste of such words." Twilight took a more dignified bow, brandishing her arm like a sword before crossing it over her chest as she descended.

"Then it would be wise of me dear sir, to ask for your name and give my own would it not?" Skid nodded, taking a noble stance. This basically meant he stood up tall, even as short as he was; even Twilight was bigger than him.

"Yes my dear; that would be the uttermost correct course of action." They both straightened up and Twilight giggled before holding out a hoof.

"I'm Twilight Sparkle, loyal student of my mentor Princess Celestia." So it was her, he knew it the instant he had seen her. Skid smile and took the hoof, they both shook before returning to normal stances.

"I'm-uh-Sixty Six Skid, but you can just call me Skid." Twilight frowned at his name, but he continued smiling and whatever her problems were she quickly dismissed them and nodded before point a hoof at him gently.

"Well Skid, you seem are staring at that paper really hard, you can't afford it or something?" Skid glanced to the paper in question and neatly shook his head; he had gotten what he wanted from it. Turning back to Twilight, an idea struck his head.

"It's not the paper really, a Pegasi carriage I was on got stuck in a storm as we were flying over that forest. When I came to, it was gone. I know Ponyville, but I need a map, so I can see if I can find my hometown on it." Twilight nodded hmming as she thought about his situation. Skid couldn't help but be glad he had run into her. It made his job a lot easier, well if he had one. Skid just wanted to get home.

"Well I do have a library, maybe there's some maps in there?" Twilight close her eyes, as if visualising the library.

"Yep, I've certainly seen a map in there, right next to ‘Mythic Riddles: Why 2+2=Fish'." Skid nodded, and she smiled as she saw him paying attention. She motioned in a direction and he began following. "It's this way." Skid followed, smiling and humming a tune to himself. Things were looking up. Soon enough he would know where he was, then he could send a probe out to find his Liège, and finally head home. It didn't cross his mind he might be given orders based on his unique position.

New orders[R]

As the trees thickened with the wind that blew through the street, a few ponies gazed out of their cottage like houses before shivering and closing the windows and heading inside. Skid assumed a storm was coming, and glanced toward the sky and saw a few Pegasi frowning at the clouds rolling in from the forest.

"So Skid, where did you learn to speak fancy?" Skid blinked and returned his eyes to the purple mare in front of him. Looking back in the direction they were heading, he shrugged.

"It helps to know the ‘language' when travelling to Canterlot." The wind picked up, and Twilight shivered, gaining his gaze again. Spike merely folded his arms and gave a shudder, Skid didn't notice the cold. As they walked his eyes moved to a tree they were approaching, very big and very old. It had windows in the trunks and a balcony on the right hand side. The door had a candle on the top part, and the bottom had two lower sections. Blinking, he realised Twilight was making a beeline for it, and the opened the door and moved to the side to let him and Spike in. Spike walked in and headed into the kitchen, Skid paused outside and glanced to the sky. The clouds had come over so quickly, and he flinched as some rain hit his face and hurried inside, Twilight closing the door behind him.

"So here it is, Ponyville Library. Now the Maps are over…" Twilight trotted over to a bookshelf and began levitating books off and glancing at the cover before tossing them over her shoulder. Spike walked out carrying a gem and looking very pleased for himself, and right into the path of a flying book. Spike dropped his gem as it slaped him in the face, and it clattered to the floor, luckily still in one piece. He pulled the book from his face and growled at it, before tossing it away. The book would go on to commit suicide later on by suffocating itself. Twilight would eventually manage to perform CPR and bring the book back to life, and it was currently in counselling. Spike picked up his gem and sighed at Twilight.

"Twilight, it's not a book it's a scr-"Skid flinched as her voice cut him off, dashing for a small shelf filled with scrolls and charts.

"Of course, I forgot that it was only a reference to a chart I have in the library." Spike merely rolled his eyes, and headed upstairs to do what dragons did with gems in peace. Skid wasn't entirely sure, he spoke the dragon language, but he didn't know much about their habits. Musing interrupted by a Twilight rolling out a parchment on the table nearby, he slowly walked over and blinked at the very detailed map of Equestria in front of him. It only took him a few moments to get a good idea of where he was and more importantly, where his home was. It was simply labelled ‘Bad Lands', and it was fitting in a sense. Every now and then dragons would camp on the fringes, but they usually left changelings well enough alone. Skid then focused on the nearest town, knowing Twilight would never accept him living in such a wild place, seeing as he was a pony.

"Dodge Junction, that's where I need to go." Skid turned and smiled at Twilight, who frowned and shook her head.

"Trains only go there in the morning, and mid afternoon. You've missed the train." Skid blinked and nodded, realising he would have to find a place to sleep for the night.

"I can wait a day; I'll hop on the train tomorrow." Skid smiled, pleased with the plan. Suddenly a loud bang sounded and he jumped in mild shock and glanced to the window. Shivering once, he was glad to finally be inside and not out in that weather.

"That's strange, there's no storm scheduled for today." Skid frowned, scheduling a storm?

"You didn't notice, they flew in from the forest." Twilight turned her gaze from the window to him, blinking in shock.

"From the Everfree!?" nodding, he frowned. They both jumped as a rapid knocking sounded at the door, and a voice cried out.

"Twilight let us in!" Twilight quickly jumped to action, opening the door with magic and two sodden ponies entered the room. Skid gazed at them, and even through the grime and dirt on the two he recognised them. One was rainbow, the other was orange.

"Applejack, Rainbow Dash what's going on what happened?" Twilight quickly grabbed her shivering friends a towel as they began explaining.

"The weather just suddenly came outta the Everfree. Normally they'd stop at the edge and dissipate but for some reason they blew right into Ponyville. Their clouds are hard to control, and the entire weather patrol is struggling to even clear a single patch of sky. Our boss ordered us to go home for the night, and to wait and see if it dissipates overnight." Skid could tell this rainbow pony wanted rest, and a little hurt. However even as he saw that she raised her head took a deep breath and instantly regained the steel look of a strong pony. Twilight gave her two friends a towel and Rainbow Dash began rubbing herself down, soon enough she was no longer wet. Dry mud still caked her mane, but a hot bath would fix that.

"So why is Applejack here?" The two shared a sheepish glanced before Applejack busied herself drying off.

"Well I kinda got caught in a stray gust and crashed into her." Skid frowned at the two of them, and then turned to the map and busied himself with glancing over it. This wasn't his business, and he didn't really want to get involved.

"Well ah was heading home when Dash crashed into me, so I suggested we find somewhere to weather the storm, and your library was the closest." Twilight nodded and smiled

"Well you're welcome to stay the night, I'd hate for you to go out in this weather, will the farm be ok?" Applejack mused for a moment before nodding.

"Ah reckon so, we've weathered worse than this." Twilight nodded, giving a relieved smile. It was then, to Skid's annoyance, Twilight remembered him.

"Oh Skid I'm sorry!" Skid waved his hoof, signalling it was alright and Twilight introduced her two friends.

"Rainbow Dash, Applejack, this is Skid. Skid meet two of my best friends; Applejack and Rainbow Dash." Skid smiled at the two ponies and they smiled back. Shaking hoofs, they quickly turned to the next subject.

"Skid, do you have somewhere to stay tonight?" Skid flinched, and his ears flickered as he gave a smile, closing his eyes and trying to look happy.

"Of course I do, I'll just uh-"his eyes opened and he glanced around.

"Find a hotel?" Skid wasn't the best liar even at the best of times, which was surprising because his entire cover was one fabricated lie, but he assumed it was different. All three raised an eyebrow, and Twilight rolled her eyes.

"We can tell you're lying, and there aren't any hotels in Ponyville." Skid turned his gazed on her and ‘oh'ed. He looked to the ground, his ears lowering and falling beside his head.

"Alright fine, I don't have any money and I don't have a place to stay, I was hoping I would be out of this town today." Twilight nodded, as if she had suspected it. Skid growled inwardly, why make him say it then? When she glanced to her two friends they nodded and she smiled at him.

"Well I'm sure you can spend the night here if you like, you'll have to sleep on some cushions." Skid blinked in shock, his ears flicking up in surprise. He was literally inside the enemy's home, and they would be sleeping soon. Skid began to tear up, but quickly wiped it away.

"Thanks Twilight, that's awfully kind of you. If it's ok with you, I'd like to take up your offer…" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, and Twilight's smiled grew slightly.

"Of course Skid, I'll set the cushions up for you. Rainbow Dash and Applejack is sharing the other bed ok?" Skid glanced to them, and they both nodded. He felt a little jealous her friends got the bed, but they had asked earlier after all. As Twilight began preparing the beds, her friends offered to help and she brushed them off. So Applejack went in search of an Agriculture book, assumedly for her farm, as Rainbow Dash went for a fiction book with a picture of a pony of similar build to herself on the cover. Skid decided it wouldn't hurt to look around, and picked up a random book and began reading somewhere around the middle. He quickly became absorbed in it, and soon enough Twilight had finished setting the beds.

"Alright girls, and Skid" she giggled and he raised his head from the book. Placing the book down and closing it, a picture of a phoenix decorated the front. As the three of them headed over to Twilight, she continued speaking.

"It's still early, how about we have an early dinner and then play some inside games before heading to bed?" Skid opened his mouth to speak but was quickly interrupted by Rainbow dash yawning.

"Actually Twi, I'm kinda tired, mind if we take an early night?" Twilight mused, and nodded before heading into the kitchen.

"Ok Rainbow Dash, let's have something to eat and head to bed." Skid relaxed slightly, he wanted sleep too. Waking up in the forest in pain, finding where he had to go, he just wanted to settle into sleep. As Twilight vanished from view, he turned his gaze to the other two mares in the room and looked them over. Applejack seemed the type that was mostly down to earth and level-headed. Rainbow Dash seemed more prone to quick judgement and yet also held a sense of pride round her. Skid didn't entirely understand it, so he left it.

"Do you mares mind showing me where the toilet is?"Skid asked finally, and Applejack smiled and motioned for him to follow her upstairs, where she motioned to a door.

"Thanks" he spoke, heading for the door.

"Think nothing of it Skid." Skid turned his green gaze toward her back as she left, before opening the door and closing it behind him. It was time to contact his queen.

Skid sent his link toward home, and quickly found the mind in chaos and stumbled, almost losing the link before managing to grasp hold and steady his fragile cable. "

Silence"all changelings flinched as their queen issued the command. As the hive quickly became silent, he was finally able to pick out certain minds, and their locations. Brute was only a few days away, while the queen had launched clear over their home. After a few moments of gathering the locations of all her subjects, she began preparing to regroup.

"Take a disguise and find the quickest route to return home, we need to review our plan. Once we are all-"her voice trailed off as she focused on Skid, he flinched under her mental gaze.

"Actually, I think a change of plans is in order. Spawn 666 correct? 666; gain as much information on the elements as you can while all forces congregate to your place. Don't kill them, yet…" Skid felt her gaze seep into her subjects before returning to him, and he mentally bowed.

"Yes my liege, but how will I feed?" Chrysalis paused, and her voice spoke to him, warning him.

"Ok fine, you may drain love from the ponies around you, but do not make a habit of it. Only commanders have that privilege for a reason." With that, the meeting came to a close and all changelings slowly began disconnecting.

"Don't abuse the power" were her last words to him and he blinked, surprised there was a touch of tenderness in her voice.

"Yes my liege."

Skid headed downstairs and ate a small dinner with the three mares. They talked between each other, and he was content just sitting here, munching on the sandwich, absorbing his own meal. Eventually, they all finished talking and Twilight showed him his bed. While the three mares and the dragon shared a room, he would be sleeping on some cushions layed out in the library.

"Thanks again Twilight, this was really nice of you." Skid smiled at Twilight, and she grinned, liking the praise. Skid had his orders now, it meant he had to attempt to get to know more about these ponies, and the other three.

"No problem Skid, goodnight." Twilight headed up the stairs, and the house descended into darkness. Skid turned his gaze to the window, watching the rain washing down, before hopping on to the cushion and pulling the blanket around him. Ensuring no one coming down early would be able to see his body while he slept, he cocooned himself in the blanket and slowly began drifting off to sleep.

"Goodnight…"

Moving in[R]

Waking up in the cushions was uncomfortable to say the least, but Skid had managed to sleep through the night. Taking a moment to done his disguise, he uncurled himself and gazed around the quiet library setting and realised something. Skid would have to sabotage the train, or get some other changeling nearby to do it. Either way it could wait for a while, it was too early to leave and get back before Twilight and the others would wake. Stretching, he turned his head and blinked, a flickering light capturing his gaze and sending it toward the purple unicorn reading at the table. Skid almost freaked out, but realised his sleep hadn't been interrupted so she mustn't have come to try to see what he looked like while sleeping. Stifling a yawn, he stood up and stretched and walked over to her.

"Mornin' Twilight," she jumped, and turned to face him before relaxing. There were bags under her eyes, suggesting she had either gotten up early, or hadn't slept at all. Skid pretended not to notice.

"Morning Skid, you're up early. Then again, I'm up early as well." Skid smiled and gently pushed her with his head.

"Go get some sleep, you look exhausted." Twilight frowned and shook her head, and rubbed her eyes. Gently closing the book and placing a bookmark inside she turned her head.

"But you'll miss the train." Skid chuckled and pointed to the slowly lightening sky. The storm had luckily blown over, which meant ponies would soon be out and about.

"I'll catch the evening one instead. Besides; it gives me a chance to explore the town a bit, and it would be a shame to leave without having a good look around. Say…I'll wake you up at noon?" Twilight rubbed her eyes again and desperately fought sleep for control over her body. Eventually sleep won and she nodded, about to walk up the stairs as two ponies and one dragon headed down.

"Hey Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike. I'm still a little tired so I'm going to take a power nap." Applejack and Dash nodded.

"No problem Twilight we'll leave in just a moment, get some good rest we'll talk to you later." Twilight big her friends goodbye and trundled up the stairs, Skid saw Spike yawn and begin opening the library. He walked into the kitchen, taking out a ruby and munching it as he leaned against a horse head statue.

"So Skid, how did you convince Twilight to go to sleep, she's not the type to simply sleep when tired." Skid turned toward Applejack and smiled, motioning to the door.

"I told her I'd wake her up at noon for the second train, and that I want to look around town." Applejack nodded, frowning and glancing to the stairs.

"Musta been tired to give in that quickly. So what's this about a train?" Skid shrugged, glancing to the window and the sunlight beyond.

"I was on a Pegasus carriage and got blown off course and crashed here, I'm going to take the train home." Rainbow Dash slowly walked to the door, and turned her eyes upon him and Applejack.

"Sorry guys, gotta fly my boss will kill me if I'm late to help move the clouds now the storms passed, see yas." Applejack and Skid only had time to blink before the rainbow pony vanished before their eyes. Skid was left wondering how fast she had left for her to vanish like that, when he got interrupted by Applejack giving a hearty chuckle.

"That Rainbow Dash never sticks around for long always gotta be somewhere." Skid and Applejack returned to gazing at each other, and Applejack motioned to the door.

"I haveta go and help clean up my farm, but if ya get lost in town head toward the building covered in sweets and the colour pink and ask for Pinkie Pie. Be warned, she is rather energetic.

"Will do Applejack" he replied, his eyes closing and his head tilting as his mouth moved up. With a casual tip of her hat, Applejack left, closing the door behind her. Skid paused for a moment, considering the two ponies before flinching as a voice spoke from behind him.

"I don't care who you go for, but Rarity's mine" spoke the dragon. Skid blinked and tilted his head, staying in that place for a moment before what Spike meant dawned on him. Snorting, he rolled his eyes and headed out the door, his feet lightly tapping against the wooden floor.

"Sure Spike, you can have this Rarity. I promise not to make her fall head over heels with me." Skid nearly rolled his eyes out of their sockets as a mutter about him doing as he had said in a threatening tone. If he hadn't been heading out of the door and turning his eyes to the street ahead, he might have seen Spike glance to the book he had glanced at the previous night and opening it, giving it a flick through.

"Surprise Twilight didn't mention this when we had Peewee, maybe she hasn't read it yet." Spike blinked, and chucked.

"Yeah, like that would ever happen."

Pressure Control was a simple ashen coloured earth pony. Called PC by his co-workers, he always got teased for being in love with the trains he worked. He honestly didn't understand the relation, even as he caressed the cold engine as it slowly woke from its slumber.

"In love, what a funny thing to say, we got married years ago didn't we Persephone?" Gently nudging the train, he separated and gazed up at the beautiful beauty. He had always loved big women, and none came bigger than his wife. Hopping into his wife's bowels, he gently headed up her body and stood inside her head before pulling down a lever, and shovelling some round black objects into her mouth. The train gave a gentle whining sound as it began to heat up. PC watched this with an adoring smile on his face, until the moment a metal object came crashing on to his head. He collapsed quickly, and was instantly out cold with a large bruise on his head. A pitch black pony stared down, and dropped the metal object and grabbed the pony and tossed him outside the train. Turning his gaze to the controls, he started by shovelling all the coal he could into the hot mouth of the train. Finished that he glanced to the switches and focused on the one called ‘pressure control' and snapped it off. As he stood there, he glanced behind him and saw a shape coming up the train carts and picked up his object with magic, flaring his wings and preparing to attack the pony. As the door opened, it hid him hiding in the corner as the pony blinked in shock and dashed to the controls before being knocked out as well. Picking this pony up, he glanced to the controls before leaping out of the train and picking up PC and flying them a decent distance from the train before vanishing. PC awoke first, and quickly woke up the second one, before they rushed to the train.

"No!"He shrieked as he saw ponies everywhere running from the train as the hot red metal from the overheated train began to reach the other carts. Then with a single moment, it melted into nothing. PC merely collapsed to the ground, tears streaking his face.

"If I ever find out who did this-"a voice cut him off, someone crying out in suddenly pain, and he turned rapidly as a thump sounded. His eyes widened, and he glanced to the platform so close and yet so far away, and knew no one would see him until it was too late. Turning on the black thing in front of him, he prepared for a fight.

"Time for you to forget," PC blinked in shock as a green glow surrounded him, and he was suddenly surrounded by darkness. The black shape merely watched PC collapse to the floor again with a casual indifference before turning and walking away.

"If I ever get the chance, I'll pay you back one day."

Skid had seen a lot of the town, and was happy knowing if he needed to he would be able to find his way around without much difficulty. Turning his gaze to the candy covered pink building; he sighed and walked in the door, a gentle twinkling following him. Gazing inside he got assaulted by the smell of sweet and breathed in, savouring the moment.

"Well hi there are you new OMG you are so totally new. Oh my we so need to throw you a ‘welcome to Ponyville' party and invite EVERYPONY. Well everyone, I'll invite spike and gummy too." Skid blinked, his vision filled with two bright eyes and a pink face before he took a step back, and fell down the small stair bit he had just walked up to get to the door. Groaning, he rubbed the back of his neck and suddenly felt himself vaulted into the air and plopped back on to his four feet. He swayed, and shook his head rapidly before turning to get the pink pony in fully. Skid blinked, his eyes widening as he saw the hair bundled with energy, the feet bouncing in delight, and the face of happiness.

"Are you Pinkie Pie?" he managed to speak, blinking for a moment before bringing up a welcoming smile, which quickly vanished as his hoof got dragged into some rapid up and down movement, which left him dizzy again.

"Well of course I am, why you seen any other ponies that look like me names something else? Well ya might have seen one named Philomena but we don't talk to her very often because she-"Skid decided now was a good chance to interrupt.

"No offence Pinkie Pie, but I really need you to show me to Twilights, I need to get there otherwise I'll miss the deadline." Pinkie Pie blinked, and giggled, once again picking him up above her head. Skid merely blinked, his hooves slightly curved as Pinkie Pie carried him all the way to Twilights, in about five seconds. Plopping him down, he took a moment to gather his soundings before turning to thank the pink pony, but she was gone. He furrowed his eyebrows, but turned and re-entered the library, saying a quick hello to Spike who was looking at a drawing of some kind before walking up the stairs and knocking on Twilight's door. A grunt told him he could come in, and he entered and was greeted by stacks of books, too orderly to look messy.

"Twilight time to wake up," Skid spoke, slowly making his way to the bed and glancing down at the bed-headed purple unicorn before sight and gently tapping her.

"Twilight please wake up." Skid flinched as his hoof was knocked away and a groaning form vanished under the sheets. Skid growled, and leaned in close to where he hoped her ears were.

"I want to borrow a book." Twilight groaned and muttered something about spike and he gritted his teeth in frustration before walking over to a stack of books and knocking his head gently against it.

"Why-Won't-You-Just-Wake-Up!"suddenly the stack of books decided they didn't like Skids smooth and soft forehead and decided to get as far away as possible by getting as close to the ground as they could in a quite loud fashion. Skid flinched, and Twilight leapt out of her sheets, springing up like a startled cat, a spell at the ready. Skid quickly backed away, seeing the dazed look in her face.

"Twilight stop!"Skid turned and saw Spike at the door, who winked at him, causing Skid to get caught in a very strange situation. Twilight calmed down and rubbed her eyes, slowly waking up.

"Spike, I wish you would stop knocking over my notes to wake me up, one of these days I might actually attack you." Spike simply rolled his eyes, slowly picking up the books and beginning to stack them. Skid began helping, his horn glowing a gentle green as he hovered books into the stack.

"Morning Skid…Skid, you're going to miss the train!" Twilight blinked, and realised she was the cause of this and smiled sheepishly before giving Spike a gentle hug.

"Thanks Spike, I'll be back soon." Twilight quickly ran down the stairs, brushing her hair as she went and Skid mouthed a quick ‘thank you' to Spike before dashing down. There was one thing he knew; Spike would be a good ally to have in the ‘wake up Twilight' category. Following the rapidly vanishing Twilight out the door, narrowly missing the closing door, he sighed. It didn't take them long to make their way to the platform, and Twilight slowed down as it came in sight, giving him a chance to catch his breath. Twilight quickly began trotting around the corner and up the stairs.

"There we go; we made it with ten minutes to spare. No way will we be la-Oh my god." Skid rounded the corner, narrowly dodging a still Twilight. His eyes widened at the scene before him. Some ponies in guard suits were questioning a colt who was gazing at them and shaking his head. Twilight trotted over, Skid mutely followed, gazing at the wrecked scene before him. The train, his way home, was badly wrecked, melted into the tracks at the front. Twilight talked with the guards for a bit, before turning to gaze to Skid concerned.

"Someone attacked the train, but they don't know who it was. It's going to take a while before the unicorns can repair the damage. I offered to help but they said they have it under control." Skid turned his gaze to the train and sighed.

"I guess I'll have to walk there then." Twilight shook her head and smiled weakly. Skid could sense her hesitation.

"Well, I normally wouldn't suggest this, but since you have nowhere else to stay I guess I can let you stay in my basement until the train gets fixed, I can't let you just walk all that way." Skid blinked, his eyes widening and his face breaking out into a smile.

"Oh, thank you Twilight!" Skid wrapped his front hooves around her neck and released her a moment later. Twilight smiled, and they headed away from the wreckage. Skid glanced back at it as Twilight vanished from view around a corner, and a small smile fell upon his face.

"Wow, this place cleans up well, "Twilight spoke to herself, carefully packing up all her lab stuff into a room and gazed at the makeshift room surrounded by boxes. Turning to Skid, she followed his gaze to the small bed placed in the middle, and grimaced slightly.

"I know, I know, not the best of conditions but-"Skid interrupted her and smiled.

"Nonsense, it's perfect." Twilight turned and smiled at Skid, and they headed upstairs to a black room.

"Oh no…" Twilight spoke, and Skid opened his mouth to ask what was going on when suddenly the lights turned on and he got blinded and deafened.

"SURPRISE" shouted the crowd, and Skid blinked at the ponies around him and simply blinked again.

"Pinkie Pie" Twilight scolded, and Skid turned his gaze on the beaming pony and smiled before laughing out loud. Skid considered it more of a quiet chuckle, but as he laughed he felt himself starting to enjoy the gathering and the party began.

"Pinke Pie, stop talking to that book!" Skid was now tired and experiencing blissful happiness. After a full night of drinking, eating, dancing and playing games all the ponies had headed home except for Pinkie Pie who was busy talking to a book she said had gotten abused recently.

"I'm telling ya Twilight, you need to give this poor guy some love or he'll get depressed!" Twilight rolled her eyes, and after some arguing managed to coax Pinkie into going home and closed the door and sighed in defeat before gazing at the room.

"I am not cleaning that up until the morning" she yawned, walking over to Skid who was sipping some punch quietly.

"Spike went to bed long ago, it's getting late." Skid nodded, putting the punch down and smiled at Twilight.

"Well then Miss Twilight, I wish you a peaceful goodnight." Twilight smiled and headed up the stairs, pausing to turn the light off after Skid had entered the basement and closed the door. Closing his eyes, he quickly contacted his queen.

‘There you are 666, what have you to report?'

‘So far I have met Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight. I didn't get to speak much to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, but I'm hoping I'll get to hang out with them soon. Twilight has agreed to let me stay in her basement until the train is fixed so I've bought myself some time. Pinkie Pie threw me a welcoming party and it was a lot of fun and I met so many new-‘

‘SILENCE 666' Skid shuddered, and immediately obeyed.

‘Yes my liege.'

‘Do not mistake leniency for informality. I expect you to address me formally and only give me important information 666. Do not make this mistake again.'

‘Yes my liege.'

‘Now 666, what have you learned.'

‘Twilight is well learned and very logical but prone to overreaction. Pinkie Pie is overly energetic and completely unpredictable. The other two I only have impressions of as of yet.'

‘Thank you 666, I expect another report from you in at least a few days.'

‘Yes my liege.'

Skid sighed and rubbed his eyes and slowly crept into bed. Pulling the blanket towards him, he closed his eyes and gave a long yawn. Skid then curled up in the blankets, surrounded by darkness, hidden by the blanket, and fell asleep instantly.

Levitation Deception[SR]

Skid awoke the next morning to some tapping on a wooden surface that began to fade away. He wondered why the hive mind was quiet before remembering his mission and transforming into his disguise with ease. He was getting quicker at waking up, a talent he would no doubt find useful in the future. As he untangled himself, he jumped on to the floor and opened the door to find no one there. He frowned, and headed down the stairs and saw Twilight was up and about very early considering the late night they had.

"Aah!" she jumped, dropping the book she she had been reading in shock as she glanced up and saw him gazing at her. He walked over and picked up the book, holding it out to give to her.

"Celestia's horn, Skid you scared me," she took the book off him and gave a grateful smile before flipping the pages and resting it on a certain page. Turning back to him, she motioned to the stairs.

"Did I wake you up coming down? Sorry, we still have some time left before we need to get up so I was going to do some light reading." Skid gazed at the book, and admired her view on what was ‘light' reading.

"Yeah but no biggy" he began, realising he was starting the get the hang of using his voice down finally.

"I mean few hundred pages you could probably finish that easily." He wasn't kidding too, he could tell this Twilight read way too much to not be wearing glasses all the time. She giggled in response, bookmarking the page and closing the book.

"Not really, I don't actually read as fast as people make me out as, I'm just an expert skimmer when we need the information quickly." Skid gazed at the bookmark and saw she was in reality only a few pages in. So Twilight couldn't read as fast as she made was made out to be, interesting.

"So do we have time for a quick breakfast, is there any cake left?"He asked, thinking of the piece of cake as he bit into it. His mouth began to salivate.

"Cake isn't a good breakfast, but I promise I'll leave you the cake and you can come and get some when you want" she laughed at his enthusiasm, but he didn't care. Even if his Liège wanted him to talk formaly, he was going to enjoy every second of that cake.

"So why isn't cake a good breakfast?" he asked her as she made her way to the kitchen. She paused, seeing a sleepy dragon carrying out a plate of food.

"Thought you might want some food" he spoke, rubbing his eyes as Twilight levitated the plate away from him. Placing it down, Skid didn't hesitate to start eating.

"Thanks Spike, are you going to eat?" The dragon held out a ruby of some sort proudly, and Twilight rolled her eyes as he walked away to nurse his treat.

"Skid, you can't have cake in the mornings because it's pure sugar, I'm surprised Pinkie doesn't pack on the pounds from how much she eats, but she does move around a lot." She paused in speaking to take a bite of her food, and Skid stopped himself from eating more than half, no matter how delicious they were.

"Bah, I don't believe you, you just want the cake for yourself" he scolded her, his eyes suspicious of her motives. It was his welcome cake, and he would welcomely eat it. She chuckled and shook her head.

"Of course I won't Skid, I'm not much of a cake person in the first place." He blinked looking at her as if she was an alien, which she was in his eyes. How could she say that, about cake of all things! She rolled her eyes.

"Alighty then, shall we get going?" He frowned at her question, and she paused.

"Wait where are we going?" he asked and Twilight grimaced in response.

"Well, Applejack wants some taste testers for some recipes she wants to sell." Skid tilted his head, but followed Twilight to Applejacks.

"Say Twilight, how many friends do you have anyway?" he asked, wondering just how popular this purple pony was.

"I have lots of friends; however I have 6, including my assistant Spike, that are my closest. What about you?" he blinked, caught by surprise at the question. He paused for a moment, and decided he should probably be mildly truthful. Keeping a disguise was easier the less you had to distort the truth. It meant he couldn't get facts as wrong as they could be if he wasn't listening to what he was saying.

"Well, unless you count an imaginary pet, you're my first one." Twilight gazed at him, a look of understanding on her face that made him take a step to put some distance between them. He didn't like that look, it made him feel strange.

"I used to have only Spike before I moved here, being alone is hard" she spoke, her face focusing on the road in front of them. He shrugged,

"I was never really alone, I had plenty of-er- people around me." She paused for a moment to glance at him, before continuing to walk.

"But did you ever hang out with them outside of work, share a laugh or anything?" He shook his head and she nodded, as if that was all the answer she needed. He had never needed to have a relationship; it only made working as a hive more complicated when people were trying to show they were individuals.

"Skid, this is Applejacks farm." Snapping out of his thoughts, he raised his head to see a nice little farm with a small field for carrots and rows upon rows of apple trees.

"Well she certainly has a lot of apples; does she feed the entire town or something?" Twilight chuckled in response, and he followed her toward a barn of some sort.

"Something like that, she sells apples and assorted apple products along with Cider when it is in season." He nodded, made sense to him to make a living out of feeding people, you would never starve. An orange earth pony answered the door, and spoke with a thick accent.

"Well howdy there Twilight, nice to see you. Nice to see you again too Skid, but shouldn't ya have headed home by now?" Twilight smiled and opened her mouth to respond.

"Skid's train got…delayed for an unknown amount of time. He's staying in my basement until the train gets repaired." Applejack mused for a moment, and gave a nod.

"Well ok, just be careful about keeping a stranger is ya house, no offence Skid." Twilight paused and glanced to Skid, and he took that as his moment to speak. He didn't notice himself fall into an accent exactly like Applejacks.

"Well, I dun thank ah could take offence from sometin as true as that there." As they blinked in shock at him, it took him a few moments before he realised what he had done.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry I honestly didn't mean to do that!" Twilight and Applejack frowned at him, and he took a step back, worried for what was coming.

"You're useless, you'll never amount to anything." He braced for impact, knowing what was coming.

"Well ah don't understand how you could not mean to switch accents like that but dun worry about it" spoke the orange one, causing him to raise his gaze and gaze at her in shock. Twilight nodded her agreement, than asked her own question.

"Is that similar to how you switched in Canterlot when we met?" He turned to glance to her, taking another step back.

"N-No I was just attempting to be courteous." Twilight nodded, and the two dropped the subject and returned to their reason for coming here. He had never been so glad in his life.

"Well now that that's cleared up, why dun we go and get some grub into ya starving ponies." Applejack led them past a barn and into a house not far away, and he gazed at the simple place and listened to the creaking of old timber. It seemed to him like this house was one that had been here for a while. Stepping inside the house, he noticed it filled with handmade junk and picture everywhere and closed his eyes and felt a sense of calm come over him. This place was an indisputable safe house, it simply stood here and make sure its occupants were safe for their time under its roof. Opening his eyes, he turned his gaze toward the fleeing form of Applejack and Twilight and followed them into the kitchen. Sniffing the room, he smelled all the scents that smelled good and bad at the same time, which made the room stuffy. A row of plates stacked on to a table revealed the source of the smell, and his stomach grumbled and cried out in fear at the same time.

"Well Skid, let's get started then, "whispered Twilight, giving him a fearful glance behind Applejacks back. A cold shudder went down his back, and he tried the first plate as an expectant Applejack watched on. The crumbled bread was swimming in some type of yellow liquid, and he managed to siphon off a piece and gently hovered a piece into his mouth and waited for the taste to hit. Twilight watched his eyes widen, his mouth bulge and his hair stick up straight before he settled down. Gasping for breath, he swallowed it and prepared a decent smile and faced Applejack.

"It's a little too sweet." Applejack nodded, putting a cross on this form she pulled from behind her back. Skid turned to Twilight, and his eyes narrowed and she rapidly shook her head.

"Alright who wants to try plate number 2?"Asked Applejack and silence filled the room in reply.

"Thanks for the help ya two, it saves me a lot of trial and error with customers ya know?" Applejack was plopping the plates into the sing, each making a clinking sound that made Skid flinch.

"It was no problem Applejack; if you need help you know where to find me." Twilight smiled and Skid followed her to the light up ahead. "No problem Twilight, happy to help ya, and if you want to help we're gunna buck more apples tomorrow if you want to help out." Skid could see Twilight didn't really want to, but she has already suggested it and didn't want to sound like a bad friend. He blinked; maybe he did know Twilight after all. "Twilight, didn't you say you were going to re-organise your library, how about I go in your place" he offered, Applejack turning to look at him while Twilight gave him a thankful glance.

"I wasn't really going to organise, but it is due for one now that I think about it, what do you say Applejack?" Glancing between the two of them Applejack gave a chuckle.

"Tha' works fine for me, but ya know ya could have just said you dun want to right Twilight?" The purple pony turned and glanced to the ground. "I didn't want to sound like a bad friend" she spoke, her voice sounding sad. Skid merely watched the exchange, seeing a fragility to Twilight he had only touched the surface of. "Twilight, you know ah wouldn't care if ya don't want to do hard labour with me, we're friends remember? How about you two just come by fer lunch tomorrow?" Twilight turned her gaze to Applejack, and gave a smile that said she knew that.

"That sounds great Applejack, I'll see you then." Before they left, Skid opened his mouth to inject with a shrug.

"I can come by earlier if you want some help, honestly it would be nice to get to know you better before you ask me out on a date you know." The glanced to him, blinking before realising he was half-joking.

"Well sure, come by at sunup or anytime you feel like coming over, it's always nice to have more hands to buck them trees." So with tomorrow's details sorted out, and the sun beginning to set, they began heading back to Skids new home. Sid was happy with his progress today, he knew Twilight a little better and had managed to organise a chance to get to know Applejack too. It looks like his mission would be getting easier.

"Next time, WARN ME" he groaned, his stomach continuing to cramp in distress, Twilight layed on the ground on the library right next to him in an same position. They were so alike Spike has nicknamed them the ‘pain twins.'

"I know I know! I'm really sorry Skid it isn't normally that bad, normally there's more good than bad ones." Skid merely groaned in reply and soon enough the sun had set before they could finally move again. As Twilight went in search of a book, Skid decided now would be a good time to ask.

"Twilight, do you have any books on changelings?" Twilight turned, frowned, and her horn glowed and suddenly a dozen books flew off the shelf and landed in front of Skid in a neat pile.

"I'm going to read these in bed, see you tomorrow." Twilight waved to him, completely absorbed in her book. Heading into the basement he closed the door and got into bed and however a book over. As he opened the book he began to read it to himself.

Changelings and the hive mind.

Connected to their queen, the soldiers completely let go of their own sense of self to become a single consciousness, to serve their queen. If one were to keep their consciousness, the hive mind would collapse into a mess of voices, so the queen's job was to ensure they stayed as one single force. It is can be said that if disconnected from this state of mind for too long would cause-

Skid's eyes closed and he fell asleep while reading with a loud thunk

Jumping to conclusions[SR]

Waking up, Skid heaved a huge yawn and snuggled closer into the sides of the wall of his cocoon. It was so soft today, and the bright light made him want to stay in bed fore-hold on, bright light? Blinking his eyes open he groaned as the light blinded him and left him with a headache for a few moments. He remembered as he shifted into his disguise, that he wasn't in his cocoon with the hive, he was undercover in Ponyville.

"Well, let's head down to the farm to see Applejack, I don't need to wait for Twilight do I?" He paused, considering this before shaking his head and trotting downstairs and heading out the door, and closing it. He could have gotten something to eat, but as he was a changeling and not a pony he didn't need to eat, his fake stomach would rumble at periodic times to remind him when it was time to eat. It was handy for telling the time to, not that he ever really needed to know that. As he walked down the street, a rainbow blur passed him and he cried out in fright, managing at the last second to make sure he did so in a pony fashion.

"Oh sorry Skid, I didn't see you there. Not many ponies are up this early so I was practicing some low-level flying with these two bad babies on my back." As the mare in front of him struck a pose, he turned his gaze on the wings and nodded.

"You certainly take good care of them they're very strong." Taking the compliment, the mare stood on two legs and pumped her from hoofs as if they were arms and flexed them.

"Oh yeah, this body gets exercised daily so it is in peak physical condition. It needs that if I want a chance in joining the Wonderbolts." Skid gave a chuckle, this mare was so sure and brazen it was hard not to admire her resolve.

"So why aren't ya already home yet Skid?" she asked him, and he opened his mouth to reply.

"The train will be delayed, so I'm staying with Twilight until I-"he was cut off before he could explain he was living somewhere else.

"WHAT, you've been sleeping with Twilight!?" he blinked and took a step back, then took one forward and locked horns with this mare.

"That is NOT what I meant" he spoke, his glare meeting her shock, which changed into suspicion.

"Why are you so guarded about it, is there something between you, a complete stranger, and my best friend that I don't know about?" He growled, and shouted to the heavens.

"For Celestia's SAKE, We are JUST FRIENDS OKAY?" He lowered his gaze and saw the mare shrug.

"Jeez no need to be rude about it, I was just asking." He face hoofed, this mare was impossible.

"Sorry about crashing into you, I got distracted by Ditzy doing you don't want to know."

"No biggy, we all get distracted-"he was cut off again as once again the mare got too close.

"Distracted by what?" He growled and his eye twitched.

"By some random rainbow coloured mare that won't stop ASKING ME STUPID QUESTIONS!" Rainbow dash backed off, and scratched the back of her mane.

"Heh, I'm sorry I got carried away." Skid sighed, and ignoring the twitching muscled above his eye he levelled his voice and smiled for the camera.

"It's fine Dash, just please stop with those questions okay?" The rainbow mare laughed nervously, and took a step backing, the conversation once again settling down.

"So where are you going Skid, mind if I tag along?" He shrugged, and started walking.

"Applejack asked me to help out on the farm." He flinched as Rainbow dash's face became a big O.

‘If there is any sanity in this world, someone kill me.' he thought to himself.

"Look I don't know Dash, if you want to try it try it. I honestly couldn't care less." Skid so badly wanted to say this, but no he must listen, EVEN IF IT KILLED HIM.

"Go for it Dash, if you feel you're ready for the trick then only you can decide that fact." Dash nodded, as if Skid was relieving some hidden wish to hear herself was an ok flier. Smiling, Dash began to hover.

"Well I've got to go now, Have fun bucking apples." He sighed, glad the mare was gone. At least Pinkie pie made cake, that mare wouldn't shut her mouth how awesome a flier she was. Seeing a tree nearby, he punched it with his front hoof and screamed silently.

"Feeling better Sugarcube?" He turned and blinked in surprise, realising he was at Applejacks farm, and Applejack was watching him with an amused stare.

"This tree insulted the other trees, it needed a good punching" he made up on the spot, causing Applejack to gaze at him, and then chuckle.

"Ah don't take kindly to lies, but I don't honestly know if you were being silly or lying."

He chuckled, "Then I have succeeded." Walking over he held out a hoof and they shook in greeting.

"So we kicking some apple trees?" he spoke, and Applejack nodded and they walked to one of the many, many fields of apples.

"Now ya need to kick the tree like this so the apples fall into the baskets, like so." Applejack leaned forward and swung her back legs into the air and gave the tree a solid kick. As if they were waiting for it, the apples wiling fell into the baskets, making neat piles. Applejack motioned for Skid to have a turn, she he nodded and bent down in the same way AJ had. Leaning forward, he lifted his back legs up and hit the tree with as much force as he could muster, however he then proceeded to give the ground a nice print of his face in the mud inconveniently placed in front of him. Standing up, he groaned, pulling his horn out of the mud and glancing to the tree and was dismayed the tree had given up only a few apples. He growled, and kicked even harder, this time nearly all the apples came off.

"Don't have much of that kicking strength do ya…" he turned his gaze to see she was musing, and sighed.

"Sorry, I've never been the strongest one of my-er- family." Turning her eyes on him she waved her hoof and smiled.

"That don't matter, we all have different talents. Bucking apples just isn't yours." She paused, and he noticed his horn suddenly had her attention.

"You can use that levitation spell can't you? Why not use that on the tree?" He glanced to the tree and shook his head.

"Unless you want the leaves as well as the apples, I don't think that is a good idea." She nodded, and then turned as three shapes dashed past and she took a scolding tone.

"AppleBloom, where are you going I need your help with the apples today." A red-haired pony with a light yellow body paused and turned toward AJ and whined, two other fillies behind her.

"But sis, we promised Rarity we'd pose for her! We could be Cutie Mark Crusaders: Clothes Posers." Applejack paused, debating her answer.

"Let her go, I'll do her job, can't be much harder then ridding a tree of apples." They both gazed to him, and he realised he may have interrupted a family matter. He relaxed when Applejack answered a moment later with a nod.

"Alright AppleBloom, over to Rarity's, then straight home you hear?" The filly nodded enthusiastically, and three tiny blurs vanished from sight. AJ sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Well she's doing the dishes tonight as thanks." Skid had to laugh; amazed these two sisters had such a good relationship.

"Well I'm not going to do that for her, I'm not that giving."He replied, and they both shared a chuckle.

"You have any siblings Skid?"Aj asked him, and he shrugged. As she bucked the tree he had half done she motioned to the full baskets.

"Put them on the car over there and my big brother Big Mac'll pull them to the barn. They might be too heavy to levitate." Skid walked over to one of the baskets and concentrated his magic on it, and slowly lifted the basket into the air.

"Nope, I can lift them" he spoke, happy to be of some use finally. As they began working they soon fell into a rhythm, and began to talk quietly to each other when they weren't occupied.

"So you have a good relationship with your siblings Skid?" He watched Big Mac take the cart away, and began filling it once again.

"I guess, we don't talk often, and we have our differences, but we do care for each other." Applejack kicked a tree and paused before answering.

"Well, I guess that's fair, you can't always spend time with your family after all." He shrugged, taking a moment to balance one of the baskets that had way too many apples.

"It's not so much we don't want to but more there's too many of us to really get close to each other." Applejack nodded, and the continued the work tirelessly, until Skid had to stop and rest, puffed and exhausted.

"I don't know how you can continue going" he spoke, and she glanced to him sprawled on the ground and chuckled.

"Well it's getting close to when Twilight is coming around, what say we take a break Big Mac." Leaning his head back, he looked at the upside down colt who nodded.

"Eeyup."

Cross eyed Fluttershy[SR]

Spawn number Skid followed Applejack toward the barn where she lived. Her brother, Big Macintosh, walked beside them as he carried the heavy cart of apples.

"So what's your favourite apple dish Skid?" asked AJ, and he shrugged.

"I've actually never had an apple before yesterday." The two ponies stopped in their tracks and looked at him like he was a freak.

"What?" he asked, and they glanced to each other and AJ spoke up.

"That's it Big Mac, we're going all out for this lunch, never had an apple-that is not right for a friend of mine." He glanced at the ground and scuffed his hoof.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do anything wrong." He didn't see them turn their eyes toward him and share a guilty glance.

"Well shoot Skid, there's nothing wrong with not having tried a type of food before." He raised his head, and noticed they were guilty for some reason and frowned, his head tilting to the side. "Well don't worry Skid, after we're done you won't believe how you never lived without apples" AJ gave him an apologetic smile, and he smiled back. Dropping the apples at the barn, the two headed inside, pushing him outside the door so he wouldn't see them cook.

"Can't spoil the secret recipe now can we?" He sighed and stepped away from the door, turning and gazing at the trees. He felt a small smile lift on to his face, and turned his gaze to the sky above. Unlike his hive, it was a clear sky, not covered by thick clouds that gave the land a murky darkness. He knew it was because changelings couldn't really move clouds that well like the Pegasus could, so they just floated there and got stuck like the others. His smile faded slightly, and the cold. That chilling feeling that was always present in the hive was nonexistent. It could be cold here, but it was nothing compared to the hive.

"I could get used to this" he sighed contentedly. Once his queen took over, he would have this all the time. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him, what would happen to the sky once the Pegasi stopped tending to the clouds? He shuddered; the sky would vanish like his own hive's sky. As he followed that thought, other serious questions began to fall into his mind. What about the sun and moon, would the queen be able to move them? What about the earth, what about food for their bodies while they were prisoners? What about Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash? There was another pony he had yet to meet, what would happen to them? Would the queen kill them, or enslave them?

"If she does, where do I stand?" He mused for a moment, and knew in his heart he would stick with his queen even if the ponies became slaves. He might feel guilt, but once he rejoined the Hive mind again those feelings would vanish. His thoughts stopped as Brute connected, and his head turned subconsciously toward the link.

" Skid, I have found a pony on the edge of the forest, she looks familiar but that is unimportant. It is a good place for me to go undercover. Shall I take the opportunity?" Skid mused for a moment, and gazed at the yellow pony that was walking out of a little cottage home toward Ponyville. She was familiar, but he gave it no heed as he shrugged.

"I see no problem Brute, I will come by later." With that the connection ended and he turned to look around, and blinked as a certain purple pony appeared.

"Hey Twilight, how has your day been?" Twilight smiled brightly and levitated an object out of her bag. It was a small phial of some sort.

"Excellent, I've managed to make a sort of concentrated magic. You drink it; your magic is stronger for a certain amount of time. However it wears off quickly and drinking too much could be dangerous." Glancing to the form on her back, Spike was sleeping in an awkward position, she gave a concerned glance.

"I tested it on myself, and according to Spike I started seeing things not there. I'm going to have to replace some of the books that got caught in the commotion." Skid could see she felt guilty and worried for if she had hurt the dragon, and of what she had done while under the effects. He walked over and gave her a gentle nude with his front hoof.

"Cheer up, we all make mistakes. And you learnt something you wouldn't have otherwise correct?" She turned her face to meet his and gave a smile as he stepped back.

"So how has your day been Skid?" she asked him cheerfully. He scratched the back of his head.

"Well, mostly bucking apples with Applejack. I'm pretty tired honestly, but it was nice talking with Applejack." Twilight nodded, and the both turned at the sound of something bouncing in their direction with a comical boing sound.

"Hey Pinkie Pie" Twilight greeted, and the pony in question suddenly appeared in front of them, a little too close for Skid's liking. He took a step back.

"HEYTWILIGHTcanyoubelieveapplejackinvitedalofustoapicnic? Ican'twaittoseewhatshebakeswillitbepieorrollsorwhatwillbethedrink?" Skid blinked, completely loosing track of what she said. Twilight seemed to manage to get the main points out of it, because after a second she smiled and gave a nod. Turning to gaze behind them, he noticed the white pony approaching, in a dress that showed her figure off. He sighed, and Twilight turned and greeted Rarity, and then, finally, a rainbow appeared in a burst. As they all greeted, Skid took a moment to step back and look at the four in front of him, and really look. Even he had to admit, adding in Applejack, that they made a pretty balanced team. As if thinking of her cause her to appear, a beaming Applejack appeared and grinned at her friends.

"There ya are, tha foods done, whad'ya say to a picnic on that hill?" Skid nodded enthusiastically, but the others gazed around.

"Hey, where's Fluttershy?" They gazed around, frowning. Skid tilted his head in confusing, and their faces grew in concern.

"It's not like her to keep us waiting" Twilight frowned, and he sighed and looked between them.

"Who's Fluttershy?" As their attention focused on him, he took a step back, and glanced away. He didn't like people looking at him as a group.

"That's right you haven't met her. She's a yellow mare with pink hair and three butterflies' as a cutie mark. She should be here but…" He felt his heart give a very big thud as he realised who it was, the pony he saw when Brute has sent him that mental image.

"Well I should go meet her, how about you go set up and I'll see if I can find her." He smiled and they paused and gave a small nod. Twilight pointed toward the road out of Applejacks and quickly relayed questions. He smiled and nodded, he was going to take a more direct route.

"When you get back, just ask Big Mac for directions." He nodded, and then set off at a walking pace. As soon as he was out of sight, he turned away from the road and headed directly through the forest, taking off at a breakneck pace.

"Brute? Brute, answer me!" He sent through the link, locating Brute.

"I'm busy Skid, talk to me later. He sent through an image of inside the cottage and a tied up pony, there were a set of knives nearby. He tried to shout out to stop, but the link was disconnected by Brute, and he growled and decided in the middle of the Everfree, he could take the risk of using his wings. To the outside, it was as if he was suddenly levitating without no magic, but the instant he was off the ground his speed increased and it only took him a few minutes to find where the link originated from. Seeing the open door he landed with a jump and dashed inside, quickly taking stock of Brute, in Fluttershy's form, about to kill the host. Skid didn't hesitate to crash straight into brute, knocking Brute down and sending the knife flying. Brute spoke in a female voice, with an angry tone that didn't match the voice at all.

"What are you doing!" he demanded, Skid was quickly getting his breath, so he glanced to the yellow pony, seeing her tied-up and unconscious body and turned back to Brute.

"Don't, Kill, HER" he spoke, his eyes turning into a glare." Brute took a step back, and then stepped forward and took a threatening pose.

"This isn't your property! I claimed her so now I must kill her so she can't escape and break my disguise!" Skid shook his head and returned the gesture, a growl escaping his mouth.

"No, you will leave her, in fact I want you to leave and never come back here!" Brute growled and took a step closer.

"The queen will hear of this, and you will get punished!" he warned, and Skid's eyes narrowed.

"She's an element bearer, killing her endangers the mission" he spoke, taking a step between his brother and the pony. Brute blinked, and glanced to the yellow Pegasus.

He then pointed to her, "all the more reason to kill her. Without one of the elements, they are powerless against us." Skid paused, and thought about that for a moment. It was true, with that Cadence that the queen had impersonated otherwise occupied, it meant those were the only failsafe the ponies had left. But there was one critical fact.

"The queen wants them alive for some reason, why else tell me to find out details about them and not kill them the second their backs are turned?" Brute paused, and he couldn't hide his relief as his brother gave a taunt nod.

"I shall not interfere any longer, I shall go rendezvous with the hive." with that, Brute turned and left just as the mare opened her eyes. From her view a complete stranger had managed to scare off a changeling. From Skid's, telling a brother off and making himself feel guilty. He heaved a sigh as the link severed once more, and was actually happy that he was without another's thoughts for a time. At that moment, he remembered there was a pony tied up, and saw her hopeful gaze, and fear of the unknown about her.

"It's alright, he's gone now. Let me get you out of there," as he began to work the ropes he could see her body sag with visible relief and fresh tears coat her face.

"Now now, don't cry, every time you do an entire universe of people weep over you." He wasn't entirely sure why he said that, but it sounded right and as she slowly sat up he saw the big and very bad wounds on her. She opened her mouth to speak, and suddenly blood blossomed on her fur as a cracked rib punctured the skin, and she fell back into unconsciousness.

"Good god Brute, you chose NOW of all times to live up to your name" he spoke, quickly working out his options. He had three problems.

"One, if I walk around town with a pony badly injured, questions will be asked. Two; I don't have any clue where the hospital is. And three, I don't know any healing spells." He groaned, and knew he was about to make a big mistake.

"That leaves four, use the love I've gathered over these days and use it to bolster my magic so I can levitate her, and then form a mental link with Twilight, and act forbidden by changelings, so I can locate her and hope she knows the best solution to this problem." He knew his weaknesses, and thinking was one of them. He was a hive mind, he was not trained to think, only follow. With the knowledge he was breaking an ironclad rule; he closed his eyes and focused on where all changelings store their food, their second hearts. The first used the second to keep the first going. That was all he knew. As he dipped into the pool of emotion that was his food, his life-force, he felt the potential energy there and felt his body tingle in anticipation for the magic overload he was about to begin. With a single thought, he opened the door and let the emotions stored inside the second hear pour out, and instantly transform into potential energy, feeding his spell and making lifting an entire pony as easy as a feather.

"Next" he spoke though gritted teeth, having to juggle his load, keeping the door open and finally locating Twilight with the spell.

'Really have been taking a while, I hope nothing bad has-AH' he felt her recoil at his touch, obviously never felt the touch of another pony mentally. He ignored her thoughts, instead using the link to instantly path a direct route to her destination. With mare in spell, and link established, he ensured Twilight would not peek inside his head and started his wings and flew straight through the Everfree for the second time that day. He should have known it wouldn't be that easy.

'Who's there, how are you inside my mind?' Twilight thought, also questioning her sanity at the same time while he sped through the forest. It would take him less time now he knew how to duck and weave through the trees better. As he weaved around a Cliffside, a shape appeared behind him, trying to surprise attack him but missing but a metre. He ignored the creature behind him; unaware it was not only keeping pace, but starting to catch up. As the clearing began to clear and he saw five ponies, one looking in his direction a claw came out and snatched his foot, causing all his spells and concentration to shatter, sending the bleeding mare straight toward her friends. Twilight, thinking quickly, was able to stop her fall before she crashed and got more injured, but that was all he saw as he got dragged back into the woods by some half-draconic creature that had managed to out speed him. As he recovered from the magic backlash, he failed to notice a purple mare come to the edge of the woods and gaze at the retreating figure being dragged away, who was obviously exhausted.

"You will die today" hissed the creature in perfect pony, he rolled his eyes and spoke in perfect dragon as a response.

"Correction, it is you that will fall" the creature faulted and that was what Skid had been waiting for. No, Skid, what 66 had been waiting for. His horn glowed and fired off a shot of green light that somehow attacked directly behind him, something he had trained hard to learn how to do, and hit the hybrid square in its ugly face. He leapt back, his horn glowing as he began to feed on the remnants of what hadn't escaped during backlash, and sent a second blast off, much stronger than the other. The creature got sent flying, and he took the chance to prepare a much stronger spell.

"I am going to tell you a secret miserable half-breed" he spoke in perfect draconic as the beast came hurtling toward him.

"This spell is forbidden by our queen, but after you interrupted me, you deserve it." There was a bright flash of green light and the animal got sent flying deep into the forest as a green cocoon surrounded him. However, unlike the normal cocoons that gave ponies good dreams, he would have nightmares for the rest of his life.

"I-I may have o-overdone…it" he spoke, his voice becoming slower as he began to lean to one side, surprised to find his fall stopped by a secondary body who helped him back on his feet.

"Are you okay Skid? Why did you bring Fluttershy through the forest? Don't you know it's dangerous?" He glanced to her and sighed, taking a step away once the spells effects wore off.

"I'm fine, that spell is just a bit above my level, I'll recover. Her rib is broken, I don't know where the hospital is, I needed to get her to you five as quick as possible. I can handle the forest." Twilight gazed around, and decided other questions could wait, and she seemed worried about Fluttershy, even with her four friends there to rush her to the hospital. Her horn glowed and Skid backed a step away before recognising non hostile magic and relaxing. As they appeared back in the clearing, it took him a second to get his bearing before seeing four unknown Pegasi holding a stretcher with the yellow mare on it, just as they flew away. He noticed the other four looking worried, but their gazes looked to him and there were mixtures of confusion and suspicion on their faces. With the problem of an injured friend taken out of their hoofs, they had to face another problem.

"Skid, what happened to Fluttershy?" He gazed between them and sighed.

"I found her in the house tied up and badly hurt, when she tried to sit up her rib broke skin so I rushed her here." They seemed satisfied with the answer, and talk began on if they should take anything before starting to head out.

"Go ahead guys, I want to discuss something with Skid before I come" the other four nodded, and headed out. Once they disappeared from view Twilight gaze at him and spoke.

"What was that technique you used to get into my head, I know it was you." Skid paused, then decided there was no harm in
answering and shrugged.

"It's kind of magic telepathy; it only uses a small amount of magic and is good for talking to people over short distances." Her eyes gazed toward the road into town, and taking the hint they began walking.

"It sounds like a very useful skill, is there any way I could learn it?" she asked him.

"I'm not sure; I've known how to do it since I was born." She blinked in shock, but gave a slow nod, and they elapse into silence, before she spoke up again.

"Would you be willing to try to teach me?" Skid paused, before continuing down the road, picking up the pace when Twilight saw her friends in the distance and started going faster to catch up.

"I can give it a shot I guess."

Dashing through the air[SR]

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Skid were huddled around the yellow form of an injured but peaceful pegasus. He turned to face a pony with a muffin on his head as he walked in.

“It was touch and go for a moment, but after some rest she will make a full recovery.” The 5 breathed a sigh of relief and Skid had to smile in relief too. They all turned their eyes on Fluttershy as she opened two weary eyes and gazed at them. Her eyes held only a tired gaze, but as they rested on Skid, they widened momentarily before am emotion radiated from the eyes. It took Skid a few moments to work out it was gratitude, and he smiled warmly at the pony. He walked over and gently bopped her on the nose.

“Introduction can wait, get some rest you deserve it.” As if him speaking was a cue, her eyes closed and she returned to sleep.

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave now, she needs rest.” All six of them nodded, and they left the yellow mare to sleep. As they exited he could feel their solemn thoughts, all focused on Fluttershy and he felt compelled to make them happy again.

“I know this is probably a bad time…But I don’t think Fluttershy would want you five to be sad when you could be having fun at the picnic because of her” he wasn’t entirely sure he worded that right, but it was the best he could do. They gazed to him as if he had just said humans were real, before Twilight gave a warm smile and nodded, turning to Applejack.

“Skid’s right, she wouldn’t want us missing out on some of your apple fritters.” Pinkie pie starting bouncing around the group, it was a little amusing to see her instantly go from sad to exited.

“Yeah!andwecantotallyhostanotherPARTY-Ohmaybejustapicnicforwhenshegetsbetterbuttwiceasawesome!” The others giggled and all nodded in agreement. As they headed back towards Applejacks Skid noticed Dash was gazing to the sky, seeming to be a little antsy.

“Is there something wrong?” Dash jumped, her wings opening in surprise as she turned to gaze at Skid.
“No, not really, well ok just a little.” The others paused and waited for Dash to speak.

“I kinda wanted to practice some new tricks this afternoon, but with the picnic being late and Fluttershy-“The others smiled and nodded, Twilight putting a hoof on Dash’s shoulder.

“Actually, I had something to do to, what do you all say we call the picnic off and make it an entire day next time?” She glanced to the four mares behind her and they all gave a smile and a nod. So with that the group started separating and Skid sighed, it was time to get to know Rainbow Dash.

“Hey Dash” he started, gaining the mares attention.

“Mind if I come and watch?” Dash lit up in excitement at being able to show off her stuff, and nodded enthusiastically. The others giggled, and he and Dash bid them farewell before heading towards some kind of clearing that Skid assumed was used by Dash often.

“Just sit down, and watch my awesomeness in action.” Following her orders, Skid sat down as she took to the sky and began a show of aerobatic feats. Even he couldn’t deny, she was pretty good and she showed an enjoyment in the simple act of pushing herself to the very limits of what she could do. However just as she seemed to be invincible, the wind turned against her and she started to spin out of control, coming to a crash landing in the field.

“Are you ok” he asked, running over to her with haste. She picked herself up and grinned while wincing.

“I meant for that to happen.” He chuckled, and they shared a small laugh before she eventually just stuck to gliding around in the sky, not pushing herself, just flying like this was who she was. He smiled, longing to have that same freedom, before shaking his head and clearing away such poisonous thoughts. He was a loyal servant, and nothing more.

“Hey, Twilight had this wing spell that she used on Rarity this one time, maybe we can get her to do it on you and we can fly around a bit.” Skid blinked, surprised and exited at the same time.

“As it happens, I know the perfect spell, give me a moment” he replied, and began to concentrate. He made his disguises horn glow, spread his wings out and slowly build the illusion to include them instead of hiding them, but as normal Pegasus wings. When he was done he looked like an Alicorn, and he flexed his wings experimentally before taking off and joining Dash in the sky. She glanced his wings over, seemingly satisfied by the illusion.

“Nice, they look like they’re in peak condition; you might even be able to keep up with me.” He raised an eyebrow, rising to her challenge.

“Oh really, I say challenge accepted oh Dash of the Rainbow.” She blinked in confusion, and he vanished from view. When Dash turned her head she saw him rapidly gaining distance and a grin plastered onto her face, soon enough they were neck and neck and Skid even thought he might be winning, until he noticed she was flying backwards at a leisurely pace. She winked at him, and suddenly it was him that was left in the dust as she vanished and the distance between them rapidly grew in distance. Try as he might, he couldn’t catch up and she made it back to the clearing with plenty of time to spare, Skid had to catch his breath before speaking.

“Not bad rookie, we should fly again sometime” she mocked, a grin on her face. He ended the illusion and returned to being a unicorn and rolled his eyes.

“Don’t lie; I totally could have won that.” Dash put a hoof around his neck and rolled her eyes.

“Sure you could Skid, sure.” Dash stepped back to give him room, and he turned to face her and smiled. They bumped hooves before it was time for Syth to head home, and separated. He had to admit, Dash was alright once you got to know her. Sure she was a little aggressive, prone to coming to the wrong conclusions, and very competitive, but she was who she was and she didn’t lie to herself. He sensed a fragility to her, but he couldn’t pinpoint it just yet. As he headed into his new home he gave a sigh and turned to raid the kitchen before seeing food layed out for him. He turned and glanced into the living room to see Twilight had fallen asleep at the books and chuckle lightly. Eating quickly, he washed the plate and headed upstairs. Tomorrow he would have to try and teach her telepathy, and he had no idea how. But for now, sleep would be all that greeted him. With the window closed, blinds shut, and door locked he curled into his cocoon, knowing he was safe from prying eyes and drifted into sleep.

Discovered[SR]

Knock Knock Knock, the sound swept though Syth dream and he groaned.

“WHO IS IT” he shouted, eyes still closed as he rolled out of the blankets and rubbed his eyes before opening them.

“It’s Twilight, open up!” He blinked, and his disguise dissolved onto his changeling body as he unlocked the door and opened it. He blinked in surprise as something came down and slammed into his horn, hard. He cried out in pain and held his horn. He didn’t notice that his disguise didn’t even waver as he held his horn and stood up, glaring furiously at the purple unicorn, who seemed surprised to see him.

“Oh my god I-I thought the changeling had come again and-“he cut her off with an angry glare.

“Yeah!? Well why don’t I come over there and smack YOU in the horn!? Or why not next time use a spell instead of that stupid pan!” She winced, and her ears flopped down and she glanced at the floor. He sighed, knowing she had only been worried for him, and he forgave her, wincing as the pain faded to a dull throbbing.

“Now I have a headache, this is going to make today just horrible.” Twilight raised her head and tilted it, before smiling and gently touching his head, her horn gently glowing, and suddenly the pain was gone.

“I just remembered I learned a spell to heal minor injuries, and I've got some good news. So forgiven?” He lowered his hoof, and sighed as the pain faded and rolled his eyes.

“Fine, but I expect no more ‘checking’ if I’m a changeling ok?” Twilight frowned, but nodded as a smile returned and it grew as she spoke some hopeful words.

"So what's the good news that you have?" Twilight grinned, and held up a ticket for the train.

"The trains nearly fixed, in one or two days you can finally go home!" Skid smiled and they shared a little victory moment.

"That's great Twilight, awesome good news." Twilight giggled.

“So, what would this thing to do today be?” she asked him, he meerly chuckled and pointed to her horn.

“It involves a certain skill you seem to be quite adept in.” Her smile turned into an open mouth and eyes that spoke of untold joy. He couldn’t help but feel amused as she dragged him downstairs and into the living room and gently plopped him down. She took her own seat and motioned for him to begin.

“So how does the spell work?” He mused for a moment, thinking of how he actually did it.

“I can’t be entirely sure, like I said I’ve always known how to do it. I think it’s like I send a thin line of my magic toward you.” He closed his eyes as he slowly did so, as if trying to forcefully make the process slower.

“Then It connects with your head and dissipates inside until it finds…” he trailed off as he began needing more concentration.

’Whatever that is, aha there we go.’ He smiled at her and she blinked as she realised he could hear her thoughts. He let her feel the connection for a moment, before severing the magic.

“Well…I’d rather you didn’t practice on me, but there’s no one else to practice on so…” Twilight raise a hoof before putting it down.

“Before that, what was that language you spoke and that strange spell you fired at that Halfling?” He twitched, before answering carefully.

“A very powerful spell, and one that is kind of a taboo” he answered honestly, she frowned but nodded.

“Well, you were only saving your life, so I won’t tell anyone about it, but if it’s taboo you shouldn’t use it.” He nodded knowingly; conveniently ignoring the fact using telepathy on a pony was taboo. With the mater taken care of, Twilight closed her eyes and began to concentrate, at first the magic was too strong and it only hit his head and made him fall off the couch. However after that Twilight gradually began to lessen the magic until it was only the barest hint, barely enough for a basic glow spell, and carefully sent it toward Skid. He closed his eyes, and shivered as someone tried connecting with him that was not his queen.

“That’s it…closer close just a little-ARRRG” he screeched as she connected with a very PERSONAL part of his mind, his memories, and got a brief flash of what he had lived. For Twilight, she saw three distinct images from Skid’s pov.

Bowing before Chrysalis as she connected with him the first time; mere days after hatching.

Learning to transform into ponies using a live subject to learn from.

Falling toward Canterlot with changelings around, but not seeing them. All she could see was the brief knowledge they were there, while Skid focused on the fisherman.

Skid snapped her magic away from him, the equivalent of a magical slap to the face and took a few steps back.

“I-It’s not what it looks like!” It took Twilight a few moments to absorb what she saw, before her angry gaze centred on him and her horn began to glow. He took another step back but was not quick enough to stop getting tackled by Twilight and the spell she used to reveal changelings being used on him. He struggled, pleading with her not to do it, but she would not listen and his true self was laid bare and she stepped away. Standing up, he backed away once again, and then paused as she said nothing.

“So, you’ve been a changeling this entire time. It all makes sense now; the telepathy, the lack of knowing about food, the strangeness.” Skid flinched, and took another step back.

“Strangeness, but I thought we were friend-“she cut him off, and he could see the hurt in her eyes.

“Tell me Skid; after you finished your mission, what were you going to do with the information? Give it to HER?” He winced at the poison dripping from her mouth as she spoke, and he didn’t answer.

“I thought so, you were never our friend to begin with, and you were only a puppet to get what she wants.” Twilight turned, and walked out the door, leaving Skid alone, and empty. He closed his eyes for a moment, and let himself mourn something that could have never been.

“No one loves a changeling” he told himself before his eyes grew cold and he let go of his sense of self, once again returning to being a simple changeling hive mind. 666 threw his connection out, and connected with his queen remarkably easily.

“That took longer than I expected 666, for you to realise the folly of your actions.”

“Yes, my Liege.”

“Have you learned their weaknesses?”

“Yes my Liege, I will send over the memories right now.” Within a few moments, all he had learned about the 6 had been given to his queen, and a plan was prepared to go ahead at the speed of light. Tomorrow, the city would burn, but for tonight he was a huge target.

”Return to me 666, it is time for a promotion.” He hadn’t even noticed his armour growing in.

A choice[SR]

Changeling number 666 donned his disguise as he left the house, not bothering to lock the door. Some ponies greeted him, but he ignored all as he headed for the location of his queen. Surprisingly, she was in the middle of town. All he had to do was go around one corner and-

“Skid!” her blinked and turned to face the 5 mares coming toward him. He wondered where the yellow one was, but then she had been gravely injured, she wouldn’t make it; another pro for his queen. He shook his head, returning to his character and greeting them all with a gentle smile.

“Hello Dash, Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity; were you looking for me?” Twilight’s eyes narrowed and she took a step towards him.

“I believe you have something you want to tell us?” He turned his gaze to her, and his eyes narrowed in response.

“What exactly do you want me to say Twilight that would make any of this better? I cannot change who I am!” The other four looked between them, confused looks and Twilight pointed at him.

“He’s a changeling; he has been all this time!” The others gasped and suddenly they were all suspicious of him. He sighed, closing his eyes, he had no time or patience for this, his queen was waiting.

“Yeah I am, but how does that change what transpired over these days? I didn’t tell a single lie, I only omitted truths.” They blinked, and all bar Twilight took a step back. He made to turn away, when suddenly something tackled him to the ground, dragging him past the building and into the sight of the main circle.

“Hold on a second…Buster?” He pulled himself up as Rainbow Dash saw what he had been heading towards. The changeling force turned, and Queen Chrysalis turned and laughed at her luck.

“There you are my lovely loyal recruit. I was wondering what had held you up; you were bringing my present straight to me.” Skid bowed and nodded once.

“Yes, My Liege.” The others pulled around the corner and formed a protective circle, Twilight’s gaze switching between Skid and Chrysalis.

“You betrayed us!” He flinched slightly before he connected more strongly with the hive mind and straightened back up.

“How could I betray something I could never truly have?” he asked her. As he walked to join his brothers, he never heard her answer. Turning around as his Queen passed to inspect the ponies in front of her, she mocked them.

“If you couldn’t even defeat my subjects, how do you hope to defeat me?” Twilight stamped her hoof, and the others back her up.

“Celestia will come, and without Shining Armour love you won’t stand against her!” His Queen’s laughter filled the air, and all subject but him joined in chorus. He still had his eyes on the ponies, he knew they were resourceful.

“And how long do you think it will take for her to come all the way from Saddle Arabia?” his Queen mocked. Skid saw Twilight blink in shock, seems his Queen knew something they didn’t.

“We-We can still fight! Come on girls!” Twilight began to cast a spell, but Chrysalis meetly gave her horn a gentle thwack and Twilight collapsed to the ground, horns tended to be fragile during spell casting, even he knew that. Rainbow Dash tried to kick her from the side, and she merely gazed at her as she continued to punch the rock hard shell that protected the Queen. Rarity caught Rainbow Dash as he was flung away by Brute, who had been nearby waiting for the chance to strike. That left Applejack, the most level-headed one of the bunch. She simple turned her gaze toward him, and sighed sadly.

“Ah give up.” Skid blinked in surprise, Twilight and the other turned their heads and blinked, Chrysalis merely grinned in victory as the four mares and Skid said.

“What!?” the mare simple sat down and gazed straight at him.

“Ah give up, isn’t that what you wanted?” He blinked what he wanted? He almost replied when the hive mind once again rose and he blinked, and was once again simple another one of the hive. If he had been aware, he would have seen the sad glance Applejack gave him, before glancing to the others, who all frowned but followed Applejack’s lead. Chrysalis had won; she tied up the five ponies and began preparing the cocoons for them to sleep in. Skid expected to be placed on the guards guarding the five, but instead he was tasked with staying close to his Queen as she oversaw the conquering of Ponyville.

“I was once just like you Skid” she began, getting his undivided attention as he distanced himself from the hive mind slightly so he would be able to reply properly.

“I assumed ponies could care for our race too, but when it came to the punch they abandoned me, just as those six did to you. Speaking of six, where is the last one of them, the yellow one?” He frowned, why didn’t she remember? He discarded it and replied as he always had done.

“She is at the hospital recovering from injuries My liege.” She mused for a moment and gently tapped him before motioning in the direction of the hospital.

“Go and capture her and bring her to stay with the others.” He bowed, and flickered his wings and prepared for takeoff.

“Yes, at once My liege.” As he was about to take off she spoke one last sentence that made him pause.

“Oh and Skid, you’ve made the hive proud. One day you may even be running it.” She seemed to be joking about the last part, but even he had to admit things were looking up for him. He was no longer just a simple infantry; he was going to be a captain, and who knows? Maybe one day he could be King. As he flew toward the hospital he didn’t even notice he passed five depressed mares, holding onto a scrap of hope that was slowly fading.

“Room 45” he spoke to himself, opening the door and entering the abandoned hospital. Most of the people were evacuated, but the higher floors were still untouched as they had to do it in secrecy and that meant Fluttershy would still be there. As he opened the door she saw him and her fearful eyes turned into evident relief. As he came over he saw she was well enough to be moved, but she would not be capable of moving.

“O-Oh my Skid it is good to see you, W-Where are we going?” He glanced to her and felt a small pang of guilt, no one had told her.

“Forgive me Fluttershy, but I am simply following orders.” Before she could try to understand what he meant, he transformed in front of her and her eyes widened in horror at the fact her saviour had been a changeling all along. He slowly unstrapped her from the bed and gently picked her up bridal style, standing on two feet and changing back in one movement. With careful precision he walked toward the window and after carefully weaving most of himself outside he jumped out and took to the sky before he started falling. He glanced down to her, seeing her shivering in fear, at him. He raised his head, and made a beeline for the place the others were being kept only to realise they were being ferreted into the clearing where he had just stood beside Chrysalis not that long ago. Coming to a landing on two feet was hard, but he managed to do it with only minor discomfort to Fluttershy, she whimpered and Dash tried to come to her aid, even when held back by too many changelings to count.

“LET HER GO YOU BASTARD!” His ear flicked once in response, and he brought Fluttershy over to the others and gently placed her down and stepped back. They knew she wasn’t going anywhere, so they only lightly bound her. He turned and bowed to the Queen.

“Just in time Skid, it’s time for your next assignment.” He glanced to Twilight as five changelings dragged her away from the others kicking and screaming to stand in front of him and Chrysalis. Their eyes met, and he looked to his Queen.

“We have won a battle, but to win a war we need to bite the head that feeds their race, Celestia.”

Twilight growled, “You won’t get away with this!” Chrysalis chuckled and lent down and cupped Twilight head in the ankle of her hoof.

“My dear, I already have.” Twilight’s eyes held a fierce determination to hold out until the end, but even her eyes dimmed as she glanced toward Skid.

“Skid, your new job is to drain Twilight Sparkles essence so you can fully become her and fool that pathetic queen into putting her guard down so we may rule over the land.” With a gentle hoof, she connected their two horns so he could begin the process, and stepped back. The world faded around him. He didn’t see the four ponies crying out for him not to do it, and the quiet one cry in fear and hopelessness. He didn’t see the changelings step back from him, and crowd around the queen for protection. All he saw was her eyes, still holding onto a slight hope he wouldn’t do this.

“I’m sorry Twilight, orders are orders” he said sincerely, and her eyes filled with tears and she opened her mouth to speak.

“I’m sorry Skid; I shouldn’t have been so judgemental just because you were a changeling. Maybe things might have been different.” He flinched, and only self control kept him from jerking away completely. She closed her eyes, and a single tear dropped as she prepared for the end. Skid gazed at her, and knew he had a choice.

“I’m sorry” he spoke.

To Ashes[SR]

Skid felt himself at that moment, and felt his entire being as he seemed to send his consciousness around him and was aware of off the lives around him. He felt a thousand destinies upon his shoulders, and knew who had caused this problem in the first place. It was not his queen. Nor was it Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, or Applejack. It was him and him alone that caused it. Any other changeling would have taken a familiar pony’s face and memories, and simply done his job, observing from afar. But he also knew they would not have found as much as he had. He had gotten close, and had learned deep secrets about them, and had also given a bit of himself to them as well. Even now, he could feel their hope, as slight as it was that he would change his mind and save them, or someone would save them. The sky darkened above as the sun slowly set, and he opened his eyes and gazed at the changelings around him standing in the small area in front of the Town Hall. To one side, he saw his queen, and he also saw her watching him carefully. This was a test, for what he couldn’t tell. He turned his gaze in the opposite direction where five ponies gazed to their sixth friend, Twilight Sparkle, each seeming to hold their own look as they saw him gaze toward them. Applejack was still holding onto hope, Rainbow Dash was crying out in injustice. He didn’t know Rarity enough to identify how she was feeling, but he could see the flickering of a spell on her horn, ready to attack when she got the opportunity to try casting it. She had probably seen what had happened to Twilight, and didn’t want to experience the same pain. Pinkie Pie seemed to be trying to reach into nothing, mumbling something about a party canon. Fluttershy just layed there, breathing heavily, she was injured after all. He turned back to Twilight, gazing at her accepting eyes. She was done crying, she had accepted she couldn’t run from her fate.

“Syth, may I ask one final question?” Gazing at her, Skid considered it, and gave a small nod. She gave a thankful smile, and opened her mouth.

“Will it hurt?” Her eyes broke into tears again, before she forced them away. This was the one thing that she could ask that would still affect her. He sighed; her final wish.

“It won’t hurt you” he said truthfully, and he saw some amount of closure in her eyes as she closed them and prepared for the spell. He closed his eyes, his horn glowing green and his disguise vanishing. Four cries of outrage sprung up, and he felt their anger and fear lash him and for a brief moment he paused, for the final time and opened his eyes and gave Twilight a final glance. She was a strong person, holding to her beliefs even when she was in the middle of an attack on her mind. He closed his eyes again.

“Goodbye Twilight…” he spoke, beginning the spell more strongly.

“Goodbye Ski-Dddd…” her voice faded as his spell first immobilised her. She would no longer be able to show any outward sign of anything being wrong. Skid began the second part of the spell, the part that required for him to first steal her memories, and semi-impose them over his own. This process would practically give him a second personality, but one that was under his control. This was important because it meant he was Twilight Sparkle, the princess would not notice the difference. To everyone outside of, and inside his own mind, he would be Twilight Sparkle. Next was the process of stealing her innate ability and her body. However, before that he had to remove the last vestiges of Twilight from her body, and this required a special place for that to happen. It was something, not that Skid knew this, which changelings were so rare to have. Only one changeling currently alive other than him had it. It was a special storage for the heart of the pony, something changelings could only feed on and never steal. With this piece stored safely in Skid’s second heart, the body was now just an empty shell. Twilight Sparkle was no more. There was one final piece to the spell, and Skid began to concentrate, drawing on the body’s own magical ability for the process. Skid finished the spell, and prepared for the pain about to overwhelm him.

“Twilight!” spoke one of the friends, as her body suddenly exploded into light, though the shape was still visible. Skid’s eyes sprung open, and his mouth opened in a silent scream of pain as his entire body structure was shifted, moved, changed to accommodate the new features this body had, and remove the ones his old one had on the outside. His insides burned, desperately fighting for supremacy over the unicorn organs and winning with a scrap of energy to spare, he gasped for breath, surprise by the pain through his body. It was like he had been engorged on a spike and someone was dragging it around his body, twisting it left and right. It paused for a moment and then the real pain began.

“A-Ahhh!” his own voice cut off, replaced by the female voice of Twilight, his throught feeling as if it had just been torn out. His head sprouted into flame as his hard, bug like body shattered and a thin membrane kept his organs inside as they began to shift into a new form, more feminine then his old one. Skid didn’t know any of this, his was too busy feeling waves of pain lash him; he was drowning, burning, freezing, and being ripped to shreds in one single moment. He wasn’t aware of his body slowly hover in the air, and the membrane solidify into a single layer of thin skin as the organs settled into their new shape, nor of the purple fur and muscles sprouting over his body, and a small mark appearing on his flank and hair growing out of the back of his body and turning a different shade of purple with highlights, nor of the fact his horn reformed into a more solid horn and his eyes change colour and him grow eyelashes. All he was aware of was a rippling pain thought his body that burned him worse than the sun, a searing cold that settled on his body, and a tearing inside his organs, changing his gender as a final statement. And then just like that, it was over and she fell to the ground, and layed there. As she recovered she didn’t notice that the light radiating from where Twilight had once been faded, leaving behind a small pile of ash.

Within a few moments, Twilight opened her eyes and groaned her memory of the last few moments fuzzy at best. Why did she feel a numb tingling through her body? She sat up and rubbed her head, feeling the solid horn which channelled her magic and the fur that protected her skin. Her eyes were blurry, and she could make out many forms around her that were black, but she couldn’t distinguish anything as of yet. And quite suddenly as her eyes cleared, her memory returned of the last few moments and she rocketed to her feet, gazing around rapidly for Skid and her friends. She couldn’t see Skid at first, but as her eyes fell on her friends she saw their horrified gazes and frowned. Following their line of sight, she noticed the pile of ash and blinked in open shock. Was-Was that Skid? Her eyes gazed to the changelings, who were keeping their distance and she drew some quick conclusions. Skid had tried the spell, and somehow had ended up as ash. She turned to her friends and prepared a spell to knockout the guards when suddenly she was tackled by all the surrounding changelings and bound once more. Tossed beside her friends, she growled as the queen merely gazed at her curiously, before walking away. She turned to her friends, and saw them looking at her with that horrified gaze.

“W-What happened while I was out, where’s Skid?” She saw all five of them blink in absolute shock, as if her asking that had been such a surprise that they hadn’t even considered the possibility.

“T-Twilight is that you?”Dash spoke, seeming as if he was shocked to see his friend. Truth be told Twilight could understand, after all she had almost died there. She gave a hesitant smile and nodded.

“Who else would I be? W-What happened to Skid?” Rarity answered this time, glancing to the pile of ash.

“You’re not Twilight, Twilight is over there as a pile of ash after what YOU did to her” Twilight’s eyes widened in silent horror as she gazed at the ashes and knew, without being told, she had indeed died there.

“B-But if that’s the case, how am I still alive” she asked, her eyes filled with horror and confusion. Applejack gazed to her, eyes in a deep frown as she tried to consider if this was indeed Twilight. Suddenly Two Changelings disguised as ponies, walked by and began talking to the guards.

“Skid messed up again, as predicted” one chortled, and Twilight frowned, listening in.

“He is such a disappointment to all changeling kind, messing up such a simple spell, spent too much time trying to get some pony flank I think” they all laughed over that, Twilight blinked in shock, a small blush coming over her face.

“Now we’ve got the same pony we had before, honestly he was so weak not being able to overpower a simple pony consciousness. Well I have to get back to duty, you two go and grab me some food would ya?” The other too nodded and headed off. Twilight mused, and realised what they meant.

“Skid couldn’t overpower my consciousness, so instead he got consumed by my own! But what does this mean” she frowned, a headache growing from unanswered questions. If only she had read more books on changelings. She felt exactly the same as she always did. Her friends seemed to be gazing at her with relief on their faces, Pinkie breaking down into cascading tears, which fell onto Rainbow Dash who got a little annoyed. Pinkie stopped, and shared a sheepish smile. Twilight gazed to the guards, and a smile formed on her face. Skid had made one critical mistake. He had taught her how to connect to minds mentally. She paused, her horn glowing only slightly and a small sliver of purple magic, barely noticeable even to her friends connected with them. It was easy this time to link their minds, and she quickly shared her plan. They all agreed it sounded like a good plan, and she disconnected.

“Celestia…”she whispered, and her eyes closed as a stray breeze blew her hair for a moment before settling. Her friends quickly hid the colour coming from her horn, using different poses trying to be ‘sly’ about it. Twilight’s horn slowly glowed more and more brightly as she extended her reach further and further, and just as she was starting to reach her limit, gritting her teeth, she felt her. Immediately she recognised the gentle mind of her Mentor, before her magic reached its limit and snapped back into her own mind and she blinked her eyes open. She growled silently in annoyance, she had been so close! As she tried to think of an alternate plan, she barely noticed the faint presence of a pony with the magic to move the sun by her own will. It wasn’t until she spoke, that Twilight realised she was there.

’Twilight; what has you so frantic, that you would go to the limits of your magic with a telepathy spell, just to reach me?’ Twilight felt relief gush through her and tears coat her face as she felt her mentor and knew everything would be ok now.

’Celestia, changelings have attacked and a friend was a changeling and he tried to do something to me and now we’re all captive and I can’t do obvious magic or they’ll hurt me and-‘ Celestia gently cut her student off.

’I shall be on my way soon, I will have to convince Luna to go ahead of me as she is much closer to lend some support while I make my way there.’ Twilight felt Celestia gently close the link, and turned to her hopeful friends and spoke the news they had been waiting for.

“She’s on her way, they both are. Help is coming” they all seemed to lift up as they hugged each other. As they knew help was on the way, they quickly devised a plan to get themselves free the instant an opportunity arose. Soon the nightmare would be over.

Obey[SR]

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity had finally come up with a plan that would get them free, and just in time because a certain changeling decided to walk over and gaze at them again. Fluttershy was resting so she didn’t get overexerted but she was probably also tired out from being so frightened. Rainbow Dash seemed to be trying to escape, even now when even if she got free she wouldn’t get far. Rarity was watching for the opportunity to strike something. Pinkie Pie seemed to be watching all this with a look that said she wasn’t buying the situation, but Twilight didn’t understand what that meant. And Applejack seemed to be saddened as she merely gazed toward the ashes still lying on the cobbled path.

“It’s such a shame 666 failed, it would have been so easy to implant you into the princess’s life.” Twilight glared at Chrysalis, but kept herself in check for the moment of opportunity. She couldn’t help but feel a strange awareness of Chrysalis, almost as if she could tell what she was thinking. Chrysalis seemed to realise this, and lean forward and gaze seriously at her.

“Twilight, stand” was all she said, and Twilight gasped in open shock as her body called up a simple spell to free her from her bounds, and meekly obeyed even when her brain would have never done so. Her friends mirrored her shocked face, and the glanced to each other with worried glances.

“It seems 666 has given me a very useful puppet after all. Twilight, jump” she demanded again. Twilight opened her mouth to say she would never do so because Chrysalis had said so, but just as she made to do the action her body reacted on its own, and she threw a worried glance to her friends. Chrysalis was somehow able to control Twilight, this wasn’t good. Chrysalis smiled, and Twilight felt absolute dread fill her heart. It wasn’t the kind of smile that spoke of happy times, it was the malevolent smile of someone who had just found a new toy that wasn’t theirs, and they were ready to break it just for spite.

“Twilight, kill your yellow friend.” Twilight and the others hearts thudded at the same time in shock, horror, and dread as Twilight felt her body turn and face Fluttershy, who was still resting.

“No, no I will not do it!” Twilight screamed, trying to somehow stop her body from killing her best friend. No matter how much she tried to pull herself away, the body responded without her desire. Turning to face Fluttershy, an unknown spell sprang into Twilight’s mind without her own bidding, and she could feel the pure negative thoughts that were associated with it. Twilight could tell without being told, it was a death spell.

“NO” she cried out in vain, desperately trying to move her body in any direction other then toward Fluttershy as her head lowered with slow precision to rest on her chest, right where her heart would be located. Closing her eyes Twilight put all of her desperation into one final push, and for a brief moment she felt her body seem to twitch slightly before something tackled into her, sending the spell toward the sky where it dissipated harmlessly. Opening her eyes, they widened further to see a dark blue Alicorn breathing heavily as if she had been flying for her life just a few moments earlier.

“Thank the moon we’re not too late” a quiet voice whispered between gasps, before Luna, for of course it was her, turned and stood tall and proud before the changelings. She quickly judged there was too many for her to take on, not to mention Chrysalis who had shown to be able to go toe to toe with her sister. Her eyes saw Chrysalis growl and open her mouth to speak, and narrowed in preparation of a simple rescue plan.

“Get them!” Chrysalis spoke, her own horn charging, with its trademark green tinge. Chrysalis was fast, but Luna was faster. First she called a blue shield around them, fending off all Changelings while she loosened the bonds on the six ponies, and four rocketed to their feet and gazed to Twilight.

“What WAS that Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked, Twilight meekly shook her head, she didn’t know.

“Focus, Twilight Sparkle, we must retreat until such a time we are better prepared.” Blinking in shock, Twilight gazed at Ponyville, seeing all the familiar faces of people who had already been taken over.

“But what about Ponyville, we can’t just leave it!” Their gazes met and Twilight realised something about those eyes the princess held. There were thousands of untold stories where she must have had to make a difficult choice between none and some, and she was feeling the weight of all those choices on her shoulders right now as she maintained the shield, it starting to flicker as it grew weaker. Twilight guessed defensive magic was not Luna’s speciality.

“We must retreat, so we may fight another day.” Twilight glanced to her friends, and they all gave a solemn nod. There were questions to be answered before the changelings would be able to be defeated, and some of them required something they could not have if they tried to fight all the changelings; their lives.

“Of course Princess, at once” Twilight closed her eyes and concentrated as her horn began to glow. It slowly encompassed the seven of them in a warm glow as she began the wide range teleportation spell. Opening one eye, she noticed Luna send her power into the spell, greatly bolstering the range at which Twilight could teleport. She had to laugh, it seemed so easy to teleport the distance to Canterlot with her and Luna combined. Closing her eyes again they rose into the air, and with the simplest of poof’s, they vanished from Ponyville and appeared in the Canterlot Garden.

“Nooo-” a cry tore through the spell as the air around them bent and they became for a split moment pure magic. Each type of Magic had a certain colour to it, and all of them had a magic to each of them. It was over too quick to see any details, and Twilight had her eyes closed in concentration so even if she had of had a chance to see them she would have missed it. Opening her eyes, she swayed as her body accommodated the sudden absence of a large quantity of magic as it vanished from her system. Rainbow Dash was the quickest to come to her aid, wrapping a wing around her body to keep her standing as she recovered from the spell.

“Twilight, you ok?” Twilight nodded, and after a few moments Dash stepped back and Twilight stood on her own. Gazing to her friends, they gently lifted the injured Fluttershy up and prepared to carry her to the infirmary. Luna stepped into Twilight’s view.

“There are matters we must attend to, but first we must see to Fluttershy.” Twilight nodded, and Luna led the way to the infirmary where a doctor and nurse were tending some patients. He came over and after they placed Fluttershy on a bed he quickly examined her and smiled, alleviating their fears.

“She is going to be fine, she’s only exhausted. However we can only allow one of you to stay here with her…” he trailed off, and they quickly discussed who would be the best choice. After some moments, they decided Rarity would be the best option.

“You go and find out what is happening Twilight, I shall watch our dear Fluttershy, through rain or shine, thick or thin, beautifully dress or in an ugly green-“ Twilight and her friends smiled and bid farewell to Rarity, who continued her list of things she would stick with Fluttershy with even if they happened. Turning to their current problem, the princess led them to the private Library and they all picked a spot to sit, and they gazed at each other before their eyes settled on Twilight.

“Twilight, you almost killed Fluttershy back there, it was almost like…” Dash trailed off, thinking of the word.

“You were like another changeling, simply obeying an order” Dash finished, happy with her words, before she paused and scratched the back of her head as she saw Twilight wince.

“You may be right Dash” Twilight spoke morbidly, and the others sympathised with her and Applejack placed a hand on Twilight’s shoulder.

“Easy there Twilight, al we have to do is solve the puzzle of why this is happening, you’re good at that aren’t ya?” Twilight turned her gaze to Applejack, and gave a meek smile before nodding and putting her front hoof on her chin and musing.

“Well remember those changelings talking about how I…Died?” She paused, and they gulped and nodded, Luna stayed silent.

“And how I overpowered Skid and now I’m alive again?” Once more they nodded, Luna seemed to be paying more attention than earlier, as if she knew something but wasn’t entirely sure about it just yet.

“Maybe I’m still partly changeling, and Chrysalis is able to control that part, being the queen and all.” They nodded, and all seemed to be musing quietly over what she said. Luna raised a hoof, and they all turned to gaze at her.

“I remember reading a book; it sounds similar to what you are talking about right now, however I do not know its location. We might be able to get some information out of it however.” They nodded, musing and Twilight stood up and gave the others her ‘we have a mission’ smile. Pinkie pie saluted her as she spoke, and Rainbow Dash merely rolled his eyes.

“Alright girls, we have a library to search, look for any old books on changelings, once we know why this is happening maybe we can find a way to stop it from happening. If that’s the case, then we are one step closer to bringing the fight to Chrysalis.” The three nodded, and headed off to different sections of the library. Twilight turned to Luna and paused.

“Luna, is there somewhere we can speak…Privately?” Luna looked down at her, and for some reason she acted a little sheepish as she spoke.

“Well, we can always go to my private study.” Twilight smiled, and waved goodbye to her friends, quickly mentioning where she was going. They nodded, and she followed Luna out of the room and towards a spiralling staircase. Twilight seemed happy, things were finally coming together.

Meanwhile at the clearing, Changelings were preparing for a full scale invasion of Equestria. Chrysalis was barking orders furiously and the whole clearing around the Town hall was a bustle of activity. No one noticed a small pile of ash get picked up by the wind, and blow towards the Everfree forest.

Burning Fire[SR]

(To make things less confusing, Twilight 1 and Twilight 2 will be used.)
In the Everfree forest, something was blowing in the wind. It was black, but also gray and it had blown in from Ponyville after managing to stick together even as the wind attempted to pull the ash into two. Eventually the wind faded and it came to rest on the ground, away from everyone and everything. If anyone had been around, they might have noticed the ash reform into a pile, and then shift and shake for a few moments. With a tumbling movement, a blackened leg came out of the small pile of ash, followed by another and the front of a pony. After pulling itself out of the ash, it took a few gasps and glanced to the ash, and then in the direction of Ponyville. Its horn glowed, and it was suddenly at the train station, hidden in the shadows as it teleported to one side, and turned its gaze on the train. A few ponies were hopping on, and the pony followed, slipping in through the back of the carts and sitting down on the empty train cart and heaving a sigh. It hoped it wouldn’t be too late.

While four ponies sought knowledge on a certain subject, they merely glanced to Twilight1 and the princess leaving before returning to their studies. While Rarity and Applejack were already reading, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie still seemed to be searching the shelves for any books on changelings.

“Is it safe leaving Twilight1 alone?” spoke Rainbow Dash, the other three glanced to her before returning to their activities.

“I’m sure she can’t be controlled over distances, it only seemed to happen when she spoke, and besides the princess should be able to handle herself.” Rarity returned to reading her book, seeming to be a little disinterested in the words on the page. Rainbow Dash hovered for a moment, but eventually went back to looking for a book. Meanwhile, Twilight1 and Luna began talking while heading down the long marble corridor, their hooves making sounds as they clanged against the floor.

“So Luna, how long will it take Celestia to arrive here?” Luna turned her gaze to Twilight1, before returning it to the path ahead.

“A few hours at most, even if she uses long distance teleporting she will have to take a rest in between teleports.” Twilight1 frowned, concerned. A few hours could be a big problem with Chrysalis involved, with the army she had prepared a few hours could get her to Canterlot with time to spare. They passed a guard, and Luna greeted him with a nod which he returned with a salute and they rounded the corner and headed up the stairs onto the top floor of the main castle. Eventually they came to two large wooden doors which Luna swung open with her magic and led into a large room with a simple desk surrounded by pages of file work. Twilight1 grimaced as she saw the desk only had a simple ink and quill on it, and an unlit candle. Watching Luna close the door, she gazed around the room and noticed there was one open window that was gently blowing the papers around, making the paper work look messier then before. Luna turned her gaze to her, and waited for Twilight1 to begin talking. As was expected of Twilight1, she got right down to business.

“Luna, what are we going to do about the changelings? Why could Chrysalis control me? What happened to Skid? What if she can-“Luna gently booped Twilight1 on the nose and stopped her mid rant.

“We cannot answer those questions Twilight1; maybe we will never be able to answer those. But why is it you wished to see me alone?” Twilight1 glanced down and blushed, which intensified Luna’s curiosity.

“Well you see, I wanted to know if you are…With someone” Luna felt a blush come over her face and glanced away, very aware of Twilight1 inching closer and coming to stand next to her.

“I-That is we, are not currently with someone.” Twilight1 inched closer, and Luna gently turned her head to see Twilight1’s face flushed bright red, and felt her own mirror it. She had always cared for Twilight1, after all she had helped Luna get rid of Nightmare moon and connect with her subjects, but did she feel that way about her? Her heart thudded, betraying the fact she couldn’t hide her knowledge that it might be just that.

“Close your eyes Luna” Twilight1 said seductively, and Luna obeyed knowing full well a kiss would be coming onto her cheeks. Luna felt a sharp pain to her head, and collapsed very suddenly, unconscious in an instant. Twilight1’s horn fizzled out and she rolled her eyes at Luna. Stepping around the pony’s legs, her horn began to glow with immense power as she brought it to rest right above Luna’s heart, a spell on the edge of it. The air around her began to heat up, and as she fired it Luna’s body erupted into flame, causing the entire room to explode into flames around Twilight1. She gazed at the books as they burned to ashes and raised an eyebrow, before coughing and dashing out of the room. A guard had come to inspect the smell of smoke, and saw Twilight1 stumble out of the room before helping the pony get out of the path of the fire as it engulfed the doors and gazed to Twilight1 and shouted over the blaze.

“What happened, where’s Luna!?” Twilight1’s eyes filled with tears and she gazed into the room before breaking out into a coughing fit. The guard tried to get into the room, but the fire prevented anyone from getting too close. The guard was quickly joined by others, and they rapidly called for some water and people began rapidly working to douse the flames that were enveloping the room. Pegasi were called in, unicorns levitated over water, and Twilight1 managed to stop coughing long enough to give a weak smile to her friends who came running when they realised there was a commotion. That and a guard had summoned them to help counter the blaze. Rarity and Rainbow Dash worked on the flames, and Applejack and Pinkie Pie came over to comfort Twilight1 who was gazing at the flames with open tears.

When asked what happened, a distraught Twilight1 only spoke; “the candle, paper work” before breaking out into coughing once more. As the three watched the fire being quenched, all feared the fate of the Alicorn trapped inside. Eventually, the fire finally ceased and smoke began to settle, and people cautiously entered the room. Twilight1 got to her feet, and wobbled back into the room, four friends by her sides. They gazed around the ash covered room, and saw very little remained inside the room. Twilight1’s tears began anew, and she sobbed into the closest friend, who happened to be Rarity.

“It’s ok dear, we’re here for you.” In truth, Rarity had her suspicions Twilight1 was the one that killed her, but even so she couldn’t help but gaze at the room, and know Twilight1 would never cause this much damage. None the less, it required looking into.

“Now dear, please tell us what happened?” Twilight1 raised her tear stained face to their worried and suspicious gazes and sniffed once before breaking into tears once more.

“I was just talking to Luna, then the candle that was on the table got blown by the wind onto the paper. Luna tried to stop it-but she must have been consumed and I-I left her to burn to death after she told me to go find help.” Rarity and the other three came and hugged Twilight1 with the strongest hug they could muster, before stepping back once Twilight1’s cries faded. They walked out of the room and all solemn faces pointed to Twilight1. Rarity briefly explained, and they all gazed to each other, knowing there had been a candle in there. As they separated, the sound of the train pulling into Canterlot could be heard faintly in the distance.

“Excuse me Miss Sparkle, but we need to ask you to follow me for further questioning and some talk.” Twilight1 nodded, and she and her friends mad to follow when the guard halted them.

“Only Miss Sparkle, do not worry we will not take long.” Gazing to her friends, she smiled and they smiled back and she followed the guard out of the crowd and into a part of the corridor not far away where they could talk.

“No matter how traumatic this is for everyone, we need you to keep a strong calm about yourself. It will reassure ponies to see someone who was as close as you were to her to be taking it so well.” Twilight1 nodded, and glanced to her friends, who each gave reassuring smiles. The guard continued speaking.

“We would also like to ask your more questions, about why you were in the room with Luna alone, and what your purpose was. If you follow me through the garden toward the courthouse, we will get this done with so you can go mourn in peace. You may call your friends if you wish them to come with you.” Twilight1 turned and motioned for her four friends to come, and they gently trotted toward her, and they headed away from the scene and into the garden. Twilight1 was happy her friends were here, it made her felt reassured that things would be ok. Hopefully Celestia would be here soon, even when it hadn’t been that long. As they entered the garden, they paused for a moment as Twilight1 coughed some of the smoke out of her lungs. Applejack gently patted her back, and eventually she stopped and raised her head.

“Thanks Applejack, you a good friend.” Twilight1 turned her gaze back to the guard and took a step to follow when a black shape appeared from a nearby bush and tackled to the ground. She quickly fought back, and soon the guards had the form restrained. Upon better inspection, it was a unicorn covered in soot, and Twilight1 frowned.

“Who are you” she asked the black mare.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle” spoke a voice exactly like her own, and two eyes glared at Twilight1, who saw her friends glance between them. One guard dusted the soot off, and Twilight1 took a step back in shock.

“T-That’s me!” Rarity turned her gaze on Twilight1, and the new pony, and her suspicions grew. Rainbow Dash stamped the ground, raring to solve the mystery. Applejack gazed between them, remembering that Twilight1 had originally been Skid. Pinkie Pie jumped around speaking about some kind of mare in the pool. The guards, equally confused, captured Twilight1 as well as the other pony in case she tried to bolt. She wasn’t going to do that of course, but she struggled slightly as they grabbed her out of reflex before settling down. Her four friends stepped forward, and discussed how to tell who was who.

“I mean any one of them could be Skid, he did that spell thing remember?” spoke Applejack, Rarity Disagreed.

“But this new Twilight(2) could just be a changeling.” Rainbow Dash interrupted, throwing suspicion back on Twilight1.

“But this Twilight1 is the one that was there when Luna was killed.” Both Twilights broke into tears, but only one had shock and horror on her face while the other just deep sadness.

“P-Princess Luna is dead!?” The four turned to gaze at Twilight2, and Twilight1 could feel the raw emotion coming from her. The others felt a little sad, and they walked out of earshot to discuss a plan. Twilight1 gazed to her double, and winced at the anger in those eyes. Soon enough, the four returned and Rarity stepped forward.

“We are going to ask you two a few questions, answer correctly and you are Twilight.” Twilight1 and the other nodded; seemed simple enough.

“Question one; what is the colour I most despise?” Rarity glanced between them and blinked as they answered in sync.

“Green” they replied, glancing to each other as they answered at the same time. Pinkie Pie came next, and she giggled before speaking.

“Question two; where did I work before getting my cutie mark?” she giggled, and bounced around a few times.

“A rock farm” they both replied, and Pinkie giggled again before settling down. Applejack was next.

“Question three; Rarity designed me a dress one time, to my exact specifications. What type of shoes was I wearing with the dress?” Twilight1 mused for a moment, it was some type of boot, and she blinked and smiled.

“It was those waterproof boots used for walking around in the rain.” Once again, the Twilight2 spoke in perfect time with Twilight1. Rainbow Dash landed and eyed them both before pacing back and forth.

“Last question; were you and Syth spending some ‘quality time’ together?” Twilight1 blushed, and answered honestly.
“We’re just friends Rainbow, well were just friends.” Her tone grew resentful, and it was a few moments before she realised Twilight2 hadn’t spoken yet.

Then she spoke softly “No, Skid always had a wall around him. Sure he was friendly enough, but it always felt like... It was almost like he didn’t want to really be friends.” Twilight1 blinked in shock, and the other four did so too. They had had two different answers. That meant one of them wasn’t Twilight. Twilight1 felt dread as Rainbow turned on her.

“Wrong Answer.”

The Zenith[SR]

(I would advise ensuring you've read the [R] chapters)

After arriving in Canterlot, heading to the library, and finally Luna being killed, Twilight1 just didn’t understand what had gone wrong. Another Twilight(2); covered in soot, had appeared and now she was being accused of not being herself. And worst of all, it was Rainbow dash that didn’t believe her. She began to tear up as the others began glaring her down, and the betrayal on their faces was evident. Suddenly Dash leapt into her face, getting too close for comfort and breathing right into Twilight1’s face.

“Alright faker; why did you murder the princess, and how?” Twilight1’s view was completely encompassed by the mare’s face. Tears in her eyes, she opened her mouth to reply when another head appeared in her limited vision.

“And don’t you tell us that you are our dear Twilight1, she would never have jumped to those conclusions without thinking it over logically.” Twilight1 sighed in frustration and pointed to the Twilight2.

“If I’m not the real Twilight, then how did the ‘real’ Twilight come back to life?” Rainbow Dash stepped back and looked to the other three, and they all shrugged. They didn’t know either, but Twilight2 stepped forward and spoke, mimicking Twilight1’s ‘speaking knowledge’ tone. Twilight2 was held back as she tried to step forward, and she grunted but let them hold her down.

“If I may speak; I believe what Skid used on me was some form of spell that turns me into ash, and resurrects me similar to a phoenix spell In one of the books in the library.” her voice trailed off, and they all gazed at Twilight1. Twilight1 growled in frustration and replied, her voice growing in volume.

“I am TWILIGHT” the others still held sceptic looks, which turned to awe as a bright flash came from behind her.

“We shall see” came a familiar voice, and her four friends bowed while Twilight1 and Twilight2 strained to catch a glimpse of their mentor, Celestia, as she appeared out of a beam of light. Twilight1 could see she was tired from jumping such a long distance, but she still held an awe inspiring presence and she nodded to the guards.

“Release them” her soft and commanding voice spoke of no excuses, and the guards obeyed. Twilight1 turned and smiled at her mentor, tears forming in her eyes. She didn’t notice Twilight2 do the same.

“Oh Celestia apparently I was killed-And came out of ash but-I am now Skid’s body and-another me has been taking my place and-Fire from a candle that killed-Luna was murdered!” The glanced to each other and glared before turning their gazes to the princess. The princess gazed at both of them and her horn gently glowed before gently touching each of their horns and stepping back.

“There is something I never told you Twilight, something that no one who had taken your form would know.” Twilight1 gazed at her mentor hopefully, and glanced to the phony that had been covered in ash.

“I placed a small spell on the real Twilight shortly before she left for Ponyville, so that if anyone tried to imitate her I would know the instant our horns met.” Twilight1 felt her heart thud in joy, Celestia was going to look at the other pony and-

“You might be able to lie very well to yourself and to others, but you and I both know the truth.” Twilight1 felt Celestia’s gaze bore into her, and sweat beaded on her face. Why was she sweating, she had nothing to hide she was Twilight! Wasn’t she?

“But I am Twilight!” Celestia shook her head, and dread coated Twilight1’s hearts-heart. Wait why was there two thuds, since when did she have two hearts? And why could she fell the suspicious feelings of those behind her and-

“Die” spoke Skid, his horn glowing with the kill spell as he leapt toward Celestia and tried to take her down with him. Celestia had been waiting for it, and their spells met, purple and yellow sparks flying as an aura of magic enveloped them. Skid used all the magic he had stolen from Twilight, and all the love he had stored from those around him to power his spell, sweat beading and his eyes closing as he desperately fought for domination. He strained to open one eye, and he smiled, he was wining and Celestia could sense it. Just a bit closer and-

“Nooo!” Suddenly a purple light connected with the magic flow, bringing power to Celestia and causing him to stutter momentarily. Twilight had joined her magic, weak after he had drained it all, with Celestia’s, he smiled and continued in full force. He strained and pulled and pushed and finally he began to claw back the ground he had lost, Twilight’s magic stuttering to a halt and fading as she collapsed from magic strain. Skid was once again just inches away from wining, he opened his eyes to watch the end, and saw Celestia’s determined expression, just as she got distracted from something to his side. He grinned and pushed his magic, the distraction causing him to get so close he could taste victory. Five, four, three, two, one, and-

“Tzzt” his mouth fizzled, the magic backlash causing his mouth to make static-y sounds as a secondary force caused him to lose connection to the magic. A dark blue spell had been fired at his stomach, knocking him away a few yards and causing the magic that was clashing to snap. He didn’t see Celestia take a few gasps and a single beat of sweat roll down her face as she gazed to her soot covered sister.

“Sorry I’m late” was all Skid caught, his head falling back and his eyes fluttering closed. As magical sparks rippled across his body from the backlash, his form wavered before parts of the purple unicorn he was disguised as faded, revealing the bare skin that was holding his organs into the shape of a pony. They were visible through the thin membrane, even as the magic faded and the skin returned to the purple it had been before. Twilight stood over Skid, and looked down at herself. Skid had disguised as her so well, he even stayed disguised while unconscious.

“My question is, why didn’t he kill me?” she asked her mentor. Celestia and Luna walked over, Luna dusting herself off before joining them.

“That is something you will have to ask him my student. Guards, take this imposter to a jail cell. We will decide his punishment later. First we have the matter of Ponyville being under changeling control to deal with. Twilight sighed in exhaustion, and Celestia put a wing around her student.

“Go rest Twilight Sparkle, tomorrow we take back Ponyville.”

It didn’t take long for Shining Armour, Cadence, Celestia, Luna, and the Elements of Harmony to rid Ponyville of changelings. This time they ensured they all got blasted in the direction of the home. After cleaning up the mess made, the six elements returned to their everyday lives, except for Twilight. She would often be caught gazing to the sky with a frown on her face, as if seeming to have a problem she couldn’t solve. It wasn’t until a certain baby dragon forced her to talk, that her confusion came to air.

“I’m sorry Spike; it’s just got me so confused. If Skid really wanted to take over Equestria, why didn’t he kill me and Luna, and instead used that phoenix spell?” Spike considered the conundrum, and replied simply that Twilight should ask him. After another day of pondering, Twilight finally decided that was the only way to put this matter to rest. After taking a train to Canterlot, she met quickly with the princesses and they all spent some time together before Twilight headed to her actual destination, the Jail cell. Inside stood a pony that looked exactly like her, except it had bad hair, and it looked thinner too. There was a plate of food in the corner, untouched and accompanied by many other plates. The guard showed her to the cell, and after some persuading let her enter it, locking the door behind her with a loud clang before he walked away on Twilight's orders. The pony didn’t move, still gazing at the floor, still holding a vacant gaze.

“Skid, talk to me please” the pony didn’t move, and Twilight felt slightly guilty, but she wasn’t sure why.

“Skid please, tell my why you used the phoenix spell and you didn’t try to kill me.” Twilight took a step forward, hoping that he would reply, blink, anything. As she got closer, her hope faded, he didn’t even move an inch, the only sign he was even alive was the shallow breathing that came from his mouth, and the slow movement of the chest.

“How did you even find out about that Phoenix spell? I lost that book to the shelves ages ago” Twilight paused, standing beside the empty form in front of her. She carefully reached out and attempted to place a hoof on the form in front of her. Before she had time to react the eyes came ablaze, her hoof was knocked away and she was pushed against the wall, a leg blocking her windpipe and very angry eyes gazing at her.

“Don’t, EVER, touch me.” Twilight gasped for breath, and she tried to call for the guard just as she started to black out. Falling to the ground a moment later, she gasped for breath for a few moments and when she finally recovered the pony was back where it had been, eyes glazed over. Twilight backed away, and called for the guard and retreated from the pony that looked exactly like her.

One week later, Twilight tried again. After being locked in the room once more, this time keeping the guard outside, she gazed to the vacant pony and sighed. (S)he looked even worse today, his fur was dull and faded, and he seemed to be only skin and bones.

“Skid, please don’t do this to yourself.” Twilight wasn’t surprised when she got no reaction from the pony, and sighed before sitting down on the cold hard floor. It hurt her to see Skid like this, to see herself like this.

“Pinkie Pie still thinks you’re going to come back one day” she spoke absentmindedly, filling the silence between them. She smiled to herself, looking away from him and toward the roof as she remembered her week.

“She seems to have it in her head that you can’t change back, and she thinks two Twilights could only be a good thing. You’ll probably change back eventually when the spell wears off but you know how-“Twilight jumped in shock as a low, cracked voice spoke, cutting her sentence short. She blinked trying to get the sentence, and frowning when it was too faint to hear. She pricked her ears and listened closer, asking him to repeat it.

“I can’t change back.” Twilight turned her gaze on him, growing wide eyes as she saw his normally glazed eyes held a melancholy sadness inside them.

“What do you mean, surely the spell would-“once again she stopped the instant he started speaking, his eyes never moving from the ground.

“The spell was made to be permanent, once casted you can never turn back into a full changeling.” Twilight gazed to him and realised what that meant. He was doomed to be her for the rest of his life.

“But then why keep the original host alive?” Skid’s eyes rose slightly to meet hers as he replied.

“They don’t.” Twilight opened her mouth to ask more, but she saw his eyes return to the floor and glaze over and knew he wouldn’t say more today and stood up and left. Twilight couldn’t help but feel sorry for Skid, to never return to being himself, and yet never able to be Twilight either. As she left, she didn’t notice a weary gaze follow her from the limited view of his sitting position.

Another week passed, and Twilight failed to return. Pinkie Pie had called an emergency party, and she had to cancel her one day trip to Canterlot. The very next week, she walked into the jail and the smell hit her. Worried Skid had passed away while she had been gone, she felt audible relief as she saw him still breathing, though his condition was arguably worse.

“Skid, please eat something, you’re wasting away.” As usual she received no answer. She pulled the least rotten tray forward and placed it in his line of sight, he blinked once.

“Please, for old times’ sake don’t starve yourself.” Twilight knew she should be angry as Skid, but she hated to see him like this. She blinked as his gaze turned to her.

“You…still care for me…” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. Twilight remembered changelings could feel and feed off emotions, and realised she had been caught out. She lowered her head and gazed away.

“You could have killed me, but you didn’t. Why Skid, when it caused your entire plan to fail?” Skid’s reply was long in coming, she had already given up on getting a reply when he finally answered.

“My orders were to get rid of you and the princesses so Chrysalis could take over, killing you was optional. When I transferred your memories and soul into my own body, I realised there was a way to save you. So after taking what I needed, I returned you to your body, and used the Phoenix spell I learned from a book with the magic I stole from you.” Twilight turned her gaze to Skid, and her confusion doubled.

“But why save me?” Skid’s gaze returned to the floor, and he pushed the plate away.

“That’s my business.” Twilight frowned, and sighed. He wasn’t going to answer her. She turned to walk away when he spoke again.

“But would I save it again, the answer is no.” Twilight flinched at the pure malice contained in those words. Twilight realised she had ruined Skids life. She had cost him his family, his friends, and his job too.

“Skid I’m truly s-“Twilight felt his hard words as he cut her off reverberate through her.

“Go away; I’m just a vile changeling. I should have drained your essence entirely when I had the chance.” Twilight turned and walked away, something had changed inside Skid. He was more, harsh and vengeful then the Skid she knew. If he ever got out, she knew without him saying she would be his first target. She wouldn’t visit Skid again, it was best she leave him be lest he try to attack her even with the guard nearby.

Skid watched her go and stood up, stretching gently before walking over to the food and levitating it into his mouth. Twilight Sparkle would pay dearly for interrupting his dual with Celestia. But first, he had a job to complete, and no stupid emotions would get in the way of it this time. Chrysalis was counting on him to utterly destroy Celestia, and it was time he stopped acting like a pony and acted more like a changeling.

“I will complete my job, my duty for my queen. And no pony will stand in our way. Isn’t that right Brute?” In the corner of the room, a shadow could be seen, holding a phial of some sort.

“Yes, my brother.”