A Change In Harmony.

by Shadowstalker

Rating: mature
Tags: Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Romance, Changelings, Comedy, Queen Chrysalis, Big Macintosh, Adventure
Length: 99197

Twilgiht gets turned into a changeling after a series of unfortunate events unfold from earlier.

Full credit goes to Loyal2-1 for permission.

After Twilight has been raped and turned into a changeling, she now must survive to convince her mentor, her friends and her country that she's still Twilight. And undo the curse the Changeling had put upon her, or else she will be the new queen.

Published 2012-12-10 00:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-09-18 22:39:19 UTC

Memories of the past wronged to be avenged.

"Noooo!" Twilight screamed as she heard the sound of a saw buzz to life.

'There's got to be some way to make her believe? But how? Oh, no! Wait... maybe...' She thought to herself.

"Celestia! I'll talk! I'll talk!" She screamed even higher.

The form of her mentor came into view, still with a scowl.

"Well?" She asked harshly.

"I'll tell you what you want..." She sobbed. "But first, look through my memories."

"Why would I need to do that? It's not relevant to where my student went!" She snapped. "Do not play games with me you roach."

"Please... just do it. I want you to look through them all. Every last one." She looked up at the alicorn with tear stained eyes. "As a last wish before this." She nodded tot he large saw looming over her heart.

Celestia silently mulled it over before giving a snort. She lowered her horn and touched Twilight's head. Twilight immediately froze in shock as she felt the elder's magic go through her mind.

Inside Celestia nearly choked on her breath.

Twilight's memories.

"Thank you Twilight." Celestia said as she watched the small filly finish organizing the scrolls. "But I did not need them organized as of yet." She smiled.

The smaller Twilight gave a small giggle and blush before jumping down to nuzzle her mentor.

"It’s what I do best!" Chirped the small filly.

"What you do best is bring me happiness." Celestia said laughing.

The memory faded and was replaced with another.

"What would Rainbow Dash do!?" Twilight quickly asked herself as she looked at the hydra.

A thought came to her mind before boldly running ahead, yelling “charge!”

It snapped at her, but instead flipped itself over and got six mouthfuls of dirt.

The memory faded and Celestia immediately recognized from earlier events.

Earlier events

The changeling was sitting in an upright position.

“… New queen.” Twilight’s eyes went wide as the changeling plopped down onto it’s haunches, lifting it’s upper body as much as it could. It’s hind legs spread, revealing an aperture near the crotch of the beast’s carapace, and even as she watched, it spread open. Green fluid leaked out onto the stone floor, preceding a shaft of pink, knobbed flesh. Twilight gasped at the sight as it emerged into the cool air of the modified cell, twitching and oozing more lime-green fluid from the tip. “New queen.” The changeling repeated, it’s eyes fixed on her.

“What?” Twilight whimpered, looking up into the changeling’s eyes.

“New. Queen.” The chains broke. Twilight screamed. Before she could summon her magic, the changeling pounced on her, driving her down to the cold, stone floor.

“Get off!” Twilight grunted, fighting to push the changeling away. Her horn finally glowed, emitting a bright beam of lavender light. The beam lanced off of the changeling, bounding away to hit a crystal, causing it to explode. “What?! Deflected?!” The changeling lowered itself onto her, it’s mouth close to her ear. She heard it whisper softly, even as the knobby, pink shaft of flesh began to rub against her stomach.

“New queen…”

“Get off!”

“New queen.”

Reality

Celestia's magic stopped, the real her shot back, gasping for air as she looked at the sobbing changeling. Her student.

"T-Twilight?" She asked.

She gave a small nod, grinding her fangs as she looked away.

"Doctor Needles," she stated calmly. "Let her down."

The avocado green colt looked at her uncertainly before undoing the restrictions.

"Twilight..." Celestia cried as she hugged her student. "What did it do to you...?"

"I-I can't. It’s just too horrible!" She cried. "D-Do you believe me?" Twilight asked looking up at her.

"Yes. The changelings had not invaded even a portion of land in some of your memories... but the last one I viewed." She gave a shudder before hugging her student tighter.

"Princess! I can't breathe!" Twilight choked.

She loosed her grip before quietly letting go.

"Twilight, when you are ready. You may talk to me. Nopony else. And as of now, I must be at your side at all times." Celestia said draping a wing over her student. "For your own protection."

"Thank you. But, what about my friends? Won't they freak out when they see me? Or what about my brother! He'll try and kill me!"

"Don't worry, he has to obey his princess after all." She started to turn towards the door. "Come, let us go to my chambers. We have much to discuss."

Twilight gave a slow nod before looking back at the doctor and smiling slightly.

As they went, the guards had tried to stop them multiple times before being sent away by Celestia.

Twilight looked around. The halls were a pale white, the floor had an almost see through appearance. Almost like crystals...

"Princess?" Twilight asked as she looked down. "Where are we?"

"Ever since the invasion in Canterlot, we decided to use the caverns as a laboratory. To study science, magic and other things. I'm sorry that you had to see it like this. I was going to give you your own lab, as a birthday present actually."

"Really!? My own lab! That's great! But... I already have a lab." She grinned sheepishly.

"Really? Where?" Celestia asked genuinely interested.

"Under the library." She blushed making her black cheeks lighten slightly.

Celestia merely laughed at her student before approaching a door with a sun seal.

She put her horn into the hole in the middle and gave out a burst of magic. The sound of clogs and gears were present throughout the hallway as the door opened.

Twilight gasped.

"Princess... this is the vault to the Elements of Harmony."

"Yes, and as you can see, the entrance to my secret laboratory. After all, it is the most strictly guarded area in Canterlot castle."

"Besides... him." Twilight scowled.

"Yes… him." Celestia paused recalling the unfortunate events that took place before. "But he is still in the maze. I made sure that is the most highly guarded area in Equestria."

Twilight smiled, knowing that monster was still in stone. But grimaced knowing he was no true monster, that thing was.

"Princess, could we just teleport to you room? I don't want anypony seeing me like this. Atleast not now anyway."

Celestia smiled worryingly before she teleported them both to her room.

Twilight immediately sat down onto her haunches and looked around. She didn't look at anything in particular, nothing until a mirror reflected a small patch of light that caught her eye.

She hesitantly let her magic lift it up. It was hovering over before Celestia put a hoof on her shoulder.

"Twilight, is that really the best thing to do right now? It could cause even more-" Celestia was saying until being cut off.

"Please, I need to actually see myself. I need to..." Twilight gently let the princesses hoof slide off as the mirror started to float over again.

When it did reach her, she sighed.

She was a dark black, four rings of purple encircling her middle barrel, her mane was now thin and slightly pinkish with a stripe of dark red and a shade of purple running down the side, her eyes were slitted but were colored a harsh purple, her horn looked relatively the same except for one or two small holes in it, an the two pinkish wings on her sides. She opened her mouth and quickly put a holed hoof to it, shrinking away from the mirror.

She looked back though, and did it again. Her teeth were whiter than before, they were also elongated and sharpened so much, that anypony who saw her would have thought she borrowed the fake teeth from Luna's last Nightmare Night.

She took in a deep breath before turning to her teacher.

"Princess, I need to send six letters. I need my friends here."

"If you think it would be best." Celestia sighed before levitating six scrolls, an ink pot and a quill over.

She quickly enveloped the letters in her, thankfully, still lavender colored magic.

Finding out.

Twilight watched as the six trails of smoke left. She gave a sigh before smelling something that brought a smile to her lips.

She gratefully took the hot-cocoa from her teacher and remained silent as she sipped from it.

'How am I going to do it?' She thought to herself as she stared at her reflection in the brown liquid. 'Will the others attack or hate me? What will Spike do?' She carefully set the cup down and went to the mirror. 'Maybe I could just change into somepony else. It can’t be that hard?'

She stared at herself. The light making her shell glimmer slightly or how the red clashed with the purple.

'Rarity will throw a fit when she sees this.' She laughed to herself. 'No, I need to focus.' She reminded herself.

She thought hard on what to turn into.

'Somepony small... easy to memorize.'

She closed her eyes and imagined Spike. She saw every scale, every frill more clearly, Even the way his eyes slightly glowed.

A sudden warmth started to form at her hooves and the base of her horn. It steadily grew until she was completely enveloped in it. Her horn, she could feel it, it was flowing with a slightly different magic. She hesitantly let it flow freely.

A lavender enveloped her darkened vision. When she opened them, what she saw in the mirror made her shiver and smile.

She had copied Spike down to the last detail.

"Princess!" She called out in her assistant’s voice. "Look what I did! I managed to turn into somepony else!" The fake Spike said giddily running up to the alicorn.

"I don't think it would be very helpful to be Spike." She smiled.

"I guess..." she muttered quietly before going under the princess’s bed.

"Twilight, what are you doing?" Celestia asked craning her neck over the edge.

"Found it!" She called out. In her claw she was holding a small picture of her pony self.

She ignored the shock from her teacher and went over to the mirror.

She stared at herself before mentally face hoofing herself.

'I should know what I look like already!' She groaned inwardly.

She did the same as before; she let the warmth seep into her hooves and the base of her horn, let it spread before letting her magic flow freely. She opened her eyes again. The sight brought tears to her eyes.

"I missed you so much..." She said as she put a hoof to the mirror. "More than I could ever think."

The doors to the room swung open slowly as a guard came through. Who he was, made Twilight's copy pale and Celestia quickly teleport her student over.

"Princess, the Elements and hero of the crystal empire have arrived. Hey Twiliy!" Shining Armor finished.

"H-Hey..." she mumbled back waving jerkily. "S-Shinning, I-I need to tell y-you something. Now." She said as she felt her throat constrict.

"Really? What is it? Is something wrong?" He asked.

"Shining Armor," Celestia said closing the doors behind him. "There has been an... accident. Concerning Twilight. How this happened, we are unsure. What she needs for you to do is remain calm and let her explain." She gently pushed Twilight forward.

"Accident? Twilight are you hurt?" He asked taking a step forward.

"In a way, yes." She got her voice back. "I've been turned." She said.

"Turned? What does that mean? Twilight stop this, you’re scaring me." He folded his ears back. "What is this about? What's wrong?"

She quietly got off the bed and stood in front of him.

She let he disguise fall in a flash of lavender flames. He started to walk back, scared and nervous.

"I've been turned into this..." she sobbed into her hooves again. "I've been turned into a changeling."

"No, no! You’re an imposter!" He roared. "You've brainwashed the princess and you've taken my sister!"

"Shinning... please." She begged as she curled into a ball.

"Please what?" He spat. "Do you honestly think I'll even dare to think of you as my sister? I know my sister, and the last time I checked, they weren't the things I scrape off my horseshoes in the morning."

"Twilight," Celestia hissed. A rare thing for anyone in her presence. "I need to talk with him personally." Celestia said.

Twilight quickly scurried to the other side of the room where she let him down and began to cry.

Outside in the hall.

"Shining Armor!" Celestia scolded. "What is wrong with you!?"

His left eye twitched as he felt a vein rise in his fore-head.

"Me!? What about you!? She's clearly brainwashed you!" He yelled. "And yet you're still telling me that, that... thing! Is my sister!"

"She is your sister!" She yelled. "There had been an accident and now she's this. A changeling. She has suffered enough as it is, what she needs is your support to help he through this!"

"What proof is there that she's my sister!?" He countered smugly but with even more venom.

"I looked through her memories. And found some that had been before the changelings had thought of attacking us."

His mouth dropped, the sound of the muscles straining was head as the joints cracked. He looked down at the floor, to the princess and to the door.

"She... that's my Twilight?" He asked hollowly.

"Yes, this is no trap or trick. That is her." Celestia said still glaring at him.

He looked back at the door before putting a hoof to the gold carvings. He pushed the door open.

Inside the princesses chambers.

"My own brother hates me!" Twilight cried. "I hate being a changeling!" She screeched as she punched the wall leaving a hole.

Before she could bring a hoof back again, she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned expecting to see Celestia but found her brother looking at her, tears in his eyes.

"Twilight..." he said wrapping her in a hug. "I'm so sorry..."

She returned it immediately, letting her tears flow freely again.

"It's alright, you saw an unknown changeling in the princesses chambers claiming to be your sister." She laughed. "I would have done the same."

"What about the others?" He asked looking at her in the eyes.

"Others?" She parroted back.

"Your friends. Spike and the other Elements."

Her ears folded down onto her head as her mouth opened and closed.

He laughed as he rubbed her head.

"Same old Twilight, always forgetting some of the most important things." He smiled.

"Yeah..." she sighed, looking back in the mirror.

"Don't worry; big brother will be here to protect you. Just like old times."

"And I will be there as well." Celestia said startling them both. "So, may we go and meet our guests?" She gave a small smile.

Canterlot royal gardens.

"I hope she's alright." Rarity said as she looked nervously at the entrances lining the gardens.

"Relax!" Pinkie said popping out of a tree. "It's Twilight after all! She knows what she's doing after all. Maybe she’s throwing a party for some geeky discovery!"

"Yeah, that's it." Rainbow rolled her eyes playfully. "Our shut-in friend is throwing a party instead of studying more on her discovery."

"Hush now, the Princess and Twilight is comin' our way now." Applejack said as she bowed to her ruler respectively.

As the princess got closer they noticed Shining Armor and Twilight with her. All three of them looked nervous.

"Rise my faithful subjects." Celestia said as she looked at her student's friends.

"Hey girls, where's Spike?" Twilight asked looking around.

"Oh, he’s right here." Fluttershy said as she lifted her wing to reveal Spike snoring happily.

"Well, he needs to be awake for this. The princess, Shining Armor and I, more of I though, have an announcement regarding the project princess Celestia told about that brought me here before." She winced as she recalled the memories. "It went so horribly wrong..." she felt tears form as she wrapped her fore-legs around her brother.

"Twilight darling, I'm sure it wasn't that-" she was saying as she tried to calm her friend down.

"No!" Twilight yelled as her eyes flashed violet. "It was not alright! That thing did horrible things to me and turned me into this!" She said as she hit her chest three times in emphasis.

"I-Into what?" Rarity asked backing away.

Twilight gave a teary sigh before a ring of violet fire encircled her. When it went down, her friends all jumped back.

"It turned me into a changeling..." she said stiffly. "And I don't know how to turn back either."

Fluttershy fainted, Rarity and Applejack were paralyzed in shock, Pinkie was making the tree shake, Rainbow Dash's wings were flared in anger as her eyes narrowed. And Spike was using Fluttershy's mane as a blanket and bed.

"What did you do with Twilight!?" Rainbow yelled.

Twilight winced as she looked at her friend.

"It is me. I'm not lying, nor would I ever to any of you. This is me now." She said as she backed away.

"Liar!" She pointed a hoof at Twilight. "You may have gotten the princess and Shinning armor, but you'll never take me alive!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Celestia yelled, threatening to use her own Royal Canterlot voice. "I will not have you insulting a friend, my own student at that in such a way! Now, calm down and listen!"

"I'll calm down when this roach tells me where our Twilight went!" She yelled back.

"Rainbow... this is me." Twilight said. "I'm not lying! Why would I ever want to hurt any of you? Your my friends..."

Rainbow snorted in anger, her wings flaring in anger. "If you won't tell me this way! Then I'll beat it out of you!"

She yelled as her wings gave the first thrust.

Twilight screamed and before she knew it, a white and gold blur shot past her.

Shining Armor met Rainbow head on.

They both were flung back, Rainbow Dash with a small welt and Shining Armor with his helmet dented. He got up slightly dazed but she just stood up as if it were nothing.

"Don't you dare hurt her!" Shinning yelled.

"You’re defending that thing!?" She yelled back as she charged again.

He took off his helmet and threw it right at her. He nailed her in between the eyes, but she still kept flying. He turned around and lashed out with his back legs.

With a solid thud, his horseshoes bent when he bucked her. He was thrown to the side, but she stopped flying before getting up dazed, bruised and ticked off even more.

She saw him getting up and turned back to the changeling. She gave a snort before charging again.

Twilight screamed, a million thought's passing through her head as she saw her friend fly at her.

'What do I do!?' She thought. 'I need to change into something! Anything!' She thought fervently.

She couldn't focus on anything in particular, so, she merely guessed and concentrated out of fear.

The warmth didn't start at her hooves but all over, her magic felt even stronger. She let it go.

She felt Rainbow Dash hit her in the chest, but only barely and it was so tiny. She opened her eyes and looked down at her friends.

Rainbow Dash had fled back to her friends, all of them were wide-eyed. Even Celestia and her brother looked shocked.

She looked at her hooves, or hoof would be more appropriate.

"Who did I turn into?" She asked herself before stopping. "I turned into Discord, didn't I?"

"Y-Yes." Celestia said walking up to the Discord look-alike.

"Right when I thought this day couldn't get any worse." She sighed as she turned back.

"Twilight, are you alright?" Shinning asked as he hobbled over to her. "That crazed mare didn't hurt you did she?"

She merely laughed at him before stopping him with a firm hoof on his chest.

"Come here and let me heal you, you thick headed colt." She snickered as he blushed.

Her horn started to glow lavender, but turned white when a stream of light hit his leg making him wince. Slowly, the swelling went down and the crack was healed.

She turned back to her friends before she started to walk over.

They all grouped together, the exceptions being Spike and Fluttershy.

She kept going even as Rainbow Dash started to walk forward, matching her pace and slowly going faster with each step.

When they were but only three steps away, Twilight stopped and so did Rainbow Dash.

"You have a lump on your head, and some horseshoe marks on your muzzle." Twilight said calmly.

"Yeah? So what? What does it matter-" she was insulting Twilight before her horn started to glow.

"Hold still and let me heal you." Twilight said lowering her head.

"No way! Get away! Hey!" She tried to backpedal away but couldn't. "I can't move!"

"That's because I need you still so fixing the wounds will be easier. Now hold still you thick headed pegasus, I get enough of this from you when you crash into the library."

"W-Wait... how did you know I’ve crashed into Twilight's library?" Rainbow Dash asked nervously.

"Look at me, I am Twilight. I just... have a shell, sharp teeth, holes and different eyes, that's all. Can't you even recognize my voice?" She asked hurt.

"B-But how?" Rainbow asked eyes widened even more.

"I'm not sure, let’s just go with magic." She rolled her eyes even though they were closed. "Done! You have a clean bill of health, aside from the massive ego." She smiled at her friend as she cast a playful glare at her.

"Twilight… darling." Rarity walked over uneasily. "Me and Applejack would like to sincerely apologize to you. We over reacted."

"It's alright, really. I'm just glad the princess didn't cut me open while I was strapped onto that table." She shuddered. "I don't think I want to learn that much about changelings yet. Or at all now."

"S-She was going to cut you open!?" Fluttershy said getting up. "That's horrible... if you don't mind me saying?" She asked scuffing the ground with a hoof.

"Really, I'm here in one piece, so it's alright." she turned back to Rainbow, a serious look in her eye as she did so.

"Did you wreck my books while I was gone or even un-organize them?" Twilight asked sternly.

"No, Spike let some dust build up though." Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Hey Spike! Wake up!" She yelled.

He shot up and ran underneath Fluttershy, startling her and making her run under applejack.

"Rainbow!" He shook his small claw at her before noticing Twilight. "Hey Twilight, why are you a changeling?" He asked walking up to her.

"You’re not concerned or worried I'm an entirely different species now?" She asked slightly startled herself.

"Twilight, this isn't the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you. The thing when you turned yourself into a colt was the weirdest." He stated pointing a claw at her with bored eyes.

"You turned yourself into a colt?" Celestia asked. "Could you teach me that, so I have a new trick for Luna this April filly’s day?"

"It was for science!" Twilight shouted blushing profusely as she threw her holed hooves over her head.

As they all laughed at her, a lone guard watched closely.

She was a dusty grey with a black mane, and green eyes, but wore black shinning armor.

She gave a smile, one filled with hatred, amusement and malice.

"Soon, Twilight Sparkle. Soon I will have my full revenge for what you did to me." She hissed as her eyes flashed green and teleported away, unseen by anyone.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. But remembering evil, you shall.

"So..." Twilight said as she stared at her friends.

"So what?" Spike said. "Are we going to stand here all day, or go inside and have me make some tea?"

"That would be wonderful." Twilight said.

"Then let us talk in my chambers." Celestia said.

As they trotted across the small patch of gardens, Twilight quietly thought to herself.

'Now... all that's left is to tell the town. Get back to normal and get some brain bleach to erase all of this from my memory.'

She didn't notice Spike waving his claw in her face until he bonked her on the nose. Startled she flew back into a tree.

She stuck her head out, glaring battle axes at her assistant as he stood there, eyes wide with a large smile.

"Spike! Don't do that, especially when I'm thinking!" She yelled as she walked down the trunk. She froze as she stepped onto the ground. "Did I just walk down a tree?" She looked down at her hooves. "Fascinating..."

"Twilight that was amazing!" Spike said as he ran over. "You actually flew into that tree."

"I... I did?" She looked at her wings skeptically. "I guess I did."

"Hey, that means I could teach you some flying lessons." Rainbow Dash said walking over.

"No!" Twilight yelled. "I-I mean, that's alright. But I don't think my..." She looked back at herself. "...Wings, can handle your-"

"Torture." Spike finished.

"Hey!" Rainbow said. "My training is easy. It’s only the weak ones who can't handle my awesomeness."

"Dash," Spike began rolling his eyes. "Snow Flake had to go to the hospital after you tried to make him complete one of your courses. And that was after he had to fly with a saddle full of cement."

"Well fine! You can ask Fluttershy, she was able to do it. Isn't that right Flutter's?"

Fluttershy stopped dead in her tracks before falling limp again.

"See! Every time she remembers it she passes out from happiness." Rainbow Dash said rubbing a hoof against her chest.

"Rainbow, she passed out after remembering the physical exhaustion." Twilight said. "I was the one who had to wake her up."

Rainbow gave an indignant huff as they went.

The garden looked the same, green grass cut to one inch, bushes cut in squares, flowers of every color dotting the ground, tree's who's leaves slumped down to the ground and the empty pedestal. The very same pedestal that once housed the only draconequus in existence.

'I actually miss him, now that this has happened to me.' Twilight thought as she walked past it. 'No! He was evil! He doesn't deserve anything but a pickaxe to the face!' She thought angrily.

As the hall was coming into view, a group of guards came into view. The new colts and mares, in training.

Celestia nudged Twilight and nodded to the guards as they stopped.

Twilight looked down at her hooves before smiling slightly; she closed her eyes and was soon enveloped in a flash of lavender fire.

She saw Celestia smiling at her, but she was also nearly eye level with her.

"Who am I know?" Twilight asked.

She looked behind her and saw a crescent moon cutie mark on her blue coat.

'So this is what her plot looks like... wait. Why did I think that!?' Twilight felt her cheeks heat up.

"Luna, your cheeks are turning purple." Celestia said smiling. "Is everything alright?"

"We art fine, dear sister." Twilight responded, mimicking Luna's accent and voice perfectly. "Tis' nothing to worry yourself over."

"I'm impressed. You speak better old Equish than her." Celestia said. "Let's just hope we don't run into the real Luna, or else things won't be so pretty."

The fake Luna's eyes widened as she splayed her ears back.

"Let us continue." Celestia said trotting ahead again.

They neared the guards, as they did, they all respectfully bowed to Celestia and the fake Luna.

"Princess Luna! Princess Celestia!" One guard called out rushing over, a crazed look in his eyes as he shakily held his spear.

"Yes?" Celestia asked. "Is something wrong? You seem troubled."

"I-It’s the changeling... its-its escaped!" He said, nervously as he held his spear at a guard who came to close. "Stay back!" He yelled as the guard ran off.

"T-The what?" Twilight asked eyes narrowing.

"T-The changeling, your highness. It’s escaped when we were transporting it to another room. We've already set up a defensive barrier around the castle, not seconds after it did so. Is there anything else we can do? Besides check the guards and staff?"

"Aye, there is something..." She hissed. "Find that miserable waste of air and bring it to us! Or we will find it ourselves."

"Yes your highness!" He saluted before running off, the whole way yelling at other ponies who came to close.

"Twilight, why do you want to see it?" Celestia asked nervously.

"We need answers, and I'm going to get them." She said as she changed back. "It did this to me, and it should know how to turn me back."

"Twilight, is that the only reason?" Celestia asked putting a hoof on her shoulder.

"Yes." She spit out. "No matter how much I want to bash its little head in, I can't. It has the cure and I will get it." She closed her eyes before being enveloped in a ring of purple flames.

Fluttershy was just getting up when she saw the red dragon from the mountain and promptly, fainted again.

"Let’s see how loyal it is, to its so called, 'new queen.'" She growled.

She sprinted ahead, leaving the others in a trail of dust.

'When I find that thing!' She thought angrily. 'I'll get answers and then I'll make it pay!'

The sound of guards was heard; they were shouting and converging to one area.

She sped ahead, brushing them to the side. She didn't bother looking at the surprised looks from them as she plowed her way through and into the castle.

'He's somewhere close, I know it.'

She sniffed the air twice, her head turned to the hallway on her left.

She realized she couldn't fit so; she turned back into a changeling and began running. She swerved past guards, even spears, arrows and swords as they gave chase. The hallway's she went down looked familiar, so familiar she knew where to go.

When she reached the mass of guards, she froze, not out of how many of them were there but where they were.

It was the same room, where all of it began. The same marble floor now smeared with red and green blood, the green walls and the wooden door.

Her anger only grew as she heard the voice of that thing. It was calling out to her.

"Queen! Help!" It yelled from behind the door.

Her horn ignited as she let her magic flow freely. Every guard and unlucky piece of furniture was pushed to the side as she walked towards the door. The unicorn guards tried to fight back but failed within seconds.

Her breathing grew ragged and forced as she felt tears well up in her eyes. Her teeth started to hurt from how hard she was clenching them.

She was now at the door. She put a single hoof on it and pushed.

What she saw gave her an internally smile, but she didn't show it on the outside.

The changeling had the tip of a spear in his left fore-leg, one of his wings was missing and his horn was chipped.

She slammed the door behind her as she locked it into place.

"You..." She growled lowly.

"New queen!" It said happily said as it bowed at her hooves.

"Don't call me that!" She yelled, startling the changeling.

"Queen not happy? Did Drone do something wrong?" It asked fearfully.

"Wrong!? Wrong!?" She yelled, ignoring the tears clouding her vision. "You know what you did wrong!"

"N-No... I don't! Drone swears!" It said backing away.

"You raped me!" She yelled. "You forced me and then turned me into a changeling! You ruined my life!" She slumped to her haunches and cried into her hooves. "I'll never meet a nice colt... everypony will hate me... I'll be an outcast and then banished... I'm a monster." She looked up, eyes white with arcane power. "And it’s your fault!"

She shot out a small burst that hit him in the side. He smashed against the wall, cracking the stone before falling back down.

"I want to know how to reverse this! Now!" She yelled.

"I-I can't... “ He whispered. ”Drone cannot undo transformation."

"W-what?" She asked, her eyes returning to normal.

"Drone cannot undo change. Not strong enough or allowed to." He said getting up shakily.

"S-so I'm stuck like this...?" She asked looking at the floor, teas dripping off her muzzle.

The door was pushed inwards slightly; the sounds of the guards were heard.

"Drone sorry, but it was old queen’s orders..." He lowered his head. "Drone could not go against old queen. It is impossible."

"Do you know how to turn me back atleast?" She asked keeping her gaze to the floor.

"...No." He replied simply.

The door caved in, multiple guards came rushing in. They held the changeling to the ground before pointing spears and swords at Twilight.

'I'm stuck like this...' She thought. 'Forever. And it’s because of him!'

A guard in gold armor walked between the two. "You two are charged with-” He started but never got to finish.

Twilight's head snapped up, her eyes white with power. Her horn ignited and grabbed the changeling from the guards grasp. She swung her head to the side and sent him barreling through the guards.

He went out and slid across the floor, his ears were ringing, his leg didn't feel any better and he landed on his good wing.

"You monster!" She yelled coming out from the room. "You will pay for what you did to me!"

He shot up and his eyes widened in fear. So he ran.

She gave chase after him. He was fast, but she could keep up with him.

He ran past multiple guards, the whole time dodging the explosive shots fired by Twilight.

He swerved to the left and ran into the kitchen, he ran across the cutting table. Chefs and maids alike, gasping in surprise as he knocked off pots and pans. Spilling the food and other ingredients.

He looked back and saw the doors bust in as Twilight came in. He ran faster.

"Come back here!" She yelled.

He turned to the right and saw two sets of stairs. One was a dark obsidian, the other a pure white, the obsidian one had a purple rug with silver trimming and the other with red and gold trimming. Before he could choose, the ground next to him exploded in ice and rock.

His injured leg was completely encased along with part of his side.

He tried to get up only for twilight to barrel into him; she sunk her horn into his side.

He was thrown against the wall. She snorted in anger as he tried to lift his head; she jumped on him and began to beat away furiously.

"You did this!" She yelled. "You did this to me!"

She saw blood coming from his muzzle, she didn't care. All she wanted was to see him hurt for what he did to her.

She picked him up with her magic and slammed him into the ground, over and over until there was a small crater. She flung him against the wall, holding him neck first with her hooves.

"Why shouldn't I kill you?" She asked coldly. "You turned me into a changeling, ruined my life, had my brother and Rainbow Dash attack me and even have Celestia, my teacher try and cut me open like a high school frog! And worst of all... you raped me! I never asked for this, any of this! And you ruined my entire life in moments! Why shouldn't I kill you!?"

"No... choice..." He choked out before his eyes rolled back.

She let out a frustrated scream as she dropped him and scooted up to the wall opposite of him. There, she buried herself in her hooves and cried.

"Twilight..."

She looked up and saw through hazy vision, Celestia walking up to her. Behind her, dozens of Lunar and Solar guards standing there, even her friends were sitting there; each of them with a look of sorrow and horror on their faces.

"I-I can't change back..." Twilight cried as she wrapped her hooves around Celestia's neck. ”I can never be a pony again... there's no cure."

She felt Celestia's muscles tense but relax.

"Twilight... we will find a cure. And you will be a pony again, I promise." Celestia said wrapping her wings around her student.

"H-How...? He said that there's no way to reverse this." She cried. "I'm going to be a changeling forever..."

"Twilight, we will find a cure. Even if it takes the rest of my own eternity." Celestia said sternly. "But killing him is not going to solve this." She looked back to the crowd of ponies. "Get this... thing," She said coldly. "Medical treatment. I want answer's from it, and I'll never get any if it’s dead. Now move!" She yelled.

Twilight saw two ponies, rush over, they were obscured by her tears but she made out the changeling being carried away.

The last thing she head was the changeling mumbling in unconsciousness.

"No... choice..."

She let out another frustrated scream, making the princess jump back. She fired a bolt of magic at the wall, decimating the stone work and leaving a hole going through four others and into the mountain side.

"Why!?" She yelled at the heavens. "Somepony just end this already! Anypony!" She yelled grabbing a chunk of stone with her magic.

She leveled it with her chest and looked back at her friends, her teacher and her brother.

She sighed as she pulled it back, ignoring the gasps and shock from the others, and plunged it into her chest.

It was the most painful thing that had ever happened to her. She ignored the pain and fell to the ground, clutching her chest, her eyes rolling up.

The last thing she saw before darkness was a white coat of fur running towards her.

Time is your only friend when faced with darkness.

She hurt. It hurt. Everywhere Hurt.

She took in a silent breath and arched forward in pain. It hurt so, so much.

She could barely make out the feeling of scratchy sheets.

She slowly opened her eyes, making the slightest crack, barely noticeable. She quickly closed them when a ray of light, felt like a solid streak of fire.

'What... what happened?' She thought. 'Where am I?'

She moved her hoof again, with much more feeling in it.

'I'm in a bed... with scratchy sheets and a flat mattress.' She sniffed the air and she snorted in disgust. 'Lots of cleaning supplies, latex, rubbing alcohol and... is that jello?'

She slowly opened her eyes, forcing a weak fore-leg over them as the invisible fire raced into her brain, each one shooting needles of burning pain into her head.

She let her eyes get adjusted to the light, just enough to lower her leg. She set it down by her side and looked down at herself.

'I'm still a changeling...' She sighed. 'Now, where am I?'

She looked around. White walls, green curtains, a green bed (with scratchy green sheets), a night stand with a little lamp on it, a wide window and a large curtain on the opposite side.

'All I remember is... chasing the changeling... catching him... and,' Her eyes widened in fear. 'Oh no...'

Her hooves slowly went down and lifted up the hospital gown, exposing her scratched shell. She looked down and saw a large scar, made of small networks of cracks, all of them converging into the center.

She gingerly ran a hoof along it, feeling every small groove and prick of shell that stuck up.

'It really did happen...' She laid her head back down. 'I... did I kill him?' She thought sadly. 'I wanted him to die, yet I couldn't do it. Why?' She asked herself.

She shook the thought out of her head before looking towards the curtain, where she saw a small tray on the nightstand. She picked it up with her magic and drifted it over.

'Water… what is that? Cherry jello? And a small daisy sandwich. They knew just what to get...' She thought as a smile appeared on her muzzle.

She picked up the water and drank it in small sips, savoring the cool liquid going down her dry throat. Next she tried the jello, only to find it too sweet.

'What the?' She stared at it quizzically. ‘They must have changed the sugar level, I'll need to write a complaint report to the hospital.' She shook her head as she set it down. 'Seriously, ponies could get diabetes or worse if they put too much sugar in the food.'

Before picking up the sandwich she paused in thought.

'How does Pinkie not have diabetes?' She asked herself. 'For now, she's just Pinkie. Note to self: Test Pinkie later.'

She picked the small sandwich up, a few petals falling free as she bit into it.

'This is great!' She thought happily as she shoved the rest into her mouth. 'Did they add a new seasoning or anything else to it?'

"I see the food here isn't entirely unbearable." Laughed a figure from behind the curtain.

Twilight nearly choked on it as she looked over.

"Okay, I guess I spoke to soon..." The figure said. "I can see you right now, but barely."

"Um... Who's there?" Twilight asked backing onto the other edge of her bed.

She heard the sound of rubber hitting the floor along with the sound of something sliding. A figure came into view on the curtain, still a shadow but she could tell it was a stallion.

"Just another patient. May I come over? I don't want to walk over while you’re not quite covered as it is. These gowns don't cover anything but our dang chests as it is." He huffed.

"You can come over, if you like." Twilight said sliding down into the covers.

The curtain moved up as the stallion went under. He was a dark brown unicorn stallion, a few red splotches on his sides, a dark grey mane, light green eyes and only three legs. The one missing was replaced by a prosthetic.

"My names Twilight Sparkle." She said lifting a hoof over to him.

"Camo travels." He said taking her hoof.

"So, what are you here for?" She asked sitting up.

"As you can see," He lifted the prosthetic. "I lost a leg." He chuckled as if hearing a joke. "Funny way how it happened though would you like to hear?" He asked smiling, showing off a pair of pearly whites with the slightest hint of yellow at the gums.

"Sure, but I don't see how losing a leg could be funny in any way." She said looking back at it. "But I do like stories."

He smiled before taking in a deep breath and exhaling.

"Well, I was going through the Everfree forest. At night and alone, at the time it seemed like a good idea but when did I ever get a good idea?" He laughed as he sat down. "Well, anyway, I was walking along, tracking a rare species of cockatrice. I found it, and it wasn't happy that I also found its nest."

"W-what species?" Twilight asked wide-eyed.

"Fire rock." He said smiling thinly.

Twilight gasped as she moved back.

"F-Fire rocks are the most aggressive species there is! Why would you want to find one!?" Twilight said surprised he would go after one, alone at night.

"I had too. It got my dog, and you don't mess with a stallion's dog. But anyway, I tracked the thing down to a small cave. I went in, couldn't see a thing, yet I kept going." He paused and then cleared his throat. "I found the thing. It put up a good fight, but I put up a better one."

"W-What do you mean? You lost a leg, so what did you do to it?"

"I took its tail feathers. Plucked each of them as dodged its claws. Unfortunately, when I was making my escape, momma came back and saw her baby. And it's feathers in my mouth."

"Now, I was scared, paralyzed even, and I figured that out when I looked into its eyes."

"Y-You looked into its eyes? How did you get away then? Only the strongest ponies can break away from it, I have a friend that stared down a sub-speciees of cockatrice and won. But a Fire rock... that should be impossible."

"Well, I’m no ordinary stallion." He chuckled. "Luckily, I always had a defect in my eyes so if I moved them at the right angle, what I was looking at sort of went fuzzy. So, I tilted my head to the side and I think I broke its wing and a few ribs as I ran it over."

"Y-You ran over it!? Not even a hydra would do that!"

"Then I guess I'm braver, or more stupid than a hydra, because I mowed that sucker into the dirt." He laughed.

"D-Did it cut off your leg then? As revenge?"

"It came back after I was at the edge of town. I broke its beak, but not before it tore off my leg. Make a snack of me, I'll make sure to put up a good fight." He laughed and wiped away an imaginary tear.

"Did somepony find you then?" She asked, ears perked up in interest.

"No way they did!" He exploded in laughter. "I crawled back to my house. I fixed myself up and then saved my dog." He smiled as he looked back at the nub of a limb. "And then I came here, unfortunately the bandages came off half-way here. My dog had to drag me as I walked over."

Twilight smiled slightly, imagining a dog dragging a full grown stallion to the hospital.

"You sound like a great owner." Twilight said.

"Yeah, not so much when I let her get turned to stone though." He shrugged.

"So, what do you do for a living?" She asked.

"Eh, whatever comes at me. I usually just carry around a little wagon, like the one that Trixie mare carried around. Its home."

"Excuse me, sir. Could you get back into your bed please?"

They turned and saw a nurse looking at them both.

She was white with a black mane tied into a bun, her attire blocking her other feature including her horn.

"Sorry ma’am, just telling her how I ended up here." Camo replied as he trotted back to his bed. "By the way, the new leg fits great, just needs some oil around the joints."

"That's good and what about you? Are you feeling any better Miss Twilight?"

"I woke up hurting all over, my throat was dry and the sun hurt my eyes. But then I got some water, adjusted to the light and had some food. I'm feeling better now, even more so after Camo's story."

"We'll that's nice to hear. Is there anything else I could do for either of you?"

"No thanks, but thank you." Twilight said.

"And you?" The nurse turned to Camo.

"Mind if i can see my dog? Poor girl is probably worried sick about me; I hope Gingersnap is taking good care of her." He looked down. "It's been a bit boring in here."

"I'll see what I can do." The nurse walked out, closing the door quietly.

"Hey, Twilight." He whispered. "You said you liked stories, right?"

"Yes, what about it?" She said.

"See the saddle bags over there in the corner?" He pointed over to a pair of worn saddle bags in the corner nearest to his side of the lamp. "Could you toss them over to me? I don't want the nurse to yell at me again."

"Sure..." She said as she lifted up the saddles and put them into his grip.

"Let's see... I know it's here." He started to rummage through the bags, taking out odd items.

A pair of scissors, an anchor key chain, rope, dog treats, a jar of honey, a scented candle and a small bag of oats before pulling out a worn out book.

He threw it over to her as he started to put the rest back in. She caught it before it hit the sheets.

"What is it?" She asked looking at the small book.

"A book. I thought that was a bit obvious." He smiled.

"I know that. I'm talking about what it is, as in what's in it." She looked back to him and then to the book.

"My life story." He said. "I'm going to settle down after I get out. I heard Ponyville is nice. Plenty of apocalyptic events almost every day."

"It's not every day. Usually just on weekends." Twilight said. "But your life story. Wow..."

"I've been sailing from the seas of the Griffon Empire, walked the frozen tundra to the Crystal Empire, ran for miles through dragon territory and visited the plains of Zebrafica. I've had a lot of adventures. And," He looked at her and smiled. "I want you to have it."

"W-What!? I can’t take this! This is your life!" She said as she passed it back.

He held a hoof out stopping it in the air and nudging it back.

"Listen, that's just paper and ink. I could read that and go to sleep, but why read it when you can relive it at any time? I have them all stored up here." He tapped his head. "And I figured that if something happens to me. I want another to remember me. So, consider it a gift."

"I-I don't know what to say... “ She said as she looked at the book. "But thank you."

"Oh quite that mushy stuff. You'll make me throw up and then the doctors will want to run more tests on me." He laughed again. "So, you know about me. Why are you in here?"

Twilight froze, looked down and she felt tars start to well up in her eyes.

"I-I tried to kill myself..." She cried.

He flinched and slowly got off the bed. He made his way shakily over to her and laid a hoof on her shoulder. He quickly brought her into a hug.

"Now what could force you to try that?" He asked sympathetically.

"I don't want to talk about it... but I remember it. All of it…" She cried into his coat.

"Look at me for a second, right in the eyes. Don't question me, just do it."

She blinked a few times before looking up at him. He stared back, almost glaring before his expression fell.

"By Celestia... I've only seen that look once before..." He hugged her tighter. "I'm so sorry."

"W-What? What look? How did you tell what happened from my eyes?"

"I have more than a talent for blending into my environment. I can read other ponies... and I've only seen that look one other time before." He grimaced. "She was a young mare, beautiful yellow coat, a mane that you would have thought was made of the softest leaves, the gentlest hooves, light green eyes and the most angelic voice you have ever heard." He looked out the window, as if in distant thought. "My mother."

Twilight gasped, and squeezed him tight. She looked at the floor, eyes going side-to-side sporadically.

"Now, my dad loved her... she didn't as much. But she did. He wanted a foal, she didn't. So... he got her and now I'm here. She loved me with all of her heart, he did too. When I was born, she said to him that, 'I had been a fool; a foal is everything I wanted next to you.' And, now I'm here."

"That's... I don't know." She said.

"Forget it." He waved her off.

She broke the hug and let him wobble back to his bed.

"Sir, you have a visitor." The nurse said coming back in.

A white husky came running in. Tail wagging, tongue out and ears up as she jumped onto her owner and repeatedly licked him on the face.

"Eww, you got me in the mouth." He laughed. "Alright, Misty calm down. Daddy's alright. Tis' but a flesh wound."

"Yes, a flesh wound." The nurse smiled rolling her eyes as she trotted out.

"Twilight, this is Misty. The dog I risked my life for." He patted her on the head.

"She seems energetic." She laughed.

"Yeah, she is a hoof full. But, she's worth it."

"You know, I thought she would have started to bark at me." Twilight said.

"Don't know why. Maybe she knows you’re my friend." He smiled as the dog curled up at the foot of the bed.

"Maybe," She looked out of the window at the setting sun. "And it looks like we should be going to sleep too."

"Alright, alright." He chuckled lightly before screwing off his leg and setting it down against the wall. "Good night Twilight."

"Good night Camo." She said as she turned the light off and slipped under the covers.

She soon heard the sound of snoring, but that wasn't what kept her up. It was what he said earlier.

'My mother.' The words echoed throughout her mind.

'How could he talk about it so easily...?' She thought.

"Twilgiht," The snoring stopped. "Some words of advice. When it happened to my mother she said, 'Time is your only friend when faced with darkness.' You just need to move on and not dwell on the past. Otherwise, you might succeed the next time you try and end it all." The snoring began again.

'Don't dwell on the past... move on.' She thought. 'His mother does sound like a wise mare.'

She drifted off into sleep.

Canterlot hospital, four hours later.

'Get off!’ Twilight grunted, fighting to push the changeling away. Her horn finally glowed, emitting a bright beam of lavender light. The beam lanced off of the changeling, bounding away to hit a crystal, causing it to explode. 'What?! Deflected?!' The changeling lowered itself onto her, it’s mouth close to her ear. She heard it whisper softly, even as the knobby, pink shaft of flesh began to rub against her stomach.

'New queen…' It said as the nightmare dissolved.

"Ahh! No! Get off!" She flailed around.

"Twilight! Calm down!" Camo yelled cupping a hoof over her mouth.

"It... it was just a nightmare...?" She looked around. "But it felt so real... because it was."

"Twilight..." He sighed. "You've got to understand. If you beat whoever did it, then they have no power over you anymore. You are stronger."

"But it felt so real..." She cried into her hooves.

"It did happen at one time, but it will never happen again." He put his hooves on her shoulders. "Not if you don't let them."

"I tried before..." She buried her muzzle into his chest. "But it was too strong."

"Only if you let him. I heard you beat the living Tartarus out of him when the guards said he escaped."

"H-How did you know about that?" She looked at him, images of Rarity flashing into her mind.

"The word spread fast when a maid passed by, it spread like wild fire. I swear, no respect for others."

"I... I don't know if I killed him though. That's what I'm also afraid of."

"Ahh, you’re scared that you went lower than him." He nodded as her rubbed her back. "Don't worry, he's still alive. But barely."

"I... I can’t believe I'm even thinking it but, I hope he survives."

"Only time will tell."

"Alright quite that." She smiled before pulling back. "I just noticed you’re not nervous around me, and I'm a changeling. Why?"

"Twilight, I've faced dragons, golems, sea monsters, pirates, angry natives, angry mares, angry colt friends of the mares," She raised an eyebrow at that one. "Even a swarm of angry Phoenix's. And, I just got my leg torn off, atleast four days ago. But that's nothing compared to when I had a small chat with the changelings." He grimaced.

"T-The Changelings?" She said.

"Yeah, their queen is real piece of work. Had me imprisoned in a cocoon, but I refused to sleep, she tried everything from spells to physical trauma. I didn't even blink for that leach."

"Why were you there? Did they catch you or did you just go in?"

"A little of both. I went to talk but ended up almost being food. I went there to put some rumors to rest. Or start an entire case of... rape trails." He scrunched up his nose.

"W-What? Rumors about that?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah, there were rumors going around that after the failed invasion, they tried to bring the swarm back up. Only they caught the victims, put them in a room alone with a changeling and-"

"Raped them. Turning them into changeling's themselves." She said hollowly.

"Yeah, how did you know about that?" He looked at with narrowed eyes; not out of suspicion but curiosity.

"I'm... you already know..." She cried again into his chest.

"They were right... the rumors were true." He said darkly. "I had hopped they weren't."

She let go and laid back down into the bed. Crying softly as she stained the pillow.

"Twilight, if you would like. I could sleep with you." He said.

She shot up, cheeks burning and ears splayed back.

"Not that way! Bad choice of words!" He raised his front hooves in defense. "You just look like, like you need some company is all. A friend."

"I'm-I'm not sure..." She stuttered.

"Were both grown ponies here. And were just friends, nothing wrong with two friends sharing a bed?"

"N-No... I guess not." She smiled gently, the blush still on her face as he slid in net to her.

"Excuse me if I snore a little." He said.

"Just tilt your head to the left a little." she said as she laid her head down.

"What?"

"I noticed you lay with your neck at a right angle, try sleeping with it at a left angle."

She felt him nod before laying his head down. Soon, she felt his chest move back and forth slowly.

'Let time heal it...' She thought before going into a deep sleep.

A troll-bling morning.

She felt a poke in her side. She ignored it.

Another poke, a dismissive wave.

Her nose being pinched shut, she shot up, eyes wide and gasping for air.

"Wha-what's going on!?" Twilight yelled jumping onto the ceiling.

"Good morning Twilight." Celestia smiled from below.

"P-Princess!" Twilight bowed before walking down the wall. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check up on my favorite student." She said nuzzling Twilight. "Although, I see you have somepony else to keep you company." She winked.

"What... whats happening?" Camo said yawning. "Oh, morning princess." He laid back down.

His head shot up and his eyes went wide.

"You'll never take me alive!" He pointed a hoof, yelling before charging out of the room, Misty quickly following.

"Princess, why did Camo just yell that?" Twilight said looking at the door before her teacher.

"Me and him are... well acquainted." Celestia coughed. "I caught him, two years ago scaling the castle walls to speak with me."

"Couldn't he have just... made an appointment or went during your day court?" Twilight asked before her face brightened up. "Was he a secret colt-friend?"

"No! I assure you I have had no romantic relations for over two thousand years! He was merely giving me some artifacts from his travels."

"So... what happened then?" Twilight tilted her head.

"One of them... had a strange effect on Luna and I. Do you remember the time when neither my sister or I had come out of our rooms?"

"Yes...?" She nodded.

"The artifact, made us go into an early heat. It wasn't safe for the guards or anypony else to be near us." Celestia said blushing.

"I think… I think I’ve heard enough. But, I'm sure he didn't know that would happen? Right?"

"He left a note saying he knew exactly what it would do.” She dead panned. “I've been tracking him unsuccessfully ever since then." Her eyes narrowed. "Twilight, the doctors said your free to go. If you will let me, I can teleport you back to your house so you won't have to get... stares from the nobles."

"Thank you!" twilight said wrapping her hooves around her teacher. "Wait, I need to get his journal before I go." She levitated the small book over, Celestia eying it warily. "Oh and Princess."

"Yes Twilight?" She asked as her horn started to light up.

"Could you not do anything to drastic to him? He kind of helped me through this whole... thing.” Twilight gestured at herself. “And he already lost his leg to a Fire rock cockatrice when he was trying to save his dog."

"I'll make sure to send him a get well card. With a hint of poison joke powder in it." Celestia smiled before she teleported her student back home.

Celestia left, the nurse from before walking in.

With a smile as sharp as razors.

"The queen will be pleased." She said before noticing Camo's bed. "Great, it took me an hour to get the dog hair out from before." It quickly set to work.

Ponyville. Whispering Oaks library.

Spike was eating a tub of chocolate ice cream while reading the newest issue of Mare-Do-Well. He nearly passed out when Twilight appeared in the middle of the room.

"Spike?" She called out.

She hadn't seen him yet. He could still get to the kitchen and-

"Spike? Why do you have a tub of ice cream?" Twilight said narrowing her eyes playfully. "And why does the floor have dust and dirt on it? Look there’s a pebble right here! What if somepony stepped on it and hurt themselves?"

"I-I got the ice cream for you!" Spike said holding out the tub to her, sweat dripping down his fore-head as he smiled nervously.

"Spike," Twilight said rolling her eyes. "I'm just messing with you." She went up and wrapped her fore-legs around him.

He wrapped his arms around her neck, breathing a sigh of relief.

"But I was serious about the dust and pebble." She said pulling out of it. "We could get sued and lose the library and our home!"

"Twilight, go upstairs and look on your bed." Spike said. "I didn't clean because I was busy making a gift for you."

"What could have taken you that long to make a gift? Wait..." She narrowed her eyes. "Is it a book?"

"No, we live in a library, why would I get a book as a gift? Just go up and get it." He gave her puppy dog eyes. "For your little spikey-wikey..."

She smiled before starting up the stairs.

And only to trip on a pebble in the way.

She tumbled down half a flight of stairs before catching herself in the air. She quickly teleported herself upright before looking at Spike.

"See!" She pulled out the pebble from a hole in her hoof. "What did I just say?"

"I'll get the dust pan." He groaned. "Do you want the ice cream?" He looked back at the tub.

"Go on, take it. I might get some later, so save me some."

He nodded before placing the half-empty tub onto the table as he trudged to the kitchen. She quietly hummed the winter wrap-up as she trotted up the stairs.

She opened her door with an audible creak.

'I need to renew that anti-rust spell.' She thought looking at the missing hinge. 'Wait... what happened to the hinge?'

She looked in and saw in the darkness, a cake, a banner hanging over her bed and she could even make out voices from her closet.

'It sounds like... the girls?' Only then did her eyes widen at the banner. 'Maybe I could try and prank them. Especially after all of the ones they did to embarrass me.'

She grinned wickedly before closing the door silently.

'But who to turn into?' She thought putting a hoof to her chin. 'Maybe... her. Oh this is going to be great!'

She brought a picture to the darkest villain she could think of and lavender flames wrapped around her form.

Inside the bedroom, the others were still waiting.

"What's takin' her so long?" Applejack whispered. "Rainbow, yer mane is tickling my nose."

The California blue mare huffed in indignity before trying to wiggle into a more comfortable position in the closet.

"Quiet! I think she's coming in!" Pinkie whispered. "Now!"

They all jumped out and yelled 'surprise!' But that quickly faded into fear when they saw the pony before them.

"Greetings Elements." Nightmare Moon said, grinning wickedly with a flame in her eye. "We meet again." Her horn glowed before the door behind her slammed shut, the windows locked and the warmness in the air left as shadows crawled along the walls, all of them coming from the dark mare. "This time, we shalt succeed in bringing eternal night."

"What!?" Rainbow Dash stuttered out. "H-How did you get here!? We destroyed you with the Elements!"

"Foolish mare, the elements only weaken." She turned into a mist and floated over. "Take that jester, Discord. He was only weakened by them. Not killed."

"But, where's Twilight then?" Rarity asked aloud.

"She's closer than you think." Nightmare snickered. "She had an exquisite taste actually. Much like a fine wine." Nightmare smiled as all of their faces went pale.

"Y-You ate her...?" Fluttershy stammered, shaking with fear.

"No, we did not feed upon her." Nightmare smirked. She leaned in close to the group. "For she is..." She paused before her form flashed in a circle of lavender flames revealing a smiling Twilight. "Me!"

She fell to the floor in laughter as her friends stood there, mouths open and eyes wide.

"Twilight!" Applejack spoke up. "What was that bout'!? Ya nearly gave us all a heart attack!"

"I'm sorry!" Twilight giggled. "I wanted to get back at you four for all the embarrassing pranks you pulled on me. And it worked perfectly!"

"B-But I never did anything." Fluttershy said tilting her head.

"I'm sorry for that Fluttershy, it was the others who deserved it. Rarity put green hair dye in my shampoo, Pinkie put rainbow in my last batch of brownies, Rainbow told me that Celestia called to report a national emergency." She narrowed her eyes. "And I had to go in during her court and have her tell me nothing was wrong. And Applejack put lemon juice in the apple's I bought while I wasn't looking."

"Twilight! That was the greatest prank ever!" Pinkie cheered. "Oh, and surprise!" She pulled out her party canon and fired off a cannonball of confetti that went through the roof. "I can fix that..."

"Girls," Twilight said getting up. "I'm sorry about that but it was to perfect. So," She looked at the cake and banner. "What's with all this?" She waved a hoof at the decorations.

"Oh, Pinkie wanted to throw ya a part when yall got out of the hospital." Applejack said.

"But, why weren't you there when I was in there?" Twilight's ears folded back. "It was about what I did. Wasn't it?"

"No!" They all yelled in unison.

"No," Rarity said. "We tried to get in but they wouldn't allow us. And me, Granny smith, Scootaloo, the princess and Applebloom had to bail Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow and Big Macintosh out of jail." She coughed into her hoof as she grinned sheepishly at Twilight's expression.

"Why were you all in jail!?" Twilight yelled mouth hanging open.

"Well, there were a few guards at the front and we tried to get in but they wouldn't let us. So, I tried to shoot myself into your room using the party canon." Pinkie said.

"I sonic rain-boomed through the hall and hit a wall." Rainbow said.

"I was asking nicely and used the stare on them. When they threatened to kick me out I started to cry and they put me into jail for disruption of the peace." Fluttershy said timidly.

"Ah bucked atleast two of the guards through the wall. One in the ceiling." Applejack said grinning. "Mac just wanted to send you some flowers and the smart pants doll to make ya feel better. He also wanted to ask ya something when ya woke up. I think he said something bout' dinner and a walk." She scratched her chin in thought.

"He was going to send flowers and ask me out to dinner?" Twilight stuttered, blushing furiously.

"Eeyup."

They all turned to see Big Macintosh wedged in the closet upside down, holding a bouquet of roses, smarty pants and a small gift.

"Could ah get a little help?" He said looking at the snicker mares. "Yeah, laugh it up. Wait until ah get down sis, well so who's laughin' then."

Pinkie walked forward, hooves outstretched and smiling. His eyes widened before quickly sliding the object to Twilight and began to furiously move. Just as she was at the closet he fell out and into her hooves.

She held him with no effort at all as he stared in horror at the pink menace.

‘Oh no… not her!’ He thought angrily and fearfully. ‘She’s the one who nearly destroyed the farm with all of… her! ’

He quietly got down and picked up the objects, and dusted off any pebbles from them.

"Ah... ah got these for you." He said looking at the floor while offering the roses to Twilight.

She blushed as she took them and placed them on a vase by her bed.

"Thank you Macintosh. So, why were you thrown in jail? Surely they could have just brought the roses, smarty pants and... that gift to me. What did you do?"

"Ah may have fought a few of em' to get to the room." He said splaying his ears back.

"A few!" Applejack laughed. "He beat the livin' hay out of six of each of the Princesses guards! Even Shinning! Luckily he got the least of it."

"Least?" Twilight said looking to Macintosh who was backing away. "How bad were the others?"

"Broken rib cages, cracked necks, fractured skulls, chipped legs and horns, feather damage, broken noses, cuts from being thrown through the wall and ceiling, black eyes, missing teeth and minor internal bleeding." Rarity said. "Luckily, your brother managed to restrain Macintosh with a paralyzing spell... only for him to fight even more aggressively. Princess Celestia had to blast him through a wall to make him stop."

Twilight's mouth reached even further to the floor as she looked at Macintosh who was busy trying to open a locked window, afraid of what the mare would do to him.

"Macintosh," She said walking up to him. "Is this true? Did you really fight all of them to see me? Even the part where you had to be stopped by the Princess?"

He was sweating nervously but held his blank expression.

"Eeyup." He said, closing his eyes ready to be smacked.

"That is the sweetest thing anypony has ever done for me." She hugged him and before he could utter a response she was about to give him a peck on the cheek when Spike walked in.

Disturbed by the sudden movement, Macintosh moved his head to see Spike go slack-jawed and at the same time have Twilight give him a peck on the lips instead.

His eyes widened for the briefest second before Twilight reared back, surprised and blushing.

"Ah'm so sorry!" He said. "Spike walked in and ah looked when ya were bout' to... to..." He got a cheeky grin before falling on his side.

"Twilight!" Applejack yelled, eyes enraged. "Why did ya just kiss my brother on the lips!?" She yelled scraping hoof across the floor.

"I-I didn't mean to!" She said defensively. "I was going to give him a small peck on the cheek but he turned at the last second and... and that happened."

"Pinkie, was that the truth?" Applejack asked.

"Yep! It sure was!" Pinkie replied.

"Well, why did ya try and even give him a peck?" Applejack asked calmed down.

"Well, I have had a small crush on him..." She rubbed her fore-leg sheepishly. "Now I had an excuse. I just didn't plan on that."

"Yall had a crush on ma'h brother!" Applejack went wide eyed. "Twilight, ah don't mean to upset you or anything but, ah don't think he feels the-"

"Ugh..." Macintosh groaned rubbing his head where he hit the floor. "Dang, that was one of the best dreams ah ever did have." he mumbled yawning with his eyes closed. "Where'd ah put that stupid dream journal?" he started to reach around before feeling Twilight's chest. His hoof slowly retracted and his eyes snapped open.

"Really Mac?" Applejack said flatly. "Really?"

His face turned even redder than it was before, he looked up to see Twilight smiling.

"So, the best dream you ever had huh?" Twilight smirked at his expression.

He glanced nervously at the giggling mares; he closed his eyes and breathed out before replying.

"Eeyup."

Seven pairs of jaws fell, six pairs of eyes flew open. Rarity fainted and fell onto the coach Pinkie pulled out of her mane.

"So," he began getting up. "Would ya like to go to dinner? Ah'm not busy for the next two days." He grinned.

"How about we just have cake first and then we’ll talk," She turned to go pick up her friend. "But yes. I'm sure I can clear a spot on my schedule." She paused and whispered the last pat in his ear. "My brave knight."

His face started to heat up again and his signature wheat stalk fell out of his mouth, leaving the others confused as to what she said.

'Who say's the princess is the only one who gets to troll?' Twilight thought. 'It's just too easy if you know what to do.' She thought smugly as she told Spike to go get the smelling salts.

He smiled, still standing where he was before picking up his wheat stalk and nodding, it wasn't noticeable but he did it.

'Ah always was the mare's stallion.' He thought smugly.

Author's Note

Trollight Sparkle and Big Macintroll have arrived! And if you would like the fight scene, your welcome to comment on it so I may write it.

Applejack's hospital fight.

"Where is she!?" Applejack yelled at the nurse behind the counter who was shaking with fear. "Well!?"

"S-She's on the second floor, t-third room to the left i-in the physical piercing s-sector..." The nurse said hiding behind a clip board.

Applejack gave a huff before running along the halls, cracking the floor a couple of times as she gave to much force when she stepped on a tile.

'Ah hope she's aright'!' Applejack thought as she rounded the corner. 'Horse apples...' She grimaced as she saw two guards standing at the door.

They were both solar guards, both white coats and armor, only it covered all of them except the noses.

She started to walk towards the room, they saw her and the one on the left stepped out and took the others side in the hall, blocking the way.

"Ah'm here to see Twilight." Applejack said, looking uneasily at the guards who looked even more like statues.

"Nopony gains entry." One said, she couldn't tell which one said it because of the helmets.

"What? Ah'm her friend! Ah need to see her." Applejack said more forceful. "Please, for little ole me."

"No." They both said.

"Whad'ya mean no!? Why not?"

"The princess and doctors said to let nopony see her, in case of assassins or others who know of her... condition and wish to harm her."

"Assassin's!? That’s the best yall could come up with? And what happened to visiting hours?"

"Sorry, no can do miss. If you would like, we could relay a message when she awakens and comes out."

"No!" Applejack yelled startling them in her tone. "Listen, ah'm a patient mare, but even ah have ma'h snapping point. Now, let me go see her atleast, one of ya could go with me, make sure ah don't do anything to suspicious."

"No." They both replied.

Her eyes narrowed as she walked away.

'Now how am ah gounna' get in there and past those two statues...?' She thought. 'Ah wonder...'

She turned around and walked back over to the guards, she stopped before them and took off her hair braids letting her blonde mane fall over her shoulders as she tipped her hat at them.

"Are ya sure ya couldn't let me have but a peek? Ya wouldn't want to make a mare cry, now would ya?" She asked, mock pouting with half-lidded eyes.

"Ma'm, are you bribing us?" One guard asked.

"Ah'm trying, is it working?" She said defeated.

"A little, maybe I could-" He was silenced as the other guard elbowed him in the ribs. "I-I mean, no. I'm sorry, truly I am, but no. Orders are orders." He shrugged.

"Orders are orders...?" Applejack gritted her teeth, left eye twitching dangerously. "Let me through!" She tried to walk past them but was pushed back lightly by a field of magic.

"No can do. Please, save us the trouble and yourself by just leaving and waiting to see her. Now, good day miss." The one on the right said.

She felt her eye twitch again before sighing. "Ah'm going' to see her." Applejack growled, looking back up, a fierce scowl n her muzzle. "Ah'm gounna' support her and if ya'll don't like it... then yall can go and buck off!" She charged forward, using her back legs and bucking the floor as she sailed over them.

She was stopped in the air and thrown back when one of the guards threw her back with his magic.

She skidded across the floor, dazed, frustrated and determined. She gave another snort before charging again. This time, she turned around and bucked one of the guards in the jaw, sending him into the ceiling where he hung like a Hearth's Warming Eve decoration. Only it cursed angrily.

"Stand down! Now!" The second yelled as she tore through the hall past him. "Back up! I need back up!" He yelled as he raced after her.

'That's right... keep runin' ya big oaf.' She grinned before stopping and sliding to the side. Just before he passed her, surprised and tensing, she lashed out with her back legs and sent his head to the side, thus, sending him into the wall.

He stuck there like a picture, armor dented and scratched.

She was about to walk to Twilight's room when she saw the hallway in front of her was packed to the brim with guards, Lunar and Solar, all of them wearing full armor and weapons drawn.

"Stand down!" The one from earlier called out, plaster stuck to him making a collar.

She snorted, scrapped a hoof against the floor and threw her stentson.

"Catch!" She yelled out at the guard who caught it.

"What the bu-" She was cut off when she slammed into him.

Before he could get up, she bucked him and smashed his side into the wall.

"Come on! Ah'll take on every last one of ya if that's what it takes to see my friend!" Applejack yelled.

Some of the guards tensed up as her crazed glare shot at them each time they moved.

"Enough!" The plastered one yelled out. "Unicorns! Ready paralysis spells!"

Four guards walked up, shakily they lowered their heads and the horns began to glow.

"Fire!"

She saw four flashes of light, all of them hit her as she felt her whole body go numb and she fell to the floor.

"Thank Celestia..." One guard sighed.

"Owww..." The guard farther down the hall groaned in unison with the one still half-in half-out of the wall.

"Get over it you foals." The plastered one said rubbing his chin subconsciously. 'That mare has a pair of hooves on her.' He glanced back at the others. "Well! Put the cuffs on her and take her away before she causes any more trouble!"

They glanced nervously before two of them took Applejack away.

He dismissed some guards but kept three others. Just as he was about to relax in his post, a voice was heard from around the corner. And it wasn't a guard.

"Where's Twilight!" Rainbow Dash said as she trotted briskly around the corners. "Hey AJ." She waved.

Applejack tried to say something but her lips wouldn't move.

"Whatever, hey nurse! Where's Twilight's room?"

The guard promptly face hoofed.

'Buck my life...'

Rainbow's hospital fight.

"Whatever, hey nurse! Where's Twilight's room?"

The nurse from earlier, shook and sighed as she pointed a trembling hoof around the corner.

"Thanks!" Rainbow said slowing down to a leisurely trot. 'I wonder what was with her? It looked like Applejack was about to buck her head in.' She stopped and thought back to the guards carrying a limp Applejack, the trembling nurse, calls for back up and hoof marks in the floor. 'Nah! She'd never do that. Maybe Fluttershy or me... and maybe Pinkie.' She stopped ans laughed nervously. 'Definitely Pinkie. Wherever she is...'

She turned the corner and saw a very unusual sight.

Two guards, guarding the door to Twilight's room, a guard trying to pry another out of the wall and another in a wall, but sticking out slightly.

"Umm..." She said blankly looking at them.

"Let me guess," a guard with a chunk of ceiling came up to her groaning. "You want to see miss Sparkle too, isn't that right?"

"Yeah... wait, what happened? It looks like you all got your flanks handed to you on a silver platter with a side of hay nuggets and apple slices." She said looking at him before noticing a hole in the ceiling. She looked back at the guard who also looked up and she began to bawl in laughter as he gritted his teeth in embarrassment.

"But seriously," She got up, dusting some plaster dust off. "What happened?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Did you know that mare, Applejack?" The guard asked.

"Yeah, what's this got to do with her?" She asked.

"Really? You really can't tell?" He pointed to the others and even tried to get the plaster off himself.

"Not a clue. Could you just tell me already."

"She did this!" The guard half in the wall yelled out before clutching his side. "Oww..."

"Really?" She whistled at the damage. "I think I'll stay out of the orchard for now... for now." She snickered.

Now they both just stood there looking at each other, the only noise was the occasional guard groaning. She looked around awkwardly, he coughed into his hoof.

"So..." She said.

"So..." He parroted back.

"Do you want any help with," she pointed at the guards. "That?"

"Sure... we could use an extra hoof getting these knuckle heads out." He rolled his shoulders before sighing.

She walked over to the guard who was wedged in the wall. "So," She grunted tugging on his fore-legs. "What did you all do to get AJ that riled up? She's a patient mare, I know because i usually lounge round in the orchards trees even when she's told me not to."

"We... we didn't let her go see the patient. Twilight Sparkle." He stiffened as he prepared for another assault. The other guards too were looking edgy, one guard crawled back into his spot in the wall.

"So... that's it?" Rainbow said flatly, cutting the silence. "You couldn't just give Twilight a message when she wakes up?"

"We did offer, but... things got out of hoof."

"I can see. Well, I guess I'll be on my way." She puled the guard out, dusted off her hooves, and began to walk the opposite way of Twilight's door.

"Wait!" The guard got in front of her. "Your not going to try and get in?" He asked surprised and relieved.

"Nah, it seems like to much trouble." She smirked before stopping at the end of the hall. "But I would like you to give her a message, think you can do that?"

"S-Sure!?" He blurted out happily. 'Finally, a mare that isn't homicidal or crazy.' He thought smugly.

"Tell her," She grinned spreading her wings.

And the smugness disappeared along with all the happiness in the air.

"I don't do no!" She began to beat her wings.

"Uh, miss, c-cant we talk about this like civilized and not crazy ponies?" the guard asked backing away. "For little ole me?"

She frowned and started to beat her wings faster. Anything that wasn't nailed down was being swept behind her or to the sides. Her wings went even faster causing visible wind that was swirling dangerously around her.

"By Celestias mane!" A guard called out. "Her wing power is over nine-thousand!"

"Who's ready to rumble!" Rainbow called out as her hooves began to slide and dig into the floor. "In three!"

"Wait!" The plastered guard called out raising his front hooves in front of his face.

"Two!"

"Stop!"

"Two in a half!"

'This mares just evil...' The guard thought as he dived to the side.

"One!"

She rocketed forth, a rainbow trail following her as all the window's and other fragile object shattered. The guards would have gone deaf if they weren't wearing their helmets.

She blew away the other guards, all but two, the one in the hole who gave a quick cheer before being swept away by the torrent of air and the plastered guard who was under a desk.

Rainbow Dash couldn't slow down fast enough to stop and hit the wall.

She felt air again and sun light. And then dirt and being stopped by a invisible field.

She looked up, smiling lazily at the Lunar guard.

"I'm under arrest, aren't I?" She asked smiling.

"Oh, you have no idea." He said pulling out a pair of hoof-cuffs.

Fluttershy's hospital... fight?

A loud boom was heard and Fluttershy immediately flew into the closest bush.

She peeked out and saw a cloud of dust appear from the hospital side, followed by a rainbow trail.

'Oh... it was just Rainbow Dash...' She sighed in relief. 'Rainbow dash!' She began to run, each step not even crunching a leaf when she did so.

In the hospital lobby, the nurse was at the front desk, rubbing her temples as she stared forward.

She sighed in relief when she saw Fluttershy walk in.

"Um... excuse me. Miss, could you point me to-" Fluttershy started behind her mane.

"Just follow the guards." She pointed at the lone Solar guard and six Lunar guards going through the entrance. "Just try not to destroy or injure any guards like your friends did."

"Oh... okay... bye." Fluttershy said meekly, but with a small smile as she followed the last Lunar guard.

She shrunk back whenever the guard peered back at her, she skittered away when he stopped and tried to talk to her. When she saw the hoof marks in the floor, she froze in awe before running ahead of the guards by gently running atop them. They didn't even mind or notice her as she muttered apologies as she went.

She stopped, frozen, dumb-struck at the damage.

Windows and vases, were shattered. Chairs and other furniture along with paper were scattered in unorganized piles. and the guards were all laying on the ground, clutching their heads.

She immediately ran up the the closest one and pried the piece of plaster off his neck and began to gently stroke his helmet.

"Um... miss? What are you doing?" He asked startling her.

She fell back onto her back, legs up, face in pure shock before looking up and seeing the guard crack his neck.

"I-I... um it's a habit when I"m with my animal friends. I hope you didn't mind... do you?" She said blushing behind her mane.

"Miss, stranger things have happened today." He sighed as he walked back to his post.

"L-Like what?" She asked looking at the other two Solar guards get up.

"A crazed apple farmer, sending me through the ceiling, two of my other guards into the walls and a crazed pegasus with an indestructible skull. That can apparently break the sound barrier when she wants. So, what super power do you have?"

"W-What?" She tilted her head in confusion.

"Super strength, lasers coming from your eyes, ice breathe, indestructible skin and bones, super flight. What?"

"I-I don't have any of that." She said. "But could I go see Twilight? I just want to see if she's okay... if that's alright with you?"

"Alright..."He groaned taking off his helmet. "Just, just let me send in two guards with you and then you leave. No if's ands or flanks, got it?"

"Yes, I understand. Thank you... um, what's your name if you don't mind me asking?"

"At this point," He tapped the plaster collar. "Just call me Tile Plaster."

"O-Okay..." She said quietly.

They both stood there, silent, awkwardly and plaster sweating.

"Okay, I'll go." He said. "I'm not waiting for another pony to go berserk after another moment of silence." He waved her to follow and follow she did.

"Sir," the other guard stopped him at the door. "We were told not to let anypony in."

"Would you rather wait for the next pony to come in and try and kill us or would you rather stay alive longer?" He grunted back.

"But sir," he looked at Fluttershy. "She doesn't look like she could hurt anything. No offense miss Fluttershy."

"None taken..." She said.

"Wait, you know her?" Plaster asked.

"Yeah, she's the Element of kindness. One of the Elements of Harmony. Two others were already here. Rainbow Dash, Loyalty. And Applejack, Honesty."

"Celestia help us..." The guard groaned opening the door. "Please go and leave. Spare our lives..."

"W-Why would I ever want to hurt any of you?" She asked timidly. "You've all been nothing but nice." She smiled pleasantly making all the guards hearts melt before trotting in.

The room was white, had two beds, both occupied, a green curtain and a large window. She looked at the first bed and saw it was a colt. She peeked under the curtain and sighed in relief.

"Thank goodness." She sighed.

She turned to leave but was stopped by the colt looking at her.

"Don't mind me, I've been making sure those knuckle heads won't bother her." He said. "Bye miss Shy." He nodded before laying his head back down.

She simply stared at him before noticing a weight on her back. Curious she lifted it off and saw a angry looking rabbit.

She dropped him and he went running out the door, but not before kicking the shin of a guard.

"Why you little pest!" He yelled raising a spear.

Angel raised one digit and held his ground.

Fluttershy's eyes widened before she flew at the rabbit and got in the way. He hadn't brought down the spear but he surely dropped it when he saw, the Stare.

"How dare you!" She yelled making him slightly slide back. "How dare you raise a weapon to my Angel! He's grumpy but that's not reason to try and kill him!"

"I-I-I..." The guard stuttered, fear taking over.

"Well!? What do you have to say for yourself!? Apologize!"

"I'm sorry!" The guard yelled curling into a ball.

"Oh... oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry!" She said as she gently began to stroke his neck. "Shhh, shhh it's alright."

"Miss, I'm actually afraid to say this... but can you leave?" Plaster said flinching.

"Oh... would you mind if I hep him up first? If either of you don't mind...?"

"No!" Another guard yelled out. A mare and she was not happy. "You get that rodent out of here before I spear your feathery little wimpy flank and its pea-brained head! Now!"

Fluttershy stared at the guard, sadness overcoming anger. And she began to cry.

She buried her head into her mane as Angel immediately rushed to her side and began to stroke her hoof. He glared at the mare guard before picking up the spear and throwing it at her, taking off her helmet and giving her a mane cut.

He gave he a stern glare before going back to his owner.

"Sir, you cant just let them get away with that!?" She yelled at Plaster.

"I guess your right..." He sighed. "Fluttershy, could you take the rabbit and just go sit with your friends in the cell while we straighten what the buck just happened out?" He offered a hoof out.

"O-Okay..." She said taking his hoof and before they left, gave the mare the most powerful stare she had ever given making her shrink in fear.

Pinkie Pie's arrest.

"Really Flutters?" Pinkie smiled as she put the paper down. "Element of Harmony arrested for disturbing the peace. Weird news, huh?" She looked over at the nurse. "Right?"

"What! Where did you even come from?" The nurse reared back. "Wait... how do you know that mare is being-"

Fluttershy came crying out from the hall way, a guard next to her.

"Well!" Pinkie said bouncing along. "Now its my turn. By creepy changeling nurse!"

"Yeah, bye." The nurse growled from the head ache. Her eyes snapped open as the pink tail disappear around the corner. 'How did she know?'

Pinkie was hopping along, humming a random tune as she went. She tripped and looked back to see hoof marks in the floor, curious she bent down and pulled out a magnifying glass.

"Applejack has been here." She said stroking her chin. She sniffed the air. "And I can smell cirrus. Rainbow Dash tried to get in too."

She smirked as she rounded the next corner, the sight wasn't unusual in her mind, just slightly off.

A large hole was in the far wall, tears on the floor and holes, hoof marks and armor coated in plaster were in the walls and on the floor.

The guards, when they saw her, all blocked her way entirely, in a solid wall of metal and fur. Weapons and horns pointed at her.

"Don't worry you silly fillies!" She giggled bouncing up to them and poking a spear. "Ohh! Sharp! You know that reminds me of a story..."

One guard in the front lowered his ears.

'By the sun and moon! Make this torture stop!'

"... So the alligator jumped..."

'She's still talking?'

"...And then! The room was filled with books! and..."

'What? That doesn't make any sense!'

"... But then the griffon and the dragon were in the back and..."

'What!?'

"And then there was this coconut and pick axe..."

"Stop! Just stop and go in!" Plaster finally yelled breaking the wall. "Just stop talking and go in!"

"We'll all you had to say is you wanted me to stop talking." She frowned. "I-If you really want me to go... then... fine." She sniffed once before running out, a literal stream of tears behind her as she let out a high pitched whine.

"Nice going!" Another guard called out. "Look what you did! You made the poor girl cry!"

"What's wrong with you!" A mare walked up.

"Me!?" Plaster said getting up. "Your the one who deliberately made Fluttershy cry! I didn't know she was that emotional! And plus," He turned to a guard still getting up. "All I heard from you was, 'Make her stop! Make her stop!' So don't any of you go and patronize me for a mistake that the rest of you were about to do to!"

All of them just stood there, silently looking down at the floor. All but one who was going towards the door.

"Hey! Who are you?" Plaster said walking up to the lone guard. "Well? Report soldier!"

The guard in question, was wearing a set of purple armor, his mane and muzzle were clear as they stuck out.

He turned and all the other guards immediately stood in a line, faces as emotionless as stone.

"I am captain Shining Armor, and the princess has requested for me to check on my sister." He pulled out a scroll with a seal and held it out. "Look for yourself."

The guard took the parchment away, and his jaw dropped before a wild grin formed.

"So... your taking my position here?" He asked eyes darting from the letter to Shining.

"Correct." Shining said uneasily.

"I quit!" The guard yelled out teleporting out of his armor. "I don't have to deal with any more of you! I can be free!" He ran down the hall and disappeared in maniacal laughter.

"Do I even want to know?" Shining said face-hoofing.

"We've been attacked by most of the Elements of Harmony." A guard spoke up.

"What? Attacked? Why?"

"They all wanted to see the patient."

"I'll make sure shes alright. I saw Pinkie setting something up outside." He opened up the door and walked in, not even saying a hello back to the colt reading the sports magazine in the bed.

"Twilight, are you awake yet...?" Shining asked peeking under the curtain.

She didn't respond, she just laid there, mouth hanging open, tongue lolling out to the side, and a soft snore was coming from her.

He smiled but then grimaced.

"They need to get larger blankets." He said as he pulled the blanket back over her and saw a small smile form on the corners of her lips.

He was about to leave when something shinned in his eye. He looked to the curtain and saw a red dot moving around rapidly before settling on the center.

'What the...?' He thought as he followed a dim stream leading to it. 'Oh no...' His eyes widened as he saw a blue canon outside.

He saw a ring of smoke as a pink blur shot out, he ducked and put up a shield protecting them from the shards of glass when Pinkie flew through the window.

He looked up and saw her smiling while mouthing, "Hi Shining!"

He heard a loud crash and put down the shield, he looked back and saw the colt asleep, dust in the air and a hole in the wall with a pink flank sticking out.

He rolled his eyes before going around to see only half of Pinkie. His eyes widened as he saw the other guards wrapped in streamer cocoons.

"Hey Shinning!" Came one voice but multiplied by six.

His ears folded back as he looked behind him and saw six Pinkies.

"How...?" He said backing away before drawing his sword. "Pinkie! Whichever one of you is the real one! Your under arrest!"

They all giggled and stepped forward.

"Come on Shinning," They all said. "Don't you want to bake..." All of them pulled knives out of their manes, and then their manes went flat as they got a disturbing smile. "Cupcakes!?"

"No." He growled readying his sword.

One of them charged and brought two knives down. He parried them nd sent the flat end of the sword across her head. She puffed up into the air and imploded before a trail of pink mist flew out.

He was about to question it when he heard the collective gasp and animistic growl from the others.

Two charged this time, one coming down, the other from his right. He grabbed the one in the air and pinned her to the wall as he dealt with the one on his right.

"Stand down. I don't want to hurt you." He said.

She merely shook her head before trying to uppercut him with a knife. He reared his head back before slamming it into her head. She fell, eyes going in circles before falling to the floor and doing the same as the first.

He turned to the pinned one and hit her across the top of the head with his sword.

He looked back at the others, pure unbridled malice in their eyes. Another two charged, both on the sides but they kept running between each other.

'Which one! Which one!' He thought as they both jumped and propelled themselves onto the wall using each others hooves.

He smirked as they both jumped at the same time, he ducked and saw four knives fall to the ground followed by two pops.

He looked back to the last one, who had malice and uncertainty in her eyes as she looked around.

"Its just you and me." He said picking up his sword. "Now come along peacefully."

"Not a chance creme puff." She snickered before forcing air into her cheeks.

She puffed out her cheeks and raised her front hooves into the air. Shinning watched in awe, horror and confusion as four little stubs popped out.

She flexed them before puling out her own sword followed by a scythe.

"What are you waiting for? Permission from mommy?" She snickered at him.

"Ladies first." He growled.

"Then why don't we both attack?" She laughed before charging on her back hooves.

He ran forward and met her sword with his, sending sparks flying. He saw the scythe come up below him and jumped to the side as it sliced past him.

He took the sword out from her grasp and jumped back as she swiped at him with the scythe again.

"That all you got?" He asked as he heated the handle up on the scythe to near melting.

She glanced at the handle smirking as smoke from her hooves.

"That was getting boring anyway." She shrugged throwing the blade away.

And then reached into her mane to pull out an axe, sparking with electricity.

"What? No, that's not right! You should be getting electrocuted!" Shinning yelled. "All of its metal!"

The Pinkie stopped wide eyed before her body started jolting in the air, her flesh and muscle black while her bones stuck out like snow.

She stopped, smiled and blew out a puff of smoke before her and the other weapons imploded into smoke.

"D-Did the universe just correct itself after I said something about it?" He said aloud.

He felt a small amount of dust hit his snout. He looked up and saw another Pinkie, the real Pinkie looking down with night vision goggles and a black sweater as she crawled along the ceiling with suction cups.

"I'm under arrest, aren't I?" She asked.

"Yes, yes you are." He pulled out a pair of hoof cuffs, but before he could reach her she jumped down and, in a literal pink blur, all the damage to the building was fixed. "What..." He stared blankly at the mare in front of him.

"I'm good at cleaning." She giggled as she slipped her hoof cuffs on. "Well, come on silly! Aren't I under arrest?"

"Yes, now go." He waved her off as another guard came up.

He grabbed her and was dragged along as she bounced down the hall.

What is with that mare?' Every pony in the hospital thought.

The nightime nightmare.

"Bye! Thank you all for coming, it really meant a lot!" Twilight said as her friends left.

She gave a sigh and closed the door. She went to walk back to her room when Spike was standing there with a bowl of chocolate ice cream.

"Thanks Spike." she smiled as she took it and sat at her desk.

"Twilight," Spike said. "Um, I know it’s your problem but... did a spell go wrong or something?"

"What?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Well... this." He waved a claw at her. "Did a spell go wrong or something? Maybe a potion mishap?" Her eyes widened as a frown went on her face. He saw her discomfort and frowned to. "Never mind. So, did you learn anything new? Can you crawl on walls and stuff like that?"

"Yes actually, I've done that a few times before. I've gotten used to the feeling."

"I wish I could crawl on the walls without leaving holes in the wall." He slouched forward slightly.

She turned to him, eyes narrowed.

"You left holes in the wall? Which one?"

"Applejack let me use the older barn at the farm. If you want to see some damage then look what Rainbow Dash left on a book shelve." He pointed an index-claw at one of the book shelves.

She looked over and saw nothing out of the ordinary.

"Spike, what damages?"

"I think you would have noticed there are only two shelves out of the usual three."

She looked back and saw books stacked on top of each other, and only two shelves.

'I'll talk to her about that later.' She said coldly in her mind. 'Nopony messes with my precious...'

"Uh, Twilight...? You have that look on your face again."

"W-What look? I don't have a look."

"That one where you’re thinking about how, nopony messes with your precious."

"Have you been hanging out with Pinkie?"

"Well, yeah." He shrugged. "I'm surprised nopony else has said anything." He yawned as he scratched his back. "I think I'm going to bed, goodnight Twilight." He stopped and snickered. "Twilight and goodnight... I never noticed that rhymes."

She watched as he went up the stairs, watched as he closed the door, and then laid her head down on the desk. She eyed the bowl of Ice cream hatefully.

"No, I don't need ice cream. I want something else." She pushed the bowl away before getting up. She suddenly frowned and hung her head. "Great, now I don't feel like doing anything." She eyed the rows of books; one in particular caught her attention.

"The complete guide to change- no!" She thought about to throw the book but caught herself. "No. I don't want to learn about changelings... even if I am one now." She looked at herself and then back to the bowl. "Fine." She groaned.

She picked up the bowl and held it in the air. She eyed it in distaste before looking back up to the stairs.

'I never actually ate any cake...' She thought. 'I wonder how good it would taste in ice cream?' She looked back up and began trotting upwards to the door.

Nearly each step sent a creak through the library, each step heavy as she went up.

The door opened quietly, she breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Spike in his bed, hugging his teddy bear. She smiled before looking at the plate sitting on her nightstand.

She trotted over and picked it up. Before she put it in the bowl, something on it shined. She looked closer at it and saw it wasn't cake at all; it was an oversized Bon Bon.

"Gross. Pinkie knows I don't even like Bon Bon’s." She wrinkled her muzzle in slight distaste. She set it back down and decided to let Spike have it later.

As she passed his bed, he made a small snort and rolled over, knocking his blanket off. She stopped and put it back on; she raised an eyebrow when she saw what exactly he was cradling.

"A Rarity plushy?" She said quietly. "I'll have to talk with him later about that."

She was about to leave when a slight breeze made itself known, she shivered and looked back up at the hole in her roof. She shook her head before sealing it with a layer of magic.

She took to the wall, not wanting to wake Spike with the stairs. She stepped off and made her way back to the desk.

Only, the candle had been lit.

"I don't remember lighting that. Did I?" She stared at it quizzically. A slight clang resonated through the house. "Oh no... someponie's broken in. What do I do!?" She was about to hide under the desk when she mentally face-hoofed. 'It's probably another squirrel.' She thought.

She groaned and sauntered over to the kitchen, what she found made her stop in her tracks.

Not only had all the canned goods been spilled out, the other pots and pans, strainers, silverware and even the fridge's contents were out. The water had also been turned on, and again a cold breeze went through the room. She looked at the window and stared, as if expecting something to go through.

"Somepony was here..." She quietly said. She gulped and quickly shut the window. She jumped back, expecting glass to go flying, but instead saw it was still intact. "I wonder what they were after?"

She placed all items back where they should have been. As she was picking up a bag, the contents poured out onto and into her hooves.

"What the...?" She licked her hoof before licking her lips. "Sugar?" She groaned inwardly. "Pinkie... now I have two things to do in the morning."

She swept up the sugar and went back to the lobby. Another breeze went through the house; she stopped, held still and slowly looked towards the door as it swung on its hinges.

She slowly walked up to it and closed it. Sighing when she heard the comforting click of the lock. She turned her gaze back towards her books, her precious.

"No. Stop that." She said to herself. "There just books." She looked back towards her desk, a large brown tome sitting upon it. "Books that seem to move on they're own." She walked over to it and looked at the worn cover. "The history of the changeling empire... I... I didn't have this before."

She felt the need to do more than throw it, she wanted to burn it to ash, but stopped.

'On one hoof, I could learn about an entire culture. On the other hoof, I would be reading about Equestria's most hated and feared enemy.' She thought about it for a few silent moments. She finally caved in and lifted the cover.

The pages were worn and yellow, the ink was still there. It looked almost new.

"Chapter one, the tale of king Arthais." She picked the book up in her hooves. "The first in the changeling royalty and the first to have a queen. Queen..." She stopped and dropped the book. "Chrysalis." She gulped and picked it back up.

"At the time of their ruling, the land prospered and grew in size." She raised an eyebrow. "Together they helped unite they’re empire with the Equestrian's. Unfortunately, not all saw this as a good thing. One day, at a meeting, a servant to Celestia, snuck up behind king Arthais and slit his throat." She gripped her own throat.

"After the incident, queen Chrysalis became corrupt. The land died and turned the air toxic. She blamed Celestia for her husband’s death, when she did, war was declared. The changelings were either forced into submission, or were killed. Chrysalis and a small group of drones escaped and fled towards the west."

"So, she wasn't always cruel?" Twilight said to herself surprised. "I question the authenticity of this book.” She stopped and thought about what she just said. ‘Wow, I never thought I'd ever have to say that.’

She looked back at the tome, she put a spare index card in as a book mark and made her way back up the stairs. She opened the door, wincing as it betrayed her. She looked back at Spike who was still snuggling the Rarity doll.

She made her way across the ceiling and got into bed. She cast a soft glow from her horn as she opened it again.

"The war of... 129 A.A." She looked at the title. "This must be old if it was after alicorns."

She turned the page and sneezed when a cloud of dust hit her. She rubbed her eyes clean before her vision focused on the picture in front of her.

"Oh Celestia... what did I open?" She said as she stared at the image, putting a hoof to her mouth.

Changelings in blackened armor were clashing with an army of ponies clad in gold and blue armor. The changelings were being slaughtered by the looks of it. Some were burnt, curled up on the ground or even speared in half; some of them had even been be-headed or cut in half. Green blood was everywhere. So much... so much blood...

"Oh my..." She whispered. She turned the page shakily and felt tears brimming in her eyes as she looked on.

The picture now was of the corpses being burnt, changelings in shackles as they were led directly into the flames. Guards shoved them with the tips of spears as they tried to stay back, but couldn't as unicorns pushed them forward. And there, standing there, facing away from the carnage was Celestia, dressed in gold armor, smeared in green blood. A look of anguish on her face.

As she kept going, the pictures got even worse. She felt tears roll down her cheeks. On the sixth picture she finally closed the book with a solid thud, and shoved it under her bed. There in the darkness, she silently cried into her hooves, silently sobbing; trying to wash the horrific images away.

There she fell asleep, her pillow soaked in tears, there the history of carnage still fresh in her mind. She dreamt of darkness.

Inside her mind.

Twilight wandered around through the darkness. Wandering aimlessly, without a purpose or cause.

"Is anypony there?" She called out. "Hello?"

"...Failed..." A voice whispered.

"Hello? Is somepony there? I think I need help, I'm not sure."

"...Dead..." The voice whispered louder.

"E-Excuse me?" Twilight said stopping. "What was that?"

"...Weak..."

"I'm not weak... magically I'm not. Physically I could still use some work."

"Youv'e failed..." The voice said, taking on a feminine tone.

"Failed? Failed what?"

"Me... Equestria... friends... family..."

"W-Who are you? Where are you?" Shw hirled around before stopping, stumbled and held still.

"Here..."

Twilight turned around and saw Celestia, standing there glaring. The area around them changed into a forest, thin tress loomed over head as the moon shone through the small cracks in the canopy.

Celestia was wearing the same armor as she did in the book. Twilight gagged when the smell of ash and blood hit her.

"You’ve failed me. And everypony else." Celestia said coldly. "You are weak, pathetic, and unworthy." She narrowed her eyes.

"Unworthy of w-what?" Twilight whimpered.

Celestia's horn lit up and from her side, a sword came out from its sheath with a clang as it hit the ground in front of Twilight, missing her snout by mere inches.

"Living." She said.

Twilight stood there, frozen in fear. As she saw the blade rise again, she finally started to move, when it was aimed at her, she started to run.

Trees went by in blurs, bushes and branches hit her shell. The cold ground beneath her hooves crunched with the leaves as she stepped on them, the wind whipped at her eyes, threatening to make her close them and trip.

The sound of hounds and yelling was heard from behind. She looked back and saw two blood hounds giving chase. She quickly started to run faster.

Her breath quickened to where she could no longer see her breath. The sound of the hounds were closer now, when she looked back she saw they were snapping at her tail. She charged her horn, teleported behind them and began to run to the side.

They quickly were back on her tail now, slower this time as she had went into a thicket of bushes.

Thorns scraped and left scratches along her exoskeleton, a few even snagged at her mane. She merely cut her way through the branches leaving the pieces lying on the ground.

The sound of the dogs yelping made her quickly looked back, she saw that they had stepped on the pieces she left. She allowed a small smile before a spear went by her head. She looked to the side and saw a small group of soldiers.

"Oh come on! I didn't do anything!" She yelled as she ran from them.

Her legs were getting tired, her lungs hurt and her throat stung with each breath she took. Yet she still went on, not wanting to allow the soldiers to catch her.

The sound of rushing water grabbed her attention; she listened in on it and started running towards it. She came upon a river; the water rushing past in white rapids, the light from the moon making the water black as it clashed with the white seemed even more ominous.

She heard more soldiers from behind; she looked back and now saw Luna in the air. A deadly axe in her horns glow as she sent it spiraling down at her.

Twilight stopped and watched as time seemed to slow down, the blade pass in front of her, herself staring back in horror as it threw a small trickle of dark pebbles up. She quickly grabbed the axe in her own glow and threw it into the river.

"Thou shalt pay dearly for that!" Luna yelled, her voice booming across the once quiet air.

Twilight started turning left and right as the Lunar goddess shot down small bolts of energy, each exploding upon impact. Twilight hurried to the sound of the water as it grew louder.

She saw a small cliff ahead, as she was about to turn, the entire way back was covered in more guards and the air was populated with more, including Luna. She threw up a shield as a volley of arrow's came raining down. She looked back to the cliff and started running again.

She stopped and slid slightly at the edge, down below a waterfall churned the ice cold water in an unrelenting force of death. She looked back at the small army of Solar and Lunar soldiers before taking a deep breath, and jumped.

She kept her eyes opened before she went in. Arrows flew by; one nicked her in the side, and she muffled a pained whine as the cold water stung it.

She saw nothing but darkness, nothing but the bubbles and arrows falling into the water. She collected her thoughts and began to paddle upwards. She came out of the frothy mix, cold injured and scared.

She saw the nearest shore and used her magic to help push herself to shore. She crawled onto the black pebbles, one hoof at a time as she coughed up water.

With one final cough she collapsed and lay there, panting and groaing from the pain.

She barely noticed the shadow move over her, but she knew what was coming next.

"Goodbye Twilight." Celestia said as she brought her sword down.

Reality.

Twilight bolted up, her eyes wide, her breathing frantic as she examined herself all over. With a sigh she dropped back into her pillow.

"It was only a dream, a horrible, horrible dream..." She sighed. "I didn't die and the princesses didn't try and did, kill me."

She smelled pancakes, looked over to Spike's bed and saw it was empty.

"I could use some flapjacks." She smiled.

She pushed the covers off and hopped down, but stumbled as her hoof hit something. She slowly looked down, reached down with a hoof and pulled out Spikes teddy bear.

"Few, it was just a dream." She giggled. "Leave it to me to be the paranoid one... and I'm talking to myself again."

She shook her head and gently laid the stuffed bear into his bed. She went back to the door, and went downstairs.

"Morning Twilight!" Spike greeted her with a wave as he flipped another pancake into the air and onto her plate.

'I could never figure out how he does that...' Twilight thought slightly jealous. She sniffed the air and her mouth started to water. "Those smell great."

"I try." Spike said casually taking his own seat.

Twilight pulled the chair back and immediately began to scarf her pancakes down. Spike watching in slight amusement.

"Twilight, you might want to slow down before you choke." Spike said waving a fork at her. "Seriously, you should slow down. Do you know how many ponies choke on their food when they eat like that?"

She swallowed her mouth full before replying. "No. How many?"

"I don't know, that's why I asked you." He said handing her a tub of whip cream. "Do you want any of this?"

"I'm good." She stopped and stared at the pancakes. "Hey Spike, did you hear anything last night? Like a bang or something hitting the floor?"

"No, you know I'm a deep sleeper. You'd have to throw me over a waterfall to wake me up." He smiled.

She flinched slightly, recalling the dream.

"Yeah... a waterfall." She laughed uneasily.

Spike saw her discomfort and decided to change the subject. "So, do you want to open the mail? I know how you like seeing letters and stuff from other ponies. Especially Big Macintosh…" He teased.

Her cheeks turned slightly red but she still answered. "We’ve got mail? Why didn't you wake me?" She pursed her lips in a mock pout.

"Because I found it at the front door this morning."

"It? Did we get a package?"

"Yeah, and it came with a weird note." He tapped his chin getting syrup on it. "Ew... but anyway, it said, sweet dreams. Do you know what that means?"

Twilight sat there, frozen, mouth hanging open.

"S-Spike... let me see the package..."

"Okay, give me a second." He slowly left the table, leaving Twilight to sit there.

'There's no way... it was just a dream. ' One side of her brain thought. 'But then why did the note say that? Maybe there was a charm on it...?'

"H-Here's the package." Spike grunted as he pushed it in. "It doesn't have a return address or anything. Just the note."

She got down shakily and eyed the wrapping.

'It's the same size...' She thought. 'No, no assumptions until I know for sure.'

She reached out with a shaky hoof and grabbed onto a corner and pulled it off, making a large tear go across, exposing what was underneath.

All across Ponyville, the blood chilling scream of a mare tore through the serenity of the town.

Little shop of horrors.

"No! It was only a dream... that's not supposed to be here!" Twilight screamed.

Her heart was in overdrive, her pupils were pinpricks and her legs were shaking so bad she could only stand.

"What's wrong!?" Spike asked. "It's just a book!"

"It is not just a book! That thing is filled with nightmares! Lies!" Twilight yelled. She changed into the pony Twilight, grabbed the book in her magic and eyed it with hellfire. "And I know exactly where it's going."

Outside the tree house.

"I hope she’s alright!" Rarity said.

Rainbow Dash was flying next to her, albeit slightly slower since her friend couldn't fly.

"Don't worry. She's probably having one of her nerd fits. Remember all the other times this has-"

They both stopped when the kitchen window was opened, a large book was thrown out and after it was a good distance in the air, a fire-ball flew out from the window and disintegrated it.

"Or maybe it's worse..." Rainbow said, watching the ash fall to the grown.

Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash burst in through the door. They looked around frantically before spotting Spike hiding behind the desk.

"Um, Spike...?" Rainbow Dash said walking up to him. "Is everything alright?"

"N-No... it's twilight. She's... well she's mad! Very, very scary mad." He said peeking out from his barricade. "I'll go see if I can calm her down."

He slowly made his way from the desk and slowly approached the kitchen door way. He peeked in and tentatively, walked in.

"Twilight... it’s alright." he said gong to the enraged unicorn. "You can drop the disguise; Rainbow Dash and Rarity are here."

Twilight had her back arched like a feral cat; the hair on her neck was standing up. Her horn was also slightly smoking at the tip along with the window frame. She shook her head before breathing in and exhaling.

"Twilight, is something wrong?" Rarity asked stepping in.

"Yes... somepony broke in last night." She shook her head as more angry thoughts entered.

"Oh dear! Did they take anything? Are you alright?"

"No! I'm not alright!" She yelled. "Sorry, it's just that they left this book..."

"The one you blew up over Ponyville?" Rainbow Dash asked walking in. "What was it anyway?"

"A book of lies. That's what it was." She said harshly.

"Wouldn't it also have been evidence to see who put it in here?" Spike said. "You could have traced a magic signal on it, if they used magic at all."

Twilight's mouth fell open, her left eye twitched, she sat on the floor, staring straight ahead.

"I just destroyed the one piece of evidence I had to find out who broke in..." She groaned. "I am such a screw up."

"It was a simple mistake, anypony could have made it." Rarity said. "Remember when you let Spike accidentally become Applejack's assistant?"

"This is different." She said standing. "Spike isn't a burglar, not any more atleast."

"Nearly destroy the town one time and it always gets brought up." Spike rolled his eyes. "I'll clean this up. Why don't you three go hang out or something. I don't really know what to do."

"That's a good idea Spike, but..." Twilight looked at herself. "What if I lose focus and lose my disguise?"

"Then say it was an... early Nightmare Night, costume spell." He said pulling out a wash cloth and bucket from underneath the counter.

"Way to go Spike!" Rainbow Dash grinned. "Look at our little dragon coming up with ideas. Only, there's one flaw."

"What would that be?" He asked filling the bucket up.

"Nightmare Night is six months away."

His mouth made an, 'O' shape, but otherwise he remained quiet.

"No, it could work. I could just say I need practice." Twilight said, turning back into a unicorn. "Lots of practice for an all-night illusion spell." She winked. "So, since I'm not sure about eating anything here, why don't we go out and get something?"

"Sounds like a plan to me." Rainbow Dash said. "Why don't we go see Pinkie, she's bound to come to us to see what that explosion was about."

Twilight grabbed her purse, set it around her neck and was about to exit when she saw Pinkie sitting in the front lawn.

"Pinkie? What are you doing?" Twilight asked, walking up to the pink mare with her friends.

"I'm waiting for my confetti to come down." She said, looking directly up. "It went really high."

"You mean the confetti you used to blow a hole in my roof with?" Twilight said without the slightest hint of anger.

"Oh... I haven't fixed that, have I?" Pinkie asked finally looking down. "Hang on, my neck has a cramp." She popped her neck to the side, making extremely loud pops that sounded like party poppers. "There we go! All better!" She said even though her head was hanging to the back.

"Me, rainbow Dash and Rarity were going to go and get something to eat over at Sugarcube Corner. Do you want to come?"

"I'm already there." She said.

"What? Your right here."

She blinked and the pink part mare was gone. She looked around confused before her friends came out.

"Twilight," Rarity said. "Is something wrong?"

"Just Pinkie being Pinkie." Twilight said. "Come on, she'll be waiting for us."

They started to trot. Twilight waving at the occasional passer-by. Once or twice, stopping to have a small chat.

"Mail! Mail for a miss Sparkle!" Ditzy called out.

She landed gracefully in front of Twilight and handed her a letter.

"For me? I just got here. But who am I to complain, I love... mail." She shook the thought of the tome out of her mind. "Thank's Ditzy."

"No problemo!" The mare replied before flying up.

Twilight looked at the letter. It was in a white envelope, a gold seal in the shape of a crescent moon.

"I can't tell if it's from Princess Celestia or Princess Luna..." She said. "I'd better not open this in public." She put it in her purse and looked around.

'Aloe and Lotus's spa, jiffies magic carpet emporium and next to that... Sugarcube Corner.'

She smiled as her friends went ahead.

"...It is so nice to see you! So, what do you have planned for the dear?" Rarity was saying.

"Can't say." Came a deep voice.

Twilight pushed the door open and ran muzzle to chest into Big Mac. He was carrying a small smoothie.

"Oh, uh, howdy Twilight." He said awkwardly, swishing his drink.

"Hello Macintosh, How have you been?" She asked politely.

"Shouldn’t ah be asking you that?" He said raising his eyebrows. "Ya woke bloom up from her nap and knocked Rainbow out'a ma'h thinkin' tree."

"You heard that?" Twilight asked, blushing profusely. "All the way from the farm?"

"Eeyup. We'll, Ah've got to get goin'. AJ doesn't like it when ah'm late. Could ya not tell her ah didn't get her a smoothie?"

"I suppose I can do that." Twilight winked.

"Much appreciated." He nodded before stepping back and letting her though. She stepped in and he walked out, drinking the smoothie quickly.

"Heya Twilight!" Pinkie said coming out from under a table, her mane having pieces of gum stuck to it.

"Pinkie? Why are you under the tables?" Twilight asked. "Your cleaning the gum off, aren't you?"

"Yep! Mr. and Mrs. Cake asked me to clean up. Your drink and food are over in the usual booth. I'll be there in a sec."

Twilight nodded as she saw her friend retreat back under the table. She went and sat at the booth. In front of the window, left of the counter.

"So," She said getting her friends attention. "Anything new happen while I was gone?" She took a sip from her smoothie.

"Yes actually." Rarity said. "I heard Fluttershy has found a certain somepony. And he likes her too."

"Rarity." Twilight said sternly. "Do you actually know if she likes him that way?"

"Hey, I just heard it. I don't know if it is true, but it is not my business to ask."

Rainbow did a small spit-take.

"Who are you?" She asked poking Rarity. "Our Rarity would bug her with small questions."

Rarity rolled her eyes and continued eating her salad. She choked and spit a piece out.

"Eww! What did I just bite.... into..." Whatever color was in her face and her friends, left.

"Hey!" Pinkie greeted. "Have any of you seen Gummy?" She looked at their friends faces. "Are you three ok?"

"Pinkie... what is that?" Rarity poked the small stub of green with a fork. "And why does it feel scaly?"

"Oh! That's where Gummy went!" Pinkie giggled. "He must have fallen in when I was cutting the lettuce."

Her friends suddenly moved and got out of the booth, said a quick 'goodbye' and left through the door briskly.

"I wonder what's wrong with them?" Pinkie said as Gummy landed atop her from the ceiling. "Rarities always ate alligator salad."

Outside the corner.

"Eww!" Rarity said. "I almost ate gummy!"

"Pinkie didn't even care!" Rainbow Dash said. "Who knows how many other pets have been in the food?"

Rarity gulped and shook her head of any negative thoughts.

"Alright, I think it would be best if we leave. How does a nice stroll through the park sound?"

"No, I don't think I can do that." Twilight said. "I'm still nervous. How about we just go window shopping?"

"Coun't me out." Rainbow Dash said.

"Why don't we go see how Spike is doing? We can just go and have a relaxing read. I have this great book on dream catchers you'd like Rainbow." Twilight smiled.

"I don’t not sleep that much!" She protested.

"Mac told me I woke you all the way in the orchard." Twilight said.

"Alright... but do you have any sort of books on saddle Arabia? I was planning on going there for vacation."

"Oh, yes. The prince and princess gave our Princess some books and she let me copy a few of them. I heard the cities are beautiful at night."

"I just want to kick up some sand! Fly through the dunes and warm up on some clouds." She shrugged.

Twilight and Rarity rolled their eyes as they trotted back to the tree house/library/laboratory.

They once again trotted back and saw Spike tapping his claws together nervously. He looked at them and smiled slightly.

"Spike?" Twilight asked noticing his expression. "Is something wrong?"

"Uh... you could say that." He said going in. "You remember the... how you’re a changeling? And how there's another here in the hospital?"

"...Y-Yeah?" She gulped.

"I think you had better come see this." He said going into the lobby.

Her and her friends entered, shut the door and locked it. When they looked around, they only saw Spike looking quite nervous.

"Spike, you know how I feel about that!" Twilight stomped her hoof. "That wasn't funny!"

"L-Look up..." He whimpered.

"What?" She looked up and backed into a wall with her friends.

On top of the ceiling was the same changeling as before. It looked down at them in mild curiosity before gently gliding down. It took a few steps towards them before bowing.

"H-How... what!? Why aren't you in the hospital!?" Twilight said barely above a yell.

"Drone has come to serve new queen." It said. "Queen hurt, queen need-"

"Don't call me that!" Twilight yelled. "I'm not a queen! I'm just a mare!"

"Drone... knows." He sighed scraping a hoof across the floor. "Drone saw fire and came to protect."

"I think you already know I can handle myself." She said coldly. "Now, why are you here?"

"Drone sensed Qu-mare's fear and came here. Is mare not happy drone came to help?"

"No." She said. "Why would I want to see the thing that ruined my life? The thing that put that horrible book in here!?"

"Book?" He tilted his head in confusion. "Drone did not put a book here."

"Yes you did! I found it last night! And then it was in the mail this morning! You put it in here!"

"N-No! Drone swears on drone's life!" He said backing away. "Drone did not place any item anywhere!"

"Then who did?"

"Drone... does not know." He folded his ears back. "Who are they? Food?" He pointed at her friends.

"No! Those are my friends. And you will not touch them, understand?" She said gritting her teeth.

"Yes, of course. Friends of mare are to be respected. No harm to come unless ordered. Or provoked."

"So," She said. "Why did you come here again?"

"To protect. It is what I was raised for."

"Alright, but why are you not running away from me? Not running after what I did?"

"I deserved punishment for my actions..." He said, lowering his head. "And more. But you are new queen. Old queen treat drone and others unfairly. Makes us work until our hooves bled, our wings wilt or we go blind. P-please don't do that to drone. Please..."

"What? I think I've done enough damage. But," She narrowed her eyes, her voice taking a venomous tone. "Why did you turn me into a changeling?"

"Drone... had no choice." He said, a few tears brimming.

"No choice?" Rarity said, finally speaking up. "Of course you had a choice!"

"No!" He snapped, baring his fangs a few tears rolling down his shell. "Drone has no choice! None! Or else drone will pay..." He grimaced, recalling a nasty memory.

"We'll, we have time for answers." Twilight said pulling up a chair. "So start talking or start running."

He nodded and sighed.

Answers.

He finally began to speak, after some coaxing from Twilight.

Rarity's cheeks were still flushed after what Twilight had said to the thing.

"Before, before drone came here. Old queen start to order others to fight." He said. "Drone did not want to fight, so, she sent drone here. To do another task."

"So you came here just because she told you...?" Twilight asked, grinding her teeth, a single hoof leaving wood chips on the floor. "You did this on purpose!?"

"No! No!" He backed away fearfully. "No... old queen threatened drone. Drone still refused... until she threatened drone's nurser."

"Nurser? What's that? Somepony who raises the young?" Rarity asked.

"No, and yes. A nurser is like... like... what you ponies call a, special somepony." He flinched. "Nurser twenty-four. We had a small hatching. She was to be drone's replacement."

"So, you couldn't just... fight back?" Rainbow asked.

"No... drone wanted too, drone wanted to tear old queen's head off!" He yelled the last part slightly. "Sorry, old queen bring back bad memories. Memories of torture and sorrow..." He shook his head. "Mare only punish when needed. Drone likes mare. Mare is much nicer."

"Nicer?" Twilight asked. "I nearly killed you! How is that nice?"

"Mare nicer because mare does not kill... she only punishes when needed. Old queen does not punish, she only kills. Old queen does not care about subjects, she says there is enough of us. But she is wrong, there are very few of us left. Only a few hundred."

"Well, fine." Twilight said. She narrowed her eyes before putting a hoof on his chest. "But if you think that excuses you for what you did. Then you wrong."

"Drone... is not asking for forgiveness. Drone is... empty, hurt. And drone deserves more." He lowered his head. "Much more..."

"Fine, but you cant stay here. I'll end up blowing a wall out if I see you here again. I guess, we tell the Princess."

"No!" He yelled. They all stared at him in shock. "No, drone need's mares and friends help. Drone needs to help to nurser and hatchling. Drone is not asking to fight, only rescue. They are innocent slaves, like the rest of the hive."

"No." Twilight said. "Why would you think I would even think for a second to help you. If your so determined, then why did you come to me?" Twilight asked. "Did you even think that I would help?"

"Drone is determined, but not stupid. Drone knows he cannot fight the hive alone. All drone needs is a distraction, so drone can free them. After that, you will not have to see drone anymore, if that is what you wish."

"I don't want to see you period!" She stomped a hoof. "Now just get out!"

He looked slightly hurt, but, lowered his head and cloaked himself before going through the door. Twilight glaring at the blurred shape, as it went.

She let out a hot breath, the air from it showing partially before condensing. She looked over to her friends, Rainbow still eying the door bashfully while Rarity looked deep in thought.

"Twilight-"

"No." Twilight cut her off.

"Twilight, what-" Twilight cut off what Rarity was saying again.

"Rarity, the answer is no." Twilight said.

"Atleast-"

"No!"

"Would you let me finish!?" Rarity yelled. She caught herself and blushed slightly. "Sorry, but I wanted to say something. Twilight, what if he was telling the truth? About his family?"

"You believe that thing?" Twilight said, anything but malice in her voice.

"Now, I'm not ready to trust a word that thing say's. But, didn't you see how he flinched, especially talking about it? He even nailed, you know who, down to the point. I... I'm not sure to feel bad for his family or angered because of him even showing up."

"I don't feel anything for that thing." She said turning away. "Nothing but hatred."

"You too huh?" Rainbow said.

"Thank you rainbow, atleast there's one pony here that isn't insane." she said sitting down at her desk.

"I am not insane! I'm merely looking at all the details. I would have thought you would have done the same. After all, he could have told you how to reverse this." Rarity said.

"He's already told me he can't." She sighed.

"How ironic." She huffed. "First you believe him and now you say his every word is a lie. Well, which is it? Is he a liar or is he telling the truth?"

Her head slowly turned towards her friend, eyes soft.

"I... I just don't know what to think right now. I just got back, I have those horrible nightmares, somepony broke in and now I found the same changeling that turned me into one, was in my house. It's... I can't even find a word to describe how mentally painful this is."

"Well, I'll let you simmer alone." She said. "Twilight, I don't mean to be rude, but sometimes it's needed. Sometimes it can open a blind ponies eyes, and they can see. I'll see you later Twilight..." She trotted over to the door but stopped. "Maybe." She finally trotted out.

"You still there Rainbow?" Twilight asked still at her desk.

"Yeah, I'm still here. You want me to take Spike for a while, give you some free time?" She asked.

"If you want." She said. "Rainbow, what do you really think about what that changeling said?"

"I think it's nothing but a big load of manure." She grumbled.

"Rainbow," She turned to her friend. "What do you really think? Emotion's aside, please?"

"He... did look convincing. But he's a changeling, there supposed to be good at acting." she pointed out.

"No, there not. Changeling's are good at copying, not acting. Before this, I read the royal libraries entire text on changeling's. there was never an account of one faking a feeling when captured or discovered. Not even the princess could recall one time." She said.

"Well, if he wasn't. I would atleast hear him out. I'm not saying you should do anything, but, just hear him out. See what he has to say." She spread her wings, pausing at the doorway. "I'll see you tomorrow, I hope you feel better." She flew off, casting a faint breeze as she did so.

"Yeah," she closed the door with her magic. "Me too." She set her head on the desk, staring down at the holes in her hooves. "I never did find out what these are for." She smiled slightly. "Look at me, talking to myself and worrying about holes in my hooves. Ridiculous."

"Hey, Twi?" Spike said, completely unnoticed from before. "You said it ruined your life, how? Did it turn you into a changeling?"

She froze, her muscles tensing from the flood of memories she'd try to repress.

'I'm going to have to tell him at some point.' She thought. 'But how? I could really damage him if I'm direct. But I can't sugar coat it either. Agh! Why does everything have to be so confusing!?'

She sat up and let sucked in a deep breath.

"Spike, do you really want to know?" She said, not even bothering to look at him.

"Yes Twilight." He said. "I'm worried. I... I heard about what happened at the castle. The fight. Whatever it is, I want to know so I could atleast try and comfort you. Besides," He scuffed a foot on the floor. "What kind of step-brother would I be if I didn't worry?"

"Alright, this... this is still a bit painful to remember, but-"

"No buts!" He said. "If it bother's you to remember, then I won't make you. I'm in no rush."

"But I am." She said turning to him. "If I don't do it know, I might not get to later. I'll try and make this as light , but blunt as possible... Spike," She got down from the chair and sat in front of him. "It, it forced me to turn into one."

"Forced? How?" He asked confused.

"it forced me onto the floor." She shed a few tears. "And it... it did horrible things to me."

His face turned into a frown, and then it clicked. His mouth dropped in a frown, his eyes watered and he leapt into Twilight's embrace.

"Twilight..." He said. "Its... I... I love you with all my heart. But, what that thing did..." He rubbed her back as he pressed against her chest. "I'm here for you. No matter what the situation. I promise." He cried, tears boiling off his cheeks while others made it onto her shell.

"I know Spike," she hugged him, crying along with him. "I know you will..."

They sat there, crying for what felt like hours. Only when the clock upstairs tolled, signaling the next hour did they split.

"Hey Twilight," Spike said. "I... I really did make you something for when you got back. I'll go get it."

He wiped away a small string of snot, running over into the kitchen on his stubby legs. He returned after what sounded like a pan that fell, with an ice-rag on his head and a small envelope.

"I made it for you." He said handing her the envelope. "It's a special kind of card. One of a kind, and, it doesn't end."

She blinked away some late tears and opened the envelope. She pulled out a red envelope, and opened it to one of the most amazing sight's she'd ever seen.

A small trickle of flame came out. It rose up, changing into a lavender color before changing into her.

"Spike..." She put a hoof to her mouth, new tears starting to form. "How?"

"Keep watching." He said.

She looked back and saw that Spike had appeared. he was riding on her back. Another scene, they were playing with a ball. Another scene showed her and him studying at night on the balcony, sipping coca.

"It show's every one of the most precious moments we've had. And, it keeps adding more when a new one happens."

She closed the card, extinguishing the flames, but as she did. A 'I love you' formed and went out.

"Spike, how did you do that?" She asked.

"Magic." He said. "I read a few origami for unicorn books. You should have seen the first two dozen times. They ended better than I expected."

She laughed and hugged him again.

"Come on you big softie, why don't we go star gazing tonight? We haven't done that in forever." She said as he hoped on her back.

"Actually, it was only three months, two weeks, six days, three hours, eighteen minutes and fourteen seconds." He said. "But who's keeping track?"

She rolled her eyes before going up the stairs, but when she reached the second one, she smiled. she put a hoof on the wall and began climbing.

"H-Hey!" Spike laughed. "Give a dragon a warning next time." He said.

She giggled and crawled along the wall, smiling like she used too.

When she reached the top step, she climbed down and went in.

The room still had the breeze as the seal broke during when she left. She patched that up before getting a blanket to cover up with. She opened the balcony and stepped out.

"I didn't realize we we're done there that long." She said to herself, looking at the stars.

"Me neither." Spike said walking out. "It's beautiful out tonight. Like always but, that one star is slightly off." He pointed to a small orange star. "It should be one-fourth of an inch to the left." It moved suddenly, turning left. "How long has she been listening..?" His index claw drooped slightly.

"Don't worry, she only does that from time to time to mess with the experienced astronomers." Twilight said. "She started when Celestia tough her what a prank was."

Spike snickered, and then just stared out at the stars. Eventually, Twilight laid down, covering him with the blanket.

"Hey, Spike?" She looked around as if forgetting something. "Where's the coca?"

He got up and walked back inside. He came back out with a horn where his ear spine was.

He walked over to the edge of the balcony and stuck out his claws. In one swift motion, two mugs came soaring down from the air. He grabbed them with expert precision and walked back to her, catching the liquids as they fell.

"Here ya go." He said. "Fresh hot chocolate."

"Spike, where did that come from?" She asked looking at her cup.

"Pinkie usually has a night fit and decides that evil marshmallow's are attacking. So, her being Pinkie, she throws mugs of hot chocolate out the window."

"Huh... that's strange. Even for her." Twilight said taking a sip out of her mug.

"Twilight, Pinkie can't get any more random." He pointed out. He looked back at the star's, laying against her side. "It really is nice out."

"Yeah, it is." She said staring at the billions of lights above.

Slowly, her eyes drifted down to the mug's contents. She lay there, thinking of what Rarity said.

'I'm merely looking at all the details. I would have thought you would have done the same.' She kept replaying it in her mind.

'Details.' She thought. 'That's what I need. Details, I need information. but where?' She thought to herself.

"Twilight?" spike said. "You have that look again."

"I wasn't thinking directly about books." She said. "I was skimming thought's."

"No, you had that other look you get when your thinking. Like, really thinking."

"Spike, stop reading my moods. It's strange."

"Ok, but I'm just saying because I noticed it."

"But, yes, I was thinking."

"About?" He said, rolling his eyes.

"Spike, were going to Canterlot. We're going to go find some answers at the royal library."

"Just a day back and you already want to go read?" He sighed. "Want me to get the broom now, or later?"

She gave him a glare.

"Feather duster it is." He shrugged sipping his coca.

The archives.

"Alright, what else do I need?" Twilight asked herself as she packed saddlebags with books. "What else...?" She pondered.

"Twilight," Spike said giving her a flat stare. "Were going to Equestria's largest library and your taking books that won't likely be of any use. Tsk, tsk Twilight." He shook his head.

She stared at the books before deciding on the two she had.

'The work of shakesteer and the life story of Beethooven. Good.'

She closed her saddle bags and picked up her coin purse.

Before she went downstairs, she cast a small glare at the hole in the ceiling. She gave a huff, knowing eventually that Pinkie, or somepony, likely herself, will fix it.

When she went down, she saw Spike at the front door talking to somepony.

"Do you want to tell her or should I?" Spike asked.

"Ah'll do it, ah suppose." Replied Big Macintosh as he stepped in.

Twilight stopped as she was at the last step. He saw her staring and gave a small smile.

"Ah hope ah'm not interruptin'?" He asked, motioning to her and Spike.

"No, you’re not interrupting anything." Twilight said. "Is there something I can help you find?"

"Actually, ah just found who ah was looking for. Twilight, ah was wonderin'..."

'Oh please tell me he's not asking to go out today! Why did I listen to Rarity!' She thought. 'Next time, tune out Rarity.'

"If ya would like to go out for dinner tonight? Maybe round' ten?" He gave a hopeful smile, it was small, but for him it was big.

"Ten? I think I can make that actually. The trip to Canterlot is only an hour."

"Canterlot?" His ears perked up. "The princess did want to talk with me. Mind if ah join yall?"

"The princess asked to talk with you?" Twilight asked. "Wait, that sounded slightly offensive. What does she want to talk about?"

"How ah beat her and her sister's guards. Ah could run back to the farm and get a few bits for the ride. It'll only take a second."

"It’s alright, I could get a ticket. Besides, the train is leaving in a few minutes anyway. Why don't we go and talk along the way?"

"Ah guess; ah don't usually get to talk with other townsfolk that often."

Spike was making gagging motions behind them; Twilight saw it out of the corner of her eye and snapped her head towards him when he was blinked. He looked up and saw both Twilight and Big Macintosh glaring, he gave a light chuckle.

"I swear, some boys just can’t take a little emotion. Can they?" Twilight said walking out.

"I can too!" Spike said running after her. "I would just like it to stay inside either a bedroom or a motel."

"Spike! Not in public!" Twilight whispered.

"Ah think he should speak a little louder, ah can’t quite hear him." Chuckled Big Macintosh.

"Don't encourage him!"

"Ah'm serious, ah can barely hear him." He leaned down towards Spike to let him repeat his earlier statement. "Uh... Ah'm only gonna do that when ah can get a ring on her horn. Ah'm a stallion of principle." Big Mac defended himself.

"You'd better be." Spike warned. "I'll flambé you if you hurt her."

"If'n ah do, could ah be served in a sweet and sour sauce?" Big Mac joked, wiping Spike's threat away.

Spike smirked before jumping onto Twilight's back. Holding onto the straps as he was bounced around slightly.

"So," Twilight began. "What have you been up to lately?"

"Nothin' much." He said. "Ah plowed the western fields, cleared a few fruit bats out of the barn, got bit by a swarm of fruit bats in the barn, got rabies shots and help set up the crusher for cider season. What've yall done?"

"I... Was unconscious most of the time." Twilight said. "I met a nice stallion in the hospital, he even knew the princess's. Unfortunately, he also placed an ancient artifact in their presence making them go into an early heat. What about you Spike?"

"Pinkie's parents and sisters came over the other day, I helped the crusaders, I went to the hospital for a day because of helping the crusaders, I re-re-rearranged the books when Rainbow Dash crashed through the window, I had her sweep up the glass and I made Twilight a card."

"Seems yall have been busy. And uh, Twilight?"

"Yes Big Mac?"

"Ah don't mean to ask too much but, do ya think yall could keep your brother away? He might not wanna’ see me. Specially' after ah kicked his flank."

"Oh yeah... You did beat up my brother!" She said, voice rising.

Twilight formed a scowl and turned away.

"To be fair, ah went easy on him and the guards." Big Mac defended himself with a pointless, point.

"And I'm sure he thanks you for that. Unfortunately, I do not. Come on you two, well talk on the train."

Mac gave a huff but still went on, silent as usual. Spike was riding on Twilight's back, looking around in mild interest.

They occasionally got a few glances as they went. Especially when Twilight had decided that Big Mac's silent treatment was over, she trotted up to his side. He looked down at her in suspicion but relaxed when she nuzzled him on the neck.

The train station was in view now. The crowds of ponies and others were easily seen against the brick walls. Smoke rose into the sky as shovels of coal were put into the engines fires.

"All aboard! All aboard to Canterlot!" Called a greying stallion.

Twilight quickly got Mac his ticket and they hurried on.

The train gave a lurch as it began its trek upwards. Twilight had set her saddle bags above her, as it seemed you couldn't have luggage out. Spike was already asleep next to her in his own seat, snoring lightly on his own pillow. Big Macintosh was having trouble even fitting in his seat, when the train lurched, he went forward and right into Twilight.

She gave a surprised yelp when he fell into her; he quickly tried to get off but only managed to get his legs crossed with hers.

Her horn lit up in and instant and he floated off, she placed him in his seat and put on the seat belts.

"Ah swear, ah did not mean to do that." He said, noticing he was completely restrained by the belts.

"I know, but you make it sound like you did it on purpose." She giggled awkwardly. Her cheeks were already flushed from embarrassment, but she tried to cool them off by looking out the window.

"Sorry bout' not bein' able to read on here." Big Mac said looking out too. "Shakesteer was a fine writer."

"Oh? You read some of his work?" Twilight asked.

"Ah wouldn't say a little. Ah have all his works. And others too... Why?"

"I would have thought you were into other kinds of books. Like adventure or mystery."

"Really? What gave ya that idea bout' me?"

"You seem like an adventures type, like you have that adventures side in your eyes... But there's also a sharp piece of intelligence."

"Sounds like a mare ah know." He chuckled.

"I'm not that adventures though..."

"Ah wasn't thinking bout' you. Ah was thinking bout' your friend, Rarity. "

"Rarity? Really? I know she’s smart, but... Adventures? You know that would involve her touching dirt, right? She hates dirt."

"So ah've been told." He smiled.

With the small joke out of the way, the both sat in silence. Aside from the occasional bump the train hit or the occasional bird flying by, it was all quiet.

A loud gurgle resonated throughout the train, all the passengers and the lone ticket collector looked around.

"Did you hear something?" Twilight asked looking around.

"Eenope." Replied Big Mac, looking out the window.

Twilight relaxed in her seat again and was starting to drift off into her thoughts when another gurgle was heard.

"There it was again!" She said bolting up. "You had to hear it that time, right?"

He gave her a sidewards glance, shook his head and returned to looking out the window.

The ticket collector came over. He was a lanky yellow stallion, a red mane stuffed under his small hat.

"Excuse me, miss?" He said.

"Oh, yes? Is there something I can help you with?" Twilight asked pleasantly.

"You’re aware of the noise in the train, correct?"

"It was kind of hard to miss." She replied smartly.

"Right. I've gotten a few complaints already; I'd like to ask that you keep the noise down."

"What? I haven't been making any noise. I was trying to figure out where it-"

Another gurgle cut her off. Spike awoke and threw his pillow at Big Mac.

"Could you keep it down?" He asked, drowsily. "I'm not fully grown yet, but I still need a good few hours of sleep. And your stomach isn't helping." Spike chastised the stallion. "Are we there yet?" He yawned.

"Macintosh, were you making the sounds?" Twilight asked.

"Ah had a light breakfast." He admitted. "Ma'h stomach felt like ah swallowed Pinkie on one of her good days. Felt like a bunch'a knot's were inside. Couldn't eat right if ah tried."

"That's all?" The orange stallion said. "Stay there, we have some complementary peanuts aboard. Or would you prefer something else? Water, fruit, pastry?"

"Just some water, sir." Macintosh nodded.

As the stallion left, Big Mac picked up Spike's pillow and tossed it on the small drake. He waved a claw at him before disappearing from sight underneath it.

"So," Twilight began with a small smile. "A light breakfast?"

"It's the truth." He said. "Can ya help me with these?" He tugged at some of the belts wrapping around his frame. "Its kind a hard to breath."

Her horn lit up and some of the belts around his chest disappeared, he let out a breath of air before taking another deep one in.

"Hey," Twilight's ears went up. "I just noticed you don't have your yoke on."

He cast a glance and saw the flattened fur around his neck, out in the open air.

"Ah thought AJ said ya were the observin' type?" He teased.

"And I thought only your sister would tease me about my occasional slip-up."

"She does, ah just feel more comfortable round' ya is all. Somepony who ah can relate to. Book wise."

"Here you are sir." The stallion from before, trotted up quietly, gave Big Mac a bottle of water. Big Mac gave a quick thanks and took the cap off.

"Hey twilight," Big Mac said. "Ah don't mean to hassle ya but, what are yall goin' to Canterlot for?"

"Answers." She replied simply.

"Right." He took a swig of the water, the cool liquid settling his stomach. "So, when are ya goin' to tell the rest of the town?"

"Tell the town about what?" She asked.

He made a whooshing sound and motioned to her. Her eyes widened and her ears flattened.

"I-I don't know..." She admitted.

"If ya like, ah would gladly go up with ya. They'll be afraid, but they trust ma as much as they trust the princess." He said. "Ya know, it's funny."

"How is that funny?" She asked, casting a glance at the floor.

"Nopony, not even ma'h sister, has gotten me to talk so much." He smiled. "Feel's a bit strange. Ah'm not used to talkin' to another pony other than her."

"So I've been told." She smirked. It fell before she looked at him, a pleading look in her eyes. "Were you serious about going up with me? If I tell the town?"

"Eeyup." He said. "If ya like, ah could round up your friends? Might' even get your parents down here." He mused.

"Really? My parents?" She said in disbelief. "How? You've never met my parents... Atleast not that I know of."

"Ah know a few ponies." He winked. "Ah may be a farm hoof, but ah like to get round' outside the orchard."

Twilight smiled and soon rested her chin on her chest; soon she was asleep, the seat belts holding her upright even as she leaned forward slightly.

He smiled a little before following suit; the seat belts holding him back slightly as he lurched forward. His upper frame leaning over the belts and made both of their heads connect.

They sat like that, asleep for the rest of the trip. Their fore-heads pushed together.

Twilight and Big Macintosh awoke with a start, both of them opening their eyes slowly. They both looked up and saw each other’s eyes before both parties went into an upright position.

"Sorry, ah fell asleep and guess ah leaned forward a little too far." Big Mac replied sheepishly.

"Don't worry about it." Twilight said quickly, undoing his and her own buckles. "Were here. Did you inform the princess your coming?"

He stopped, his eyes wide as he slowly studied the ground.

"Eenope."

Twilight face-hoofed.

"Spike, take a quick letter." Twilight said.

He groggily lifted the pillow up, his head spines drooping.

"Here," she handed him a scroll, prewritten. "Just send that off."

He stared at the scroll a second, scrunched his eyes shut and sneezed. The scroll was incinerated, the green cloud of smoke drifting out through the doors.

"Now we just wait for a-"

Twilight was cut off as him and Big Macintosh were surrounded in a flash of light.

They disappeared and found themselves in the throne room, Spike still on the train.

Celestia was sitting at the end of a long table, only used rarely for whatever guests she received.

"Hello Twilight, sir Macintosh." She said.

They both bowed before taking seats by her.

"So, I understand you had fought a number of my guards, sir Macintosh?" She asked.

"Ah did." He replied.

"Do you have any training? Any spells on you?"

"Eenope. Ah got ma'h muscles from workin' on the farm ma'h whole life."

"Ah, your Applejack's brother? She's told me quite a bit about you."

His face fell slightly.

"She did now, did she?" he asked through a false smile. 'Ah swear, if she said a word of wrong bout’ me!' He thought.

"She said how much of good worker you are, how you always help your sister with her homework when she can't do it herself or my personal favorite, getting in trouble together."

"That sounds bout' right." He nodded.

"So, enlighten me on you two. I'm curious." She smiled.

"Well, me and ma'h sister get along fine, but-"

"I'm afraid you misunderstood. I meant," she nodded towards Twilight. "You two. All of Canterlot is talking about it."

Both of their jaws fell, Big Macintosh's usually stoic face was an expression of shock. Twilight had gotten used to the feeling.

"Why would all of them be interested in me and twilight?" Big Macintosh asked. "Specially' me. Ah just work on a farm, the most attention ah get from them is when they turn their noses up at me."

"As it would seem," Celestia said. "The element of magic, hero of Equestria by atleast two times, four argumentatively, finally getting a colt friend. And, most of the mares, by what I've heard from the guards, are slightly jealous you got him."

Big Macintosh's face was burning like the sun in the sky. Twilight felt the heat come off him and put a hoof to his head.

"Ow!" She pulled back, rubbing her hoof slightly. "Big Macintosh, you’re burning up."

"Ah'm not used to complements like that. A whole city wanten' me." He smiled at her. "Ah'd hate to tell them ah found ma'h special somepony. And ah'm sticken' to her like honey to a bee-hive."

"He certainly is a modest one, isn't he?" Celestia smiled. She leaned down to Twilight. "Keep an eye on him, he's a keeper." She sat back up and gave a wink.

"He is." Twilight smiled, at Macintosh's confused expression.

"Twilight!" A voice called out from behind the doors.

"Spike?" Twilight stared at the doors before realization hit her. "We left Spike on the train!"

"Hey! Careful!" He yelled. "Let me though! Do you know who I am!? I said let go!"

The sound of a number of guards was heard, one of them yelping, after that, a thunder of hooves was heard and Spike came through the doors. He had sweat sizzling off his scales as he panted for breath.

A number of guards came in and surrounded him. He raised Twilight's saddle bags in defense.

"You are under arrest!" One of them barked, his armor slightly blackened. "For trespassing, assault, disturbance of peace, concealing contr-"

"Let him go! He's with me!" Twilight said as she tried to reach him, but was blocked by countless spears and wings.

"Ma'am, were going to have to ask you to back away." A Lunar guard said. "For your own safety."

Twilight stopped and stared at him, face red in fury before she was enveloped in lavender flames.

The guards was stunned and backed away.

He's with me. We just forgot to get him at the train station." She said, baring her fangs.

"S-Sorry, No can do ma'am."

While Twilight chewed out the poor guard, Big Macintosh was watching with growing irritation. When he saw a spear raised at her, he grit his teeth. Something he didn't do often.

"Excuse me princess." He said pushing his chair out. "This'll only take a second."

She nodded and watched as he started to walk up next to Twilight.

"For the last time! No means no!" The guard said.

"And I said, he's with me! We forgot to get him at the station!" She stomped a hoof.

By now, the other guards had forgotten Spike and were now watching as Big Macintosh walked up next to her. The Lunar guard's eyes turned to pin pricks at the sight of the red behemoth.

"Ah believe yall have a friend of mine." He said. He leaned down, his muzzle inches away from the guards. "And we forgot him at the station. Now, if yall don't hand im' over..." He narrowed his eyes. "Then ah'll go through every one of yall to get im'."

"You don't want to upset him, do you?" Twilight batted her eyes. "He is my coltfriend after all, and a personal friend to Spike."

The guards were trembling now, all of them either remembering the pain he had caused or had heard the stories and saw the injuries to their comrades. In a swift movement, Spike was sent rolling to Big Macintosh's hooves and the guards filed out quickly.

All except one.

"C-Colt friend...?" Shinning asked. "H-Him...?" His left eye was twitching while he foamed at the mouth slightly.

"Oh, hey Shiny!" Twilight greeted, nervously. "You've heard? Well, Big Macintosh, Shining Armor. Shining Armor, Big Macintosh."

"Howdy, nice to meet ya... Under different condition's that is." Big Mac said extending a hoof.

Shining Armor gave a snort before dragging his sister past the doors. He shut them with a thud.

"Twilight! How could you!? He nearly killed my squad!" Her brother hissed.

"After you wouldn't let him see me." She pouted.

"After a number of other attacks that-"

"Could have been prevented if you had just let my friends see me. You couldn't even send in some guards with them?"

"I had just gotten there and had to fight a group of deranged Pinkie Pie copies! I was nearly killed by them!"

"And you didn't have the decency to atleast let him put the gifts on my bedside?"

He slammed an armored hoof into his muzzle before exhaling a heavy breath.

"You know what; I had this coming for not telling you immediately about Sombra. Now it's come back to bite me in the flank."

"Could you atleast give him a chance? He did go easy on you."

"Easy!? He crushed, literally, crushed the air out of my lungs! And then knocked me out! How was that easy?" He glowered.

"And what did he do to the other guards?"

"He sent them to critical care..." He sighed. "Alright. Fine. I'll atleast try and get to know him. Is there anything else I should know about him?"

"He's a farmer at Sweetapple Acres, and Applejack's brother." She lit up her horn and pulled the door's back open. "Now behave or I'll magnetize your armor to the ceiling. I know the spell."

"I'm sure you do." He rolled his eyes as he saw Big Mac sitting with the Princess's. "Oh, Princess Luna's here."

They both bowed respectfully before Twilight took her seat next to Big Macintosh again.

"I saw how bad my guards were." Luna smiled. "In my time, if you were to defeat me in combat, I would have to give myself to you for the rest of your life."

"That's not a very good offer, and ah'm sure ya would beat me to a pulp, but... Ah just wouldn't accept it, even if ah did win. Just ain't right ownin' another pony."

"I see our young Twilight has found a gentlecolt." Luna said. "I'd like to thank you again for telling what actually happened. They all had said a group of stallion's came in and they were overwhelmed."

"It's not their fault, probably just young is all." He said. "If ya like, they could stop by the farm and pull ma'h plow around a few times to build some more strength."

"That's a wonderful idea." Luna nodded. "So, what was the bit my sister left out?" She gave a small, toothy grin.

Big Macintosh gave a sideward glance towards the solar princess; she rolled her eyes and nodded. Excused herself from the table and left, on "Important business."

"Ah had to fight her too." Big Mac said, Luna leaned closer, her eyes widened in excitement. "Ah charged, she put up a shield, ah broke it. Jumped on her back and put her in a strangle hold. She just dropped on the floor and ah went into Twilight's room. When she came back, ah had to help her fit through the door."

Luna was biting her hoof, trying to control a fit of laughter.

"Go on, there was more. I know it." She said.

"Ah pulled her out and she landed on me in a..." He tapped a large hoof on his chin in thought. "Compromisin' position. And what made it worse was when a maid came by and saw it."

Luna was teary eyed as she fanned herself with a wing.

"I am certainly not going to let Tia live this down. Not for a few thousand years." She wiped away a tear and smiled at him. "Thank you for coming. We haven't gotten a single visitor since the... Incident involving Chrysalis."

Twilight's eye twitched at that name.

"Uh, princess." Big Mac said. "Ah don't mean to be rude, but, could ya not say that name round' Twilight." He nodded at her, as her eye twitched again.

"Yes. Of course. If you ever need a favor, I would be delighted to lend a hoof." She said.

"Actually," he said, a wide grin forming. "Ah was wondering bout' somethin'." He looked over at Twilight and Shining Armor. "Didn't ya have something to go do Twilight? Somethin' ya came here to do?" He nudged her in the side.

She snapped out of her thoughts and nodded, took Spike and started towards the Archives.

"What is it you wanted to know about?" Luna asked.

"Bout' that Royal Canterlot voice. Can ya teach it to me?" He asked. 'Let's see how AJ like's dumpin' cold water on me in the mornin' now.' He thought.

"Oh?" She smiled deviously. "A very good choice. Let us begin in my chambers. We may have a complete silence there to work."

He nodded and got up.

Twilight was still staring at the floor. Spike casting occasional glances at her.

"Chrysalis..." She mumbled. "Do you think the archives have anything on her?" Twilight asked.

"I'm not sure." Spike admitted. "But where's the fun in knowing? It would be better to look, even if they said there wasn't anything, they could have missed something."

"I know. But we won't. There’s not a book I've ever not been able to find."

"Except the one that told us about that magic pool where Pinkie made copies of herself."

"Hidden books do not count." She said. "Now, it's just around this corner."

They turned the corner and a pair of Solar guards were standing at the doors.

"Halt. These are-" The one on the left was saying.

"Save the theatrics Cotton Puff." Twilight said. "Here's my permit. And don't start with the questions; I'm anything but, in the mood to joke around."

He looked at the scroll embarrassed, he handed it back and opened the doors.

The inside of the archives was massive. Shelves lined with numerous dust covered and cleaned tomes shown as far as the eye could see. Small, thick, old, new and even scrolls were there. Some in piles on the floor while others were neatly arranged on their respective shelves.

"Here we are." Twilight took in a deep breath. "Now, where to start?"

"We could start over in the C's." Spike pointed up at the large sign, one of many, positioned above each row.

"No, she would probably be in the Q's. She puts a lot of emphasis on the, queen title."

"Fine," he rolled his eyes. "You look in the Q's and I'll look over here. I'll come get you if I find something."

She nodded and quickly hurried past the other rows, careful not to rip or trip on a tome or scroll lying on the ground.

As she went further in, the scrolls lessened and were replaced with thick, dusty, time-worn tomes. She saw the yellowed sign over the Q's.

"Let's see..."

She put a hoof to the first tome. Quantum physics, by Discord, the draconequus.

She restarted her brain from the large head ache that had made itself present.

"Questionable ethics of rulers... Quant-no, I'm not looking at that one again." She shook her head. "Queen of the Crystal Empire... Queen of the Diamond dog's... Queen Chrysalis! Yes!"

She grabbed the large tome in her hooves and pulled. It didn't budge; she narrowed her eyes before lifting it with magic.

She even strained under the weight, it wasn't the largest tome she had to lift but it made up for size in weight.

"Spike!" She called out as she trudged down the path. "Spike! I found... Something..." She trailed off as she saw him.

He was sitting at a table, a small pair of reading glasses on his scaled head. A quill in claw while he looked over a tome he was staring at intently. He stopped staring and went back to writing; he'd stop and stare before writing more.

"Spike!" She called out again.

He jumped slightly before running to her side. She handed him the tome and he carried it back over to his desk.

"Wow... Spike. I'm impressed." Twilight said, looking at the notes he had already. "Four full papers already? And the amount of books you managed to find." She skimmed over them, nodding in approval.

"Five papers, actually." He said placing a paper on the stack. "Sorry about not getting you, I just found some interesting topics on changelings."

"Anything useful?" She asked, looking through her own tome.

"What you just looked through." He said. "So far I've found a few things on their anatomy, intelligence, hive-like personalities, and," he Looked up. "A few rumors about experiments."

"Uh-huh." She said, staring at the worn pages.

'I know all of this already!' She thought. 'King and queen ruled happily, king was killed, death in the land... Wait, what's this?'

She traced the line with a hoof, her eyes narrowing at the new information.

"Spike, do you have any spare parchment and ink?"

He slid her a few papers, two ink wells and a quill.

"I only need one paper. But, thanks."

She copied every word down, even the picture drawn in. It was hard to trace it because of how old the paper was.

"Twilight, why don't you try a pencil?" Spike said taking the quill from her. "Here, look."

He copied down what she had, word wise, and set the paper on top of the page. He tilted the pencil and smeared the lead across.

"Why didn't I think of that...?" Twilight said as she saw the picture form. "Well, I think I may have enough. What about you?"

He finished a sentence and closed the tome he was reading, nodded and gathered the materials.

"Huh, that's odd." Twilight said.

"What, what is it?" Spike asked.

"The librarian isn't here. She’s usually here."

She shrugged and exited the room.

Canterlot castle entrance.

Big Macintosh gave Luna a quick thank you and waited by the throne room doors for Twilight, Shining armor by his side.

"So, you’re dating my sister?" Shinning said.

"Eeyup."

"How well does your job pay?"

"Ah help feed the town and help run the only farm, side's some others small gardens. And ah do the taxes so, ah make bout' fifty bits a month."

"That's good. Good." He nodded.

They sat there in silence, occasionally saying a greeting to a staff member passing by.

"Listen," Big Mac started. "Ah'm sorry bout' calling yall a bunch of over pampered soup cans."

"It’s... alright." Shining said. “I’m over it.”

"So, what is yall do here? Stand at a doorway or go round' the place a few times?"

"Well, we train in the morning; the Solar guards take their posts during the day until sunset. The Lunar guards take over at sunset."

They sat in another bout of awkward silence, Big Macintosh finally speaking up.

"Yall okay with me datin' your sister and all?"

"Now that I've gotten to know you better, yes. I'm a bit more comfortable with it, but not entirely."

"Big Mac!" Twilight called.

"Speak of the nerd." Shinning snickered.

"I hope you two got along, me and Spike got what we came for. So, how are you two getting along?"

"Fine." Shinning said.

"Better than before." Big Mac said. "Well," he offered his hoof. "It was nice meetin' ya and all."

"Same here." Shinning shook his hoof.

They departed and the two lovebirds exited the castle. This time with Spike.

"So, what did you ask the Princess for?"

Big Mac smirked and made a zipper motion with his hoof.

"You’re not going to tell me?"

"Eenope."

"Is that a no to a no, or a yes that sounded like a no?"

"Eeyup."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked, frustrated. ‘I feel like Spike arguing with Owlowiscious.’

"It means he's not going to talk." Spike said. "Oh, and thanks for asking how I got from the train station to the castle."

"Well alright, how did you get here so quickly?" She rolled her eyes. She looked at her horn and disguised herself as unicorn again.

"I knew a guard that owed me a favor. He stuck me in a mailmare's bag and sent me off. And they obviously haven't heard of taking care of fragile cargo." He rubbed his tail where a few scales had fallen off.

"Sorry for ya." Big Mac said. "Ah once fell in a rain barrel and AJ thought it would be funny to buck it down a hill."

"That's horrible!" Twilight said.

"Eenope. What was horrible, was when ah threw up on her after ah stopped. That wasn't a pretty sight, or something to hear. Granny made her put the barrel back and ah had to clean her up. We laugh bout' it now."

"Really? Before dinner?" Twilight said. "Or did you forget?"

"Eenope. Ah remembered."

"While were going home, this time on the train, I'd like to get a ride of uninterrupted sleep." Spike said.

Twilight and Big Mac shared a look.

"You probably won't." She said.

"Eenope." He said.

He sighed and slumped against Twilight's neck.

Author's Note

I did add a few comedy bits. But most of the parts were needed, foreshadowing and such.
God, this was just tiresome to write. Six thousand and some words... Someone reading this, remind me never to do this much again. Ever.

The grand unveiling.

Twilight was sleeping soundly, Spike yawned as he stretched. He looked over at Twilight and smiled.

A loud shattering was hear, he jumped onto her bed and began to shake her awake. She quickly got up, rubbing her eyes of sleep.

"Spike! What's wrong?" She asked.

"I think somepony just broke in!" He whispered. "I heard something shatter."

Her ears rose on their own accord, honing in on any noise.

'No horn being charged or discharged, no hooves, and no wing beats.' She listened. "Wait here, I'll go down and check it out."

He tried to make a reason for him to go but another sound made it's presence known. A ragged breathing, and it was coming up the stairs.

"Spike, get under the bed now." Twilight whispered as she lowered her head, horn glowing brightly. "Now."

He jumped off and watched from underneath as the door opened.

"Twilight!" Big Mac breathed. "Oh thank Celestia yall are aright'!" He breathed.

"Big Macintosh!" She yelled, horn light dissipating. "What are you doing here!?"

He had a hoof to his chest, only know did she see he was sweating profusely.

"Mob... Outside... Angry! Saw... Came to help..." He said between breaths. "There's a few ponies outside, a bunch'a angry ponies."

"What? What do they want?" Twilight asked. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

"Couldn't if they tried." He grinned. "Found this by the window though. Didn't read it."

He placed a rock with a small yellow note on it in front of her. She picked it up and groaned.

"Well, who's it from?" Big Mac asked.

"Take a guess..." She said, turning the note around.

"Why that no good snake!" Big Mac said. "He went and told everypony."

"Spike, I need you to send a letter." Twilight said.

"What? I don't think-"

Twilight gave a stern glare, he nodded before getting out his parchment and quill.

"Dear Princess Celestia,
In the short time I have returned to Ponyville, my friends have already learned to keep my secret, but, it has been found out. When me and..." She stopped and blushed towards Macintosh. "M-My coltfriend, went to dinner, a waiter had spilled soup on me and saw through my ruse. Now, he has a small band of ponies with him and want to, if I were to guess, harm me physically. They have already broken a window by throwing a rock inside. You faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

Spike rolled the parchment up and sent it away.

"Now, were going to need some others." Twilight said. "Spike, are you ready to send some more letters?"

"Do you even have to ask?" He smirked.

"Yes, now begin when I say so."

Two hours later.

Twilight stood outside of the Whispering Oaks Library, the small crowd now have attracted more ponies, but they weren't angry. They were curious to see why all three of the princesses were there alongside the Elements, Shining Armor, Big Macintosh, Twilight's parents, and a small battalion of guards, both Solar and Lunar.

"Citizens of Ponyville," Celestia said, causing the crowds talking to stop. "Me, my sister, my niece and others have gathered here with an important message. But, we are not the ones to say what it is. That, is left to Twilight Sparkle."

"Yeah! She's a bloody changeling!" The former waiter yelled, receiving a glare from Shining Armor.

"Everypony, listen." Twilight said. "How many of you here today have heard of the changeling rumor?"

Nearly every hoof went up.

"Well, I'm here to put those rumors to rest." She said firmly.

Her entire form was surrounded by a column of lavender flames, the audience gasped. Eyes widening further as the flames disappeared.

Twilight stood there, the sun reflecting beautifully off the red in her mane. She looked over the crowd, seeing nothing but shock and hurt from them.

"Yes, what you see is me. But, I'm not a spy or even a changeling trying to replace Twilight. because I am Twilight; there was a-"

"She's a changeling! I told you all! And now, now she's brainwashed the princesses and the guards! She's a monster in society!" The colt yelled again. "I say we get rid of her or make her tell us where the real Twilight is!"

The sudden quiet was now replaced by a noise of voices, the guards tensed up as they moved forward. When the crowd began to take it's first few steps, they were nearly blown back by Big Macintosh.

"Would yall shut up!?" His voice boomed.

The crowd, and ponies there, minus Luna who was nodding encouragingly, stopped dead in they're tracks and stared.

His voice was now amplified to the Royal Canterlot Voice, thanks to Luna. His voice was more threatening, being deeper and more menacing than any mares. His voice shook a few stones loose from the cobblestone, cracked any nearby windows and made everyponies ears ring.

"Now sit! And let her tell yall what happened!" He saw the crowd still standing and cleared his throat. "Ah said sit!"

"T-Thank you Big Macintosh..." Twilight said rather meekly. "What happened, is... There was an accident in Canterlot. It happened five days ago." She said. "It was when a changeling spy had been captured; Princess Celestia had offered to let me study the anatomy of the prisoner... And I accepted." Her ears folded back. "I made a horrible mistake, asking the guards to leave us a-alone..." Her voice cracked as her eyes started to water. "It... It did something horrible to me, and now, I'm a changeling. And it's all because of-"

A rock flew forward and hit her on the jaw, she stumbled and looked forward. The small band of angry ponies were in shock as they looked at the angry former waiter.

"Boo! Bloody! Hoo!" He mocked. "Save the sob stories for somepony who'll believe them!" He spat. "Your a changeling! Your supposed to be good at lying, so why should we believe some bug?" He said as he bounced a rock in his hoof.

Twilight's horn glowed a bright white as her eyes started to arch energy. The rock the colt was bouncing, suddenly turned to ash and fell apart in his hoof. He looked at it wide eyed before glancing nervously at Twilight.

She began trotting forward, the crowd moving out of the way to either avoid her, or the arcane energy pooling around her body.

The colt began to back away, but with a flick of her horn, a stone slab shot up behind him, stopping him in his tracks. He sat there, shaking as she stopped in front of him.

"You don't know my pain..." She hissed. "You have no idea what happened to me!"

She leaned down, her face almost obscured by the light her horn was generating.

"Do you?" She asked.

"N-No..." He whispered.

"And yet you call me the monster." She hissed, a stray bolt of energy hitting a piece of rock next to his head. "I am no monster, the true one resides in front of me. Shaking in fear in front of the victim, from the innocent! I have not injured anypony in my entire life; I helped save Equestria multiple times! Without me, Nightmare Moon would have the land shrouded in darkness, killing you off from hunger and starvation, without me, Discord would be corrupting your minds and using you as chess pieces! Without me! King Sombra would have you all in shackles, torturing you no less. And without me, the princesses and all of Equestria would be nothing but a hive for the changelings."

"Those are the true monsters."She said, letting the energy in her horn die. "If you feel the need to assault a monster, then go fight the changeling queen. The one who gave the order to turn me into this." She turned around, an air of menacing authority around her.

"She's right." Big Macintosh said. "Yall make me sick, yelling and threatening the pony who helped save your flanks more times than ya remember. And you," he turned towards the colt. He walked up to him and lifted him up the slab by his throat. "If ya even threaten her again," he leaned forward. "Chrysalis will be the least of yall's problems." He let the colt fall to the ground before lashing out with a hoof at the stone. It shattered right above the colt making him yelp and run away.

He only made it ten steps before falling to the ground.

"Now then," Celestia said. "She is indeed the real Twilight Sparkle, and there was an accident. So, I expect you all to treat her as you would do every other day. With kindness and respect. Any threats or if I hear of a assault, I will punish you personally. And harshly." She said, nothing but ice lacing her words.

"Well Princess," Twilight said. "I think this concludes today's meeting."

"Agreed." The alabaster alicorn replied.

She, Luna and Cadence spread their wings and took off towards Canterlot. Leaving the Elements, Big Macintosh, Shining armor to run after his wife as she flew quickly overhead, Twilight's parents and Spike.

"So, does anypony want tea?" Twilight asked.

Author's Note

Sorry for not updating in a LONG time! Stupid schoolwork... But, it must be done. So, to prevent it from happening again. I have a schedule.
I will put Jack Frost on hiatus, work when I'm not working on this on My Little Dead Space. But, a certain topic has been bugging me. (No pun intended.)

A spot of tea.

A spot of tea.

The entire room was silent.

"So," Twilight began, sipping her tea through a straw. "How has life been in Canterlot?"

"Good, good." Her dad said. "Learn anything new?"

"What it means to be more than a friend and what a pony in love is capable of doing." She said.

"Eeyup." Big Mac replied, sitting with one leg crossed as he sipped his. "Sorry bout' hurtin ya son, but ah went easy on him. Knowin' he's your son and all."

"Thank you for that." Twilight's mother said. "So, your the one who's dating my daughter?" She asked.

His ears splayed back against his head as he grinned nervously. "Eeyup. And she kissed me first if ya want to know." He said, making her father chuckle.

"I-I didn't mean to!" Twilight stammered. "It was only going to be a peck on the cheek but then Spike came in and he turned his head!"

"It's alright, no need to make up stuff." Her father said. "Everypony just has to act, not think sometimes."

"But-"

"Relax, that's how I met your mother. It was a spring evening, and I was getting some groceries when I bumped into her. So, right then, I asked her out. Well, after she winked and flirted a little with me." He smiled. "So, back to this strapping looking fellow. If you were to marry her, would your occupation be good?"

"Eeyup."

"What about a residence? Can you get one?"

"Eeyup."

"What about taxes or groceries, would that be covered?"

"Eeyup." He then finished his tea.

"You don't say that much, do you?"

"Eenope."

He smiled and chuckled when he saw Big Mac's grin. Twilight and her mother shared a, 'It's a stallion thing' look with each other.

"You got one with a sense of humor, I like that." He said. "So, how has life been for you?" He asked Twilight.

"Good, aside from earlier events." She shivered, her wings fluttering slightly. "But good."

Another pause, this time, Fluttershy spoke.

"S-So... You're Twilight's parents?"

"Yes, and you must be Fluttershy." Twilight's mother asked. "She has told us so much about you. Like how you take care of the animals, how nice you are."

"O-Oh... Well, thank you." Fluttershy said.

"Well," Twilight's father said. "I must say, you becoming a changeling is quite the shocker. Your mother went pale when she heard there was an accident. I nearly choked on my coffee from laughter after she calmed down."

"I'm sure it was very funny to see mom pass out." Twilight said. "Did you and atleast try and comfort her?"

"I told her I was laughing with her, not at her. And then I patted her on the back a few times."

"I wasn't laughing." His wife said, sipping daintily from her cup.

"How about a change of subject!?" He said. "So, Big Mac, I've only been down to the farm once or twice. You still having those..." He looked at his wife, she had a brow raised. he cupped her ears with his hooves. "Matches?"

"Ya know it." Big Mac said. "And quit coverin' ponies ears, we've been over that."

He uncupped his wife's ears and she gave him and small hit on the back of the head.

"So, sweetie," Twilight's mother began. "Can you do anything new now that your a changeling?"

"I can walk on walls and the ceiling. I still haven't learned to fly yet. I kind of wish I could."

"I could teach you." Fluttershy said. "If that's ok with you...?"

"Really? Thanks Fluttershy." Twilight said. "Now I know you could offer me a better plan than Rainbow Dash."

"My plan was fool proof!" Rainbow said.

"Yeah, was and fool bein' the key words." Applejack smirked. "Your plan was heavier in the air than the cement ya had the ponies carry."

"I'd like to see you try and help others physically." Rainbow shot back.

"Ah do. That's why ah let other ponies help on the farm."

Rainbow Rolled her eyes, sticking her tongue out.

"Twilight," her father said, setting down his cup. "Have you been to one of those... Matches?" He asked.

"I've been wondering about that. What matches?" She asked.

Everypony gasped, staring at her.

"Ya never seen any of the matches?" Big Mac asked. "Ah've seen everypony go, even Princess Luna once or twice. Except she was joining them..." He shook his head, recalling a bad memory. "Word of advice, if ya fight her, don't call her tiny."

"Ok... So, it's a wrestling competition?" She asked.

"Eenope. No competition. Just for kicks, uh, no pun intended." He smiled.

"How could be, beating each other up be fun?" She asked. "Your not a masochist, are you?"

"Eenope!" He quickly said. "It's more of a stallion thing. Ya wouldn't understand."

Spike face-clawed at the last word.

"Wouldn't understand?" She said. "Fine, I'll go see the next one. So, when is it and where?"

"Tomorrow night at the barn. As usual." Rainbow Dash said.

"Fine then, it's settled." She said. "I'm going to see what this is all about. Now, who wants crumpets?"

The room of ponies raised there hooves. And one claw.

You don't want to make me angry; you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

"I still cant believe you haven't even heard of them." Spike sighed. "Even I've been to them! And participated!"

"You what?" Twilight turned to him.

"Well yeah," he shrugged. "Everyone in town has. I do the light-weights. You'd be... Actually, I'd better not say."

"What would I be?" She asked.

He looked at the floor, kicking a pebble away, he only glanced up once. She followed his sight and saw the oversized Bon Bon on her nightstand. Her jaw dropped and gave a snort at him before going downstairs.

"I cannot believe you would think that!" She yelled up.

"I'm sorry!" He yelled running down. "The proof is in the-"

"Finish that and you don't get the rest of it."

He stopped before frowning.

"Now that's just cruel and unusual punishment." He said hopping onto her back. "So, are you thinking of trying out?"

"What? Of course not." She said. "Why would I want to join a wrestling match? I'm just going to watch."

"You're going to see Big Mac all sweaty, aren't you?" Spike said flatly.

"For science. Nothing more, nothing less." She said opening the door. "Do you want to teleport or trot?"

"Teleporting would be better considering you took up three and forty-nine minutes of our time. So, we have two minutes before everything kicks off."

"What!? Why didn't you tell me earlier!?" She yelled grabbing him by the cheeks.

"You were eating that Bon Bon." He said. "Now hurry up! The champion is supposed to be there tonight!"

She lit up her horn and in a flash, the quiet of the night was replaced by a wave of cheers and mugs clinking.

"Ah was wonderin' when yall would show up." Big Mac said.

Twilight opened her eyes and saw him looking down at her. She got up and looked around, speaking to him at the same time.

"You really like this stuff don't you?" She asked.

The barn had been decorated with lights, a large ring in the center, Pinkie running through multiple concession stands outside and inside. And the crowd was huge, all off them sitting in bleachers surrounding every wall but the entrance even up on the ceiling, some pegasai and unicorns looked down. Three of them Twilight knew.

"Ya know," Big Mac said. "Ah do this cause' apples don't just pay the bills. Plus, it's fun." He laughed. "Ah think it's startin, there's a seat right where your at."

She looked down and saw she was in a seat, Spike was looking up at her from the floor. He grabbed a tray and began going around with Pinkie, selling concessions and drinks.

"Alright, settle down everypony!" Mr. Cake said from in the ring. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie, a silver microphone in his hoof. "Tonight we're doing a special! Since we've got a new pony here, let's give it up to Twilight Sparkle!"

A large light was pushed in her direction and she smiled faintly when everypony in the room gave a few whistles and cheers. Big Mac smiled, but had a small frown whenever he heard a whistle.

"Tonight! Well be picking contestants from the stands! Can I have a raise of hooves-"

"And a claw!" Spike yelled as he passed by.

"Yes Spike, and a claw. To see who wants to come up!"

Half the barns hooves went up, Twilight looked over at Big Mac and saw his hoof raised too. He saw her looking and grinned.

"Ok! Junebug and Roseluck! Come on down!" Mr. Cake called out.

The two mares smiled at each other as they came down talking back and forth. But when the first hoof hit the ring, they began to glare and some Fillies ears had to be covered.

"Alright ladies, I want a good clean fight. now biting or scratching, got it?" He asked.

They merely gave a snort before the bell dinged.

They clashed hooves, hitting wildly. Roseluck charged forward smashing her head against Junebug's. She fell down disoriented and recovered as Roseluck jumped. Junebug got on her back and bucked with her back legs.

Roseluck was flung out of the ring, she shook her head before jumping back in.

She charged Junebug and stopped at the last second as Junebug threw a uppercut. She grabbed Junebug's leg and threw her over herself. She got on top of Junebug, putting her in a headlock.

Junebug sputtered and turned blue before her head went limp. Roseluck got off and a unicorn came up to her friend. After he left, they both trotted happily back to their seats.

Twilight was left slightly speechless while Big Macintosh was chuckling.

"You do that!" Twilight yelled, throwing her fore-legs in the air. "Where's the fun in getting senselessly beaten to a pulp!?"

As she ranted, she failed to notice Mr. Cake announcing a new tournament.

"Raise your hooves for the competition!" He yelled.

Every hoof went down, the only ones up were Twilight's as she finished her rant.

"It seems we have a contestant! Twilight Sparkle! Come on down!"

She stopped and looked around, eyes wide as she tried to slink back into her seat. As the crowd began to cheer, she was silently mouthing numerous no's.

"Come on Twi," Big Mac said. "If ya lucky, you'll just get a few scratches."

She looked at him, eyes narrowed. He rolled his before taking her by the scruff of her neck and carrying her down to the ring.

"Put me down!" She insisted. "I don't want to fight! I was yelling at you!"

He merely shrugged before putting her in the ring and winking.

"Listen, ah need to go, tell me if ya beta anypony when ah come back." He whispered.

He left her there and exited the barn. She sat there looking dumbfounded.

"The first opponent is..." Mr. Cake yelled. "Applebloom?"

The crowd gasped, some of them hiding behind each other as the small filly came trotting onto the ring. Her mane undone, hanging loosely over her night gown. She waved Mr. Cake down and whispered something in his ear before leaving.

"It seems she has school in the morning and needs her rest." He spoke. "Alright, the other contestant is... Fluttershy!"

Twilight's jaw dropped even further.

'How am I supposed to beat Fluttershy in a wrestling match!?' She thought, watching her friend descend down from the rafter. 'I've seen her fling a grown grizzly around like a doll!'

Fluttershy landed with as much grace as a rose petal falling. She hid behind her mane, shaking the ring as nervous tremors overtook her.

"Alright ladies, I want a dirty fight. Go at it until there's a KO, got it?"

"KO!?" Twilight yelled.

"Oh... I'll go easy on you... If that's ok with you?" Fluttershy asked.

"I can't-"

"Fight!" Mr. Cake yelled jumping out from the ring.

Twilight's eyes turned to pinpricks as she saw her normally shy friend, glare and jump at her.

Twilight gave a pitiful scream as she jumped out of the way from her friend's hit. She looked back to see Fluttershy pull her hoof out from the hole in the floor. She gave a snort with visible steam.

"Fluttershy! Come on!" Twilight said backing up. "Can't we just forget about this?" She hit the ropes and gulped as Fluttershy shook her head. "F-Fine..." Twilight closed her eyes before jumping out.

She heard Fluttershy squeak in surprise as her hoof hit something soft. She opened her eyes and saw Fluttershy laying on the ground, her tongue partially poking out from between her teeth.

"Fluttershy! Come on! Wake up!" Twilight panicked.

A unicorn came up onto the ring and put a hoof to her neck. he raised one hoof and the crowd burst into cheers. The unicorn carried Fluttershy away and Mr. Cake came back up.

"Winner Twilight Sparkle!" He announced. "Her next opponent is... Feather Weight!"

The crowd gasped again before putting up wooden barricades, small eyeslot's showing for each of their individual heights.

Feather Weight came up onto stage, a strong glare plastered on his small muzzle as he cracked his neck with a loud snap. Twilight stared at him for a second, confused.

"Your so dead." Spike commented as he walked by.

Twilight gaped at him, he shrugged and sat down at the front of the ring.

"Fight!"

Feather Weight zigzagged every way in front of her, becoming a blur of fury as he began to hit her.

His hits were nothing to her but mere bumps, seeing her sit there he stopped and looked at his hooves in confusion.

"My hooves usually leave red marks like bee stings, why aren't you on the ground?" He asked with a stomp.

"I guess it's my carapace?" She said.

"Your what?"

She engulfed herself in lavender flames, his eyes widened as her disguise faded. Everyone in the stands gasped.

"Oh come on!" She yelled. "We went over this yesterday!"

"Wow! Your a changeling! Awesome... Wait, your just absorbing my hits?" Feather weight asked.

"I guess my shell is too hard." She said. 'I wonder if I do it hard enough...'

She stuck a hoof out over him and gave a strong tap. His eyes rolled up in his head before he slumped to the ground.

The unicorn picked him up and carried him off.

Mr. Cake came back up, a curious expression on his muzzle as he stopped in front of her.

'This is actually kind of easy.' Twilight thought.

"Next opponent... Snowflake!" Mr. Cake yelled jumping off again.

'Horse apples!'

The buff snow white pony jumped down from the rafters, causing the ring to shake from his bulk. He stared dead ahead with his red eyes, looking down at her he made an I'm watching you motion.

She wrapped her holed tail around her legs and looked towards the stands at an odd couple.

"Kick her flank sugarlump!" Vinyl yelled, a clearly annoyed Octavia next to her was drinking profusely. "Show that book worm shes nothing!"

"Yeah!" He yelled. "Nothing but an insect to squish!"

"Nothing...?" Twilight said, her eye twitching. "Nothing!" She yelled.

As Mr. Cake yelled for them to start, she beat her wings and rocketed towards the surprised pegasus. She grabbed him by the throat with a hoof before slamming him down forcefully.

"I am not nothing!" She yelled.

He struck out with a hoof and hit her in the muzzle, expecting her to let go, he tried to get up but only saw her eyes narrow. He didn't leave a scratch.

She lifted him up and threw into the air before using both of her fore-legs to swipe him into the ropes. he stretched them and was sent right back at her.

She stood right in front of him, a hoof arched back. Before he reached her, she struck out with as much force as she could muster. He stopped in the air before falling down, his head falling to the side.

He raised his head slightly before his eyes widened; she picked him up and threw him down. After the hit, his head finally fell back and he only twitched once.

"Next opponent!" Mr. Cake yelled. "The champion for three years now, Big Macintosh!"

Twilight's jaw dropped as she saw her coltfriend walk in. His jaw dropped with a pop when he saw her still in the ring.

"Twilight!? What are a still doin' in there?" He asked as he climbed up. "Ah would have thought Snowflake could have beaten' ya."

"Mr. Cake," Twilight said. "I-I cant fight him! he's my coltfriend!"

"Well, this is awkward." Mr. Cake whistled. "Um... I cant do anything but let you two duke it out. Sorry."

"Um, Twilight, if it makes ya feel any better, ah'll go easy on ya." Big Mac said.

"Actually, I was going to say the same thing." She said. "Now I see why you do this, it's so exciting!" She smiled. "Don't worry, You'll still be able to work after I'm done."

Big Mac's face turned from shock to a joyous sneer.

"Ma'h ma told me to never hit a mare," he said. "But ah can make an exception for ma'h marefriend."

They didn't bother to wait for Mr. Cake, they both ran at each other. Big Mac having the advantage as he wrapped his hooves around her and slammed her down. She retaliated with a buck in the farmers apples.

"I am so sorry! Are you alright!?" She asked as he cradled his produce.

"Eeyup!" He said giving her an uppercut.

She fell back, rubbing her jaw with a smile.

"It's gonna take more than a buck to take me down." He said.

She merely smiled before charging again.

He ran forward too and attempted to grab her, but she slid underneath and furiously began hitting him below the ribs. He doubled over from the multiple hits in his diaphragm.

She lifted him by the back legs and began to spin him, hitting the ring a few times before letting go. He flew into the ropes, dazed and disoriented. he shook his head as he watched her approach, a seductive sway in her trot.

"Well, come on, what are you waiting for? An invitation?" She asked with a pout.

"Did ah tell ya your cute when your angry?" He asked getting out. "Heck of a punch, whoo." He chuckled.

She rolled her eyes before dodging another swing from him.

"How about we make this interesting?" She said.

She coated herself in lavender flames, and when they disappeared, Pinkie was standing there. She grinned widely.

"Hey Big Mac!" She said. "Where's Twilight?" She asked.

"Very funny." He said before swinging again.

She dodged it fluently, giggling as he swung again.

He gave a snort before charging, sh sidestepped and let him keep running. He turned around and repeated it, she sidestepped again.

"Aright' are ya gonna fight? Or are ya gonna dance?" He asked as he unleashed multiple swings. "Atleast hold still!"

She shook her head in amusement, dodging every swing he took.

Se continued her dance for a few minutes, dodging him and stepping past him when he charged, after five or six minutes, she dropped the disguise and approached him.

"I love you, you know what?" She asked.

He merely panted, barely holding himself up. He only blinked in response.

She gave him a kiss on the nose before forcefully slamming both of her hooves against the sides of his head. His eyes widened before he fell into her embrace.

She carried him off herself, letting Mr. Cake congratulate her while she put him back in his seat.

As she went up, she didn't notice Ditzy's eyes flash a bright green.

"Well done, Sparkle." She said before her eyes went back to normal. "What's going on?" Ditzy asked looking around. "Hey Spike!"

He looked over at her and quickly ran up.

"Do you have an Advil?" She asked.

"Sorry, no." He said. "How about some gingerale and a breakfast muffin?"

"Sure!"

Author's Note

Yes, Ditzy was being mind controlled. Ditzy was not replaced, she is still very much her loveable self.

Twilight hates racism... So does the author; Pinkie know's that for certain.

Twilight bit her lip, looking down at Big Macintosh she sighed.

He had a roll of gauze wrapped around his head, and a lump on each side.

"Whew," Applejack whistled as she sat next to the changeling. "Ah ain't never seen a pony do this before. Not even Applebloom."

"Is he going to be alright?" Twilight asked glancing at the orange mare.

"He'll be fine." She replied. "Remember how he injured himself during that one harvest? The branch didn't just land on his back, he was looking up when it happened. It got him between the eyes and then most of the blow hit him on the back."

"B-But... Is he going to be alright?" Twilight asked again.

"E-Eeyup..." Came a small response.

"Big Mac!" Twilight yelled as she wrapped him in a hug.

With a huff all the air in his lungs was forced out, his eyes switched tot he sides, trying to find the problem. He looked down and saw a black shell, a pair of bright violet eyes staring at him.

"Uh, Twilight, ah think he needs some air. His coat is turnin' a bit dark." Applejack said.

Twilight let go and Big Mac fell back in the bed, breathing in deep breathes he forced a smile towards her.

"Howdy," he grinned. "Why Am ah in a bed? Wait..." He crossed his eyes a strange look forming on his face. "Who am ah? Where am ah? Who are yall?" he asked pointing a trembling hoof at them.

Twilight shot back, eyes wide, Applejack's jaw dropped.

And then he began to laugh. They both turned red in the cheeks, glaring at him. Twilight hit him on the back on the head while Applejack hit him a few times in the chest with her hat.

"Big Mac, that was horrible!" Twilight yelled at him, crossing her fore-legs she looked down at the floor.

"Twilight," he said. "Did ah tell ya your cute when your angry?"

"Yes, right before I kicked your flank." She smirked as his grin disappeared.

"Hey now, your the one who turned into Pinkie." He said. "Ya know nopony could catch her."

"Did I?" Twilight asked with a smile.

"Ya could atleast go get some medicine from the cabnit." He said turning over. "Or maybe somethin' to wet ma'h whistle..."

"I already have something for that." Twilight said.

Applejack looked over at her friend, a confused look on her face.

Big Mac rolled back over and his eyes widened again.

Twilight wrapped her fore-legs around his neck, his muscles tensed before he sunk into the kiss. Twilight pulled away with a small smile, she looked at the floor in embarrassment. Big Mac was still stunned but a had a lazy smile on his lips.

"Twilight!" Applejack yelled snapping them both out of their thought's. "Now that was just-"

Big Mac leaned forward and wrapped his screaming sister in a two legged hug. Twilight stood there, not sure to laugh or gasp.

"Ah'd suggest ya start runnin' before she get's free." Big Mac said simply.

Twilight opened the door and quickly shut it. Laughing the whole way down the stairs she heard a thud and a door being slammed open. She jumped down the rest before running through the front door.

She charged her horn and disappeared in a flash, leaving a mad Applejack to stomp and curse in front of the porch.

"When ah get ma'h hooves on her!" She yelled. "Ah'll buck her into next week!"

"Sis, that was a lot of fancy words ya just used." Applebloom said as she and the other crusaders stood in shock.

Whispering Oak's library

Spike was reading through a tome on changelings, a steadily growing stack of notes were next to him.

A flash went unnoticed behind him, he paused and rubbed his claw before getting off from the chair. He stopped and stared at Twilight for a second.

"I'm guessing Big Mac is awake?" He asked. "Are you alright...? You seem flustered."

"I'm fine, and yes, he did wake up." She smiled. "Wow, I was there all morning." She said looking out the window.

"Yeah," he shrugged taking an interest to the light. "I guess we both were."

"We?" She questioned. "What were you doing? I thought you always slept in when I'm not here?"

"And I thought I'd never have to help find a cure for a condition never heard of in history." He replied rolling his eyes. "I've been gathering more notes, I was about to take a break when you teleported in." He said nodding towards the stack of paper.

"Wow, your staying up to help me?" She asked reading over them. "Wow, this is impressive and informative. Good work Spike!" she grinned taking on her unicorn form again. "Are you hungry? I didn't get breakfast this morning."

"Sure, but how about after we go shopping?" He smiled. "Some of the fruits and vegetables were too bruised to use after the break-in. I was going to go out myself, but having you with me would make things easier."

She smiled before patting his head spines. As he ran to get a parchment, she sighed in relaxation, looking out the window she stared out at the bustling town.

Spike tapped her on the fore-leg, she stood and he jumped onto her back. She picked up her saddlebags and put her bits into the right one.

Twilight opened the door with a flick of magic and locked it with another. Humming a small tune while feeling the warm breeze go along her fake coat brought a small smile to her lips.

'This day can't possibly get any better.' She thought. 'Unless the cure is found...' She sighed.

As they neared the market, she noticed a dark grey earth pony come out from an alley. She ignored him and kept trotting ahead, listening to the other resident's talk about the day.

Once she had entered the market, the talking had turned into a mere whisper. She stopped and checked the list.

"Come on Spike, let's see if Carrot Top got that new shipment." She said trotting in the carrot vendor's direction.

The ponies she passed glanced down at the ground almost as if shamed to be near her, she gave forced smiles as they meekly gave a hello.

"Hello Carrot Top," Twilight greeted. "Could I get four of the fresh crop?"

"I-I'm' sorry..." The mare said looking away. "I-I can't sell to you. I would if I could... Really, I am."

"What do you mean you can't sell to me?" Twilight asked. "Is there something wrong?"

"Twilight, I get my crops from Canterlot, and the ponies there don't appreciate me selling to a changeling, even if you are Equestria's savior. I'm sorry, I really am." She replied sniffling. "When I heard, I was torn, either be out of the job or I can keep selling... But at a cost."

"S-So, you can't sell anything to me because you'd be fired?" Twilight asked.

"As stupid as it is, yes."

"Well, alright, I'll be on my way then." Twilight said lightly trotting away.

As they went to the stalls, Twilight and Spike got the same reply. Twilight left the last stall in sorrow, hanging her head low she began her trek home.

She was taken by surprise when a green pegasus swept in and took the saddle bags off from her shoulders.

"Hey!" Twilight yelled at the pony. "Come back here!"

He merely snickered, but that fell when he realized he had a unnamed passenger. A very mad passenger.

Spike climbed up onto the stallion's back and grabbed a wing before biting down. The stallion's wings shot to his side in an instant, they both fell down to the ground in a tangle of wings, legs, and arms.

Twilight rushed over and stopped when she saw Spike emerge from the mess, saddle bags in one arm while the other was against his side. He spit out a mouth of feathers before smiling.

She was about to scold him when the pegasus got up, a crazed look in his eyes. Twilight was charging her horn when the stallion went cross eyed and fell, behind him was a dark grey stallion holding a wooden plank.

He picked up Spike and set him on his own back before walking up to Twilight.

"I presume you are Twilight Sparkle?" He spoke with a Trottingham accent.

"Yes," she replied. "Thank you for that, I couldn't have imagined what he would have done to Spike." She said placing the small draconian on her back with her magic. "Who are you though?"

"Me?" He smiled. "I'm the pony here to help; as soon as I heard about what happened, I came galloping over." He said. "Not once has a pony in recorded history been turned into a changeling." He said.

"But, how are you going to help me then?" She asked suspiciously.

"I did say recorded history," he said simply. "Would you care if I accompany you back to your residence? I want to start immediately."

"Start what, exactly?" She asked trotting forward.

"Just a few tests, but those are for my associate later. She will arrive in the morning." He said. "So, would you happen to know of anywhere I could stay?"

"You could stay at the library, there's a guest bed in there."

"Well that sounds delightful," he grinned. "My name is Brown Recluse." He said. "Ironic considering that I'm grey." He laughed. "The reason for that is because there was an accident at a science fair when I was a colt. One second I'm just standing alone, the next I hear a crack and I'm covered in chemicals." He stopped and shook his head.

"That's horrible." She said. "You weren't hurt? Were you?"

"No, no," he said. "Only colored. It didn't taste very good though, I'll tell you that much." He laughed. "Oh, is this the library? Whispering Oak's? You know, I recall going to a theme park by that name. I loved the roller coaster, The Screaming Oak I think it was called?"

"Really?" She asked. "That's interesting." She said opening the door.

"Finally, home sweet home." Spike sighed jumping off from his caretaker. "I'll be right back, I'm getting some ice and then I'm going to sleep."

Twilight watched with a frown as he walked away, cradling his arm. She sighed shaking her head.

"He's very brave," Brown said. "You should be proud to have him for a personal servant."

"Personal servant!?" Twilight yelled. "He is anything, but that!" She yelled pointing a hoof at him.

"My apologizes," he said. "Poor choice of words, it's just a normal assistant wouldn't have done that. Atleast willfully, and completely disregarding their well being for another's personal belonging's."

"Yes, well, he's not a normal assistant. He's my number one assistant." She said watching him smirk at the doorway. "But he's going to the hospital tomorrow and he's getting grounded for pulling a stunt like that."

"Well fine!" He threw his one good arm in the air. "Next time, I'll just let the thief get away with all of our money!" He grumbled trudging up the stairs.

"Now, just go up-" Twilight was saying before Spike screamed and ran down the stairs.

"Twilight! Twilight!" He yelled pulling her head down by the ears. "There's a cockroach in the bedroom!"

"A cockroach has got you all worked up?" She asked in disbelief. "Didn't you just take down a thief?"

"No Twilight," he said through his teeth. "It is a very big, black, bug. A very dangerous, bug." He said raising the scales above his eyes to emphasize his point.

Her eyes widened in anger, she nodded and excused herself from the room.

Lavender flames crawled along her body before resting at her eyes, she nearly took the door off it's hinges when she opened it. She gritted her teeth when she saw the changeling standing in the middle of her room.

"I thought I told you-"

"Quiet!" He whispered. "Mare need's to be quiet, it's not safe." He said eyes switching back and forth.

"The only one in danger here is you." She said.

"I remember your earlier threat, so if I came back, even with the promise of death, what do you think I came to warn you about?" He asked with a small amount of pride.

"I don't know, but if death couldn't keep you away, then what is it?" She asked glaring at him.

"Old queen has sent spy here," he said. "He plans to kidnap mare, leave another drone to take your place afterwards. I do not know his identity, but I can help look for him. If you would allow it...?" He bowed.

"Fine, if it will keep you away from me, go and look for this spy." She said. "Just don't go harassing ponies."

"I will not need to be near any," he said tapping his horn. "I cans sense- he's here!" He said suddenly.

"What are you talking about? How can he be..." She trailed off as she remembered Brown coming from the alleyway, watching her. "He's down there with Spike!" She gasped.

"I wouldn't worry about him, you won't be seeing him for quite a while. That and he's taking a nap at the moment." Chuckled a scratchy voice.

Twilight fell with a muffled cry, a quick flash of green appeared behind her. There stood Brown Recluse, a black holed horn glowing on his fore-head.

"No!" The changeling yelled charging.

The stallion smirked before blasting the drone into a wall. He slumped against the wood, a small moan coming from him.

"I expected more of a challenge, really." He sighed. "Not that I don't mind." He flashed a fanged grin, his eyes gleaming with a green light. "I've got her my queen." He said. "I'll take care of the drone and transport her to the hive."

He opened the closet and took a piece of fabric out, ripping it he tied it around the changeling's torso and muzzle before throwing him in. He looked over at Twilight, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"I hope you'll enjoy your new home," he said. "My queen."

A stallion's gotta do, what a stallion's gotta do.

Applejack stared down at her brother. Glaring at the sleeping behemoth.

She looked at her own reflection on the blade, smirking she lowered it to his face. Her smile grew wider as she brought her leg back.

Bic Mac shot up when his sister started hitting a bell over him. He looked around wildly before spotting his sister on the ground, a bell and butter knife by her side.

"Didn't granny ever tell ya it's not nice to wake a pony up like that?" Mac asked with a snort.

"She told me to wake ya up like this!" Applejack laughed. "But just think of this as payback for holdin' me."

"Ya were tryin' to tear ma'h marefriends head off." He said. "Ah think that would have hurt our relationship quite a bit."

"Well, if ya are so worried bout' her, go and check up on her. She got mugged yesterday and Spike broke his arm, actin' like some hero. Ah feel kinda' bad for the thief though... Spike managed to bite through his wing entirely." She shuddered noticeably. "He's gonna be one heck of a dragon when he grows up."

"Eeyup." Mac nodded climbing out of his bed.

He cracked his neck, took off his bandages, and threw his pillow on his sister before heading downstairs.

His mouth watered at the smell of fresh oatmeal. Quickly, he galloped the rest of the way down, hitting the floor with a slight tremor. He trotted into the dinning room and took his seat next to Applebloom.

"Mornin' granny, mornin' lil' sis." He greeted them both.

"Mornin' Mac!" Chirped the little filly brightly even though she had bags under her eyes. "Here, ya can take ma'h second helping, ah don't fell like seconds." She said sliding her brother a fresh bowl of oatmeal.

He patted her on the head before taking the spoon in his hoof. He scooped a little oatmeal out and put it to his mouth. He stopped and looked to the spoon to the bowl, he let his eyes rest on the bowl before dumping what little was on the spoon into the bowl.

He snuck a glance over at Granny Smith and saw her asleep, quietly snoring in her chair. His sister's weren't there to tease him, so, he lifted the bowl with a hoof and tilted his head back, letting the warm oats flow down into his stomach.

He nearly choked when a wooden spoon connected with his head. He lowered the bowl and looked around.

"AJ? You there?" He asked. "Bloom? Anypony?"

Not a conscious soul was about or could be heard, he shifted in his seat slightly before getting up and putting his bowl in the sink.

As he was leaving, he didn't notice the small smile on Granny Smith's face.

Front gate.

Big Macintosh looked back over at the farm house, he licked his lips. Nervously, he stepped off the property, for once in his life forgetting his work, but he smiled when he realized it was for Twilight.

Whispering Oak's Library.

Spike groaned, letting a few dry coughs out as he rolled over.

He shot up, with a yell he gently rubbed his arm. He looked down with blurry eyes and saw a patch of scales darker than the rest. Shaking his head he got up using his good arm for support.

As he was walking to the kitchen, he stopped and felt his breath catch in his throat.

"The stallion... Twilight!" He yelled making a sprint for the stairs. "Twilight! Please, be up there... Please." He said quietly as he stomped up the wooden stairs.

He slung the door open and wildly looked around. Rubbing a claw against his other one as it dangled uselessly, he gulped before stepping in.

"T-Twilight...?" He hissed. "Twilight, are you alright?"

A yawn made him jump, he looked forward with dread as the covers on her bed rose, the pillow on top acting like a head for whatever was under there.

It fell off and he screamed.

Twilight fell to the ground, clutching her ears, eyes and muzzle scrunched up in pain. Once his voice died down, he stopped and rushed to her side.

"Twilight! Twilight, say something! Anything!" He yelled shaking her shoulders.

"...When are you going to hit puberty?" She smiled at him. "I hope it's soon if you decided to wake me up like this everyday."

"You... That wasn't me." He said feeling his cheeks heat up. "It must have been Rarity. She probably found something crawling on her leg again."

"Right," she rolled her eyes. "Now, come on, we still have to go to the hospital to see about your broken arm."

"It's not broken, it might just be twisted." He muttered.

"Ok then, I'd guess you would mind picking up my mane brush then?" She asked. "If it's just sprained it shouldn't hurt that much anyway."

He looked over at her dresser and back to her, he sighed before climbing onto the bed and then onto her back.

"Fine, to the hospital." He grumbled.

"Good, but first just let me-"

The bedroom door was smashed open. Splinters flew everywhere as the one who caused it entered in a roll and daze.

Big Mac was getting up, brushing a few wood chips out of his coat he looked around defensively. He snorted before noticing the shocked Twilight in the bed, Spike behind her standing slack-jawed.

"B-Big Macintosh!" Twilight yelled out. "Why did you just break down my bedroom door?"

"Ah heard a mare scream." He said. "Ah thought ya were in trouble. Guess not..."

"No, of course not, that scream was Spike." She said to her assistants embarrassment.

"It was Rarity!" He yelled. "C-Can we just go tot he hospital before I overheat?" He asked looking to the ground. "Or before you two get idea's, here, in Twilight's bedroom."

"Spike!" Twilight scolded, cheeks blushing furiously. "Enough of that!"

"Ah'm already on it." Big Mac snickered alongside Spike.

"I have half a nerve to hit you both!" She said. "But I did knock you unconscious and I got to see Spike scream like a mare. I think that's enough; now just let me brush my mane a bit and get my saddle bags."

"Hey, Twi, couldn't you just magic your look to normal?" Spike asked. "Wait... Who was that stallion you brought in here last night? I didn't see him this morning."

"What stallion?" Big Mac asked furrowing his brow.

"I don't know what your talking about." She said. "What stallion?"

"The one that knocked me out, and then went after you!" He yelled angrily.

"Spike," she said putting a hoof on his back. "You hit your head on the fall. I didn't meet any stallion yesterday, you can ask anypony. Even Pinkie would tell you, and she wasn't even there."

He looked at her and then at his arm, sighing he nodded. Climbing onto her back again, he leaned back on her fur.

"You know," he said. "The other townsfolk won't get used to you if you don't show off your new look."

"I...Well I... I'm just not comfortable at the moment." She said. "Come on, we need to go. There's no telling how badly damaged your arm is." In a few spurts of green flame, her mane was the normal flat and solid line cut.

"Come on, if we hurry there should be less ponies out. I don't feel like having to explain what that scream was." She said nuzzling him in the side.

"It probably woke everypony up." Big Mac said.

"You know," Spike growled. "I could flambe you both in a second, or even send half of you to Princess Celestia or even Luna."

"You wouldn't do that," Twilight said with a role of her eyes. "You love me to much. And you know how much I love Big Mac." She said casting him a wink. "And he knows it too."

As he gave a snicker, and Spike following it up with a gag, the trio quickly trotted down the stairs. Twilight stopping to see the large hoof-prints in the stairs; she shook her head as she stepped into the large impressions.

She quickly opened the door, looking out she saw a few resident's inspecting cracked or broken windows. As they all exited, Spike seemed to slink further into her magic made mane. She also felt him begin to heat up with each window they passed.

Within minutes of quick trotting, small conversation with other residents, a few quirky comments passed between each other, and a quick stop when Spike fell on his bad arm. They had arrived at the hospital grounds.

The building was still under repair, but it was being done quickly. Other than rubble and dust drafting down into the trimmed grass below, or the crash site where Rainbow Dash flew through the wall causing the problems and damages, it was still a respectable sight.

Quickly, they made their way to the doors and entered.

The white mare behind the counter looked up and gave a small smile, staring at Spike she quickly let out a gasp and called for a doctor. And, to the trio's confusion, and frustration, a veterinarian.

A doctor was quickly scanning his arm, nurses were wrapping gauze and attaching a splint to it. In moments, Spike was standing with a cast on his arm, and in his other claw was a sucker.

"Um... Thanks?" He said eating the sucker in a bite. "Doctor... What's your name?" He asked the doctor as he climbed onto Twilight's back.

"Amputation. Doctor Amputation." He said with a small smile before trotting away.

The trio stood in shock, quickly they left, not looking back Spike loosened his grip on Twilight.

"I don't think I trust that doctors diagnosis." Twilight said as they trotted briskly along the cobblestone path.

"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed. "Nother' reason why ah don't like hospitals. They give ya the wrong type of pony for the job."

"Remind me not to break any more bones, will you Twi?" Spike asked.

"I will. Ugh, this one hair keeps getting in my eye." She huffed. "Give me a second, I really have to concentrate on the small details."

Big Mac was about to look away, but he paused momentarily when he saw the flame, something he hadn't noticed before.

The flame, a mere flicker, but he saw it. It was green, not her lavender flame, but a lime-green.

'No...' He thought. 'Maybe she just changed the color... Or it's a late-effect.' He thought reassuringly.

"Well, that was quick." Twilight said snapping him out of his thoughts. "I didn't know the library was this close to the hospital."

He looked up at the tree/library/house and glancing back at her as she entered. He felt the hair on his neck stand on end, he shivered slightly, but out of a new found sense of nervousness.

He entered the library, he could hear Twilight in the kitchen. Spike was sitting at a chair by the dining table, lazily flipping through a Gem's Weekly magazine.

As she was making who knows what in the kitchen, he looked up to the ceiling when he heard a faint sound.

He ignored it and began to look around.

The books were in the proper places, the shelves were devoid of any dust, the quills and parchment were arranged neatly on the lobbies desk.

What caught his eye though, was small enough he almost missed it.

"Drag marks..." He said to himself tracing them. "And they lead to the stairs. Wonder what she was draggin' that left marks?" He wondered aloud.

"What was dragging what to leave what?" Spike asked looking up from the emeralds section.

"Come over here." Big Mac said. "Did any of yall drag anything over here from upstairs?"

"Eh, no, not recently." He said. "Why? I don't see anything."

"Right, ah must be seein' things." He smiled to himself, chuckling deeply he turned and opened his eyes again.

He stopped and his chuckle died down to a forced breath.

There were daisies in the vase, sitting on the table.

'She's allergic to Daisies.' He thought with a rising suspicion. Another thud could be heard from upstairs, he looked up sharply before snorting.

"Big Mac, is something wrong?" Twilight asked pulling out a chair before taking a dainty nibble of a Daisie. "You seem upset."

"Eeyup. Ah just remembered ah forgot something upstairs, ah'll be back down in a sec." He said through a fake smile.

She nodded, but he didn't see it as he quickly trotted up the stairs.

Stepping over the splinters from earlier, he scanned the room for the source of the noise.

The bed was still unmade, that was wrong. The hole in the roof was still there, unblocked; she would have sealed it before she left.

"Hello?" He whispered. "Anypony here?"

Another thud, louder this time could be heard. He turned towards the closet and slowly approached it. As he got closer, the thudding got louder, but it was still slow,periodically forming.

He gulped, reaching out with a hoof he grasped the knob and slide the door to the side.

A changeling, tied and gagged was siting there. It closed it's eyes from the sudden light, but they adjusted and they fixed onto his own.

"Aren't ya the bug that kept botherin' Twilight?" He asked.

It gave a nod.

"Ah'm guessin she put you in here?"

It shook it's head no.

"Who did then?" He asked.

It tried to speak but it was muffled. Big Mac slid his jaw to the sides a bit, sighing her undid the gag and the changeling sucked in a breath of air before speaking.

"Mare has been ponynapped, Mare downstairs is an imposter." It said. "You must stop her, if Chrysalis succeeds, all will be lost."

"So, that Twilight downstairs isn't ma'h Twilight?" He asked.

"Yes, you must stop the one downstairs. I know it's another changeling, a poor one, it can barely keep it's disguise." It said in disgust.

Big Mac turned and began stomping down the stairs in a second.

The veins in his neck were raised, his ears were hot, his heart was racing, and he was gritting his teeth. When he reached the floor, Twilight and Spike looked at him in curiosity and slight fear.

Especially the fake Twilight as he fixed his crazed gaze on her.

He charged, and she could only close her eyes as she was thrown against a wall. Spike's jaw dropped in shock as Big Mac picked up Twilight and threw her against the entrance.

"Ah know what ya are." Big Mac hissed as the fake got up shakily. "And ah know your not Twilight."

"Very clever," she laughed. "The farmer figured it out. Now what?" She asked snootily. "Your going to try and beat me to see if I'd tell you where she is?"

"Ah was plannin' on just beatin' ya." He said before charging again.

The door exploded in a shower of splinters, Big Mac galloped through, the fake Twilight stuck painfully against his head. She slid off and rolled to the side in a quivering heap.

He stopped and quickly ran over to her as she got up. She was turning to look at him when he sent a fast uppercut into her jaw.

She went flying again, landing in a cart the shocked ponies behind quickly got out of the way as Big Mac trotted over the the wheezing unicorn.

"Now, where is she?" He asked.

"Go to Tartarus..." She laughed weakly.

He snorted before raising onto his back legs. her eyes widened in fear as he brought both fore-hooves down, smashing her through the cart. He sent another hit down, hearing a crack and a sharp cry from the imposter the flames finally enveloped her revealing the changeling underneath.

He picked it up and threw it against a wall, cracking the stone bricks he trotted over the the lightpost in front of it, leaning against it he watched as it opened it's eyes.

"Now, where is she?" He asked. "That is, if ya want to be knocked round' some more?"

"I'll never betray my queen!" It screeched.

He snorted once before wrapping both fore-legs around the metal post.

He puffed out his cheeks in determination, his muscles rippled and bulged out on his fore-legs as he pulled the lightpost up. It began to come up, he swung it to the side once before it finally came out of the ground.

"Ah hope," he said lifting the pole like a spear above himself. "That chitin is stronger than it looks, for your sake."

He threw it down, the changeling could only wince and grab the metal shaft as it pierced it's chest. It spit out blood, trying to curse or plead, Big Mac couldn't tell nor did he care as he listened to the gurgles.

Streams of green blood leaked out from around the fresh wounds, it tried it stop it but as more came out, it's movements became sloppy.

As it's legs stopped moving and the light in its eyes died down, he snorted and quickly trotted back into the library.

"Spike," he said. "We have a problem."

"I figured that much out when you speared a changeling!"

Awakening.

Her head hurt. Her muscles hurt. Everything hurt.

She hit something above her, she gave a little wheeze as she steadied herself.

She forced her eyes open, keeping a hoof on top of her head she finally saw her surroundings. It was all bleary but she knew she was in a wooden box of some kind.

"Hello, I hear your finally awake now."

Her eyes opened a little more, the air suddenly became harder to get as she listened to him.

"Now, I know what your thinking." He said. "'Where am I?' 'Why isn't my magic working?' Well, if you must know, your in an oak box, you have been given a magic nullifier, served from myself."

"Y-You... Why?" She asked sitting up.

"Why?" He asked almost mockingly. "Orders my dear, simple orders. Oh, and try not to move to much, we are flying a few thousand feet in the air. I wouldn't want to explain to Chrysalis why the new queen got splattered."

"I am not a queen..." She said shaking her head some. "So, what does she want with me?"

"Who? Chrysalis? Its not my job to say." He said. "My job is to-"

"Ponynap others." She hissed. "You'll never get away with this. My friends will notice I'm missing."

"Will they now?" He jeered. "What if we sent in a replacement? Another changeling? Would they really be able to tell?"

"Shut up... Just shut up." She said leaning against the box.

"Listen," he said. "I'm sorry about tricking you and all... Really, I may be an emotional leach but I still care. I'm ordered to stop for food and water if you require it."

"What I require is an oversized flyswatter."

She heard his jaw open before closing firmly shut.

Moments passed in silence, she sorted through her head, picking out thoughts and clearing the dizziness.

"Twilight," he said speaking again. "I know its not much, but... I heard around from the others that your supposed to be getting-Ah!"

With his sudden cry, the box shifted and suddenly she found herself suspended in zero-gravity. She screamed, pressing herself up against the top, her horn sparking uselessly.

'Think! Think!' She screamed mentally. 'Wait, oak? Yes!'

She latched onto one of the small walls of her box, clinging to it she arched a back leg and lashed out.

The wood splintered, letting in a fresh wave of warm air. She grinned quickly crawling out from her hole. Outside she saw her guard, falling without a single movement.

"Ok, freedom done, now..." She looked down at the approaching ground and suddenly a realization hit her. "I can't fly..." She said hollowly.

She suddenly felt cold again, looking around she saw nothing to help her. Nothing but her guard, but it would be a long shot.

As he came closer, she steadied herself, closed her eyes and jumped.

The air whistled almost painfully through her ears, her holes, and her face as she glided through the air.

As soon as she felt her guard's chitin, she latched on, wrapping her legs around him. His chitin against her's made her think of when she had accidentally stepped on one of Fluttershy's spiders.

But now, it felt like something close to jelly. She opened her eyes and felt the need to vomit.

A green goo was coming out from the holes in her legs. It came out quickly, covering him and her. It quickly dried, becoming a concrete like vest for them.

'This is so gross.' She thought. 'And now were both going to die-'

The guards horn flared to life, green flames flared over him and quickly spread to her. Before she could scream, she looked down through the green haze and saw the ground seconds away.

Before they hit, she felt herself become weightless, her vision turning white.

The ball of flames hit the ground, it fanned out before dissipating into the sky.

Central Hive.

Twilight closed her eyes in pain, her head felt like it had been split in two, following that, she could barely breath without pains.

The air was putrid, heavy and humid. With a few coughs she pried her eyes open. She shut them immediately from the bright green lights shining all around her.

She heard rustling and opened her eyes slightly, wincing from the pain she could make out a blurred, black, imposing figure in front of her.

"Hello," Chrysalis said. "I hadn't expected you arrive in this way." She chuckled softly. "Here, let me unbind you."

She couldn't resist or even fight back as Chrysalis's magic took hold of her and her guard. Slowly, the dried goo cracked and they split, not a single piece stuck to either of them. It all smashed to the floor, leaking slightly.

"W-What do you want with me?" Twilight asked panting.

"I must apologize for your transportation, allow me to restore your senses as an apology." She said ignoring Twilight's question. "Of a kind of course."

She leaned forward, touching her horn to Twilight's. Her senses came rushing back, her head cleared and her magic was restored. She immediately teleported a few feet back from the queen, narrowing her eyes.

"Now, as for your question," Chrysalis said. "I've had you brought here to teach you."

"I have no intention of learning anything you think of." Twilight said. "And you can't make me!"

Chrysalis smiled gently shaking her head, slowly she got on her belly and crossed her fore-hooves.

"Twilight, I have no intention of keeping you here against your will, or force you to do something you do not want to. If requested, I will have a drone escort you to the surface, lead you back to Ponyville and let you remain there... Until the time comes."

"What? How do I know this isn't a trick?" Twilight asked with an edge to her voice.

"I have no reason to trick you if you are already here." Chrysalis said bluntly. "Either way, if you want my lessons or not, you will need them later if you stand any chance in combat."

"So now your threatening me?" Twilight sneered. "Go ahead mock me, my feelings still stay the same for you. Anger, disgust, loath-"

"Sadness, respect, and guilt?" She said. "I know how you feel, I can read emotions. I know you feel some pity for me, especially after you learned of my descent."

Twilight was frozen, speechless in front of the stone-faced changeling queen. She shook her head before sighing.

"I suppose," she said uncertainly. "If you're not here to keep me prisoner, then what?"

"I need to teach you, make sure you can stand a chance against me later." Chrysalis said. "When there are two changeling queens in existence, one must give up their power. In order for that to occur, they must fight to near death." She said. "I want to teach you so it is a fair fight, so you know what you can do."

"I have no intention of being a queen!" She hissed. "All I want is to be a pony again. To be a unicorn again..."

Chrysalis studied her, eyes soft but still kept their predatory dominance as she stared at the quivering changeling. Sighing, she shook her head and clapped.

A changeling drone came in, a pillow perched on its back. It lowered it in front of Twilight who stood in shock for a second. It quickly scurried away, hiding in the darkness.

"Sit, you must be hungry? Thirsty perhaps?" Chrysalis asked standing up.

"I'm slightly thirsty." Twilight said. "But if there's anything in-"

"You are a guest here," Chrysalis said sternly. "And as long as you stay so, you will not be harmed. Otherwise I will deal punishment. Drone! Please, fetch some water for her. She needs her strength before... Sorry, if, she decides to take my lessons."

Another drone came running in, a bowl filled with water perched between its wings. It gently laid them down in front of Twilight and scurried off again.

She picked up the bowl, glancing at the queen, she lit her horn and scanned the clear liquid inside.

She stopped before taking a few sips, swallowing the cold liquid sent shivers down her spine and made her wings scratch together. She slowly downed the rest, making sure not to spill or gulp it.

"Done? Good." Chrysalis said. "Now, have you made up your mind?" She asked. "Let me teach you, you might survive. Or, leave and perish indefinitely. What is it?"

Twilight looked at the queen, staring at the serene face. She closed her eyes and delved into her thoughts.

'On one hoof, I can hopefully survive what she's planning or even come as close as to figure out what it is. Or,' the other side said. 'Go and see what she plans to do later.' She thought sourly.

After a moment of silence, she opened her eyes and sighed audibly.

"When do we begin?" Twilight asked.

"In the morning, but for now, go and rest." Chrysalis said. "I will have a drone escort you to your chambers."

As another drone came out from the darkness, Chrysalis stopped and turned back to Twilight.

"And remember, they may not harm you, but if you harm any of my subjects," she said coldly. "I will harm you. Farewell, and goodnight."

"Wait!" Twilight shouted. "I still have questions."

Chrysalis stepped again, turned around fully she quirked her ears up.

"When I was being taken, why did he just scream and start falling?" She asked pointing to the unconscious changeling.

"Ah," Chrysalis said with a twinge of sadness. "It seems a drone had been killed. Brutally by the pain that coursed through the hive." She said. "When the drone was murdered, its pain came back to me and the others here, spreading out. It was stretched thin, yet still held it's power."

"Alright, that explains that..." Twilight said. "But, what was that goo that came out from my legs?"

"That, 'goo' secretion," Chrysalis said. "Is a natural restraint. Just as I had my drones do to the guard, you, your friends and Princess Celestia during Mi Amore's wedding. Now, I need my sleep. I suggest you do the same."

"But It's still day outside." Twilight said. "I go to sleep during the night."

"Do not worry yourself," Chrysalis said. "Your internal clock will adjust and you will begin to sleep during the day instead of the night. Now, good... Morning, I suppose." She said with a faint smile.

"Yeah," Twilight muttered under her breath. "But I wouldn't say 'good' more like horrible."

Author's Note

I think I made Chrysalis right, threatening but staying cool. Smart and witty sounding yet can keep a conversation going.

Screw calm! It's time to panic!

Big Mac slung the body on the floor, staring at it before glancing at Spike as he turned a shade green.

"They ponynapped Twilight." He said. "Spike, ah say its time we get the princesses."

"Finally!" He yelled. "But, I still have one, tiny little question."

"Well, spit it out."

"Why did you kill our only lead!?"

He flinched from the dragons voice, as his ears stopped ringing, he passed Spike and went upstairs.

Spike stood there, suspicion etched across his ill stricken face. He heard a few thumps from above and turned back to the stairs.

Big Mac was coming down, a restrained changeling slung on his back.

"You!" Spike yelled at the changeling. "You had something to do with this!? Didn't you!?" He said letting smoke pour out of his nostrils.

"Now hold on," Big Mac said setting the changeling down. "He pparently' wants to help. He says he knows where Twilight was taken."

Spike blew a small puff in the changeling's direction.

"Well, talk if you want to help." Spike said. "Standing here isn't-"

"She has been taken to Chrysalis's hive." The changeling spat. "She has not been harmed. We must hurry if we are to stop Chrysalis and save mare."

"She has a name you know." Spike said. "Twilight."

"She had ordered drone to not say new queen, so drone says that." He said. "This changeling, thought to replace her." It spat. "It deserved far worse than death."

"Now hold on," Big Mac said. "Do ya know how to get to the hive?"

"Yes. Drone was once worker for old queen."

"Good." Big Mac said picking up the body. "Spike, send a letter to Celestia, that were comin' with a gift. And untie the varmint."

Spike shook his head in disbelief but did as told. As he untied the changeling, Big Mac was in deep thought, a troubled expression on his face.

'What could that bug want with Twilight?' He thought. 'Is she planning to kill her? Brainwash her?' He sighed shaking his head slowly. 'Why can't things be normal for once in this town? And why does the worst things happen to the ones I love?'

"Big Mac," Spike said staring at him. "Are you... Are you crying?"

Big Mac shook his head quickly, wiping away a few drops of the salty liquid from his eyes.

"Eeyup," he said. "It's just a lot happenen' right now. Ah finally get a marefriend and she gets taken away..." He sighed before his expression became hard. "If they do anything to her, ah'll show em' why ya don't mess with an apple. Come on yall, we've got a train to catch."

With that said they all exited; Spike walking next to Macintosh while he carried the dead changeling, the live one walked next to him, opposite of Spike.

As they walked, ponies quickly backed away clearing the street. All of them watching nervously as Macintosh carrying a changeling he had speared minutes before, was walking next to a live one.

Big Mac stopped, cocking his head his already frustrated expression grew. Shaking his head he picked up Spike by his top scales and set him down on the living changeling.

"Big Mac, why did you put me on this thing!" Spike yelled letting small trickles of flame lick at his teeth.

"Cause' there's a crowd up ahead at the train station." He replied. "Ah don't want ya gettin' lost or trampled. Now hush up and quit whinin' like some prissy foal."

Spike merely stared at him before looking down at the ground in front of his holed steed.

As they eared the station, what Big Mac had thought was an angry banter as usual there, turned out to be surprised chatter.

As they entered the frenzy, the crowd began to quiet with the occasional gasp or whisper.

When he stopped at the platform, he saw no train, he looked towards the tracks as they rose and saw the train partially hanging out from the bottom of them.

"Well, now what?" Spike asked. "How are we going to get to the princesses?"

Big Mac stared ahead, sliding his jaw to the side a few times an idea came to him. A crazy, stupid idea.

"Spike, that fire of yours, it can send thing's to Celestia, right?"

"Yeah? Why...?" He asked uneasily.

"Do ya think it could send a few ponies up there?" He asked with a mischievous glint in his green eye.

"What! Are you insane!?" Spike yelled. "That could end up fusing us all together!"

"Eenope. Just me. This one here can carry ya up. Just send me and the dead varmint."

Spike just stared at him, with a bemused expression. After consideration, he did the most logical thing that came to mind. He face-clawed with both claws, his broke arm was a slight challenge to him though but it was deserved.

"Do you want to be sent to Celestia, or Luna?" He sighed.

"Celestia." He nodded. "Ah don't think Luna Would react to kndly if ah told her that her first friend was just ponynapped."

He nodded before sucking in a gulp of air. Big Mac stepped back along with a few curious ponies.

Big Mac closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. He didn't even flinch from the sound of Spike belching out a large cloud of fire.

As the flames hit him, he felt nothing but the cool air around him as if he were standing. He heard the collective gasp of the crowd but when he tried to look, he immediately saw ever single thing around his gaseous magical cloud. He immediately shut his non-existent eyes from the pain his brain had of processing it all.

As Spike watched the cloud swiftly fly up, he looked down at the changeling beneath him.

"Well, go on, up you go." He said.

The changeling shrugged before jumping off the platform and onto the tracks. As security ponies came to gt them off, they stopped dead in their tracks when the changeling began calmly, almost relaxed, walking up the sheer cliff side; completely out of their reach they tried to get some pegasi up but none would volunteer because of the fear for the changeling.

Canterlot Castle Throne Room.

"-and so, if we increase the flow of grain in the northern farms, it could drastically help our relations with the minotaurs." Finished a yellow stallion in a black suit; a smile on his face as he looked to Celestia as she calmly thought it over with a solid poker-face.

"It seems like an excellent idea," she said making him smile wider. "But," his smile fell shortly. "What do the tap-dancing rabbits have to do with any of that?"

"Well, if you let my associate, Grain Mill explain, she can-"

At that moment, a large cloud of green smoke came in under the golden doors and became still over the base of the throne. Celestia looked on with slight curiosity, but that soon turned to shock and confusion when it began to solidify it's cargo.

Big Mac fell with a start, slamming into the lowest and largest of the gold steps. He rolled off with the wind taken out of him. Next came the changeling corpse; it merely hit the step with a sickening crunch as green blood started to drip down.

Big Mac choked and wheezed, his eyes as wide as dinner plates as a few puffs of draconic smoke came out.

Celestia, seeing the poor stallion choking, sent a gentle spell and expelled the pollutant from his lungs. As he sucked in a few breaths, the guards rushed over.

As soon as he took in a deep breath, the first of the guards in the hall backed away, eyes wide as the red stallion stood over him. And he did not look like he needed a guard pointing a spear at his throat or else he'd get throttled.

"Sir Macintosh," Celestia spoke. "I do not mind visits, but magical fire to arrive? Never have I seen such a thing. May I ask why there is a dead changeling-"

"Twilight's been ponynapped." He sputtered out still trying to catch his breath.

All the noise in the room stopped, Celestia sat on her throne a slightly shocked expression on her face as she stared down at the body.

Slowly, the room began to heat up. The ponies in it started to sweat, and before long were prancing on the tips of their hooves. Celestia was the only one not bothered by it as she watched the changeling corpse begin to boil from the inside.

The gold on the doors slwoly began to drip, the guards used their own magic to keep their rapidly heating armor from burning into them. The ponies without any magic or protective armor were left prancing on the floor, panting like a pack of huskies in the Saneighran Desert.

In a swift, and grateful moment, all the excess heat in the room vanished when Celestia turned her head to the side. Letting out a slow exhale, she was lost from sight in a sudden flash of light and a deafening bang.

Celestia swept the large dust cloud away with a few flaps of her wings before looking back towards the ponies, who, were staring at the missing wall.

"Now," she said rising from the throne. "Guards, Grain Mill and Grain Seed, please leave immediately. I wish to speak with Macintosh in private."

Without another word, the guards ushered the two business ponies out and closed the large doors shut with some difficulty getting them open and shutting. But not before a flurry of noise, spears and a dragon riding a changeling came barreling in as the gap closed.

Spike was clutching his chest as the changeling panted, seemingly ready to fall out at any moment on the red carpet leading to the throne.

"Bout' time yall got here." Big Mac said picking himself up. "Ah was just bout' to get cooked."

"My apologies for that. I overreacted slightly," Celestia said. "It is not everyday my prized student's coltfriend appears in my throne room using Spike's fire, bringing a dead changeling and telling me that my prized student has been ponynapped. I can only take so much information at a comfortable pace."

"Your guards nearly killed me!" Spike yelled falling down on his good arm. "With all do respect..." He said meekly.

"As I would have thought considering a dragon riding a changeling had just come running through the halls." Celestia said. "Now, do any of you know where Twilight is?"

"Yes!" The changeling said walking shakily to the alicorn. "She is at old queen's hive. She is safe, drone can feel mental connection with mare."

"Very well, I will get Luna and a squadron of guards." She looked over at the missing wall and splayed her ears back. "And perhaps a stone mason."

"Actually, ah think ah already have a plan." Big Mac said. "Somehtin' a little bit more suttle than a big group of guards rushin' in like maniacs."

"Oh no," Spike groaned. "He's got that look in his eye again."

"He has a look?" Celestia asked peering down slightly at the farmer as he got a small smirk. "It seems he does. Is that beneficial or negative?"

"Negative." Spike said flatly. "Definitely negative."

Author's Note

Chrysalis dun goofed.
Dead! Dead! Dead! Dea-wait am I thinking out loud again?... Um. Go Ponies?

A stroll through the hive.

Twilight looked around, unmoved by the strange corridors of the hive.

As she walked along the worn ground, she gave another glance to the drone assigned to escort her. It saw her glaring again and backed away.

It knew to stay away from her, not an order from Chrysalis but a simple spell that Twilight had shown it. One look in her most violent memory and it was nearly a pile of shaking chitin with eyes.

'I don't understand why she had to assign me such a clingy little thing.' Twilight thought agitatedly. 'Even that drone back in Ponyville wasn't this bad.'

As she wandered in her thought's, she failed to notice a second drone appear next to her. He had a slightly guilty look on his face.

She stopped and turned to look at him, he shrunk back a little but held his ground.

"Yes?" She asked.

"I... I deserve to give you a reason for why I just fell out of the sky like that." He said blowing some air out from its nose.

"Out of all the... Fine. Go ahead, it's not like I have anything else to do." Twilight said shaking her head. "Hurry up, I've got nowhere to be and I'd like to get there as soon as possible."

"Right, right..." He said. "Well, I just wasn't expecting that huge surge of pain. Being the closest one, I took most of it and I lost consciousness."

"I already know that." She said. "Could I not talk to the changeling that ponynapped me? I swear, she put-"

"No. Queen Chrysalis did not put me up to anything." He said sternly. "I asked to speak with you. See if you have any questions about your... Unrequested exit."

"Yeah," she said. "I have a few. Let's talk and trot. If its not to much trouble?"

He merely nodded before glancing at the other drone. It kept its eyes down to the floor but still looked back at him and shrugged.

"So, if you were staying for the night, wouldn't somepony have seen you talking?" Twilight asked. "Or maybe stop you later to ask who you were?"

"Actually, I used some invisibility for that. Only you saw and heard me. Anypony that came along would have thought you were talking to Spike. And since he apparently heard and saw me, I'm guessing because of his own senses, I had to muffle that. Make it seem like you two were having a conversation."

"Alright... But what about me meeting you?" She asked. "When I first saw you, I felt slightly uneasy. But when you were standing in front of me... I almost felt relaxed."

"Ah, " he smiled. "The magic of pheromones. They can be used to seduce, agitate, or even knock out victims. Or targets mind you. Or, simply protection of oneself."

"Anything else you did?"

"Uh... I replaced those dead roses on the dining table with some daisies."

"I'm allergic to daisies!" She said stomping a hoof.

"Well how was I supposed to know that? I wasn't the one sent to replace you!" He countered back. "Thankfully. I'd hate to meet whoever managed to kill a changeling and cause so much pain. Makes my feelers run cold just thinking about it."

"I already have a good feeling who did it." She said smiling slightly. "It was probably Spike burning him alive, or maybe my coltfriend grounding him to a pulp."

"I'm betting the latter. That one took on two whole squads of the royal guard... And got a few good hits on you too. That was real nasty with that smash to the head, beautifully executed though."

"Um... Thank you?" She asked staring at him. "Hey, why aren't you speaking like any of the others? Like referring to yourself as 'drone' or 'others' like I've been hearing?"

"I'm part of the royal swarm." He said. "Better intelligence, and we have feelings. As for the others, they can have feelings made when faced with certain situations. And for the one next to you, it seems you scared him to nearly doubling over."

She looked over at the cowering changeling and rolled her eyes before placing a hoof on its back. It froze up before relaxing when she merely rubbed it, giving it a small smile.

"Don't worry, I don't hate any of you." She said. "Just Chrysalis and that one drone."

"Drone?" The other asked. "You mean the one I knocked out? Oh... Oh dear, that poor little thing." He shook his head. "Sad little thing indeed."

"What do you mean by that?" She asked temper flaring again. "Let me guess, he gave you that little pity story too?"

"Yeah, he told me alright. But its not fiction that's for sure; the poor drone's hatchling and mate are somewhere down in the dungeons." He said coldly. "He came to me for help, but then Queen Chrysalis found out and... I guess you... Know the rest."

"Yes," she hissed shutting her eyes. "I know so very much. And yet, now I'm starting to fell sorry for him. Great, I'm feeling pity for the one who ruined my life. Why couldn't that piece of stone have just went though my heart?"

"Because, your strong." He said placing a holed hoof on her shoulder. "Smart, dangerous, and a superior to almost every changeling here. How about I give you a real tour? Maybe we could go to the archives?"

Her ears perked up, looking back at the calmed changeling it nodded before trotting away.

"Alright, go ahead and take me to the archives your majesty." She said sarcastically.

"Hey, there's no need for the attitude." He said frowning. "I could have just dragged you along in a sac. But I was nice and carried that box on my back. Do you know how hard it is, trying to balance that, flap your wings and make sure your unconscious body stayed in place to get it balanced? Because its not easy; some of my chitin was bent because of it. And now, now I'm picking splinters mixed with, for some reason, clites. And if your wondering what that is, it's that protective goo you made from in the holes of your legs."

"Well excuse me, maybe next time I'll send a little postcard saying when I want to be abducted." She shot back. "And you could thank me too. I did jump out of the box to try and save you."

"You were trying to wake me because you don't know how to fly." He said. "Now come on, and try not to scar any more drones. It's very unbecoming of a queen."

"I. Am not. A queen." She said slowly.

"Actually, you are." He said. "That's why you have the superior strength, magic, endurance and senses. And that's why my queen had requested your presence. She wouldn't have batted an eye if you were a drone. Now come on, were killing daylight."

With a huff, she followed him.

They transversed the tunnels, Twilight noting the occasional changeling passing or even the glowing roots along the wall. All in all, to her it looked like a dirt tunnel.

They quickly ascended up a worn ramp where larger changelings were gathered.

As they passed, a few actually bowed as Twilight passed. She merely gave a groan as the small band of changelings began to follow them.

"Hey, could you get them to stop following me?" Twilight asked peering back at the six or so changelings following closely. "It was bad enough to have to deal with one changeling in Ponyville. But six of them I cannot do!"

"Well order them to stop following you," the changeling said smugly. "You are their queen afterall."

She was about to protest but stopped. Taking a deep breath she turned to the six awaiting changelings.

"Alright, listen here and listen closely," Twilight said. "Please, just stop following me. Or atleast keep a good distance away. Now, shoo."

With a wave of her hoof, the small group quickly dispersed to the other end of the hall. She sighed putting a hoof to her temple. She looked over as she felt her guide's hoof on her shoulder.

"That was very calm for you." He said. "Good work. Queen Twilight Sparkle." He laughed.

"I-I don't even know why I bother anymore." She groaned. "How much farther is it?"

"Just around a few corners, but we could simply go through the wall instead." He said with a sly grin.

"Through the wall?" She asked dubiously. "Unless you can pass through solid earth, then-"

He lit his horn and shone a green light on the wall. It seemed to melt and right before her, she could see the outlines of hundreds of other changelings in various halls.

"You know, for the element of magic," he closed her mouth with a hoof. "You seem to know quite little of it. Come on, I'll explain what the walls are made of. But... It isn't pleasant."

Before they passed, he did a small bow much to her confusion.

Uneasily she entered. The gelatinous wall was warm, thick, slightly scratchy but what caught her attention was the fact she could breath. But not through her mouth or nose as they had been pressed shut by the weight of the mass. But she looked down, the gel not even bothering but enhancing her vision, she saw the holes in her legs moving the jell back and forth in accordance to her lungs.

As she was contemplating her own anatomy, she felt a hoof on her shoulder and was suddenly pulled out into another hall. Her guide was slightly grim-faced as he stared at the green mass.

"What was that stuff?" She asked in slight wonder. "And why was I breathing through my legs?"

"Do... Do you remember the wedding in Canterlot? The one where Queen Chrysalis led the attack, and you," he chuckled. "You were the one to uncover it. Did you ever wonder what happened to the changeling's that were forced out while indoors? Not by any windows? But just... Air to one side, and a wall to the other?"

She remained quiet, feeling a deep sense of dread and guilt coming over her.

"Well, they survived... In a way. You see changelings can group together and combine their magic to mimic carts, large animals, even small buildings. These walls, the green gel their made of..."

"Are the changelings." She said looking at the wall as it turned solid again. "And this is what happened at the wedding? Because of me?"

"It's not directly your fault." He shrugged. "Chrysalis knew of the risks, the casualties... Yet we all had to. We were starving to near death."

As he opened another wall, she merely stared at it, listening to him speak.

"Twilight, changelings in nature aren't evil." He said pulling her through swiftly. "We don't have a choice but to feed on others. What the drone did to you, I couldn't imagine but... From when I was tieing him up, I looked through his memories and found something odd."

"And what was that?" She asked meekly. "How I was the monster?"

"No. I found him questioning his old queen, even in private he would stare at the wall. Thinking of a loophole, or studying in the archives trying to find another way. What he did, he didn't do it without force. When I went as far back to the incident, it was a blank."

"Whats that mean? That he didn't remember doing it to me?" She asked feeling tears well up.

"It means," he said stopping her at the entrance to a large set of doors. "It means he was being controlled by an outside force. And by sticking by your side, feeling the urge to rush to your aid even after being threatened, he's trying to make it up to you. If I were you, if I ever saw him again, I'd atleast sit down and share some of your problems, and then hear his. He doesn't lie, and... And..."

"A-And what?" She said letting her voice crack.

"He's different from the other drones, he can feel. Think for himself. Yet, he chooses to listen to you. I'd say that gives him a right for you to atleast try and come to terms with him."

"I don't know if I could. Even if he didn't do it willfully, he still did it."

"Well, do me a favor. Try for not just him, but yourself." His ears suddenly went up. "I've got to leave, there seems to be a meeting. Goodbye."

As he turned away, Twilight decided to speak up.

"W-What is your name?" She asked laughing erratically through her tightened throat. "I know its silly, but I never got it even before you ponynapped me."

"I...I don't have a name. I'm just a drone." he said simply.

"Well, I think you atleast deserve one. From... From a friend?" She asked smiling. "How about... Alfred?"

"Alfred?" He said. "I like it. You've made my day just now, I've got a friend and a name. If there's anything you need, just ask for me, ok?"

"O-Ok." She nodded.

At that, she turned away and faced the large doors again.

They were a large darkened wood, copper hinges and handles were attached tightly. She reached out and without even a creak, it swung open.

"So, these are the archives?" She said. "Time to get studying."

Author's Note

Breaking Twilight's mind? I'd make a great psychiatrist.
I made a Batman reference and still managed to keep this semi-serious.

Rallying the farmer, the guard captain, Spike and some random guy who busted through the window... Go team. Or whatever it is.

Rallying the farmer, the guard captain, Spike and some random guy who busted through the window... Go team. Or whatever it is.

"So, tell me if I misheard you," Celestia sighed. "You, a lone stallion, and a dragon hatchling with a broken arm are going to just go up to the hive and take Twilight back?"

Big Mac looked down at Spike who merely nodded.

"Eeyup."

"Yeah, that's the plan."

She sighed shaking her head.

"And there is no way to persuade you from not going?" She asked.

"Eenope." Big mac said stomping a hoof. "When they took her, they took a part of ma'h heart too. This is personal."

"Since I cannot persuade you from taking any guards, I'll let Shining Armor go with you." She said smiling. "I'm sure his sister being ponynapped would also make him think of it as a personal matter. Guards! Go and tell Shining Armor his sister has been ponynapped and that he is being summoned to the court room immediately."

The guards scrambled for the door, as it opened they stopped and gave a quick salute. They stepped aside letting Shining Armor in, he had a small toothy grin as he entered.

"Hey! I didn't expect to see you back here so early." He said patting Big Macintosh on the back. "Why is there a dead and a live changeling?" He asked glaring at the living one as it rested on a pillar.

"Your sister, sir Macintosh's marefriend, has been ponynapped recently." Celestia said.

"Ponynapped! By who!?" He asked frantically. "Is she alright? Is there a ransom?"

"No Shining Armor, but we do know who took her." Celestia said calmly. "Thanks to our guest resting on the pillar, he told us that Chrysalis had her taken."

"Why that... I cant say it. Not in front of my ruler." He said taking deep breathes.

"Bloody leech?" The drone said yawning. "That would be a good description of old queen. Of bad queen." He said jumping down.

"Yes. Something like that." Shining Armor said. "So, do we know why she was taken?"

"She was taken to train," the drone said. "To prepare for the fight for the hives control. It is an ancient practice among hive queen's."

"So, she wants to fight Twilight, to see if she could win, and in turn, if she wins, Twilight gets the hive?" Spike asked. "Is that right?"

"Yes. If mare wins, hive is free from old queen. But, if mare loses..." He shook his head, clearing the thought's away. "Not good for any of us."

"Do we atleast have a plan to get her back?" Shining asked. "Spys? Guards? What about you and Princess Luna going in, your majesty?"

"I'm afraid not, it seems these two are determined to go in alone." Celestia said motioning a gold clad hoof towards the farmer and dragon. "I was sending the guards to tell you, that you will also be going with them."

"Just us three?" He asked incredulously. "Just two stallions and a dragon with a broken arm? That's madness!"

"Those are my exact-"

"And it's the best even I could think of. I'm going with you two," Shining said nodding towards Big Mac and Spike. "I can't have my only sister be a prisoner to one of Equestria's most hated enemies. And the thing that almost kissed me..."

"Shining Armor," Celestia said calmly but with a hint of anxiety breaking through. "Are you certain that is the best course of action?"

"No. But has anypony else come up with anything?"

"No. Nopony has not." She sighed. "How is it you three can agree to such a ridiculous plan?"

"It's a guy thing, you wouldn't understand." Spike said. "That's why we get marefriends to make sure we don't come up with stupid ideas."

The rooms occupants merely stared at him. He shrunk back a bit casting glances back at all the sets of eyes.

The living changeling was the one who broke the silence when he tackled Celestia to the side.

As Shining and Big Mac, plus the guards as they pulled out their spears, were about to attack the changeling and defend their ruler, a band echoed across the room stopping them all. Seconds passed before another was heard, louder and fiercer. With a third, the window nearest to Celestia exploded out in a shower of glass shards.

"Bonzai!" Camo yelled as he kicked the window in. "Here's Camo!" He yelled galloping as he landed. "Who missed me? Come on, you can tell me." He grinned trotting up to Celestia. "What up, sun butt?"

Celestia merely stared at the camo colored stallion as he stood with a limp, practically beaming down at her as he offered her a hoof.

She pushed the changeling off and got up herself, glaring down at the stallion even as her sister flew in.

"Camo, you are either crazy, stupid, or just brave to come in here. Through the window no less!" Celestia said angrily.

"Aye!" Luna said. "Thou hast stones if thee hast returned!"

"Aw, don't be like that." He pouted. "I came to help with the Twilight problem."

"How did ya know bout' that?" Big Mac asked.

"Some pink mare was apparently spying on you while you were talking. She remembered her friend telling her about me, so... She jumped out of my oven and quickly explained what happened. So, now I'm here. After a brisk trot and an insane experience where she shot me out of a canon..."

"After thee was in our chambers." Luna said stiffly conserving energy to vaporize the stallion. "With... Something." She said letting a present drop from between her shoulders.

"It was a necklace!" He groaned flinging his head back dramatically. "I made it myself from silver I collected in an abandoned silver mine. But instead of being nice, you tried to blow me up! Do you know how much rope I had to swing here? Much less the cost?"

"We do not care of thy bits." She said. "Thou hast invaded our chambers, we reacted just as our sister would."

"You instantly recognized me, and then chased me. I don't think she'd do that." He said rolling his eyes. "You two still aren't upset about that artifact, are you?"

They both narrowed their eyes, nodding once.

"Oh give me a break!" He groaned again. "Now that's just stupid and childish; seriously, its just nonsense keeping a grudge over an accident." He snorted crossing his fore-legs. "Even foals have had more sense than that."

"Now hold up, ya can't talk to the princesses like that!" Big Mac said narrowing his eyes.

"Oh settle down you red gorilla, I'm just teasing." He said dismissively. "I'm more of an acquaintance to them. I wish I could atleast be a friend to one of them."

"After what that thing did to the both of us, your actions say more than what you say you desire." Celestia said.

"It was an accident!" He whined. "It was just a heat cycle! All you had to do was cast a spell or throw the stupid thing away! I even sent a note two days after explaining that if it's gotten rid of before five days, the effects will stop."

"We never got a note of any kind." Celestia said. "Did you... Sister?" Her furious expression turned to confusion as she saw her sister looking meekly away. "You received the note, didn't you?"

"Aye... We did not read the message, as we were still angered."

"See! See! It wasn't really my fault!" He said triumphantly. "Oh, and by the way, if either of you got a tea kettle from me, don't open it. I got it mixed up with my other one. The one I sent had a cloud of crystal spores in it. They'll turn anything they touch into crystal."

"It doesn't matter know." Celestia said ending his rant and stopping Luna's from beginning. "Twilight has been poynapped and were standing here bickering like a group of old mares!"

"You and Luna are old mares." Camo pointed out. "Your like what? A few thousand years old?"

"He's got a point," Spike said to both of the alicorn's shock. "You were practically here when Equestria was made. That is pretty old."

Luna and Celestia, glaring at the stallion socked him across each cheek.

"Ok, I deserved that. Ow...!" He hissed rubbing both cheeks. "For two old mares, you pack a punch."

And that's when Shining Armor sent him flying ass-over-tea-kettle across the floor.

"I think that's enough insults about both of my rulers fairly large ages."

"Fairly large?" They both said. "Were not that old."

"Eeyup. By normal pony standards, but yall have eternity. That kind'a makes yall a bit older in the long gallop." Big Mac said.

"Hey... Weren't we like, planning something?" Spike interjected before Shining could utter a word. "Like... I don't know, something about changelings? And rescuing Twilight!"

"We were discussing how Big Macintosh, you, and Shining Armor are-"

"And me! Don't forget about me!" Camo yelled pumping a hoof into the air from on his back. "But for now, now I'm just going to lay here a little... What is with all these prissy mares hitting me?"

"Yes, I suppose there is a fairly good chance you will be caught. Camo Travels will also be going, for the sake of bait." Celestia said smiling. "I think that is fair punishment for the artifact incident."

"Aye, a most generous decree." Luna said.

"And if I return?" He said rising from the floor. "Oh my neck..."

"What about if you get back?" Celestia said hotly. "Do you expect some medal? An award perhaps? Or being turned into an alicorn? What could you possibly want?"

"Well," he cracked his neck. "I think finding a way to get me a new leg is in order. And me, you, and your sister can start anew. Have a clean slate and see how it turns out. Is that fair?"

Celestia looked over at her sister, Luna was still glaring but nodded slightly.

"We have a deal. Now, you all will leave in the morning. For now, you are all, except Camo, to explore the castle. With guards of course."

"Yes your highness-es." They all bowed.

As they all turned to leave, and Luna repairing the window, Celestia sighed. As the doors closed Luna let out a sigh, audible enough for Celestia to hear.

"Do you really think it's that bad?" Celestia asked. "They seem fairly good working together."

"Tis not that, sister." Luna said. "We art worried that Camo will return."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll be captured or killed swiftly. Whichever comes first."

As the two sisters stood in silence, they both sighed.

"He still is one of our little ponies, and we must protect him."

"Even if the stallion is nothing but a jester." Luna said looking downtrodden.

"Yes Luna, even then." Celestia said. "You know, he was only trying to be nice. And he doesn't act like any other pony except Twilight around us... Maybe we have been a bit harsh on him."

"Aye... Our actions were uncalled for and brutish at best."

"Let's make sure he's not killed."

"Immediately?" Luna asked looking up.

"He is a grown stallion, and he has run over a fire cockatrice. Let's just nudge them in the right direction and leave them be afterwards."

"That is, if Shining Armor does not throttle him first."

"Yes Luna, if he does not throttle him first." Celestia smiled gently. "But one can only hope." She said pulling her sister into a hug.

"May drone accompany them also?"

Both of them glanced back at the changeling as it stared at them.

"Yes, now go away, were trying to have a moment here." Celestia said frowning. "And do not think I forgot what you did to my student, you will be punished after this is over."

"After?" He said. "What of drone's Nurser and hatchling? Will they be charged as well?"

"No, unless they had a part in this. Did they?" She asked flatly.

"No, but neither did drone. Not willfully atleast... Drone was controlled. Mentally, physically, emotional controlled by old queen. If drone could go back, drone would give life to make sure mare's is not ruined. But dro-" he paused, letting his eyes become distant before a slight growling like noise came out of his throat. "Before... I!" He coughed out. "Before I did what was done... Now... I!" He grit his teeth at the letter. "Shall do what is best; to do what I... Can do to help."

With those final words he left, saying the one letter until his jaw relaxed. As the door slammed shut, Luna turned to her sister, a curious expression on her muzzle.

"Sister, what dost thou think of when he spoke of being controlled? Dost thou think it true?"

Celestia remained silent, her features unreadable. Blinking slightly her eyes danced to the sides for a second before resting on her sister.

"We shall see when they return. If, they return that is."

Author's Note

Yep. I brought him back. But just this once.

The first lesson.

"Nothing..." Twilight said leaning back in a wooden chair. "Out of every book here, every book that could have helped, there was nothing. I really am stuck like this..."

As she stared at the numerous tomes splayed out across the table, the candle's flame flickered. She didn't even bother looking to see who was there, she didn't want to know. But all she heard was the light breathing of a changeling.

"Twilight?"

She froze, turning slowly she saw Chrysalis. She was staring at her, with an almost caring expression. Leaning to the side she saw the books, casting her eyes to the floor she cleared her throat.

"I'm here personally to bring you somewhere private so we may begin. Please, if you will, follow me." She said.

"Why private?" Twilight asked.

"So we are not disturbed by a drone. In order to receive the full training, we need absolute silence and privacy. Now follow me, I will not have us pass through the walls. I was told that you-"

"By Alfred?"

Chrysalis stopped, she looked at Twilight with a strange expression before a small smile graced her lips.

"Yes, Alfred," she smiled. "I must thank you for that. I have never seen him so ecstatic before. All he told me was he had made a friend, and received a name. I would have thought you would have threatened him for coming near you. You are very surprising sometimes."

"I'm saving my deserved anger for the one who deserves it," Twilight said glaring at the changeling queen. "You."

Chrysalis merely laughed before she began to walk away. Twilight pushed in her chair and followed.

They exited the large archives, Twilight wincing as the doors were slammed shut behind them. They walked through the glowing halls, Twilight making sure not to get to close to the walls while Chrysalis stared sadly at them.

They began going uphill, the smooth ground quickly became a stony stairwell that Twilight hadn't noticed until she almost tripped. Chrysalis stopped and looked back, but just momentarily to see if the new queen needed any assistance. Seeing she didn't, she began forward again.

The hall quickly became smaller, that even Chrysalis had to hunch her head slightly. Twilight walked on, careful not to bump into her.

The air changed as well; it went from the dank, moist smell of the dirt hallways, to a smell resembling decay and large amounts of Carbon Dioxide. Going further up, the smell intensified but she could still breath just as well.

As they drew upward even more, Chrysalis stopped and lit her horn. Fearing she'd see the gel changelings she had inadvertently made, Twilight looked away.

"Twilight, do not worry yourself, we are not going through any walls. But we have to walk across this one, seeing how the stairwell has been worn away." Chrysalis said. "There is nothing to fear. That is, unless you've forgotten how to climb walls this early?"

Twilight looked back and saw the changeling queen's horn casting a green light to the other end of the stairwell. She ignited her own horn and looked forward and gasped mentally.

The stairwell they had been traveling on, wasn't worn away, it was nearly destroyed to the base. Jagged grooves had been the only thing left above, while at the bottom it was a pile of boulders and stones with sharp points staring back at her. She looked over at the wall and gulped.

"Do not worry yourself over the walls here, they are made of stone just as the stairs are." Chrysalis said from the other side. "You have my word."

With a snort, she put her fore-hooves onto the wall and pulled forward.

She gave a small yelp as her hooves slid momentarily before her back hooves latched onto the stone surface. Panting from the shock, she righted herself and stood, side-ways, defying gravity.

She nervously put a hoof out and waited a second to begin her death fall, when nothing happened, she completed her first step. Relaxing, she took another, and then another. Smiling slightly, she did a full circle before getting brave and rearing up. Standing on the wall, she felt lighter, calmer.

"Twilight, I know it must be exciting for a once-unicorn to be standing on a wall, but please try and hurry up."

Twilight huffed before going to the other end of the stairwell where Chrysalis was waiting. Once her hoof touched the stone, Chrysalis began going again.

Twilight quickly caught up and after a minute more of ascending, it leveled out and she found herself in a long hallway with windows closely built to the ceiling.

The hall's floor was made of Olivine, black changeling's had been put into the green mass of the volcanic mineral. The light coming in from outside casted a dim orange glow across the floor, giving the figures carapace, Chrysalis, and herself a dingy hue.

The only sound were the faint shrieking of a wind outside brushing across the walls, or the hoof falls of the two changelings. As they neared the end of the hall, Twilight could make out a set of black doors ahead, before she could get any closer, Chrysalis put a wing out.

"I am afraid it would be unwise for you to see the outside." She said sadly. "There is a reason why the drones and I wish to stay underground. We are all scared by what we had done to the land."

"You mean what you forced them to do?" Twilight sneered making the changeling queen turn sharply and glare.

"I did nothing! It was Celestia and Luna who did this!" She yelled. "It was their fault my kingdom, and my subjects were forced to go underground!"

"No! I know what happened, the little history book I got told me all about it. You and your husband were going to see the princesses, during that time, a servant of Celestia killed your husband. After that, you, and only you, poisoned your own land, you did it because you felt the need to have vengeance over something nopony had planned on!"

"H-How did you know my husband was murdered?" Chrysalis asked. "What history book? I never sent, or had one sent to you. I gave strict orders to the drones to only observe, but never interact unless necessary. And I made sure that part was erased from the history books here. How is it you became aware of such knowledge?"

"Please, I may not have found anything here, but I know it was you who sent me that book."

"I told you, I had no book sent to you." Chrysalis said. "It hurt enough then when it happened, so why would I share it with another? One that I hate?"

"I don't know, but I don't care either." Twilight said. "You may be royalty to the changelings, but to me, all I see is a broken, pathetic little waste of air, who killed her nation, doomed her race, and has resorted to scarring ponies physically and mentally anyway she can!"

Chrysalis merely stared at Twilight, her mouth hung loosely. Chrysalis tried to form words, any word but all she could do was stare with her mouth opening and closing. Twilight continued to glare at the changeling queen, looking away she sat on the floor. Chrysalis continued to stare, keeping her mouth shut she ignited her horn and they both disappeared in a flash.

They reappeared, Twilight still sitting with her back turned to Chrysalis.

The room was large, dome shaped with green, fleshy walls, black supports sprouted from the floor alongside the walls. The floor was a solid stone, Twilight leaned forward staring at her own glossy reflection.

"Obsidian floors, walls, and Olivine floors back in the hallway. Were the stone steps Basalt?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. Yes they all were." Chrysalis said without emotion. "Why do you ask?"

"Because," Chrysalis could see the side of her face curve up. "I know exactly where we are."

"I'm sure you do, but what good would that bring?"

"You said I could leave at any time, correct? Any time of my choosing, and I would be free to leave without hesitation?"

"Correct. Where is this going?"

"If I were to leave, then I could easily tell both princesses that the changeling hive is exactly in the long extinct dragon pits of Nuveral. I could ask Celestia to send her sun straight down here, or have Luna flood your land with ice. Or, maybe, have the guards kill. Every. Last. Changeling." She said letting the least three words click off her tongue lightly.

"And I suppose you want that?" Chrysalis sighed. "I am not sure Celestia or Luna would agree to such things. But I do not have very good relations to Celestia, and in turn, to Luna either. Do you wish to leave?"

"No." Twilight breathed in before audibly exhaling. "I'd rather kill you myself. You ruined my life, so I take yours. To put the wounded down, as the griffons say." She said turning around.

Chrysalis took a step back, staring into the the eyes of the crazed looking changeling. Startled by the sudden look, she had heard of Twilight when she had entered into a similar state. She scoffed at that, but this look sent something she hadn't felt in years going down her spine.

Fear.

Twilight's mane was split in some parts, giving it a thorn coated look, her pupils shrunk but the whites were even brighter than before, and she was smiling. Not an erratic smile, but a small, fanged smile that sent a cold wind across Chrysalis.

"Shall we begin, Chrysalis?" Twilight said sweetly. "Or, is there something wrong? You look troubled, almost... Afraid." She chuckled before stopping and giving the taller changeling a flat stare. "Or, I could simply use a paralysis spell while you are, right now, frozen with fear, and then simply end you here. That is of course, if you would like to still teach me?"

"O-of course." Chrysalis said feeling her own breath become cold. "We shall s-start with mimicking inanimate objects."

"Well, I'm waiting, O so patiently." Twilight said standing on all fours now. "After all, I'm just here to learn. And your here to teach me how to kill you."

"R-Right... Of course." Chrysalis said backing away.

As she went away, Twilight's mood shifted and her mane became smooth again. Blinking she caught a faint smell in the air, one that wasn't there before. It made her shiver, it made her afraid, it made her fell empty and cold on the inside.

"Who knew pheromones could affect grown changelings." Twilight said under her breath. "If that was what that was."

She jumped slightly, seeing Chrysalis roll out a wooden wheel, a barrel, and then take out a ponyquin. Setting them in front of Twilight, she looked back at the unicorn turned changeling without as much fear. Smiling she put a holed hoof to the wheel.

"Now, first off we will be practicing how to turn into a simple object, such as this wheel. Now, it that same basic principle that-"

Twilight was enveloped in a flash of lavender flames, in her place sat an exact replica of the wooden wheel Chrysalis had. She rolled forward, and then back before twirling and breaking the disguise. Smiling at Chrysalis, the queen rolled her eyes.

"Now, Let's try something harder. Try and imitate this barrel, since it is a hollow object you will need to, in a sense, put a hole through yourself."

Twilight looked down at her hooves, legs and even her wings.

"No. Not any of those, you need the ones on you legs to breath in water or the walls here. Now, just imagine a hole forming in your back, let your magic wash over yourself and then, instinct will take care of the rest."

"You want me to tear a hole in myself? On purpose?" Twilight asked defensively.

"It will do no physical damage," Chrysalis said. "Remember, it is only the magic making yourself appear to be splitting. Think of it as a light passes through a prism."

Apprehensively, finding no lies in the changelings words, Twilight stared at the barrel, concentrating on her magic she envisioned herself becoming it.

Slowly, she felt her magic begin to puddle at her hooves before crawling up her legs. She felt it go up, bending her form and molding it like a putty, it made her back bend and slowly split like an amoeba. When she felt that happen, a new feeling overtook her and suddenly her magic was put into overdrive, ending the process in seconds.

"Very good, I see why Celestia chose you as her protege." Chrysalis smiled. "Now, as for the ponyquin, it is almost exactly the same as mimicking a pony, changeling, griffon or any other small creature. Except, it has no features, nothing to tell if it is male or female. A challenge, yet, it is not a challenge. Now, do not worry yourself if you cannot do it, it has no real purpose really."

Twilight changed back shortly, checking her back she saw no hole. Just a plain back with two insectoid wings. Twilight looked back at the queen and then ponyquin. Concentrating, she copied the ponyquin's features, which she found she couldn't.

Slowly, she went back and retraced her steps.

It has no features, it has no color, it has nothing but a shape. She thought. So, if it has nothing, then I just need to make an equine shape with no visible features. She grinned physically, Chrysalis also grinned seeing her figuring it out.

"Very good," Chrysalis said watching her become surrounded by lavender flames. "Very good indeed, not many changelings, myself included, can do that. Tell me, how did you figure it out?"

"All I did, was make a blank equine shape. All I had to see was white, and make it into a shape of my choosing." The fake ponyquin spoke. "Now what?" Twilight asked letting the disguise fall. "Because that had to be only minutes long, there must be more to teach?"

"There is," Chrysalis smiled. "Much more to teach, my rental pupil."

"I'm not a rental."

Author's Note

Twilight effectively turning Chrysalis into a near whimpering mess? Check!
Twilight going crazy for a short time? Check!
Happy commentators? Check?

The knights and Shinging Armor.

The three stallions, changeling, and dragon stood at the edge of Ponyville, ahead of them lay a vast expanse of green hills and the occasional bush or tree in the distance.

"Alright," Shining said. "Changeling, are you sure you know where you're going?"

The changeling, staring off into space for a second, nodded his head briefly before blinking and looking at the guard captain. Nodding, he licked his lips and started a quick spell.

"So, how do we know we can trust him?" Shining asked Big Mac.

"We don't have any other options. Sides' he seems to care for her." The red stallion replied. "He says that another changeling took her, he tried to defend her but he got shot and then ah found him in the closet later. Do ya think he would try and attack another changeling?"

"No. I guess not." Shining said. "But I still don't trust him."

"Are ya still sore from the wedding?"

Shining snorted and nodded, eyebrows knitted together in slight anger recalling the memory.

"Yeah, I am." He admitted. "But for all we know, we could be walking into a trap. He's taking us to the hive. Were going to be going into a hive full of hundreds of changelings, with nothing to protect ourselves with. This is the worst-"

"And only plan we got." Big Mac finished. "Sides' ah don't think havin' ya go along with us is such a good idea. No offense."

"Why would me going be bad?" Shining snapped.

"Your too emotionally distraught." Spike said. "You're too connected to Twilight, and were going after her, where, she is being held by most hated enemy. Twilight, plus Chrysalis, equals a disgruntled Shining Armor. And when there's a disgruntled Shining Armor, things tend to get stomped into the ground. Face it, when we get there, we can't take you in with us."

"You listen here," he said drawing in a breath. "She is my sister! And I will not stand by while she's being held captive! She helped save my life once, and I think It's time I return the favor. Are you done yet?" Shining said turning to the changeling.

The changeling, stopping briefly, nodded before he began walking.

"Well, just don't stand there like tree's, get moving!" Camo said walking past the others and to the changeling.

Letting out a trio of exhales, the two stallions and dragon gave one last glance at Ponyville before following.

The changeling took to the air, just moving along a few inches off the ground. Camo had an odd gait going on, his prosthetic leg dragging slightly, much to his annoyance. Spike was riding on Big Macintosh's back, leaning against the stallions neck for support. Shining Armor was standing as tall as he would have if he was on guard duty.

The sun provided its usual comfort, a warm breeze flew by. As they walked, as Ponyville grew smaller and smaller in the distance, Camo began humming. Minutes passed before he sighed and lit his horn; holding his own saddle bag in front of him, he opened the flap and pulled out a small ukelele. Playing it, he closed his eyes in concentration and a feeling of relaxation.

"Camo...?" Shining said. "Camo stop!" He yelled making the stallion jump.

"My skill is very good, and you have no right to criticize me." Camo said. "What's up with him?" He asked pointing at the changeling as it lay still on the ground. "He's not dead, is he? Spike, give him mouth to mouth, or chest compressions. Or both. We can't lose him... Or can we?"

"Your playing did something to him." Spike said. "As soon as you started playing, he just stopped and started twitching before this. I think you made him pass out."

"Oh. My bad." He said chuckling guiltily as he stuffed the instrument back in his saddle bag. "You sure he's not dead? I heard changeling meat is selling for five hundred bits in the... I'll shut up now."

Shining Armor, glaring at the pony, tore his attention away and kneeled down to the changeling. Tilting the changeling's head, he took his hoof away and looked curiously as the changeling's head didn't fall back down. The changeling blinked, his horn giving off a faint flicker.

The changeling, using what magic he could in his state, lifted a twig from the ground and began writing in the dirt.

"Can't... Move." Camo read. "I bucked up, didn't I?"

"Yes." Spike read as the changeling's magic flashed red for a second. "Well, great, we've just started and you paralyzed our guide. Do any of you have any other way of reaching Twilight?"

"We could use my map."

Both stallions, Spike and as best as he could, the changeling, all looked at Camo as the stallion rummaged through his saddle bag again. Pulling out a long, straight object wrapped in a white cloth, a stone slab, rope, glue, a snowglobe, his ukelele and the head of a pickaxe, and finally a small box.

It was a small black box, gold trimmings lined the sides and top, and resting in the middle was a silver latch. He opened it quickly, pulling the paper out in a second before screwing up his face until it was red as he tried to keep the two parts from splitting. The others stared in shock, fear, and surprise as multiple screeches came out from the box.

"Help! Me...!" Camo said, the strain in his voice clear.

Big Mack put his fore-hooves on the top and bottom before pushing. Whatever it was inside, was even proving a challenge for him. As he pushed, the veins in his neck began to bulge out; as Shining Armor went to help, a click was heard before it all stopped.

Panting, Camo sat on his flank before unfolding the paper and stuffing his items back in his saddle bag.

"What in the hay was that!?" Big mac asked staring at the small box.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, did I mention it's cursed? No? Oh, well I hope you two don't mind." Camo said idly looking over the map. "So... We take a left here, and then keep going straight through the gorge..."

"Cursed!" Shining said incredulously. "I mind that very much! What's in that thing?"

"Um..." The stallion said glancing at the box. "Did I ever tell you how I had a one night stand with a mare, and then found her preparing to cut me into little bits in the morning?"

"What. Is. In. The. Box?" Shining asked.

"Well, after a few drinks, and a short walk to her cave in the woods, we got into bed and rutted. In the morning, I found that she had grown claws, razor sharp teeth, and black eyes. So, I push her off and run to the other side of the room after letting out a... Less than stallion-like scream. Yeah, I saw a box on a shelf, grabbed it, threw it, and she is now trapped in there."

"What is she?" Big Mac asked.

"A Banshee." He said. "In hindsight, I should have stopped wen she told me she lived in a cave." He said looking at the map. "In the middle of the woods." He shrugged. "Where... So that's why she said where nopony could hear me scream. I thought she was just kinky."

"Should I be listening?" Spike said drawing their attention. "So, she's a Banshee...? And you carry her around because...?"

"She keeps my stuff safe." He said. "And she just seemed lonely. I couldn't just leave... Well I could, but I didn't." He shrugged. "Poor Soul Song, she was a good mare at heart, I'm sure. But she was a horrible monster everywhere else!" He yelled at the box.

"S-She can't get out, can she?" Spike asked glancing at the box.

"Not unless it stays open." He said. "I was planning on giving it as a gift. That stupid sailor stole my two bits." He said darkly scrunching the paper slightly. "Nopony double crosses me and get's away with it. And certainly not after stealing from me." He chuckled coldly before having a coughing fit. "Wish I brought some cough drops."

"Do you have any other cursed items in there?" Shining asked nodding towards his saddle bag.

"Of course not!" He said. "Atleast, none that I can't handle."

"What are they, and what do they do?" He asked. "Or, I let your marefriend out of the box."

"Well, the snow globe causes a small, arctic like storm until the user stops rapidly shaking it. And the glue... I'm not sure what that does. But I'm guessing it's used to stick construction paper to cardboard. Or, to create a small pit filled with glue. I actually forgot." He said smiling. "So, who's going to carry the changeling? Because I'm now the guide for this little trip."

"Ah'm carrin' Spike as it is." Big Mac said. "Ah guess it's up to ya, Armor." He said watching the stallion's face twist into a grimace.

"Fine. But the second he even twitches, I'm dropping him." He said staring down at the changeling. "Where to, Camo?"

"Well," He said tucking it in his saddle bag. "Who's ready to run a marathon through Ghastly Gorge?"

Both stallions, Spike and the changeling just stared at him, he smiled back. His smile faded as they just kept staring.

"I'll lead hm to a cliff," Shining whispered to Big Mac. "You push him off."

"Eeyup."

"I'll tell Twilight he slipped." Spike whispered.

What is it like?

Twilight, walking through the busy halls of the changeling hive, looked around on her own mission. Her eyes were heavy, her legs light, and she kept yawning.

Her new, guide, Alfred, was with her. Staring at her each time she yawned. When she did it again, she caught him giving her a bemused look. When she turned to look, he looked away with a sharp twist of his head. Squinting at him, she sped up and stopped in front of him.

"Um... Yes?" He asked looking down. "Is there something you require, Twilight?"

"Why were you staring at me?" She asked bluntly. "When I was yawning."

"It was-I... Um, don't honestly know." He said shuffling his hooves. "I was curious. 'Yawning' is what you were doing?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"I've just... Why do you do that?" He asked receiving a blank stare. "I'm serious! Why do you yawn?"

"Because I need to sleep. I'm tired, that's all." She said. "You've never yawned before?"

"Changelings, atleast me and the drones and the miners, do not know what sleep is. We fake it when we imponyate..."

"You can say it. You all pretty much ruined my life, you can't do any more harm." She shrugged. "Go on Alfred, I know you're going to say food. Right?"

"Right. But it doesn't mean it makes me feel any better." He said. "But, what is it like to sleep? I... I was imponyating a mare's husband one time, and she began kicking in her... Sleep. Is that normal?"

"Yes. Ponies tend to move around in there sleep. Is, there anywhere I could rest?"

"Would you care for another large tome then?" He smiled.

"Very funny." She said slugging him in the shoulder slightly. "But really, is there somewhere I could rest?"

"Yes, but it's near where the miners are. You must excuse them if they make too much of a racket."

"Don't worry, with the way I'm feeling, I could drop dead."

"You won't... Will you?" He asked looking at her, mouth slightly agape. "Please, don't. I wouldn't want to lose you. Otherwise. the hive would die within weeks."

"What do you mean by that? Die within weeks?" She asked narrowing her eyes. "Why would me dying, cause that?"

"I-I've said too much! Please, for the sake of us all, don't leave until your training is complete." He said placing a hoof on her shoulder. "Please, I'm begging you. If you stay, no harm shall befall you. If you leave, we all die. And, I don't know about you, but I'm not ready for that. Not yet."

Her expression softened, putting a hoof on his, she leaned forward and hugged him which he returned slowly. She sighed gently, her wings fluttering for a second before folding down against her sides.

"I'm not leaving," she said. "Not now anyway. But I want answers as to why I'm important here. And I will get them, rest assured."

"I can't rest, and you know that." He said pulling away. "Alright, if you will follow me, I will show you to your quarters."

They walked in silence, the only noise was from the passing changeling that flew overhead, or from the growing number of her followers. They went further down into the darkness to the point where she could see her own glow coming from her eyes.

The further down they got, the more she was expecting it to become colder, but instead it was getting warmer. Sniffing the air, she snorted when she sucked in a whiff of something burning alongside sulfur. He looked over at her as she gave another cough, putting his hoof to her nose she tried to snort but she couldn't get any air in or out. Panicking she looked at him in concern and anger.

"It is just the same fluid you used to... Entangle us." He said only making her eyes narrow even more. "You were choking on the fumes, breathe through the holes in your legs. They'll ventilate the air for you."

"How do I do that?" She asked. "I'm not exactly used to breathing through my legs."

Putting a hoof to his chin, he stood in thought. His eyes seemed to brighten even more when a small smile crept onto his face. She blinked in surprise when he sat down and put both fore-hooves on her muzzle. She crossed her eyes before trying to squeal. More of the green fluid had wrapped itself around her muzzle and was already hardening.

He let go and wiped the excess off before looking at her. He snickered a little as he saw her glaring at him, all the while pointing at the clites.

"Cut off the main flow of oxygen, your body acts naturally and you begin to breath through the holes in your legs. I'm brilliant, I know." He smiled.

She responded with a hoof to the back of the head.

"Hey, careful, I bruise like a banana." He said frowning.

She pointed to her throat instead, making muffled words his eyes widened in realization. Quickly lighting his horn, he put it to hers and her eyes flashed green for a second. Pulling away, he gave a small smile that turned into a grimace as she began hitting him with an onslaught of angry thought's.

'What is wrong with you!?' She yelled mentally. 'Was that really necessary? Shutting my mouth like that?'

"Well, it was either that, or you would have choked to death on the fumes." He said making her stop. "I made a telepathic link, yes, I'm receiving your thought's as you think them."

'I could have just casted a portable atmosphere spell. It wasn't necessary to do this.'

"Whatever you say or think. This is making my head hurt." He said. "Or did you hit me again without me knowing? No, that's impossible. Come along, only a few more turns and we're ready to tuck you in. This way."

Trying, and failing to give a snort, she complied and followed him further down the rocky halls.

The stone beneath her hooves had smoothed out, looking she saw it wasn't from erosion, but it had been pressed down. Now, finally looking around, she realized the tunnel they were going through was at least as tall as a two-story building. And just as wide as any other building.

He saw her staring and chuckled.

"They need to be this size, for the miners." He said leaving it at that. "Know, just go around this corner here and you will, hopefully, find a bed."

They turned the corner, and Twilight let her eyes immediately fall upon the beds lining the room. Alfred, guiding her with a wing, took her to the nearest one and set her down.

She put her head on the pillow, surprised at how soft it was. She looked up curiously when she felt a blanket pulled over her, Alfred grinned sheepishly as he tucked her in.

"Good night, I suppose." He said. "I'll be here, just wake up if you need anything. I'll be on the wall keeping guard."

Before she could think of a response, he cut the connection and climbed onto the wall above her. Looking up, she stared at him as he looked towards the entrance almost as if entranced. Slowly, she put her back down and fluffed the pillow slightly before getting comfortable.

As she finally let all the stress melt away, her mind softened under sleeps touch.

Twilight's dream

The sun rested peacefully on the horizon, letting the land be covered in an orange glow. Birds tweeted for the last of the day, singing their songs before sleep, crickets chirped, fireflys appeared and disappeared in the air above the knee high grass.

She looked down at herself and saw she had her normal, purple hooves back. Smiling, it grew even larger when her friends rushed past. They were all laughing and smiling, trying to catch firefly's, or just tackling each other into the soft grass in the warm air.

"It's nice, ain't it?"

She felt her cheeks grow hot from the voice. She turned around and hugged Big Macintosh, he let out a deep chuckle before returning it. She cried into his coat, happy and relieved. While he stroked her mane, she just sat in silence with him, listening to the comforting beat of his heart like a foal would listen to their mother's for comfort.

"You don't know how happy I am to see you." She said nuzzling his shoulder. "I've missed you all so much."

"What do ya mean?" He asked. "Ya never left. Cause' we all remember ya, and as long as we do that, ya didn't leave for a second."

Before she could speak, another voice broke her sentence before it started.

"For a dream, he speaks the truth."

Twilight turned and saw Princess Luna laying in the grass, by her side was Celestia, Camo Travels, Shining Armor, and the drone she'd come to hate and care for.

"Princess!" She quickly bowed before her mentor came up and hugged her, leaving the dream in a near stand still. "How are you all here?"

"Sun butt and moon butt casted a real neat spell and now were here!" Camo said before getting hit by both princesses and then tackled by Shining armor. "He's trying to bite me! He's worse than the Banshee!"

As they fought, the drone walked up to her and sat, head cast down ward. She looked at it, looking down herself, she sat down and made it flinch from the next contact. She leaned forward and gripped it in a near bone crushing hug.

"Mare!? What... What are you doing?" He asked leaning his head back enough while she did the same.

"Apologizing..." She said. "What you did to me was unforgivable, but I've gotten proof you didn't do it in a way. Alfred told me, he said that you went to him for help, but then Chrysalis found out. I'm... I'm still a wreck about what you did, what happened, but now I know that it wasn't you, it was Chrysalis. I'm sorry for almost killing you, and blaming you without proof."

"It... It is alright." He said, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"No it's not, none of this is." She said letting go. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, if I may make a request?"

"Yes?" They both answered in unison.

"Could... Could you spare him? The drone?"

The two alicorns, and changeling, looked at her in disbelief, Shining Armor and Camo were still fighting, but paying attention at the same time. Luna's mouth was open, her head was bothering her obviously from the use of both hooves to rub her temple. Celestia blinked a few times before clearing her throat.

"Twilight, what he did... what he did is-"

"Not his fault." She said. "Alfred, my guide and guard, told me that the drone came to him for help, and when he wasn't, he was staring at the wall thinking of other ways to not do what Chrysalis wanted. This drone, is as innocent as me; Chrysalis is the one who should be punished."

"T-Twilight... Are you sure?" She received a firm nod in response. "Well, seeing as how your mind is made up, he will be spared. But if we get Chrysalis before you, Twilight."

"Trust me princess," Twilight said. "If you remember what I did to the drone, that's nothing compared to what happens when I unleash my full abilities. That was a controlled surge I made then, for her, I'm aiming for one over four times that size and then I let go of the restraints. This may sound morbid, and very unlike me, but, there won't be anything left hopefully."

"He's still trying to kill me!"

"Would you be quiet Camo!" Celestia said picking Shining Armor off. "We're trying to have a moment here."

"And I was trying not to die!"

"You can't die for real in a dream!"

"It still hurts!"

As they argued, it all went quiet when the dream world shook. Luna looked around and gave a small nod to Twilight before they all disappeared. As Twilight watched her world crumble into darkness, another tremor shook the ground making her fall to her side.

Real world

Twilight struggled with whatever was constricting her, holding her in its unrelenting grasp. She kicked and gave small yelps when her hooves hit something hard; all at once it ended as the blanket was taken off. What she saw made her cheeks heat up.

Dozens upon dozens of changelings were staring down, or across the room at her. All she saw were white fangs and blue eyes in the darkness. Somepony clearing their throat got her attention, she looked up and saw Alfred with the blanket in his fore-hooves, a guilty smile on his face.

"They overpowered me." He said. "Um, are you alright? You hit the floor and me, and you were also making little yelping noises whenever you hit the wall or my face."

"I-I'm alright." She said putting a hoof to her chest. "I was just having a dream, and then something woke me up, that's all."

"It wouldn't have been like... I don't know, a large tremor?"

"Yes. That's exactly it."

"Those were the miners at work. They were just moving some boulders out from a recent collapse. You... You can go back to sleep." He said giving the blanket back. "But, I was wondering... Just a silly little thought, that's all. Nothing at all."

"Wondering about what?"

"What it felt like to dream." He said. "Does it feel... Nice? Warm? Cold? Hard? Soft? What does it feel like to dream?" He asked splaying his ears back.

"I... I could show you." She said. "Maybe a past dream. Would you like to know?"

"Yes. I would like to know." He said giving a small smile.

She nodded and patted the foot of the bed. He got on and sat as she was readying a spell. When her horn started to glow a soft blue, she leaned forward and touched the tip of her horn between his eyes. He gasped sharply before sighing, his own horn glowing the same color before the other changelings around them began to experience the same thing.

One by one, and then by pairs, and then dozens, they all fell or stuck to the ceiling or walls as they yawned and fell asleep. Alfred fell to her hooves, part of his forked down getting bitten by his teeth with a clack as they met. He shot up with a yelp, finding his tongue sore and Twilight looking around in confusion.

"My tongue..." He said rubbing the forked appendage. "Twilight? Is there something wrong?"

"What happened to them?" She asked. "The other changelings, they just stopped."

"When you showed me your memory, you connected yourself to the hive mind." He said. "Every changeling experienced sleep and the dream. I think when they wake up, you might have a few more followers. It's a shame that I woke-"

Before he could finish, numerous roars echoed through the room, shaking dirt and stone off from the walls, even dropping some changelings. Twilight hung onto the bed, her eyes wide and looking around frantically.

"It seems even the miners have been affected." Alfred said. "I would hope you have them on your side. They scare me."

"Y-You keep mentioning miners," she said. "And if that was them, what do they look like? How big are they?"

"Since neither of us are getting any sleep tonight, I suppose I can show you. Just follow me, the chamber is only a drop down."

"What do you mean by-"

He lit his horn and the floor was turned into the same gel changelings as before, with another burst of magic, a hole formed and he jumped down. She stared at the gelatinous floor in guilt, as she was doing so, Alfred flew back up and hovered in the hole. Quickly, he grabbed her and wrapped her in a hug before taking her down.

Dust was thrown up everywhere, she closed her eyes as they descended; as soon as it started, they stopped. He let go and she got back onto all fours, rubbing her eyes furiously. With a quick burst of magic, he got the dust out from them. She opened her eyes slowly, already feeling the heat from whatever was down there. When she opened her eyes, she felt the breath in her throat stop.

Randomly along the walls were small magma-falls, all of them converging into a central pit in the middle of the chamber. The chamber itself was at least eight stories high, with a width the size of a hoofball stadium. What really caught her attention, were the miners.

They were a story and a half tall, their horns making up for the last half. A pair of spiked mandibles hung limply by their jaws, green saliva dripped off before sizzling on the ground. Their wings were covered under a large shell, but even from where she was at, she could tell they were longer than the body itself. She began walking towards the closest one, a mere twelve hooves away.

When she got close enough, she noticed the ash covered shackles digging into its legs, with chains thick enough to be used in bridge construction were hanging on the floor and leading into the pit. She followed it and had to squint to clear her mind.

The pit, was exactly that, a pit with a light at the bottom, spanning miles down. It was faint, but she could see other miners down there. A sudden burst of hot air startled her and she yelped, the sound of her voice echoing throughout the chamber. She saw Alfred, wide eyed, slowly look up at one of the miners that was yawning. It opened its eyes and her's widened.

Slowly, with cracks, ash and rock falling off, it turned its head towards her and looked down with red eyes. She froze on the spot as it stared down at her, but as she stared, her fear became confusion mixed with worry as she saw something roll down its cheeks.

Slowly, she got up, and began going to it, never breaking eye contact. When she got to it, she put a hoof out and winced as a tear fell onto it. Wiping it on the floor, she spoke, hopefully loud enough to hear.

"A-Are you alright?" She asked making it arch its head back. "Does... Does it hurt? The chains?" She said pointing to the shackles.

It let out a low growl, that she soon heard was a whine. It nodded, chewing at a chain before it screeched. She stared wide-eyed as the arks of electricity stopped. It took a step, but with a limp. Looking down at her again, it nodded.

"Here... Don't tell anypony, because I'm not sure I should be doing this, but..." Biting her lower lip, she lit her horn and the shackles on its legs, from underneath, glowed blue for a second. It looked surprised but then, it's tears stopped and it purred slightly. When she was done, she smiled, even if she was panting slightly. "There, is that better?"

It leaned down and gave her a lick, coating her with spit before it began walking again. As she was turning to leave, she saw Alfred's jaw fall. She looked back just in time to see the miner raise onto its back legs and roar.

More stone fell from the ceiling, the magma rippled, and the ground shook to the point where Alfred had run and hung onto her for balance. Once it stopped, it got back onto all fours making a tremor. Before the tremor stopped, more roars could be heard, all of them in unison and were answered again by the same miner. Twilight and Alfred watched as it passed roar after roar, eventually stopping alongside the others as the last of the tremors shook the chamber.

"What... What just happened?" She asked watching the miner begin to move again. "Why were they all roaring?"

"You, you crazy little thing!" Alfred yelled hugging her. "You just managed to get every single, all four dozen miners, on your side! All of them!" He laughed. "It's incredible! That was incredible! You're incredible!"

"So I can see. You are becoming quite popular here, Twilight."

They both froze, Alfred let go of Twilight as he looked up at a frowning Chrysalis.

"M-My M-Majesty!" He said. "I-Is there anything wrong? Anything I could get you?" He asked putting on a fake smile.

"I'm not sure of that yet." She said. "Twilight, it is morning, now, come along for your lesson. And maybe we could talk along the way?"

"Fine, we can talk." She said narrowing her eyes. "I'm sure I could dig something up."

"Ah, making jokes I see, well that won't get you anywhere." She said beginning to walk away.

"It wasn't a joke." Twilight said walking past the changeling queen. "But there is one here. And I would like, so much, to let you hear the punchline."

"You'll get your time, don't worry." Chrysalis said quietly. "And we'll both get ours for what you did to us."

Author's Note

Du-Du-Du! A shocking twist to this story!

A show of cruelty.

Chrysalis flinched as they walked down the hall. Ever since Twilight and her had left the large chamber, Twilight noticed the queen flinch every so often for no visible reason.

She didn't care though; no, she deserved to have her throat cut.

"Wait...!" Chrysalis said suddenly.

Twilight looked back and saw the changeling queen slumped against the wall, laying on the floor. She was panting, making small yelps as she flinched. As she tried to stand up, her legs gave out and she slid back against the wall.

"Chrysalis, what's wrong?" Twilight asked flatly. "Is there something wrong?"

"Y-Yes." She breathed. "The changelings, they're waking up, but there cutting themselves off. I can feel it... All of them cutting themselves off from the hive, and connecting to you. Congratulations Twilight, you have taken everything away from me. My children, soon enough, my home... The only thing left to take, is my life."

"And I assure you, I will be taking that, very, very slowly." Twilight said. "Now get up, you laying here isn't helping me. All you're doing is wasting my time. If you're so strong, the mighty queen of the changelings, laying on the floor like what she is, an insect. If you're so strong, than stand above me. Do it just as you've been doing."

"Do not... Mock me. I could crush you even from here." Chrysalis said baring her teeth.

"Of course you can. So, if you could crush another queen, surely you could easily crush one of those miners?" She said leaning down until her face was only an inch from the other queen's. "Or are you scared of them? Scared because you know they are bigger, stronger, and they hate you."

"M-My children do not hate me!" She hissed.

"Then why did they leave you?" Twilight shot back as Chrysalis face went from anger to acceptance. "Now you get it. Maybe if you weren't so cruel to them, they would still care for you. And you know what else? You could have saved so many lives that one day, you remember it, the one where my brother shot you out from Canterlot? If you weren't so cruel, Equestria might have listened to a treaty."

"Peace? And with those murderous hay eaters?" Chrysalis spat. "I would rather have my throat cut before I speak of peace with Celestia or her mentally corrupted sister."

"Well see about that, won't we?" Twilight muttered. "You know, there is still something I have been wondering about you. Something that has been nagging at the back of my mind ever since I read that book. May I ask you, your highness?" She said giving a mock bow.

Snorting, Chrysalis nodded. Twilight narrowed here eyes, running her tongue over her teeth she opened her mouth to speak but closed it before putting a hoof to her chin. Her eyes widened slightly before she gave a small smile.

"How is it, you the most feared and hated changeling, managed to escape Princess Celestia and Luna?" She asked.

"When we saw we were losing, we came here." Chrysalis said.

"So, the mighty Chrysalis didn't fight, but hid in a hole?" Twilight said bluntly. "I'm impressed. You came from hiding in a hole, to a full on invasion, and now you're back to hiding in a hole as you get the drones to do the dirty work. Excuse me if I hold my applause."

"When the time comes," Chrysalis hissed. "You are going to regret your choice of words. Especially after I put you in a hole of your own!"

"Ooh! Is that a threat? Or an empty promise like you made the other changelings when you invaded Canterlot?" Twilight shot back. "Face it Chrysalis, I've already won. As for you, you're just here as a decoration at his point. Now, are you able to take us to our room so we can begin? Or do I have to carry you? Which I will not, so don't bother answering that."

"Just go. Get out of my sight." Chrysalis said. "At this point, I don't care what you do. Just leave me alone, I have company I must meet."

"Oh, then I guess I can go with you?" Twilight said.

"No!" Chrysalis said stomping a hoof. "You will not follow me! I will snap your neck here if you do so!" She yelled baring her teeth fully.

"Touchy, touchy, did I hit a nerve?" Twilight said poking at the larger queen's teeth. "You should really put those away, somepony might lose an eye."

"Or a jugular." Chrysalis ghissed. "Well, at least you've gotten over your fear of me. I would say this is a larger improvement then what I had originally planned." She smiled. "That is very, drone like in a sense."

"I'm still frightened," Twilight said turning away. "But, that is all covered by the anger I have for you."

Chrysalis watched as the smaller queen walked away. Narrowing her eyes, she looked around before pulling a root overhead. The wall in front of her slid up exposing a new passage. Looking around once more, she entered, but failed to notice the invisible, but blurred figured following closely behind.

Chrysalis shut the entrance and picked up an extinguished torch before lighting it. Blinking from the sudden change in lighting, she stared ahead momentarily before going forward.

The changeling queen's eyes darted nervously to the sides as she progressed, stepping on a root that was dry enough to snap, she flinched. Stopping on a particularly loud one, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Continuing, the torch flickered as the temperature began to drop. Gulping even as she went, frost began to crunch underhoof as it spread across the walls and floor. Clinging to her, frost began to pile on her back until she shook it off. Looking down, she sighed as she saw snow begin to form. Taking the first step, she winced from the cold and the crunch.

The one trailing her was shaking from the cold. Confused as to why it was getting colder, and in an inactive volcano no less, the follower crept on.

Chrysalis, continued on, teeth chattering and eyes nearly closed. She put her torch in her mouth and held it closer. Stepping into more of the snow, she put the torch into an opening on the wall. The side burst into life as a fire swept across the cut in the rock, and stopping at a large set of doors.

They were a large set of metal doors, shining a light blue, untouched by the elements below the surface of the ground. Taking a deep breath, Chrysalis lifted both fore-hooves and pushed them open without a sound. With no hinges marking where the doors were connected, they slid easily open. Moving quickly, her follower moved inside as the doors shut with a strong wind following. Moving to a corner in the room, the stalker watched in curiosity as Chrysalis stood at the entrance.

The room, was made of the same blue metal as the doors, contrasting with the floor which was a black crystal. There were candles, lit with purple and blue flames, lining the walls and edges of the floor. But not one touching the floor itself. Chrysalis stared straight ahead at the small pillar in the center of the room, a solid white crystal with a hole at the top. Moving to it, she eyed it warily before sticking her horn in.

She gasped and pulled away, a thin trail of blue mist connecting her horn to the pillar. Her eyes were a blank, as white as the snow as she stared at nothing, but at something.

"O-Of course," she said. "She suspects only that I am at work. No, she suspects nothing else. But, something has come up, a changeling, the one I sent away. He is returning, and he is a threat. What am I to do with him when he returns?"

She stood there, swaying slightly as the mist flashed multiple times. She gasped sharply before nodding.

"Of course, he must be purged. Purged from both hives. Yes, I will when I see him. But, what am I to do with Twilight? She lacks any emotion but anger towards me. How am I to teach her, to make it believable to even Celestia and Luna themselves? She openly mocks me now. She does nothing but joke towards me."

After a moment, the connection flashed brightly and Chrysalis fell onto her haunches, seemingly trying to back away from it.

"No! No, wait!" She yelled as pointed crystals rose from the ground around her and slowly inched their way towards her throat. "I can still do it! I-I just need to improvise! I-I can bribe her! Give her something I know she'll desire to give to the traitor! " She said inclining her head as the tips pressed into her chitin. "Trust me, just as I have trusted you. My life, would have faded if it were not for you, and I owe you my life. You own my life. I have no reason to make any flaw in your plan, so I must improvise to keep it together."

The connection was dark for a second, slowly, it rose in color until it made the metal surrounding them dark in contrast. The crystals fell back down, and Chrysalis immediately bowed in front of the small pillar. The mist flashed once before she nodded, cutting it, she looked straight at Alfred as he uncloaked.

"You," she said hissing at him. "Have been spared. Now leave this place and do not speak a word of it!"

"But, what is it you are going to bribe her with?" Alfred asked.

"Something she'll want to give her traitorous friend. But, I see now that even my own offspring cannot be trusted with this. My partner," she said stepping forward. "Has ordered me to kill anything that stands in my way. Know this, Twilight Sparkle will pay, dearly for what she has done to us."

"W-Who is us?" He asked as she stepped forward again. "This isn't going to end well for me, is it?"

"I love you, you know I do, right?" She asked letting a small smile form as she got down on her haunches. "You know that son? How much I love you?" She said taking his hoof.

"From all of your suicidal plans, to ponynappings, I would say very little." He spat. "Well, go on, kill me. Right here, right now!" He yelled.

"My partner," she said. "Granted that you be spared. But only you. Do not make me regret this anymore than I have too." She said before wrapping her fore-legs around his and with a sudden jerk, pushed them down in the middles with a snap.

He screamed as she let him go. Letting him fall onto the crystal, he rolled onto his back and stared at his broken fore-legs before looking at her. No anger, no fear, just a look of hurt marked him.

"I hope you're happy mother," he said through a choked voice. "I hope this grand plan is worth the lives of your own children! How many have died? How many have died because of your stupid plan? Well, come on!"

"I'm sorry, my child," she sighed. "I never wanted this to happen. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I'm sorry, my child, but this is goodbye. Forever, I'm afraid."

"You don't have the nerve." He hissed. "Maybe to one of your little hybrids, but not-"

His eyes widened and his voice stopped in a second. Spitting up green blood, he looked down at his chest and stared at the crystal standing from it. Looking past Chrysalis, he saw the crystal pillar glowing with the same blue energy.

"I'm sorry, I truly, truly am." Chrysalis said putting a hoof on his shoulder. "But you couldn't stop, could you? You couldn't stop caring, could you? Go on, rest, you can dream for an eternity now. Your own dreams, your own imagination, your own life and freedom... All yours now. Go on, rest, my child." She said letting a single tear roll down her cheek. "Mother loves you, so very much."

"I-I... I have one last trick... M-Mother..." Alfred grinned. "Tada." He said before his horn flashed a vibrant green, and he disappeared in a flash of emerald fire.

Chrysalis sat there, shocked at what had happened. The pillar, hitting her against the wall with a tendril of blue mist held her to the floor. As she winced form the pain, she heard the faintest scream over her speeding heart beat. Sighing, she closed her eyes as she heard the crystals shift again.

When a minute passed, she opened her eyes and saw herself being held in front of the doors by the same tendril. Looking back at it, it connected itself to her again.

"You want me to force her?" She said. "But how? She has more than enough magic to detonate the volcano. No, I would never question you. Of course, keep her away from it. It must be guarded, of course. But, how am I going to force her to stay?"

The tendril flashed brightly before disconnecting. She gasped and stared at the white crystal, gulping, she nodded.

"O-Of course, threaten her subjects, and I control her. I will do as you say, immediately." She said. Looking back at the blood that had pooled, she spoke in a mere whisper. "Poor Alfred, he was only doing as he thought best, as I taught him to do, protect the ones he cares about. But, how did he find out?" She spoke under her breath. "Later. I must keep her from leaving. Otherwise, the hive will perish."

Author's Note

Can anyone guess who Chrysalis's partner in crime is now?

And more of this twisted plan comes into light, only to leave much more in the darkness. What does a volcano have to do with this? Why would it be bad for Twilight to snoop around there? And will Twilight defend her followers? Or leave them to die at the power of the hidden villain?

And please go easy on the criticism for this chapter, my nephew thought it would be funny to turn the tower off before I saved half of this. I had to rewrite this, at Six O'clock in the morning. And the worst part of it all, someone was drinking my Coke Cola and I barely got any.

In full control

"How do you manage to do this?" Shining Armor growled at Camo. "This is like some horrible story! And you're the lunatic everypony hates because he just comes out of bloody no where, starts to cause events that don't even or shouldn't belong, and do the impossible!"

Camo Travels, flinching from the sound of Shining Armor's voice, shook what water was still on him, off and onto Spike where it merely sizzled into steam.

"You know, you could thank me." Camo said. "I did save us from being eaten."

"Thank you!? Thank you!? You're more dangerous than those stupid eels!" Shining yelled, his voice echoing in the cavern. "First, you nearly killed me and the changeling with that cave-in, you blew up royal property, you caused a massive flood, a swarm of eels, and you nearly killed all of us!" He finished with a stomp, shattering a few pebbles.

"And don't forget I've helped cut our trip in half at the most." Camo said. "Listen to me very closely, because I'm only going to say this once." He went right up to Shining Armor, so close that their muzzles were almost touching. "All you need to worry about, is getting your sister out. And as for me, I'll be retrieving something much more valuable to me, and that is the only cure for a friend of mine. Everything I do, everything I've done, and everything I will do, will be for your sister, and my friend's benefit."

"Some how, I doubt that." Shining said turning away. "And if you think for a second I'll let you stand in my way of getting my sister back, then I will hurt you."

"You say that now, Shining Armor," Camo muttered. "But you don't seem to grasp the whole picture. I'm only out here for two things, what was taken from my friend," he glanced back at his saddle bag where the clothed object stood out. "And to see Chrysalis cut her own throat."

"What was that last part?" Spike asked with wide eyes.

"None of your business." Camo said. "Drone, are you alright?" He asked going up to the changeling.

"Yes, Camo," it said looking at him. "I am unhurt."

"Nice to see you working on your vowels." Camo replied dryly. "Any idea as to how we get out?"

"You don't know?" Shining remarked a few feet away. "Now that's the largest surprise you've managed to make."

"Nevermind," Camo lit his horn and shot a blast of magic straight up. "I'm making an exit."

With a flood of momentary light, the roof opened up slightly to let in a downpour of sand. Quickly backing away, they all watched silently as the sand accumulated on the ground. As more pushed its way in, the hole up top grew to only let in more, and, effectively make a ramp to the surface.

Once it slowed down, surprisingly the first one to scale the sandy exit was Big macintosh, followed by Shining Armor, the drone, Spike and Camo in the back.

The light was nearly blinding from being in darkness for so long, so when they came out they all shielded their eyes for a second to let them adjust. Once they had, they all let out a collective groan.

"Alright, smart guy," Shining said putting a hoof out to the desert. "Would you care to show us where on the map we're at?"

"If you think you're so much better than me, then you navigate!" Camo said throwing the map on the ground. "Go ahead, captain." He hissed.

Shining, swiping the map away with a glare still aimed at Camo even as the stallion turned away, opened it up and began to look over it. Immediately, his eyes narrowed slightly as he saw the multiple markings spanning the map, some turning at the half point of it and others merely circled around the land and on water.

"What's wrong Shining?" Camo asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Having trouble reading my map?"

"You call this a map?" Shining growled pushing it against Camo's chest. "I asked for a map, not a page from a foals coloring book!"

"And is it my fault I've had to make tracks on my past adventures so, if I ever had to go back to an area with multiple paths along its own, I wouldn't get lost?" He said taking his map back.

"No, but I'm starting to think we don't need you telling us where to go. We have the changeling drone for that." Shining turned towards the drone. "Well, where to know?" He asked a little calmer.

It lit its horn and after a moment of it staring off into space again, it went to go past Shining Armor. As the others were following them, Camo gave a small 'humph' causing them to turn around.

"What is it now?" Shining asked. "A swarm of land sharks or a cursed temple in our path?"

"Neither. Why don't you try a mountain range instead." Camo in a snarky manner. "We could go that way-"

"Then I don't see a problem."

"But," Camo said. "Unless the changeling and Spike can carry us up sheer cliffs, magma ravines, and past the occasional dragon that happens to wander by, I doubt we can just go straight through. I suggest you, wait for it," he paused to smirk at Shining's look of anger. "You let me guide us through that. What do you say?"

"I'd say something, but Spike is to young." Shining said.

"Eenope."

"No. Your out of your mind." The drone said. "I said that right, didn't I?"

"After those stupid ideas of yours? Forget it! We'll risk it." Spike said as they all turned to leave.

Leaving the slightly steamed stallion, they continued on. Sighing, he folded up his map and followed them through the sand. Looking around, he could see the sun blazing down, the rolling sand dunes, and the small glances he got from the others as they went.

The sand was hot, and having it occasionally blast against them wasn't helping the situation either. All of them, feeling hot in the face from how Camo had acted before, felt the heat more so than he did. Spike was the worst, seeing as how his body retains heat, he kept more than he could give off.

Big mac was fairing better than him. From the long days of work on the farm, he was used to some heat, but not the univalent to a desert. Looking around, the glare from the sun coming off the sand hurt his eyes enough that he had to shut them for a moment.

Shining was focused on the changeling in front of him, he didn't care about anything but finding his sister. Looking back briefly, he smirked a little to see Camo frowning. As he let off a little chuckle, he looked back to see if the stallion heard, but he had stopped and was staring above him. Frowning himself, he looked ahead and felt his blood start to boil.

"Shining, get a shield up!" Camo said rushing to the group. "Now!"

"What's wrong Camo?" Shining shot at him. "Afraid of a little sand?" He said raising a light shield.

"You idiot! Sand isn't white!" Camo yelled pointing at the cloud of white moving swiftly towards them. "That's ash from the mountains! Molten hot, burn the skin off you ash! As in the stuff that will kill us if you don't strengthen this paper thin shield!"

Shining Armor, looking back on at the approaching storm, immediately put more energy into his shield.

As the ash cloud drew closer to them, Camo started to add his own magic to the mix, helping Shining much to the stallion's annoyance. As the small group stared at it, the changeling's eyes began to glow a light lavender. Its horn suddenly gave off a faint purple glow around its usual green. Putting its own energy in, the air inside cooled dramatically as the shield was strengthened by its magic, and finally met the ash cloud.

The three magic users gave a small shudder as the ash swept over them, the air inside changed from the chilly atmosphere the drone had made, to a now warm quality.

As the force of the cloud died down, they all slowly let go of their magic until only Shining was letting the excess ash from the sudden burst slide off. Dropping the shield, they were all suddenly hit by a blast of hot air from the cooling flakes.

"Well, that could have been worse. For you all anyway, I would have been fine." Spike said.

"That's great to hear." Shining said. "Next time when one of those comes along, we don't have to keep you inside the shield with us."

"Whatever. So, did any of you notice the drone's eyes flash a different color when all that was going on?" Spike asked jabbing a thumb towards the changeling.

"Yeah, ah did notice somthin' like that." Big mac said. "What was that? Ah thought your magic was green?"

"Hive mind." The drone responded. "All who are connected share energy. That is why old queen wanted to take over Canterlot. She needed the energy to feed us."

"Please, don't mention her." Shining said. "The last thing I need is to be reminded of what she did to me."

"What happened to you?" Camo asked. "I heard about something involving a wedding, but that's the jist of it. A wedding."

"She ponynapped my bride, tricked me, and nearly took over the city." Shining said. "Is that clear enough?"

"Yeah, that does sound like her." Camo said with a roll of his eyes. "Well, if she's in a good mood."

"You keep mentioning her as if you actually knew her." Shining said narrowing his eyes. "Why don't you tell us about what she did to this friend?"

"Because, it's her own business. And why she's in a hospital in a near coma from a sudden surge of magic going through her brain, I doubt she would like me to tell everypony what happened to her." He snapped. "I'm just trying to save lives here. Your sister, and my friend. So, I'm asking you nicely, just back off about that subject. It's not something I like having to remember, but I make myself so I don't forget that that monster did." He flattened his ears and laid on his belly. "It's getting dark, I figured it would after we got out of the cavern."

"We don't have to worry about another one of those ash clouds, do we?" Shining asked.

"No, they're not really that frequent. It's actually pretty rare at this distance from the mountains."

As they all shrugged and watched as the sun slowly drifted down, they all, minus the changeling, slowly went to sleep. Their breathing was the only sound aside from the desert winds gently blowing warm air and sand onto them.

As the changeling turned away, Camo cracked an eye open to peer around. Seeing the changeling with its back turned, he slowly picked himself up off the sand. With a frown, he took off his prosthetic leg, raised it above his head, and gave a solid hit to the back of the drone's head effectively knocking it out.

Lighting his horn and opening a small rift, he reached in and pulled out four pairs of hoofcuffs. Closing the small rift, he cast a small sleeping spell to make sure they didn't wake up as he hoofcuffed them all together.

"I'm sorry," he said. "But this is something I need to do alone. I'll give you a fair chance," he gave a small smile and took out the small black box with Soul Song trapped inside. "Just let me make a quick note, and she might not kill you all. Maybe one or two of you, but hopefully not all of you."

He set the small box down in front of Spike, just barely disturbing the ash for it to lift up and back onto the ground.

The morning after

Spike was having a nice dream; him, Twilight, his friends, the princesses, and the town were all celebrating Twilight's escape from Chrysalis. He would have continued to have the dream if it we not for Big Mac shouting at him.

"Hey!" Spike whined. "No need to yell, I'm up. I'm-why are my arms shackled to the changeling and you?" He asked the red work horse. "He didn't. Did he?" Spike asked. The look Big Macintosh gave him answered his question. "That figures."

"I can't-no! I should have expected him to do this!" Shining raged. "He left us out here to die so he can go out and finish his stupid little quest on his own! Unbelievable..."

"Now calm down, fussin' ain't gonna help us none." Big Mac sternly. "Spike, what's that by your tail? Looks like a note from here, but ah can't quite see it."

Spike, looking down at his tail saw a note atop a black box. Reaching forward, he grabbed it by the edge and opened it.

"What's it say?" Shining asked. "Is he gloating? Mocking us? Or is it his grocery list he left to spite us with a false sense of hope?"

"No, it's an actually note. An apology and instructions. It reads, Dear friends and changeling, as you may have guessed I have left you in the desert. I apologize for that, but it was necessary, and it gave me a good head start plus a good time to stretch my wings. If you're wondering about that part, it was back when Chrysalis had me prisoner. The same thing happened to me, as with Twilight. Listen, Soul Song is in the box in front of you, just open it and try and persuade her to find me, and in turn, you'll find Twilight. So, sorry and all, and good luck."

"... He's a changeling?" Shining muttered to himself. "Why do I always get tricked by changelings!? No offense to you, you've actually been a great help." Shining said turning to the drone.

"None taken." The drone replied back.

"So, should we open the box? Or roast out here?" Spike asked.

"Open it." Big mac said. "Trust me, ah've got an idea."

"I vote on teleporting us out of the shackles instead of releasing the ticked off supernatural creature." Shining said attempting to use his magic. "I'm going to kill him if the banshee doesn't first. He put a magic inhibitor ring on my horn." He grumbled. "That was smart on his part, I'll give him that before I buck his head in."

"So, are we opening the box?" Spike said reaching for it.

"Eeyup." Big mac said. "Just let talk to her, ah think she's gonna want to hear what ah have to say."

Spike, grabbing hold of the small box, gulped as he reached for the small latch. As soon as it made it off the surface, it flew open all the way and a nauseating scream filled the air. Shaking it off, he dropped the box as a black fog poured out. Now in front of him, a aqua figure came out from inside and slowly rose upwards until it was looking down at him with black eyes, her own blue pupils looking more like marble than organic matter.

She stretched her fore-legs, each hoof having three claws that could easily tear through him and the others. She turned her heads towards him, silver teeth standing out against the lightness of her coat.

"Ma'am," Big Macintosh said drawing her attention to him. "Ah don't think ya want to kill us."

"And why is that, pony?" She tittered as he flinched from her sudden appearance.

"Cause' we all have somepony in mind that we, mainly Shining and ya, want to hurt. Camo Travles."

Her eyes widened at the name and she gave out a scream, her bottom jaw lowering itself far more than what should be possible. As she calmed down, the fog disappeared and in her place was a normal looking mare with blue eyes, and a angry smile.

"I'm listening," she said. "You want to kill him too?"

"Yes!" Shining shouted. "I personally do! They probably just want to hurt him."

"And what is in it for me?" She asked. "You have heard my scream, and whoever hears a banshee's scream is destined to die by her claw. Why should you change that?" She asked narrowing her eyes.

"Well, for one, we can both kill the idiot as slowly as possible. Two, you get your revenge on him. And three, I can get my sister back from Chrysalis." Shining said.

"Ah, the changeling queen." Soul Song hissed. "Your first two suggestions intrigue me. Deal, I help you find that waste of air, and in return I can finally finish what I started. Now, this may tickle." She laughed as the fog enveloped her and the others.

"This can only end badly." Spike said before being enveloped by the black fog.

Author's Note

Camo is not a villain, and he's not a bad guy. I'm just throwing it out there.

Twilight snaps.

Twilight screamed as she looked down at Alfred's corpse. She still had her hooves on his cheeks, trying to wake him, but she knew he was dead. A visible hole could be seen going through his back and out his chest, blood pooling on the floor and out the corners of his mouth only added to the horror that still burned fresh in her mind.

"C-Come on Alfred! Come on! Wake up!" She cried. "C-Come on, give me s-some witty remark. Please, just say something..."

A sliding could be heard from around the corner in the hall, looking up from Alfred's corpse, her eyes narrowed in anger as she saw Chrysalis appear. Clenching her teeth as she met the other changeling's gaze, she barely noticed her own horn giving off a dark purple glow.

"Y-You did this!" Twilight screamed as Chrysalis came near. "He's dead because of you! You killed him!"

"I did not kill him, Twilight." Chrysalis said looking down at the body. "I did not want this to happen to him, but it did. This is not my fault, nor is it my assistant who is responsible," she closed her eyes before glaring at Twilight. "This is your fault."

"T-This is not my fault! Don't you dare say that!" Twilight screamed. "You were with him! You could have saved him!"

"I could do nothing!" Chrysalis yelled back. "I would gladly give my life if my son could have lived! I would have given my life for any of the changelings here! But you, you sent him in there knowing what could happen. This is your fault."

She opened her mouth to reply, but only the sound of a bestial hiss managed to come out.

"So, how did he teleport out?" Chrysalis asked. "I'm guessing it was you, who taught him that?"

"Yes. I just wish he would have used it earlier." She said looking back down at him. "So, queen, what was so important that you had your son killed? Your own flesh and blood?"

"His life... In the end would be a small sacrifice for the one who needs theirs extinguished the most." She said. "My associate, wishes for their life to come to an end. And I've been tasked at keeping you here until you can defend yourself against myself."

"Whoever it is, they sound just as bad as you." Twilight sneered. "Killing the innocent, taking away someponies son, using others to do their dirty work. They sound like they need to be killed."

"You do not fully understand why my associate wishes to end their life." Chrysalis said with a twinge of force. "My associate deserves death, but, unfortunately the life on this world would also suffer at the downfall. For now though, the only way of obtaining that is to keep you here until you will be ready to fight me in Canterlot. I'll... I'll have a proper burial for Alfred, but for now, we need to continue your training."

"I'm not doing anything more, you sick, black-hearted, monster." Twilight hissed taking a step back. "And, I'm leaving with my swarm, and that includes the miners."

"No, you're not, mare." Chrysalis said getting in Twilight's way as she tried to storm off. "You are, at this moment, my prisoner. And you will do as I say, or else there will be consequences."

"You said yourself that if I wanted to leave, I could at any time. Now you're saying I have to stay? What makes you think I wan to stay anymore?"

"If you even set a single hoof out from the castle walls, I'll go down to the dungeons and extinguish two special changelings. The two down there, you must already know of, correct?"

"Don't you dare touch them!" Twilight said getting right in Chrysalis's face. "They have nothing to do with this! Leave them out of your plans."

"If only it were that easy," Chrysalis said with a sneer. "But you forced my hoof here, Twilight."

"I'm leaving, and I certainly will not be going anywhere with you ever again. Goodbye, Chrysalis."

"Twilight," Chrysalis said getting in her way again. "You need my help, or you will lose everything you hold dear. I am trying to help you! I am trying to make sure your life is not ruined any further."

"You listen here, you piece of filth." Twilight growled. "I don;t need your help. Nor will I ever need it."

"Yes you do, Twilight." Chrysalis said getting right in front of Twilight. "You need every bit of help I can offer."

"I don't need you for anything!" Twilight yelled before the magic in her horn discharged.

Chrysalis only had time for her eyes to widen before she was struck point blank in the chest by a solid wave of magic. She flew back, through the corner, and into a back wall where she slid across the floor. Coughing from the sudden impact, she looked at where she had come and saw sparks already coming around what was left of the corner as Twilight came into view.

Snarling, Chrysalis lit her own horn as Twilight was firing off another spell. As Twilight's new spell whizzed through the air, ice was forming behind it on any surface it could. Chrysalis grinned and teleported herself behind it where it had already passed. Once outside the spells damage radius, she charged her own horn and fired off a jagged flash of green energy that was going straight for Twilight.

Twilight, quickly putting up a shield, let the energy hit and sizzle off. Chrysalis, seeing her own magic merely sizzle against what she saw as a hastily put up shield, frowned. Twilight, baring her fangs, shot a straight beam of energy at Chrysalis. The changeling queen jumped out of the way and back onto all fours as Twilight lit her horn again.

Chrysalis, seeing her just stand there, tore her attention away from the other changeling and looked around to make sure Twilight wasn't trying to affect the environment. Her fears were put into light as she saw the ceiling coated in a dark purple, barely visible against the dark material. Backing away, the floor gave out and soon the ceiling with it.

Twilight, clearing the dust, peered into the newly made hole in search of Chrysalis. Seeing the rubble move and the glow of a long jagged horn, twilight lit her horn again and, condensing enough magic over her, made a comically sized weight that she dropped onto the changeling queen and caused the floor to give out with it.

Seeing another glow of green from the dust below, Twilight jumped down to meet her now crushed foe. Falling through the dust cloud, she nimbly landed on the pile of rubble where the glow was coming from. Looking down on the slab of stone she was standing on, she looked around the corners and saw a faint glow growing brighter and then dimmer in a rhythmic pattern, almost like a heartbeat.

A holed hoof suddenly came out from the center of the stone and wrapped around Twilight's neck. Rising slowly from the rubble, Chrysalis, baring her teeth and wincing at the feeling of a few pieces of chipped carapace, slammed Twilight onto the jagged floor eliciting a small hiss from the smaller of the two.

"You may have me cornered in magic, Twilight. But Physically, I am still your superior." She finished with a forceful push against Twilight's throat.

"Y-Yeah," Twilight said. "B-But you've j-just g-gotten close en-enough for a-a direct hit."

Chrysalis's eyes widened in fury as Twilight lit her horn and a stream of magic out. Pushing herself from Chrysalis's grasp, she quickly spun around and fired off another blast of magic. It connected with Chrysalis this time, and with a ground shaking bang, blasted the changeling queen through the wall and further.

Twilight, giving chase let out a feral shriek that was soon answered by thousands more. Smiling, she bounded through the gaps in the walls and finally began to see an orange light, rushing towards that, she stopped at the edge of a hole leading to the outside. She put a hoof to her muzzle for a moment, trying to get used to the strong smell of decay and sulfur that took up the air.

Looking around, she saw blacked and grey mountains rising in jagged points across a orange sky. Lava flows were scattered randomly around the hive that towered above the other mountains. She could clearly see the bones of once living dragons, some of them burning in the lava while others still had rotting flesh hanging from them.

Stepping out, the rock beneath her was warm, not blistering hot as she thought. Ignoring her own thoughts, she looked around and above for the changeling queen. Against the blacked landscape, she couldn't see any part of Chrysalis. Stepping out further, a streak of green came from her left and hit her in the side, immediately causing the area to burn. Snapping her head towards the area of attack, she saw nothing. Seeing a faint glow to her right, she turned her head in time to see the glow of Chrysalis's horn extinguish and a blurred figure gallop away.

"Hiding like the coward you are, Chrysalis!?" Twilight yelled out to the wastes. "You've just murdered a friend and there will be no place left for you to run! Do you hear me!? I will kill you!"

Igniting her horn again, she quickly gathered a ball of ash and sent it sweeping across the land in front of her. Immediately seeing the ash stick to a form unseen by her eye, she began to fire off spells at the random.

Ice, fire, water, and magic along with the frequent explosion mixed in bombarded Chrysalis as she struggled to get out of the way. Dodging the last ice spell, she watched in baited breath as Twilight horn grew brighter and brighter; in a few swift motions, glowing orbs disconnected from the changelings horn an floated above her. More and more split off, each of them almost touching the other as they multiplied from two's to dozens. Twilight opened her eyes, and for a brief instance, they shone a blinding white, and that was all Chrysalis could see before the orbs rained down.

She barely had enough time to put up a shield before the bombardment hit her. Ice the size of hoofballs, electricity flashing like lightning, water bashing against it like a tsunami, and magic all exploded against her shield. The weak shield only managed to last for a few seconds before it faltered, broke, and Chrysalis was hit with everything Twilight had at her disposal.

As Twilight let her magic die down, she waited for the dust to settle. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, she turned with a raised hoof but stopped as she saw it was a normal changeling. Taking a deep breath, she nodded.

"You called, Queen Twilight?" It said.

For once, she didn't flinch, make a face at the name, or even make a rebut. Instead, she smiled and nodded.

"Have the miners freed and have the rest of the hive outside as fast as you can." She ordered.

"Right away, your highness. One last thing, we also have news for you, your majesty."

"News?" Twilight asked glancing at the small crater that had Chrysalis in it. "Go on."

"We have discovered a pony in our borders. He says he wishes an audience with you, he said to tell you, 'Camo is back.' Does that mean anything to you, your highness?"

"Bring him here immediately!" Twilight said with a smile. "Camo is actually here, I wonder if the others were with him? Finally, some good news. Now, as for you." Twilight turned towards the crater where a shallow moaning could be heard. "Enjoy your hole."

Twilight, giving a small effort with the remaining reserves of extra magic she had just pumped out, teleported herself to where she first met Chrysalis. She was immediately met with the sight of changelings rushing about, all of them running through holes in the walls, floor and ceiling. She nodded and stood in silence, waiting for her visitor and new friend.

Camo Travels

Camo was waiting impatiently in front of two changeling guards. Looking around, he still remembered the faint sound of Soul Song's screech mere hours ago. Sighing, he was about to go ahead himself when the guards suddenly moved.

"You will come with us," they said in unison. "Our Queen desires to speak with you."

"About time, I was getting worried." He said. "Take me to your leader."

They both wrapped their fore-hooves around each of his, and, with a coordinated buzz of their wings, they were off and heading towards the hive. Camo, gave a small, malicious smile as he looked down at the wrapped object in his saddle bag.

"It's almost time, Chrysalis." He whispered. "I'm coming, and I'll be the last one to see the look of horror and fear on your face as I betray you. Get ready, you selfish bug," he grinned. "'Cause your king is coming back."

Soul Song and passengers

Soul Song was effortlessly gliding through the air like a snake, only slowing when a strong wind was in her way. The black fog that was her, carried her passengers, all of them wanting to physically harm Camo. Shining Armor was the worst, he had trusted himself to think that Camo was only doing good, when, in reality he lied and left them for dead in a desert.

Queen Twilight and her hive

Twilight had another changeling show her where the entrance was to the hive, stepping out and thanking the drone, she began her trek with the entire swarm behind her. She stopped along with them as she heard a shriek pass through the air. Turning, she saw Chrysalis, smoking and bleeding, part of her horn was frozen over so she was in no position to use magic.

She let out a feeble hiss towards the queen, Twilight merely shook her head. As she continued, she heard the faint sound of buzzing. Looking ahead, she saw two changelings carrying a pony, and they were moving at a speed that would have made Rainbow Dash envious. As they drew near, Twilight's grin grew into a smirk as she saw the crippled unicorn.

"Nice to see you made it, Camo." Twilight said as the two panting guards took to her side. "Where are the others? They didn't get lost, did they?"

"They," he said looking back. "Got a little tied up and asked me to go ahead. So, I see you've got yourself a nice little group here. But, where's Chrysalis?"

"Beaten, humiliated, and defeated." Twilight said. "I finally had enough, and, I snapped. Now, she can barely stand on her own legs, much less move around. She harmless right now."

"You... You did that?" Camo asked slightly wide-eyed. "Where is she though?"

"Why do you need to see her? She's not a threat right now." Twilight said uneasily as Camo looked at her with a unblinking gaze. "Camo, what are you planning?"

"Twilight, she has something that I need, something very important to me. I don't-" a shrill shriek went through the air. "Twilight! Listen to me, my life and another depends on this, where is she!?" He yelled.

"S-She's behind the swarm. Camo what's-"

Camo, with bared teeth flew past her in a flash of green flame. Her eyes widened as she saw her friend, a pony, turn into a changeling and fly right over the others.

He flew over the other changelings, glancing at the miners as they gave a bellow of interest towards him. Stopping to hover above them, he looked towards the hive and picked out Chrysalis in the doorway, alone and as Twilight said, smoking. Flying faster, he had to gallop as he landed to make sure he didn't fall. Now, standing, panting, and shaking with anger he stared directly into the amused eyes of the former queen.

"Camo Travels, a pleasure to make your acquaintance once more." Chrysalis purred much like a cat as her eyes roamed over his own body.

"Shut it, Chrysalis, you know why I'm here." He snapped. "Give me her memory back."

"Who's memory?" Chrysalis asked innocently. "I've taken many memories, you will-"

"Give Honeydew's memory back!" He said reaching into his saddle bag and pulling out a glass bottle with a cork. "I know you can do it, so quit stalling!"

She flinched form the outburst, and looking down at the bottle, sighed and closed her eyes. The ice fell away from her horn in a light green glow. As it spread down and wrapped around her head, she opened her eyes and it went straight into her pupils where it remained for a few seconds, and then, it pulled out and went into the bottle where Camo put the cork on it.

"Now," Camo said reaching for the clothed object. "I've got a little gift for you. Catch!"

He hurled he object at Chrysalis, and in doing so, the cloth feel away to reveal a gold sword with a steel hilt and a red gem imbedded in it. Chrysalis, catching it in her magic, shivered as the gem pulsated with a faint glow. Lowering the sword and holding it in front of her, she saw that Camo was baring almost all of his pointed teeth in a fanged smile.

As she merely held it there, his smile faltered before turning into a full blown snarl. His eyes looked back and forth between her and the blade. His breathing quickened as adrenaline overtook him, and with a quivering jaw, he verbally lashed out again.

"Why aren't you dead!?" He roared. "You should be cutting your own throat! Why isn't it working!?" He raged.

"You fool," Chrysalis spat, her own magic quickly healing her as she stood with a smirk. "Did you think one of your possessed trinkets could stop me? The soul in this gem needs one host, but if the host is part of a hive, the soul would not know which one to kill. And as for this, thank you for delivering it to me. Thank you Camo, you just gave me one of the few pieces me and my associate need for the plan to work. Give Twilight my regards, will you?" She laughed before teleporting away.

As he stood there, his eye occasionally giving a twitch, Twilight, watching the whole thing, went up to him and put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Camo," Twilight said. "Camo, are you alright?"

"It didn't work..." He muttered. "And now I'm going to get torn apart by a banshee. Why does life hate me?"

"A banshee?" Twilight said getting in front of him. "Camo, what are you-"

A shriek filled the air, and looking up, Twilight saw a cloud of black fog hanging over her. A disfigured pony stood atop in, and in an instant, her brother was launched out of the cloud along with her friends and coltfriend. Her brother, she saw, was just as angry as Camo was a second ago.

"Shiny!" Twilight said in shock and happiness. "How did you all get here?"

"I'm going to kill you, Camo!" Shining yelled separating his sister and the now broken changeling. "Come here!"

Before he could launch his attack, Soul Song let out another shriek making them all fall to their knees in pain. Looking up, he saw her glide down and land in front of Camo, a snarl on her face.

"Camo Travels," she said. "You look different."

"It didn't work..." He repeated again. "It should have worked. Why didn't it work?"

"It seems you must be brain-dead," she said sighing. "There will be no pleasure in killing you that way. Until then, I'll take you with me, so when-"

"Soul Song?" He said snapping out of his trance. "Hey. Come to kill me?" He asked dejectedly.

"Yes, that's exactly it." She said smiling. "But how will I end-"

"Could you just do it?" He snapped. "I don't care how much you'll enjoy it, just get it over with. I could care less anymore." He said sighing. "I had a good run, plenty of adventures, made a few friends and enemies, heck... I'd say the best part was meeting you." He said giving the banshee a small smile.

"I was trying to kill you, how was that a good thing?" She asked slowly letting her claws come out. "This isn't another one of your tricks, is it?"

"If it was, what do I have to gain?" He shrugged. "You were great to be with. Good to talk with, you even listened to me ramble on in that tavern. And when I trapped you, I figured you should get to go see everything that I do. See things not many others would, but would like to see. So, I guess it ends here, our last talk. It was nice knowing you, all of you." He said giving a small smile towards the others.

"Before I kill you, I have only one question." She said lowering he forelegs.

"Go ahead." He said. "Ask away."

"Was there any other reason you took me?" She asked. "No other pony, insane or sane, would have risked a banshee being set loose upon them at any time. Yet you still kept me, and from what I could hear, protected me. Why?"

"Well, I guess... I guess I liked you a lot." He said looking her in the eye. "I never stopped caring. You were alone, and I could see it, even now that you hated it. You wanted somepony that could relate to you, but each time you brought another back to your cave, you realized your mistake. The truth is, you kind of grew on me. Two lonely souls on their own; like something out of a one of those cheesy romance novels that Celestia reads."

She lowered her leg and retracted the claws. Looking at him with a questioning face, she looked at the ground in thought.

"Are you saying... Are you saying you love me? Even because of what I am?" She asked.

"That's the jist of it." He said raising her head with a hoof. "How about we go home now? I hate it here. So dark and gloomy, it almost makes me think somepony died here. Twilight! How about we get going?"

"Right away, Camo." She said lightly, watching as the two hugged it out.

As Twilight was prepping herslef, a distance away Shining Armor was complaining. The others, seeing him glaring at the changeling, stepped a bit closer to him if he needed to be restrained.

"I don't believe this." Shining said crossing his fore-legs. "He lied and betrayed us! And he's getting hugged!?"

"I blame the power of love." Spike said.

"Spike, Shining, Big Mac, drone!" Twilight said embracing each, even blushing when Big Mac gave her a peck on the cheek. "I'm glad you all managed to find me. Shining, I'm going to need your help." She said. "I need you to put a shield up around the swarm. Drone, could you connect me to the rest of the swarm?" She asked and received nods from both.

Shining put up a shield large enough to fit over the swarm, the drone, under Twilight's command connected her to the swarm and in an instant, all the changelings eyes started to glow lavender, their own magic and Twilight's pooling into a central point above them all.

Slowly, the purple energy, almost vapor in a appearance began to spread across the inside of the dome. It swirled to the right, patches of white dotted around it as it spun faster and faster as the edge neared the bottom of the dome. Slowly making its descent, the air inside took on an electric feel, almost as if lightning were about to strike. And, in a flash much like it, the dome and the beings inside vanished with a loud bang the shook the ground for a mile.

The outskirts of Ponyville

With a flash, the earth around a single, purple mass of magic was scorched black when the magic finally dissipated. Looking around, all of them turned their sights on the castle towering above the town ahead.

"Home sweet home." Twilight smiled.

Author's Note

1) The changeling architects are going to need a vacation
2) What was Chrysalis thinking!? Going up against the Element of Magic!
3)???
4) Another Camo Travels chapter next. Or I can put out the second part of this chapter.

I was thinking of putting the theme from Pacific Rim in this, but that can go into another chapter. Yeah, another chapter.

Home sweet home.

"Come on," Twilight said. "We've got a meeting with the Princesses."

They all began the walk towards Ponyville, the ground vibrating with each hoof fall, and the air alive with the sounds of changeling wings. Beside her on the left was Camo Travles, Soul Song, and the drone. On her right, Big Mac, and Spike riding atop Shining Armor's back.

They made great progress, moving quickly without a change in the way. Twilight for her part, had a knowing smile that grew and grew as the ponies of the town were starting to gather around the edges of the buildings to see what the black mass moving towards them was. Once she could make out the face of Carrot Top at the front of the crowd, the other ponies quickly split and went into any building the could. She shook her head in amusement as the ponies peeked out from the blinds as they finally entered the town.

Stopping only once in the street, she looked around and immediately noticed her library, grinning she looked to the left to see the train station, now devoid of any ponies.

Making their way towards it, most of the swarm stay behind. Stopping at the tracks, now with only six changelings counting the drone. She looked down at her hooves and placed the first on the rock surface, pulled herself up and repeated it. The other changelings, grabbing the others while Soul Song carried Camo up in a black fog, followed Twilight as they scaled the mountain side.

Seeing the rest of them move so slow, Soul Song, on Camo's request, picked them up and began her flight upwards with her passengers. The edge of the cliff and edge of the train station above came into view as she sped up. As she reached the edge of the platform, the startled gasps of the snobbish Canterlot ponies could be heard. Dropping off her passengers, Soul Song remained as she was, with Camo at her side and the others where they once were.

They all stared in slight shock, disgust, and fear at the small group as they made their way towards the castle with little difficulty seeing as how the ponies were moving out of the way immediately.

The castle itself was blocked by a drawbridge and a steep incline to reach the drawbridge itself. Passing the buildings and drawing more stares, they were coming closer to the drawbridge where, from the screams of nobles, a small amount of guards were there. Approaching the guards, Twilight stopped and looked at each of them.

"Hello, I'm here to speak with Princess Celestia and Luna." She said. "I'm sure they would care to see me, and my friends."

"We're sorry, but we cannot let you pass." The guard in front of her said. "Any of you."

"What if I said the fate of everypony in Canterlot and Equestria was at stake?" She said idly inspecting a hoof. "Because it does, as a matter of fact. And if you don't move, then I will personally throw over the drawbridge and have you lower it. Now move, if you would be so kind."

"Why should we listen to you?" He asked again. "For all we know, you could be plotting to-"

"Hey!" Camo said disguising himself again. "Remember me? I was the one who broke your nose."

"I do not recall ever meeting-"

He was cut off as Camo, arched his hoof back as far as it could, brought it forward and with a crack sent the guard down to the ground. Camo, laughing for a moment, waved goodbye to the others as the guards began to chase him down. Shining Armor, for his part, was grinding his teeth at the stallion.

"He certainly knows how to clear a crowd." Spike said.

"When he comes back, ah'm gonna give him a right good hit over the head." Big mac said. "That can wait ah suppose. Twilight, if ya would, ah think we need to speak with the Princesses."

Twilight nodded and with a flash of her horn, the drawbridge was lowered and the entrance to the castle lay before them.

Twilight immediately began galloping towards it, a bright and determined smile on her face as she passed guards upon guards. As she neared the golden doors, they suddenly started to open, as if they knew she was arriving. What she didn't expect, was when she saw Celestia in the doorway with a smile that quickly turned into a startled gasp as Twilight failed to stop in time, sending both of them sliding into the castle.

As the others galloped in, Twilight was painfully picking herself off of her teacher and co-ruler of Equestria.

"Twilight, are you alright!?" Spike asked hoping down from the drone's back. "Twilight!"

"Are you two alright?" Shining asked, torn between wanting to help his sister and his princess.

"I am unharmed, captain." Celestia said standing. "Twilight, it is very nice to see you unharmed. I just never wanted to see you like this, exactly." She said adjusting her crown. "Come along, your friends and my sister are waiting for you in the throne room."

Twilight and the rest of her small group all followed the solar alicorn as she led them a short distance to another set of large, golden doors, each side engraved with Celestia and Luna. Opening it, Celestia was the first to enter, and the first to be hit with a blast of confetti by Pinkie.

Blowing off a piece of confetti that was hanging by her horn, Celestia opened the doors to let the rest of them come in.

Twilight, upon seeing her friends, rushed to them with a large grin that was followed by the air escaping her lungs as Pinkie put her in a bone crushing hug.

"Twilight! We missed you so much! And now that you're back, we can throw a party to celebrate it! And then a party to celebrate having a party for a changeling that's actually our friend! I'll get my party canon refilled!" She said before bounding away to her blue canon.

"Twilight," Rarity said. "That monster didn't hurt you, did she?" She asked as Twilight struggled to get air back into her lungs. "Right, maybe you need to breath first."

"S-She tried." Twilight said. "Do you all remember what I did to the drone?" She asked nodding towards the drone. "Imagine something ten times worse, and she just stood and let me hit her, not on purpose I'm sure."

"Jeez," Rainbow said. "What could have made you do something worse than that?"

"She..." Twilight trailed off, staring at the floor. "I lost a friend. But, I'm here again, that's what matters, right? We're all together again." She said giving them all a smile.

"Not quite," Soul Song said. "Camo should be making one of his spectacular entrances at any moment."

They all turned towards the windows expectantly; straining, they could hear the faint sound of guards. When it grew louder, they all looked at the middle window as Camo crashed through it. Rolling on the marble, he was stopped along with the glass falling by a blue aurora. Looking around, he caught sight of the two suddenly depressed alicorns.

"Hey, Celestia, Luna, I'm alive! And you know what that means, right?" He asked as Luna set him down.

"Unfortunately, yes." Celestia said. "You will have a clean slate with us, as friends. And, as promised, a new leg."

"We just never said when we'd do either of the two." Luna said as the two sisters shared a laugh.

"Oh, now that's just dirty." Camo said eliciting a cough from Shining Armor. "Don't you start either! I promised nothing! But, I guess this is as good as it gets." He shrugged. "At least Soul Song isn't trying to eat me."

"Speaking of promises," Celestia said lighting her horn with a shallow yellow. "We have something that belongs to you. Something you left here upon our first meeting. Twilight and company, you may leave and go to the guest bedrooms. We shall deal with this in the morning."

As the others left, leaving the two alicorns and changeling king. There was a sudden scream followed by the sound of a deep bass, and following that, Camo grabbing at the marble floor in front of the golden doors. The others, quick to react, watched in slight horror as tendrils of pink wrapped around him as he held onto the edge of the door.

"Run!" He yelled. "They never destroyed the artifact! Somepony get some cucumbers!" And with that final warning, he was dragged into the throne room and the door shut with a bang.

The others just stood in silence, not sure if they should be horrified or concerned for their own safety.

"S-Should we help him?" Twilight asked looking at the others.

"Buck him, he deserves whatever is coming to him." Shining said. "I'm going to get some rest and send Cadence a quick letter telling her I'm back. And," he turned suddenly and looked at the golden doors. "Tell the guards to put up as many wards around the throne room as possible. Make sure Princess Celestia and Luna can not leave."

"What about Camo?"

"What about him?" Shining said. "All he has to do is pull something out from his saddlebag and he's good. But, the only other time this has happened, it didn't bode well for the poor guard they got. Just... Just keep away from the throne room until the guards say otherwise."

As he left, they all just stood there watching him leave. With a unanimous shrug, they all followed him to the guest bedrooms.

Twilight and Big Macintosh

Twilight sighed as she felt the warm covers of the plush bed envelope her. She giggled when she felt the rough coat of her colt friend against her back, along with a pair of large hooves wrapping around her shoulders. Turning her head, she gave Big Mac a light nuzzle on his neck before letting her head plop down on her pillow.

"It feels good to be home." Twilight said. "And even better to not to have to deal with-"

"Now hush up 'bout that," Big Mac said. "Ah'm sure she ain't that dimwitted. With what ah heard ya do to that drone, ah'm sure she ain't gonna be thinking 'bout attacking us. Why don't we just get some rest?"

"Sure. That sounds great. and for once not on something that smells like it was dug up."

A they laid together, waiting for sleep to overtake them, a sudden knocking was heard. Groaning in annoyance, Twilight unlocked the with a flick of magic. When it opened, a nearly hyperventilating Spike rushed in with a scroll in claw. Seeing him in such a state, Twilight immediately sat up and watched as he threw the scroll on the bed and ran out without another word.

"Ah wonder whats got his tail in a twist?" Big Mac said glancing at the scroll. "What do ya think it says?"

"I don't know, but I have a bad feeling I know what it is." Twilight said lifting the scroll up.

She opened it, and as her eyes scanned the words, her blood started to boil. her wings fluttered angrily, her horn grew bright and brighter until the scroll burst into ash in her hooves, and then the ash combusted.

"It seems she is that dimwitted." Twilight said. "Chrysalis is coming to Canterlot in three days. And she says that the time for playing is over."

"Well, ah suppose there ain't nothin' we can do 'bout it right now. Why don't ya uts rest? We all need some sleep, especially ma'h favorite mare." He said making her temper go down. "Come on, lay down egghead."

She responded by throwing a pillow at him.

Author's Note

So... Remember the artifact mentioned earlier? the one that put Celestia and Luna into a state of extreme estrus? Yeah... Camo is literally bucked.

Oh! And, the next few chapters will be a bit on the lighter side.

Hide Camo and the first day of training.

Twilight, was finally sleeping peacefully for once in days. She was curled up in Big Mac's fore-legs, using him as a blanket, they discarded that overnight since it was covered in combusted ash. Twilight, enjoying the feeling of his company subconsciously, was rudely awoken as a loud banging resonated throughout the room. Sitting up with a shock, she snorted as she saw the door was being bent in slightly by whoever was knocking.

Unlocking it like the night before, she was surprised to see Camo crawl in by his fore-legs, his eyes bloodshot and his mane was disheveled in a way that made the way her mane used to be in the mornings seem good.

"Camo! Oh my gosh, what happened? Are you hurt?" She asked jumping off the bed and to his side.

"Hide... Me..." He said closing the door with his own magic. "I-I can't feel my back legs. I can't feel anything!" He said gripping her by the shoulders. "I-I told them to get rid of that thing! I did! And they just had to give me it, all wrapped up in a sheet of nice wrapping paper. And I unwrapped it without knowing what it was... I was a fool!"

"C-Camo?" Twilight said raising him up to set him on the bed. "Camo, what happened in there?"

"I got bucked." He said biting his bottom lip. "I just got bucked by both Princesses. I'm not sure if I should be happy, or terrified. But by the look on Celestia's face. I'm going to go with terrified. Yep, terrified is the right word."

"Well, why don't you just stay here while I go see if the others are awake, alright Camo?" She said backing away slowly. "Big Mac will look after you until I can get Soul Song."

She left him there, twitching occasionally. Big Mac, finding the sudden lack of warmth, yawned and sat up. The first thing he noticed was the lack of a female changeling in the bed, the second thing was a shaking Camo Travels that was attempting to try and crawl under the bed.

Twilight

Twilight was going door to door, checking on her friends and even finding her brother snoring loudly. Snickering at that, she remembered the note from last night. Frowning, she looked back on the fight she had and what Chrysalis wrote.

"No more playing," Twilight said to herself. She sat against the door to Spike's room. "Was she actually playing me? Did she let me hit her?"

As she was thinking, the door opened and she fell back with a startled yelp as she saw Spike snickering. Pouting, she got up and glared at him.

"So... Chrysalis is coming back?" Spike asked. "What are you gonna do?"

"Smash her with a pillar." Twilight said. "Although, from what she said in that letter, I think throwing a few rocks isn't going to cut it. I need to be prepared, not just lash out like an animal."

"Why? That seems to be what you're good at." Spike said getting another glare from her. "Hey, the proof is in the pudding."

"Yeah... I know." She said. "But it wouldn't hurt to get a few skills in. This can only end two ways. So, why not take a chance for once?"

"There you go, that's the Twi' I know." Spike said shrugging her int he shoulder gently. "Come on, I think I know the perfect way to start your training. Just step inside." He said throwing an arm towards the inside of his room.

"Even now, you're still a gentledrake." She smiled. "Alright, what do you have in mind?"

As he ran over tot he small bookshelf in his room, she took the time to admire the room itself. It was a gold and white mixture much like the rest of the castle, there were two large bookshelves that dominated the side walls, a bed which had all six of her changeling guards on, a small bed for Spike, and a balcony.

"Here, I got the idea after you kicked your coltfriend's tail." Spike said shoving a thin book towards her.

Frowning, she opened the thin book and saw nothing but pictures of legends and old foes of hers. It ranged from Discord all the way to something called Tirek the Terrible. Closing it, she gave her assistant a skeptical look.

"Spike, I thought you actually had something of use. I asked for training, not a picture book." She said.

"Yeah, well, I got an idea after seeing you turn into Pinkie." He said pushing the book back. "If you moved just as fast as her, and had all of her traits physically, wouldn't it be the same for any of the things in that book?" He asked as a look of realization hit Twilight.

"Spike... That's really smart. That's actually a great idea. Thanks, I knew there was more than one reason for you being my number one assistant." She said rubbing his head spines. "I'll be sure to practice, but for now, I think I need to learn how to finally use these stupid things on my back." She said glancing at her back.

"Mind if I come with you?" He asked jumping on her back. "I haven't got to see you in a while."

"I wouldn't dream of not taking you with me." She said sticking out her forked tongue. Seeing it, she scrunched up her muzzle as drew it back in. "I didn't know it looked like that now."

"L-Looked like what...? If you don't mind me asking?"

They both turned and saw a half circle of pink in the door-frame. It gave a quiet squeak before an aqua eye peeked out from it.

"Morning, Fluttershy, why are you up so early?" Spike asked.

"O-Oh... I usually wake up at this time. I guess it's a habit from feeding my animals." She said. "U-Um... I heard that you wanted to learn how to fly, Twilight?"

"Yes, Fluttershy, did you want to help me?" Twilight asked a little eagerly.

"Y-Yes..." Fluttershy said raising her head a bit. "I'll teach you everything I know about how to fly with sensitive wings. If that's fine with you...?"

"That would be fine. Should we do it in the statue garden? There should be plenty of space there." Twilight said exiting Spike's room. "Come on, the sooner we get started, the faster I can fly."

As they both trotted side-by-side, they didn't notice the pink maned alicorn enter a room further down the hall and Big mac pushed out. He sat there, eyebrows furrowed in confusion at the scene.

Twilight, Spike, and Fluttershy

The two friends were chatting animatedly, discussing the new dress for sale or exotic animal they saw. Twilight was even retelling her stay and capture in the changeling hive. Spike, for the life of him, was growing bored until Twilight began talking about the miners.

"It was horrible, sickening even," Twilight said. "They were all chained to a pit and if they tried to get them off, they got a massive electrical charge. They're alright now, they're all staying down in Ponyville."

"T-That is horrible!" Fluttershy said letting the color return to her paled cheeks. "Are they physically fine now?"

"Yes, they're fine now." Twilight said as they passed an open window. "Hey, the statue gardens are right down there, why don't we just go threw the window?"

"O-Out the window?" Fluttershy said uncertainly. "Are you sure?"

"I can climb on walls, I'll just meet you down on the ground." Twilight said jumping through the window with Spike.

Fluttershy, looking around, went through the window and gently glided down in a circle. With each turn she saw Twilight steadily making her way down, climbing effortlessly along the slick marble wall. Landing, she watched as Twilight jumped off and landed with a sense of precision, Spike hanging on for dear life again and finally falling off.

"So, where do we begin?" Twilight asked her buttercream colored friend.

"O-Oh... Um... L-Lets start with the basics. Can you move your wings?"

Twilight, looking back at her wings, felt the foreign muscles on her back twitch. Focusing on them, she managed to get the buzzing, much like an angry bee would do. Within seconds she had them buzzing to gently flapping.

"Good... Good." Fluttershy said giving her friend a small smile. "Now, flap them as fast as you can and then, gently lower the pace."

Twilight, doing as instructed, regretted it as she shot into the air. She stopped beating her wings like a hornet and instead went for a common house fly. Seeing herself hovering, she tried to move. Leaning her head forward, she began to move in accordance to that.

Giving a small victory laugh, she began flying around in the air. Doing small circles, even a few squares, she flew back down to a beaming Fluttershy who was staring right up at her friend.

"You're doing great, Twilight!" Fluttershy said audibly. "Now, all that's left I think, is to land."

Twilight, blinking for a second, stared at the ground hesitantly. Slowly, she decreased the speed her wings were going and she slowly landed. Once she did, Fluttershy wrapped her in a hug along with Spike who was watching with a growing sense of pride for his step-sister.

"You did wonderful, Twilight." Fluttershy said breaking the hug. "And in such short time too, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, that means a lot." Twilight said. "Spike, why don't we try those spells now?"

Hearing his name, he quickly ran over with the book in his claws. She took it and, to Fluttershy's curiosity, began looking at pictures of their greatest enemies. She shivered lightly as she saw Twilight stop on a page with a picture of King Sombra on it.

"T-Twilight, you're not going to turn into him. Are you?" Fluttershy asked returning to her normal audio level.

"If Chrysalis said she's not playing around anymore," Twilight lit her horn and in seconds was consumed by lavender flames. "Then neither am I." The fake Sombra said in a low gravelly voice. "Why do I suddenly have the urge to start hoarding snowglobes and crystals?"

"Wow, Twi' you even got his flames down." Spike said in slight awe. "Can you do any magic? Like make crystals?"

"I'm not sure using dark magic is such a good idea." He said glancing at the flames on his peripheral vision.

"But... Aren't you technically using it now that you're Sombra?" Spike asked. "He is possessed by dark magic."

"... Good point." He sighed. "Here goes nothing." He said lighting his horn with a sickly mix of purple, black, and green.

Immediately, a ring of obsidian black crystals shot up around them. Spike screamed again, and clutched onto a shaking Fluttershy. Once they realized no more were coming up, Spike let go and couched awkwardly as the fake Sombra gave him a look.

"I think of making a barrier, and one pops up. That could be useful. Spike, who else is in there?" The fake Sombra asked.

Spike, reluctantly, gave the book back to the fake Sombra. In seconds, he stopped on a page and gave a razor sharp smile.

"So, who wants to meet the mare in the moon?"

Author's Note

Camo is either lucky, or in need of a chasity belt. And a psychiatrist.

Twilight learns to fight and do a combo!

As the fake anaconda was finished squeezing the dummy, it was enveloped in lavender flames and Twilight stood there with its head in a headlock. Letting go, she stopped to watch the head fall off and roll a few hooves away. Shrugging, she turned back to Fluttershy who was paling at the sight of the fake head rolling towards her.

"Alright, I think that should do it, Fluttershy. Thank you for the help." Twilight said. "Come on Spike, why don't we get some breakfast?"

Spike, hearing his stomach growl, nodded and jumped onto Twilight's back. She fluttered her wings and they were off like a bullet, with Twilight smiling as Spike panicked about nearly hitting the walls or ceiling.

As they flew through the halls, Twilight momentarily passed by the throne room. Seeing the door ajar, she shared a concerned look with Spike before looking around warily. Flying close to the ceiling, they drifted above guards and staff as they made their way to the dining hall.

Taking a few cautious turns, Twilight had to lower herself slightly just not to hit the ceiling. Flying over a few startled guards, she quickly found the entrance to the dining hall. Inside all of her friends were sitting, talking, and overall having a good time. Once they saw her fly in, they burst into a light applause with large grins. Rarity made sure to swallow what was in her mouth unlike Pinkie, before smiling.

landing by a chair, Twilight pulled it out and sat. Levitating the hash browns over, she put a decent sized portion onto her plate alongside some toast and orange juice. As she was eating, she noticed the large grins on her friends faces. Soon after, she began to smile to, and once Pinkie began laughing they all did.

"Alright," Twilight said swallowing the last of her juice. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," Rarity said. "It's just nice to see you again. So, our resident daredevil told us you and Fluttershy were practicing flying. And, obviously, it went well I'm guessing?"

"Yeah, it went great. And when I turned into different things, like Sombra; Spike screamed like a little-"

Spike, giving her a glare stuffed a clawfull of hay-bacon strips into her muzzle. She spit them out and gave him a glare which he returned in force. Slowly, she lifted one of the strips and took a bite out of it, Spike smiled and slowly she was too.

"I thought something was crawling up Rarity's leg again." Applejack said. "So, what made Spike scream like that anyway?"

"Well, I may have made a few crystals come up by accident." Twilight admitted. "It was funny to hear such a, manly dragon make a sound like that." She snickered.

"Like you've never screamed before." Spike said rolling his eyes. "Hey, morning Princess!"

They all stopped and looked towards Princess Celestia as she took a seat at the head of the table. She nodded towards each of them before a servant brought her a mug of coffee. As she was taking a sip, she saw the others still staring.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked. "Is there something on my face?"

"Um, are you feeling alright princess?" Twilight asked. "Because my brother said-"

"That is over with, Twilight." Celestia said. "That matter has been dealt with. Dealt with a hammer that is." She said sipping from her mug. "Good morning, Sir Macintosh." Celestia said giving the red stallion a smile as he entered and bowed.

"Eeyup. A mighty fine day." He said. "Mornin' yall."

"Morning." Came the other replies.

After the greeting, an uneasy silence hung in the air as they all glanced nervously at the solar alicorn. Spike coughed and drew the attention of the rest of the table. He merely looked around before shrugging, satisfied with the wordless answer they all ate in silence.

"So, Twi' 'bout that thing with Chrysalis." Big Mac said. "Ah hear ya wantin' to train. That right?"

"Uh, yes, that's exactly it." Twilight said. "Why? Did you have anything in mind?"

"Eeyup. How 'bout ah teach ya to fight?" He asked. "Hoof to hoof."

"But... Didn't I, you know?" She said tapping her head gently. "Knock you out the last time we fought?"

"Ah don't mean actually fightin' like that, ah'm talkin' 'bout showing ya some moves." He said.

"That... Does sound tempting." Twilight said. "Would that be alright with you, Applejack?"

"Kick his flank from here to Manehattan." She responded. "Ah still haven't forgotten how ya held me so ah couldn't get to Twilight." She replied, her green eyes glinting with a special kind of mischief.

"Alright, I guess I accept." Twilight said looking back at the red work horse. "When do we get started?"

"How 'bout now?" He asked nodding towards the window that led to the same statue garden that Twilight was in before.

"I guess," she said. "I'll be back everypony. Have a good day." She said waving before she and Big Macintosh disappeared in a flash of purple light.

They appeared in the statue gardens, this time in a more open area. Looking around, Big Mac quickly saw Twilight and approached her. Standing in front of her, he looked down with a neutral expression.

"A'hright," he said. "First thing ya gotta know is what to do when attacked from behind. Now, turn round and stand up by your back legs."

She did as instructed and as soon as she was up, she felt his fore-legs wrap around her shoulders. She couldn't break free and looked back at him with questioning eyes.

"To get outta this," he said. "Ya should try and either blind me with a flash, or head-butt me in the face. Go on, try one."

She didn't want to hurt him, instead, she quickly let a flash off her horn and heard him grunt. But instead of getting free, he still held onto her.

"If that doesn't work," he said blinking a few times. "Then try and do the-"

She bent her head forward, and smashed into his. He let go and she quickly spun around, concerned for him and wanting to make sure she didn't knock any teeth out. When she turned to him though, he immediately wrapped her in a bear hug, pinning both of her fore-legs together as he stood on his hind legs.

"Now, ya can do the same thing to get away, or, find another way." He said.

Attempting to head-butt him again, she only managed in letting her horn scratch his chin as he bent his head back. As she frowned, he increased his grip slightly an she looked at him for an escape. Looking down, she saw his shoulders couldn't move back, or else his grip would loosen on her.

"Big Mac, I'm so sorry about this." She said before biting down on his shoulder.

With a startled and pained yelp, he let go and immediately was on the ground clutching his shoulder. As she was about to go and help him, she stopped and took a step back. He stopped groaning and looked at her with a grin. Getting up, he gave a hearty laugh as she smirked at him.

"Ya learned from your mistakes." He said. "Now, try and do some of that fancy magic to make ya'self more intimidating."

She blinked once before nodding. Charging her horn, she was enveloped in lavender flames before Nightmare Moon stood in front of him. His eyes widened in surprise before they relaxed and he gave another laugh.

"Good, now, hit me." He said pointing at his bottom jaw.

"What?" The fake Nightmare said in slight worry. "What if I hurt you?"

"Ya already bit me, knocked me unconscious and bucked me between the legs. There ain't much left to do besides breakin' ma'h legs." He said. "Come on, give me your best shot."

Nodding, the fake alicorn raised a armor clad hoof up slowly and brought it forward. He dodged it and sent it back at her so fast, her head flung back a bit. Snorting, she glared down at him as he shook his head.

"Ah thought ah said to hit me?" He asked. "Ya need to try harder."

Frowning, she raised one hoof, but just as suddenly lashed out with the other. Supporting herself with her back legs, she was about to hit him when he pushed her hoof past his head and upwards causing he to fall. Getting up, she glared even more fiercely down at him.

"Try somethin' different." He said.

She was about to attempt and hit him again, when, she lit her horn and her back end was turned into the half of a fictional character's from a Daring Do book. He raised an eyebrow as the alicorn hybrid stood back up, her rear hand clenched in a fist.

She raised a hoof again, but as she was about to strike out, her tail swung forward at the same time her hoof did. He only had time to dodge the tail, but was socked straight in the jaw by her hoof. As she allowed herself a small sense of victory, she gasped as he sat up.

There was now a hole where his two front teeth should be. Looking down, they both saw two white teeth laying on the grass.

"Well," he said now with a faint whistle in his speech. "Ah guess it could have been worse. But, ya did good. Now, 'bout ma'h teeth..."

"We say you hit a statue after tripping?" Twilight asked as she stood in front of Macintosh as he picked up his teeth.

"Eeyup." He agreed. "Ah thought ah felt 'em jiggle when ya head-butted me."

Chrysalis gets a chapter. So... Yeah.

Staring at the freshly scorched earth where Twilight had mass-teleported away from, Chrysalis shook her head in disgust for herself.

'I let her beat me,' she thought bitterly. 'I underestimated her yet again. Every villain or ruler that has fought the element bearers seems to underestimate the power of friendship. In this case, I highly underestimated it.'

As she looked down at the blade resting in the earth beside her, she allowed a small smirk for herself.

"But, that idiot I turned wasn't a complete waste after all. He managed to serve one purpose." She chuckled lightly as she ran a hoof over the jewel embedded within the hilt.

As she was admiring the soul resting within, her knees went out from under her when a sever pain surged across her head. Gritting her teeth, she waited for the pain to lower into a small beat that she could bare. Once it had nearly vanished, she got up shakily and began running towards the partially destroyed hive.

Her eyes were wide in panic, her heart felt near to popping out of her chest as she scanned the rubble for the right tunnel. She would have face-hoofed herself there if she were not in a hurry; extending her newly healed wings, she flew through the massive hole in the ceiling.

As her wing beats resonated off the walls and tunnels that littered the area, in her own mind she was focused only on the slow beat of her assistant calling. Nearly flying pas the top hole where Twilight had begun her beatdown, and she thought the word fitting seeing as how that was what it was.

Landing gently, she inspected the now frozen hall. The ice had shattered or was cracked from Twilight's magic sparking onto it, the floor itself was in no better shape. The ground, being moist so the changeling's could easily mold it in such a volcanic environment, had unfortunately frozen and was now cracked and falling out in some places. Looking down a hole, she could see an entire two floors down.

Glancing to the right where the once secret entrance was, she could see it just barely visible under the melting ice. Pulling the root overhead, she frowned when the door merely crumbled in front of her. Sighing, she quickly made her way inside, this tie the air near the entrance matched it to that of when she would have arrived at the large metal doors.

Pushing them open, she didn't bother to close them. Standing in the room again, she shivered from the unnatural energy flowing through it. Looking at her reflection int he metal walls, she stared down at the black crystal, squinting she could barely make out something swirling beneath. The white crystal in front of her snapped her out of her thoughts when the mist that had once came from it, connected with her horn.

At once she felt the surge of magic flow through her, passing in waves or just traveling down her back. She closed her eyes for a second, feeling warm on the outside while she felt an almost stinging cold inside.

"Y-Yes? You called?" She asked.

Her assistant was slow to respond; when she did get a response, it was a low gravelly voice.

'Chrysalis, I thought you said you could contain her?' The voice asked with a thin veil of malice she could easily see.

"S-She overpowered me. I underestimated her." She replied. "She surprised me."

'She overpowered you? Why am I not shocked?' The voice said in a mocking manner. 'Even with the power I bestowed upon you, you still managed to lose? Her magic must have grown even stronger than when she was a unicorn. Do you have any good news, Chrysalis?'

"Y-Yes. That fool Camo Travels... H-He returned with the gem we seek." She said. "He even brought it wrapped up like a Hearths Warming Eve gift."

'I recall you telling me of him. A strong willed, notorious little unicorn, correct?'

"Yes. Very notorious." She said. "Even now he still surprises me. He has befriended a banshee. But that is not of importance, what matters is what I can do to restore the plan."

'The... Plan?' The voice said as if remembering a lost memory. 'The plan has failed!' The voice roared so loud she was forced onto her knees again. 'At least, that is what I thought before. Now, now I can see an even easier way to reach our goals.'

"Really?" She said. "What am I to do then?"

'Throw the fight.' The voice said slowly. 'All I need you to do is act as a... A drain for the magic Twilight will be giving off.'

"Yes. But... If I throw the fight, there is no guarantee that I will survive."

'How sure are you of that? Twilight may want your head, but even she can realize that the only fate worse than death, is to have everything taken from you. Now, Chrysalis, take a letter,' the voice said with a hint of amusement. 'Tell her that you must stay in the castle grounds during the fight. Or else, you'll kill your two prisoners.'

"R-Right, kill the two changeling in the dungeons." She said.

'Is there something wrong?' The voice asked with a hint of curiosity.

"I-it's just that I need them or else I risk the jewel controlling me."

'Ah, that could be a problem then. Well, just sum it up to a false threat, and if she calls your bluff, then send a piece of the grown one to her.'

"Y-Yes. Of course. Is there anything else?"

'No. Nothing else.'

The link was cut off abruptly, leaving her panting on the floor. Feeling the cold still biting her insides, she lit her horn and saw it glow a bright yellow. Confused, she looked at the metal walls and gasped at her reflection.

Her once black chitin had turned to a pristine white, her mane was now a dim yellow, and on her sides were crimson streaks. Her eyes were a bright blue, and between them rising to her yellow mane, was a black triangle. Looking back at the white crystal, she saw it had lost its color and was turning into dust. Feeling something crack beneath her, she saw the darkness in the black crystal below swarming to wherever her body was touching the floor.

Grinning, she stood and ignited her horn again. This time it blazed a fierce yellow, flames crawling over it like a torch.

"Now this I like." She said admiring her new look. "A bit bright though, I would have preferred something more green."

Looking down at her hooves, she glanced at the two steel doors with a grin. Placing the two large hooves on there now, she took them off the walls with a slight effort. grinning with a malicious intent in mind, she let off a small now distorted laugh.

"I think I can get used to this." She said admiring her new looks.

'Well don't, this is only temporary. Although, I'm glad you like my little gift.' The voice said from inside her head.

"I'm guessing you will be monitoring me in a first-pony view?" She asked.

'Correct.' Was the reply. 'And I will be limiting your power so you do not hurt Twilight too much. You only need to send her to the ground, not to maim her.'

"I thought you wanted her gone?" Chrysalis said exiting the passage and into her destroyed hive.

'I don't need her gone, I need her feelings screwed up enough so I can persuade her with the cure for her little... Medical problem.'

"There's a cure?" Chrysalis said jumping down the large hole. "I thought you said there wasn't one?"

'Not a permanent one, but a temporary one. One that she can lose just as quickly as she earns it. And I will make sure she knows that, that if she crosses me, then the only last little hope she has to returning to a pony again, is gone.' The voice said, now with a cold undertone. 'Now, onto that letter, future queen of Equestria.'

"Of course," she said. "Anything to get my-our revenge on Twilight Sparkle and the rest of her friends."

'Yes, revenge,' the voice said, letting the word revenge slid off uneasily. 'Those are exactly my intentions.'

Twilight gets some mail.

Twilight, now getting Applejack to stop laughing at her brother, sat down with a huff next to Big Mac. As she sighed, she looked over and saw him staring dejectedly at his teeth in his hoof. Nudging him in the side she gave him a small smile.

"You know it's a little funny." She said putting a hoof on his shoulder. "Come on, give me one of those big smiles like you used to do." She said teasingly while shaking his shoulder a bit.

"Ah would, but you're shakin' the shoulder ya bit." He said wincing.

"Sorry, didn't see the blood." She said pulling her hoof away. "So, everponies here, but where's Camo?"

"At this rate," Soul Song added as she bit into a fish. "I'd say he's still afraid of me. He could be hiding. Who knows?" She said nonchalantly.

"As long as he's not getting into anymore trouble," Celestia said. "We will not have any problems."

Before Twilight could make a response, the very changeling came sneaking in. His eyes instantly locked onto Celestia, she upon seeing him, looked away with her cheeks turning red. As he made his way to the large table, he quickly pulled out a chair next to Soul Song, the banshee sitting next to him scooted away when she saw the look of fear on his poorly made smile.

"Morning... Again Camo." Twilight said only slightly disturbed by his smile. "Is... Everything alright?"

"Y-Yeah." He replied. "I've never felt better. Aside from the insufferable feeling of pain as the blood is returning to my back legs and horn, then I feel great!" He said. "Did I also mention I got my leg back?" He asked flexing it above the table. "Celestia, after you left, came in and gave me a new one."

"I only did it as an apology," the alicorn said. "For what me and my sister did... Earlier." She said the last word while coughing faintly into her hoof.

"Speaking of earlier," Soul Song said glancing at Camo, her eyes reverting back to lifeless marble. "What exactly happened in there? I heard a lot of screaming, and then... Something like seaweed hitting a rock on the shore."

"Uh... Nothing that should be repeated. Ever." Camo said. "And if it does happen again, I want no part of it. I couldn't feel my legs halfway through it, and my horn... I didn't even know you could do half those things with a horn."

As he rambled on, the others were blushing furiously as they stared at the white alicorn who was trying her best to hide behind her wings. Even as Camo went on into very, descriptive, detail, he failed to notice the midnight blue alicorn appear in a flash.

As Princess Luna looked at the guests blushing faces, she noticed the animatedly talking changeling, and once she heard what he was talking about, she quietly approached him from behind. The others now seeing the lunar alicorn glaring down with purple cheeks at the changeling, had caught his attention, looking up his mouth hung open in silent terror.

He yelled first before trying to run on his chair, which in doing so, made the chair slide back and fall out from underneath him. His head hit the table with a loud crack, his body slid off the chair and onto the floor where his ear gave a few twitches.

"Hm, knocked himself out. Impressive." Soul Song said casually. "I'll take him to my room. I'll be right back." She said putting the unconscious changeling on her back.

As she trotted out of the room, Princess Luna took Camo's seat. Giving a nod to her scarlet faced elder, she turned to the others, all of them looking slightly embarrassed.

"How much did he say happened?" Luna asked.

"Too much." Rainbow said. "Way to much." She said putting her hooves over her eyes. "Gotta get the images out... Burn everything... Erase everything."

"You all must understand, it was not entirely our fault." She said. "It was that artifact he had once brought. And, unfortunately opened it in our presence. Again."

"So, that thing that was brought in," Twilight said. "It put you and your sister into a state of extreme estrus? That very same thing your sister told me about in the hospital?"

"Yes," Celestia said. "And, as you all would surely not know, is that we only go into a natural heat cycle one every... Five hundred years to six. When it does happen, the effects are much worse than that of a normal pony."

"Can we please stop talking about the princesses and Camo?" Spike asked making them all jump. "Yes, I was actually here for once, big surprise. Now, can we change the topic? Preferable something less erotic?"

"What else is there to talk about?" Applejack asked getting a snicker from Rainbow. "Ya know what ah mean!"

"What about..." Spike trailed off as he felt a disturbance in his stomach. "Oh. I think a letter is-" his sentence was cut short when he belched a plume of yellow fire that quickly turned into a scroll. "That's weird, why did it come out yellow?"

"Why do I have a bad feeling I already know who that scroll was sent to?" Twilight said levitating it over. "Lets see what Chrysalis wants now."

She opened the letter quickly, she read through it slowly, and finally she hit the table in front of her leaving a hoof mark. Dropping the letter, she was breathing deeply in through her nose, both fore-hooves pressed on the table and were slowly leaving drag marks, her wings fluttered in rapid burst only adding to the light glow her horn was giving off.

"I don't believe it!" She said furiously. "The entire hive was evacuated! I gave the order specifically for it to be evacuated! But there's still two more in there. And she's threatening to kill them if I don't agree to her terms."

"Terms?" Rainbow said flying above the table. "You already kicked her flank, and you have an army! Just go in there and bust them out!"

"And if I can't get to them in time? What if she see's us coming and goes down before us?" Twilight said. "No. I can't risk anymore unnecessary deaths."

"Anymore?" Rarity said. "Twilight, who else passed?"

Twilight opening her mouth to answer closed it just as suddenly. Looking away she just shook her head, angry tears flowing dripping down from her chin. She tensed as she felt a hoof wrap around her and pull her into a hug. She gladly accepted it and cried into Big Mac's good shoulder.

"Well... What are the terms?" Spike asked reaching for the letter. "She wants to fight Twilight only within castle grounds. That's not so- oh. Not again." He belched up another plume of yellow fire, this time a picture materialized. Looking at it, his eyes widened and his jaw made an audible crack when it fell. "Uh, Twilight, I think we may have a problem. Take a look."

She pried herself away from Macintosh's chest to grab the photo, looking at it her eyes narrowed in confusion.

"S-Spike..." She said, her voice a little raw. "This is a picture of Chrysalis, but she just painted herself different colors. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal, is that I don't think that's just a new look." He said taking it back. "She managed to use me to deliver the messages. And turning my fire yellow? Even the princesses can't do that, no offense of course," he said raising his claws in a defensive stance. "But she must have gotten some huge charge from somewhere."

"Let me see that," Celestia said. "I've seen a few magical alterations in my time. I may be able to give some insight as to what she may have undergone."

He gave her the picture, and as Celestia looked over it, her brows furrowed in confusion. Looking back at the others, she shook her head before giving it to her sister. Luna, looking over it, her eyes suddenly grew slightly wide.

"I-I recognize this magic." She said. "All of them."

"All of them, what do you mean? There's more than one?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. The black triangle upon her face was the mark of King Sombra's soldiers, the red upon her sides was to be on Nightmare's elite guard armor. If you look at her horn," she pointed to the magic enveloping it in the picture. "You can see the faintest hint of red, giving a clue as to a similar power compared to the alicorn amulet. Twilight, you had better be on your guard, or else the tiniest mistake could end badly. There's no telling what Chrysalis can do with that much energy."

Twilight for her part, was taking the news reasonable well. She had the crazed grin on her face, her right eye occasionally only twitched once and not the usual two every minute and her mane looked like a carpet of rose thorns.

"I-I'm just going to go read." She said. "Spike, would you care to join?" She asked using one eye to glance down at him.

"S-Sure!" He stuttered.

As the two left, Spike turned back to the company inside and flung his arms to the sides in an expression of shock. A call from Twilight brought him back to his senses and he quickly scurried out of the room.

Spike was nervously following his step-sister, watching as she went in no general direction. The guards, any who saw her, gave her a startled glance before passing, all the while whispering about her. Spike, sighing, took a risk and jumped onto her back, she stopped to look back at him, the smile growing smaller just a bit.

"Hey, Twilight," Spike said rubbing the back of his neck. "Listen, I know this is all a huge shock, but... I still think you can win. If that means anything, does it?"

"I-it does." She said. "Now, how about we stop going through random hallways and just go to the library?"

"Twilight," he said uneasily. "Don't you remember the last time you teleported while you were this stressed? You popped Scootaloo's fifty bit ball, by teleporting inside it."

"Spike, what are the chances of me teleporting us into a book?" She asked.

"Is that a rhetorical question?" He asked receiving a stare from her. "That's not an answer I'm comfortable with."

She rolled her eyes and, in a flash they were gone from the hallway and appeared at the libraries doors. Smiling at the familiar sight, she pushed the doors open and was immediately hit by the refreshing smell of ink on parchment and paper. Looking around, she noticed there wasn't any sign of the librarian, only Spike and herself.

Going in, she closed the doors without a sound, Spike hopped off and began walking with her as she found a table with two chairs. Pulling it out for her, she rolled her eyes a him before sitting. Pulling out a chair for himself, he sat next to her, both of them looking around the deserted archives.

"So, what kind of book do you wanna read?" He asked as she put a hoof to her chin.

"How about... A brain teaser. Because Celestia knows I need something to take my mind off about everything that just happened."

"Right. One book coming right up." He said jumping out of his chair and going to the Q's.

As he left, Twilight was about to lay her head down when she saw a pair of purple eyes staring at her. Stiffing a scream, she leaned back and saw it was only a changeling drone. Sighing, it looked at her before pulling up its own chair.

"Is... Mare feeling well?" It asked, its voice instantly recognized by Twilight.

"Drone? How'd you find me?"

"Hive mind." It said tapping its horn. "We sensed you in distress."

"Oh... Yeah, I just got a big shock a moment ago. So, I'm guessing you know about... Alfred?" She said looking down, the fresh sting of tears threatening to hit her again.

"Yes. He is doing well."

"Oh goo-what do you mean well? He's dead!" She said staring wide-eyed at the drone.

"I-I did not mean to upset you." He said. "But, he is very much alive. I give you my word, he is alive." He said staring her straight in the eyes. "The swarm had not felt any pain if he did die. He is still alive, and here in the castle."

"W-Where?" She asked, not noticing Spike as he came back with a book.

"Did you hit your head? Or are you just not very alert?"

She gasped and looked up, turning to the left slightly she saw a purple eyed changeling giving her a beaming smile from above. He jumped down, landing gracefully on the table. Getting off, he pulled a chair up from another table and sat down.

"Alfred...?" She said. "B-But you... Dead ... How?" She asked incredulously.

"I'm a changeling," he said. "Were practically the ones who invented mimicking. And I made myself look like I was stabbed, but really, all that happened was me partially turning into a barrel."

"But... All the blood? It was puddling." She said.

"Don't you mean clites?" He said making a few drops on his hoof. "When you've been mimicking for so long, you tend to get a very quick reaction time when doing so."

"So... You just faked your own death?"

"In order to remain alive? Yes, yes I did." He nodded. "Sorry for not telling you earlier, I had enough trouble getting up this death defying mountain. But, now I'm back. Oh, it seems Spike there has something for you."

She looked down and grabbed the book from her irritated assistants grasp, holding it in her magic she quickly slapped Alfred across the face with it.

"Ow!" He said rubbing his sore cheek. "Alright, I deserved that." He admitted. "I should have sent a letter. I apologize."

"I thought you were dead!" She said rising from her chair. "When did you get up!?"

"After you beat the hay out of my mom." He replied. "This really stings. Can I get some ointment?"

"Just... I have half a mind to smack you again. Or even punch you for not telling me." She said slumping back into her seat.

"Oh, come on. I didn't want to die." He said in defense. "But, speaking of that, what are you going to do to my mom if you win the fight?" He asked tapping his fore-hooves together. "Just wondering."

"If I win is stretching it a bit, don't you think?" She said glancing down at the book. "She says she still has two more prisoners in the dungeons. Two changelings that have been down there since this all began. So, she's not giving me much to go on for letting her live."

"Well, I suppose some things can't be helped." He shrugged. "I'm going down to town to get something to eat, do any of you want anything?"

"An apple from the orchard." Spike said belching up two bits. "A macintosh, if they're in."

He nodded, took the bits, and changed into the same stallion as Twilight had seen him as before. Watching him leave, she looked at the book Spike brought her and felt a few braincells burn out at the title.

"Quantum Physics... By Discord, the Draconequus." She said. "If there's anything to distract me, it would probably be this."

Author's Note

So... Alfred is one sneaky little bugger.

The second and last day before the fight.

Twilight, laying in bed, felt the sun's rays hit her int he eyes, provoking an unwelcome wake-up. Rubbing her eyes, she looked around blearily in a half asleep daze. Looking down, she saw a large lump of red that she instantly knew as Big Macintosh, leaning down she gave him a quick nuzzle on the neck. As she was leaning in, he suddenly grinned and grabbed her.

With a surprised yelp that turned into amused giggles, they rolled on the bed, fighting for dominance. Stopping on their sides, they both looked into each others eyes, only, Twilight frowned when she recognized the look of fear in his.

"Big Mac," she said lightly putting a hoof to his cheek. "Come on, what's wrong? I know that look."

"Ah-ah'm just afraid. that's all." He admitted. "Ah'm afraid of losin' ya."

She sighed and snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Laying there for a second, she felt him wrap a hoof around her, followed by a few droplets of something wet on her shoulder. Reaching back, she rubbed his back comfortably as he silently cried.

"It's alright, I'm not going anywhere, not now at least." She said. "As long as you keep me in your heart, I'll never be away. Does that make you feel any better?"

"Eenope." He sniffed. "C-Come on, ah'm sure ya want some breakfast, right?"

"Sure." She said. "Just do me a favor and wipe those tears away."

He snorted in amusement and did as she asked. She got up, stretching out like a cat, a few noticeable cracks catching Big Macintosh's attention. Getting off, she was about to go to the restroom by the door when Spike came in, a small smile on his face as he held two golden tickets in his claw.

"Spike? What are those?" She asked taking them from him. "These are for the opera in Canterlot. Why...?" She trailed off as she looked at him, a few tears visible on his smiling face. "Celestia?" She asked feeling some well up in her own eyes.

"And Luna." He replied. "They wanted to give you a good day before tomorrow. Just you, and him." He said nodding towards Macintosh who had been making a stealthy march towards the bathroom.

"Tell them thank you." She said giving him a hug. "This means a lot. Now you get away from that door!" She said turning to Macintosh. "I was going there first."

Macintosh, stopped and sat by the door. She went in and stuck her tongue out playfully at him, she shut the door. Looking over at Spike, he merely shrugged.

"Wanna use the one in my room?" He asked.

"Eeyup."

As they both left, Twilight was busy in the bathroom. Taking her ear away, she went to the sink and looked in her reflection. Her once flashy eyes now just glowed dully in the light, her mane was a bit dingy, and her teeth had yellowed slightly. Glancing at the shower, she slowly looked back over at the door with a raised eyebrow.

"It wouldn't hurt to get tidied up." She said. "It might be my last date."

Macintosh

He was staring at one the lush bathrooms that were in the castle. A wide tower, a spotless sink, a thankfully spotless toilet, a red rug, multiple hygiene products lining the inside of the shower and sink. Looking on the wall next to the door, he looked over the black tuxedo that Spike hadn't put there.

"Well, might as well." He said. "Granny's gonna have a fit if she doesn't get me in a tux."

Thirty minutes later

Big Mac, adjusting his bow-tie for the tenth time, sat in front of Twilight's bathroom. He had heard the water to the shower turn off ten minutes ago, and now, he was waiting for her to come out after the water to the faucet had turned off. Glancing over at Spike, he saw the small drake snickering at him, snorting Spike looked up and gave a cheeky smile.

"What?" He asked.

"You're gonna be speechless when you see her in the dress me and Rarity made." He said. "I'm just imagining your face right now."

Rolling his eyes, he looked back at the door, it finally opened in a burst of steam. What he saw come out, made Spike look on reflex.

"I take it you like the new look?" Twilight asked.

She was wearing a dark purple dress that exposed her chest slightly, the end of the dress was cut going up from the back of her hooves to her side where it left plenty of room for her wings to take up the empty space. On her neck she wore a small gold necklace with a green amethyst cut into the shape of a diamond. And her mane had been done up somehow to fall over her face in two bands while the rest was in a bun.

"If you're wondering how I got my mane like this, I just used a bit of changeling magic." She said. "So, are you ready, sir Macintosh?" She teased making the blush on his cheeks light up with embarrassment.

"E-Eeyup." He stuttered. "Would ya care to join me to see the opera?" He asked giving a wobbly smile.

"Only if you can walk there, jelly legs." She said with a smirk. "Spike," she said. "Why don't you go take a shower. I can still see sand and flakes of... Is that iron?" She said peering down at him.

He quickly scurried into the bathroom; glancing at Big Macintosh, she stuck out a hoof with he kindly took and wrapped his fore-leg around hers. Exiting the guest room, they silently made their way down the hall.

They passed guards, Shining Armor who narrowed his eyes at his sisters date, Camo And Soul Song who were lounging at the entrance to the castle, and finally outside where, to their surprise, a chariot was waiting. Getting in, the two pegasai clad in white armor took off without a bump.

"This was unexpected," Twilight muttered glancing out of the window from the side. "It's welcome, but just unexpected. And something else... I can't quite find the right word for it."

"Different?" He said giving her a smile which she slightly winced as she saw the gaping hole in the row of his pearly whites.

"Does that hurt?" She asked tapping her own teeth for emphasis. "I can still see a little bump where I hit you."

"A little sore, that's all." He replied shrugging. "Where do ya suppose we're goin' anyhow? 'Cause these tickets say the opera starts in two hours. That's a might bit long."

"But not unwelcome." She said. "This is our treat, and we should make the best of it." She said crossing over so she could sit with him.

He smiled and wrapped a hoof around her shoulder, bringing her closer. She sighed and laid her head on his good shoulder, keeping it there so she could look up into his eyes. Sitting there for who knows how long, she slowly began to lean up while he tilted his head down. Their lips were barely touching when the chariot shook and they realized they had stopped. Both of them groaning from the interruption, stepped out from their ride and gazed around.

"Ma'am," the guards said saluting. "We shall be waiting for you here. The princesses wanted you to have this, sir."

The one on the left pulled out a small saddle, etched with black lining on the front before making Big Macintosh's cutie mark and on the inside that, Twilight's cutie mark. He took it and noticed the slight bulge it had, looking inside he saw it was filled with bits.

"Huh, that's a lot of bits." Twilight said looking over his shoulder. "So, we have two hours to kill and with what looks like at least two-hundred bits. How does dinner sound?"

"Sounds fine. Just as long as another yellow-bellied hog don't show up." He said making her laugh.

"Might we recommend Le Celseto's?" The guard on the right said. "You do have an invitation. Just go down the street and make a left, you can't miss it."

Twilight gave a curt nod to the guards, Macintosh also did before going up to Twilight's side. As they went along, the canterlot elite were staring at the couple with what could be described as disgust, which, Big Mac cut off with a sharp glare that even made a few stallions shrink away visibly.

They traveled up the street, turned the corner, and were met with first was the sight of a large building with the name the guards had given written in cursive, the second noticeable thing was the large line of ponies, all of them with their noses raised so high Big mac got slugged in the shoulder when he made a joke about fly's.

Going up to the second line with a sign that said reservations, the other ponies scoffed at them before the pale mint Earth pony nodded in confirmation and led them in. Looking back, they saw the surprised and enraged faces of the other ponies. Shrugging it off, they followed the pony into a candle lit room with plush purple chairs, a magic created roof that looked like the night sky, a orchestra was playing a slow song on the stage in front of the tables, and on theirs there sat a vase with a rose.

Pulling out her chair, she smiled and sat. Pushing her in, he got into his own and the waiter, a dark red stallion with a yellow mane and teeth that were almost as white as Celestia's coat, came over with a small smile, not a disgusted sneer like many of the other staff.

"Madam, monsieur," he spoke. "May I interest you in any beverages?"

"Water, please." They both said. "With some lemon." Twilight said while Big mac ordered a glass with a slice of a Granny Smith.

The waiter, nodding at the request pulled out two menu's from the pocket on his side, set them on the table, bowed and then left. They picked up their menu's and were instantly met with with a variety of different meals. Twilight, picking a light celery soup with a side of caramelized carrots, put hers down as the waiter came back. She hoofed hers to him and he nodded as he set their drinks down.

"I'm guessing the couple would care to order now?" He asked pulling out a note-pad and pencil.

"Yes, I'll have the celery soup with the caramelized carrots, please." Twilight said with a pleasant smile.

"Would you care for any pepper in your soup?" He asked glancing over at her.

"No thank you, just the soup is fine."

He nodded before looking over to Big Macintosh, who, had simply given up and picked a random item off the menu. His choice, made the unicorn straighten a bit before shakily nodding.

"R-Right away!" He said. "Celestia help you, my dear stallion." The waiter said before shakily making his way to the kitchens.

As he left, they were left in with only themselves and the music playing by the orchestra. Looking around, Twilight began to count the stars on the ceiling, when, one of the last voices she wanted to hear much less expect to hear in the city, made himself known.

Turning around in her seat, she saw Blueblood arguing with another part of the staff over her being allowed in such a refined establishment. Big Mac, hearing it too was glaring at the white unicorn as he dragged the slightly annoyed waiter towards them. Twilight, turning her nose up at him as he approached, faced her date again and sipped lightly from her drink.

"Will you not do anything?" Blueblood demanded angrily. "You have a changeling, a vile thing of vermin that is even lower than any commoner, dining in your establishment! And you all are just letting that... That thing! And that hillbilly set their grimy hooves in here! I demand you escort them out at once!"

"Excuse me?" Twilight said turning to him. "The only vermin here is you Blueblood. And you need to keep your voice down, it is not proper to scream like a filly while inside a restaurant as refined as this." She said in a calm voice that made the unicorn even angrier.

"How dare you speak to me that way!" He yelled. "I am Prince Blueblood, and I will-"

"Be thrown out from the ceiling if you do not leave us to dine in peace." Twilight said narrowing her eyes.

"I am a direct descendent of Princess Celestia herself! I have the blood of a goddess running through my veins! And I will not be told what to do, nor will I be threatened by a bug such as yourself." He growled. "Now, do I need to have security throw you out, or will I have to do it?" he asked with a sudden wave of courage.

"Are you threatening me?" Twilight asked with a hint of sarcastic surprise in her voice.

"And I will again if I must." He said before reaching out with a hoof to jab her in the chest. "Now, make yourself scarce just like what little-"

He was cut off as he felt his windpipe constrict. Looking in down with wide, fearful eyes, he saw Big Macintosh glaring at him with everything he had while he held the unicorn off the ground with a hoof. Big Macintosh was holding Blueblood by the collar of his own tuxedo, making the stallion shake like a fish caught in a bears mouth, and the comparison in his mind wasn't very far off.

"Ya listen hear ya no good, yellow-bellied, cowardly, mareish, over pampered piece of hogwash," Big Mac said letting Blueblood down enough to where they were eye level. "If ya want'a fight, then ya fight me, not ma'h marefirend. Got it?"

Blueblood merely snorted, gritting his teeth. Big Mac, dropping him to the floor, turned while Blueblood was rubbing his abused neck.

"If it is a fight you desire, then I shall fight you. If it is the only means of showing a whelp like you your place, which is below me." He said with an air of authority. "Now turn and fight, commoner."

Big Mac, feeling his blood boil, turned to face the unicorn. He, lifted his chin, and grinned as he tapped a hoof to it. Blueblood, smirking, raised one of his manicured hooves and lashed out. Big mac chuckled a little as he felt something similar to a feather hit him, while Blueblood was cradling his hoof.

"Let me show ya what hard work can do." Big Mac said raising one of his own hooves.

Blueblood only had time to let out a small whimper before he was sent rolling back by the punch Big Macintosh gave him. Finally stopping, Blueblood was still, breathing and with a black eye and cut on his lip from rug burn, but he was still alive. Turning to the waiter Blueblood had dragged over, Big Macintosh splayed his ears back.

"Sorry 'bout that." Macintosh apologized. "Ah guess since ah just ruffed up one of your customers, ah'll just let ma'hself out."

"Sorry? Why you have no need for such a thing." The waiter replied graciously. "You and your date are welcome back here anytime, just as long as you can keep that nuisance out of here. Good day to you both, if you would excuse me, I've got to throw him out onto the street, where he belongs."

As he left, Big Mac cleared his throat as he sat down. Looking over at his date, he saw her grinning.

"That was very sweet of you," she said. "Defending me like that. And I will admit even I've wanted to bloody his nose ever since the gala." She said making him smile slightly.

"Eeyup." Macintosh nodded. "Foods here it seems." He noticed as the waiter came back with two trays of steaming food.

Setting down Twilight's soup first, he put the carrots to the side so they wouldn't spill off the table. Visibly gulping, he set down Macintosh's food; a black plate with a bundle of spinach, coated in a light poppy seed dressing, and laying atop it all was a bright red strip of something.

Sniffing his food, he put a hoof up to his nose as a coughing fit overtook him. Wiping his eyes, he reached down and picked up a fork. Twilight, sipping form a spoon, watched in slight worry as he took off a piece of spinach with a piece of the red strip. As he was putting it to his lips, her mind suddenly clicked as to what the red mystery food was, but it was too late as he had already began chewing.

His eyes began to water, soaking his cheeks in tears as he fought the inferno in his mouth. Grinding his teeth, that only worsened the effect of the ghost pepper as the seeds were ground up. He had removed his bot-tie and loosed his shirt collar, but not before he swallowed and grabbed his glass, drinking deeply from it he finished it off in seconds before he suddenly gripped his stomach. With widened eyes, Twilight pointed towards the bathroom and he galloped to it, tears running down his cheeks and chin.

Putting a worried hoof to her mouth, she called over another waiter and ordered a glass of milk along with some ice. He nodded and quickly went to get it. As he left, Twilight, barely able to hear above any of the ponies present, could just faintly hear Big Macintosh in the bathroom.

After the waiter came back, left the drink and ice, she turned around when she heard the door to the restroom open. Looking at him as he sat back down, she noticed how much he shook, along with his wet eyes, he looked clearly miserable. Taking the glass of milk, he sipped from it before getting some relief that made him smile slightly.

"Ah don't think ah'll be eatin' that particular part of the food." He said moving the pepper to the side. "Sorry 'bout that."

"You don't have anything to be sorry about," she said. "Are you feeling any better? Does ice cream sound good? I know this great little shop where they make it right in the back."

"Twilight, ah don't want to worry ya or anything, but ah can't feel ma'h face." He said giving a pitiful wheeze. "Ah'm... Not that hungry anymore."

She nodded before sipping her her soup some more, before putting the spoon down and looking down at the cold liquid. Calling the waiter over, he quickly came over, a worried expression towards Big Macintosh.

"Is there anything I can get you?" He asked. "Something light on the stomach to drink? Maybe a cold dessert?"

"No, no," Twilight said. "We'll just take the check. I don't think Macintosh knew exactly what he ate was, until it was to late."

He nodded and, quickly writing down the check, put it on the table and left. Twilight, taking the twenty five bits from Big Mac, set them down and helped him up. Feeling him still shaking against her, she put a hoof over his shoulder and slowly made their way to the front of the restaurant, where, much to Twilight's dislike the prince had woken up and was arguing with the unicorn.

As they passed the doors, he caught sight of the two and marched over, red-faced from either anger or embarrassment.

"Hah!" He laughed seeing Big mac. "It serves you right! A commoner eating what is only made for-"

Twilight, narrowing her eyes set Big mac down and delivered a punch straight to the prince's nose. He fell back, groaning as blood leaked out form between his hooves. Looking up at Twilight with one eye, the other one swelled shut, he looked away and got up attempting to walk away in shame with only three legs.

Going back to Big Macintosh, she helped him up but he stood on his own again, albeit his head was slightly lower than when he'd stand up straight.

"So, that killed at least thirty minutes. So that leaves us with an hour and a half to explore. Is there anything you want to do?" She asked putting a hoof on his good shoulder. "Are you reconsidering the ice cream?"

He merely nodded, not wanting to move any part of his mouth. Looking at her, he saw her put his bow-tie back on and straighten his shirt. Breathing in through his nose, he gave her a smile which she returned.

"Come on, lets go get some ice cream to cool off the fire pit of a mouth of yours."

They both began walking again, the silence this time for personal safety in Big Mac's case. They went down the street, passed a few shops that Twilight had stopped to peer into but found nothing of interest, getting Big Mac a drink of water that helped to only set his mouth on fire again. Panicking, Twilight rushed him the rest of the way, the twists and turn all a blur to them as they raced towards the ice cream shop.

Skidding around a corner, Twilight looked at the circle of buildings and recognized the small, cream colored shop where a few foals and parents were sitting under umbrellas. Quickly galloping to the entrance, he went in first and held the door as she entered, both of them hit with a breeze of frigid air.

The inside was just like any other ice cream shop; pristine, a messy counter where you picked your own toppings, friendly staff behind the counter, and generally smiles on all the ponies or any other creature that went in. Going up to the counter, the mare behind the register didn't bat an eye towards the couple.

"Welcome to the Frozen North. How may I help you?" The mare asked.

"Could I get a vanilla cone?" Twilight asked. "A large please."

The mare nodded and they watched as she quickly filled a large cone with the creamy, frozen soft-serve that Big Mac needed.

Going to the counter, Twilight had set the bits down by the time the ice cream was ready. Thanking the mare and quickly taking it, she gave it to Big mac who happily just took half of it off the cone. Hearing a relieved groan from him, he ate the half he had swallowed and licked his lips.

"Ah never thought ah'd like dessert this much before." He said. "Do ya wanna eat this?" He asked offering her the rest of it.

"Sure, the cone is the best part." She said taking the cone. "Why does this taste even more sugary than normal?" She asked herself as she took another lick.

They made their way out, enjoying the scenery around the small circle of shops and other buildings. Ht warm sun shining brightly above them, giving the city around them a golden glow.

Twilight, stopping to look in one store, suddenly started to head quickly to the entrance. Big Mac, looking up at the sign, only shook his head in amusement as he followed her shortly after into 'Quick Reads book emporium'.

Going inside, he saw her browsing the history section, a book already floating next to her. Looking over at the green pegasus behind the counter, he was reading a small tome himself.

Going up to her, he looked over her shoulder at the book she was holding. A old, brown hardback, with the words 'Pre-Equestria' written on the front in red letters.

"Hey, Twilight," he said making her cast a glance at him before returning to the shelves. "When's the opera? And where?"

She stopped and slowly slid the book back into place, she turned to him and opened her mouth to reply, but no sound came out. Grabbing him by the hoof, she paid for the book she already had, took him back outside and they were suddenly power-trotting to the opera house.

Going from pony to pony, some of them actually being rather nice to the two, they were finally going on the right track. Galloping down the cobblestone paths, and slowing down when they were entering congested streets, they had finally reached the opera house, and just as the performance was about to begin.

Panting, they both went up to the pastel unicorn who, upon seeing them, snorted and spoke to them without looking.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that the performance is about to begin. And I severely doubt either of you could afford-"

"Just shut up and take the tickets." Twilight said pulling out the two, golden tickets.

Upon seeing them his eyes widened, and reading over them, he swallowed a lump in his throat and nodded.

"R-Right, follow me to the royal seating." He said ushering them in quickly.

Quickly going through the yellow painted halls, the paintings of famous singers staring at them as they made their way up stairs, around a bend and up another flight, they arrived at a pair of mahogany doors with a silver alicorn on each side. He opened them and the couple suddenly found themselves standing two stories above the stage, where, the red curtain was just being drawn back.

As they sat on the two massive red pillows, Twilight brushed a lock of her mane out of her eyes and smiled over at him.

"Who do you think is singing?" She asked. "The tickets say it's a 'surprise' guest perfo-"

Big Mac, looking down with complete shock written on his face, had put a hoof over her mouth and turned her head to the stage. Once she saw who was down there her muffled words stopped, and her jaw dropped as she joined the silence that had taken over the room.

Princess Celestia, dressed in a plain, red chili-pepper colored dress stepped onto stage, her eyes shifting around the crowd before focusing on the couple above. She smiled and nodded towards them before she quietly began to sing, her voice, easily beating any other, were starting to bring a few tears to the ponies in the crowd.

Twilight, leaning against Big Macintosh, put her head on his shoulder and he put his leg around her. Looking up at him, she breathed in slowly, small tears working their way in the corners of her eyes.

"Big Mac, can you promise me something?" She asked, her voice slightly strained.

"Eeyup." He replied, tearing his eyes away from Celestia to look down at her.

"If... If things don't go right tomorrow, then promise me," she closed her eyes as a few tears escaped. "Promise me you'll always love me."

"Twilight, ya know ah'll always love ya." He said giving her a kiss on the head. "Now hush, this is our time. Ah don't wanna ruin it with all these tears."

She sniffed, nodded, and looked back at Celestia, who, was rising in pitch as she began to sing.

Author's Note

Twilight deserves this. Just this one treat before having to fight an over-powered Chrysalis.

An expected visitor

Twilight and Big Macintosh were were both sitting back in the castle dining room, enjoying a more cooler lunch than what Big Mac had eaten the day before. They were accompanied by Spike, Camo, and Soul Song; Spike and Soul Song were talking animatedly about different gems found only in underwater cave systems, much to Camo's boredom.

"So," Camo said munching on a carrot. "Ugh, spoiled. But, anyway, I heard a certain pompous unicorn got his block knocked off twice, you two don't know anything about that, do you?" He asked before taking a bite from a different carrot. "Much better."

"Which prince?" Twilight asked inspecting a hoof. "I'm unsure of which one you are referring to. Would you care to refresh my memory, sir Macintosh?"

"Blueblood." He said. "Rotten to the core."

"Oh, now I remember. We might have hit him, just slightly." She said getting a snicker out of Camo.

"Good, I didn't like him anyway. Lousy, self-absorbed unicorn." He muttered taking another bite.

"So," Spike said nervously, his eyes switching form the windows to the doors. "W-When's the... You know? Chrysalis said she'd be here today. And, well, it's today."

Looking around, they all shared uneasy glances. Slowly a rush of guards flooded the room, all of them visibly exhausted but they kept themselves going. Looking towards the golden doors, what they all saw made their blood run as cold as Spike's.

Queen Chrysalis stepped in, multiple unicorn guards desperately trying to slow her down with bursts of their magic. She simply smiled and let the spells come close before they poofed out of existence in a spark of yellow and red. Seeing Twilight, she gave a toothy smile and approached the table.

"Twilight Sparkle," she said, her voice now distorted by the energy flowing through her. "It feels like weeks since we last met. Funny thing, time I mean, it can seem to pass when you've got nothing to do but think. And I have been doing much of that, since I have nothing left."

"Nice look." Twilight responded. "You couldn't even fight me evenly. Every time I see you, the weaker you become. So, did your associate give you the new magic?" She asked getting out of her chair to stand.

"An even fight?" Chrysalis sneered. "You're the element of magic. The only ones who can have an even fight with you are alicorns or that Draconequus trapped in stone. We both know I would not have lasted long with just my magic, so yes, my associate did give me these."

"I figured." Twilight said stepping closer. "Did this associate tell you Alfred isn't dead?"

"Don't you dare!" Chrysalis hissed stepping back, a scowl across her face. "He died because of you! You killed him! I saw his body!"

"Then how come I spoke with him two days ago?" Twilight said taking another step. "He faked his death to save himself. He was afraid, Chrysalis, afraid of you. Who else do you think he was hiding from?"

Chrysalis, opening her mouth to speak, was interrupted by a loud crunch. They all looked back towards the table and saw Soul Song giving Camo a glare as he stopped mid-chew on another carrot. Shaking her head, Chrysalis turned back towards Twilight, glared silently for a few seconds, and then left.

"So..." Camo said. "My money is on Twilight. I happen to think she has a chance."

"Thank you Camo," Twilight said. "But could we not place bets? I don't want to be apart of any gambling. Spike, send a letter to the Princesses, tell them Chrysalis has arrived. If anypony needs me, I'll be facing my own demon. Goodbye."

They all watched her leave, her head hung low as she went down the hall. Not knowing what to do, Spike and the others suddenly sprung to life and were running out, to either tell Twilight's friends or the princesses.

Twilight

She was stomping through the hall, directly behind the changeling queen. Each heavy, angry step she took left small cracks networking into a line behind her, and her horn was already sending a few sparks arching across her. Staring ahead, she didn't notice the gold and purple flash that happened next to her, or did she pay any mind towards both princesses as they trotted next to her.

They turned a corner and her friends quickly joined them, she didn't see them through the red haze that was going over her vision, her thoughts now running rampad as she imagined what Chrysalis would do to them if she lost, or if she won and finally killed the thing in front of her.

Turning through another set of doors, Chrysalis had taken another turn and they found themselves outside in the statue gardens. Breathing in the fresh air, Twilight calmed down, long enough to listen to the others giving reasons for her not to fight.

"We could just get the elements right now and blast her!" Rainbow said. "You don't have to do this!"

"I agree with Rainbow," Rarity said noticing the smug smirk on Chrysalis's face. "If we act quick enough, all we would have to do is just surround her and use them."

"I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to use them, dear Rarity." Chrysalis said. "You see, my associate saw that in this little fight, you might try and use the elements to win, but, the elements need the ponies that they chose. And, I only see five, and a changeling."

"Why ya two-faced, dirty-"

"-no good changeling!" Chrysalis finished in Applejack's voice. "Please, I am merely here to fight, not argue with anything lower than yourselves. Twilight, if you are ready, we can take our positions across each other."

Twilight, snorting nodded and took the space opposite of Chrysalis. Standing in front of the changeling, Twilight saw how distorted she was, just from looking she could see the small flickers in the elder changeling's eyes, or even the red mist underneath the changeling's chest that resembled the alicorn amulet. Even her horn seemed to be giving off a familiar light, similar to her old magic, but infected at the point with Sombra's magic.

"Before we begin, there are a few simple rules, to ensure there being no unnecessary deaths." Chrysalis said. "First, any creature watching must be behind a shield strong enough to sustain a blast from either of the opponents. Second, we must stay within castle limits, any who exit them are disqualified and the opponent wins by default. Third, referring to the second, if one is pushed out of the boundary by a blast then they may come back in. Four, the winning strike must be a mortal injury. And the fifth, the winner takes the swarm, hive, and the changeling territories. Do any of you have any questions?" She asked looking between Twilight and her friends. "No? Then-"

"Actually, I have a question." Twilight said. "May anypony put objects that cannot aid or be non-beneficial to the opponents before the fight?"

"I suppose," Chrysalis said with an air of uncertainty. "What are you planning?"

"Pinkie," Twilight said smirking at the irritated and confused look on Chrysalis's face. "Could you be so kind as to set out barrels around the field? Or any other set of random objects?"

Pinkie Pie nodded and, reaching into her mane, she pulled out a black and red version of her party canon. This one with the words 'Random Canon' written on the side in orange letters. Pulling the string, it began firing barrels left and right, covering a few patches of the statue garden and putting a few in random places. Once it gave a sound like a cough, she shrugged and put it away.

"I'd say this is a good amount, thank you Pinkie." Twilight said. "Now we can start."

Chrysalis, distracted by the sudden appearance of dozens of black barrels, glanced at Twilight and nodded. Her horn was engulfed in yellow flames before she teleported away. Now twelve feet away, she crouched, horn still ablaze as Twilight dug her hooves into the ground, her eyes and horn giving off brilliant white sparks.

Chrysalis, firing off a wave of yellow and red flames, sent it hurtling towards Twilight. Twilight put up a shield, and finished as it hit. Her shield shook and cracked from the impact alone, she left grooves in the dirt as her and the shield were pushed back. Pumping out an extra dose of magic, she teleported out of it some few feet away, but even then she was almost hit by the flames as they stopped.

Looking at where the flames were coming from, she saw Chrysalis buzzing around in the air, preparing what looked like her version of the orbs. Her eyes widened as the orbs began their descent, and quickly with their own trails following them.

Twilight ran to the left, the orbs coming down just as she made it away, but even then, when she looked back she saw a few ice crystals on the end of her tail. Running into a circle of barrels that Pinkie had managed to stack, she focused her magic around herself and the normal, small Twilight, was now replaced by a minotaur, clad in steel armor and slabs of obsidian.

Rising from the barrels, she put up a hammer-like hand and let the orbs explode on that. She was pushed back slightly, but she managed to hold her ground. Reaching down, she grabbed one of the barrels and chucked it at one of Chrysalis's orbs. It impacted the yellow ball, and in a flash, the rest were going off mid-air as flames, ice, electricity, wind, and water all covered the changeling. Not wanting to let her guard down, Twilight had her two, obsidian and steel covered arms, or more of stone pillars with steel plating from looks, raised in front of her, only her eyes peering from the helmet being able to barely see through.

As the dust cleared, Twilight saw a massive, jagged, spike coated ball of ice, with Chrysalis stuck in the center, a surprised look still on her face. Lowering her arms, she allowed a small mental smile.

'Maybe this won't be so hard.' Twilight thought to herself.

Chrysalis's horn began glowing, and it turned a sickly black and crimson. The ice darkened until it was just a swirling mass of black and crimson, and then, much to Twilight's horror and shock, it simply melted, releasing the gasses that made small patches of black crystals sprout up. And in the center, out walked Chrysalis, eyes closed, and her horn giving off a red, black, and green glow, with purple at the tip. Twilight took a step back as she opened her eyes, red and green flames flowed out as serenely as Celestia and Luna's manes.

'Or maybe I'm dead meat.'

Author's Note

Should I add music to the next chapter?

Pinkie Pie saves the day... Somehow...

Chrysalis shot a ark of fire over her, and to Twilight's shock, it moved with each turn of the changeling's head. Raising up another arm, she was pushed back by the impact, but the flames themselves weren't really a bother. Taking a step forward, she pushed against the flames, taking another step she was pushed slightly but she could move just as easily. Repeating this, she made it half-way to Chrysalis when the flames pulled back and turned to strike her side.

Putting a hand to the wound, she glared at Chrysalis as the changeling herself had vanished. Getting up, Twilight looked around, looking for anything. Hearing a rustle from the left, she turned just in time to see an orb with ice trailing behind it smash into her. In a flash, she was encased not unlike how Chrysalis was earlier. Blinking, she turned back into a changeling and looked around from the thigh area of the minotaur shaped bubble in the ice.

Channeling a burst of magic through her horn, she blew a hole in the ice and climbed out. Glaring around her, she saw, for an instant, a blurred figure on top of a barrel. As she was about to step forward, her eyes widened in realization.

'I can't see her with my own eyes, so,' her eyes were covered with lavender flames that disappeared to reveal a new pair green eyes. 'Than maybe a dragon's should. Anti-magic bodies, you've got to love dragons.'

Looking around, the world around her was sharper, but at the same time highlighted with different hues of blue, black, purple, red, a blazing yellow coming from Celestia, and, on the right, hunkered down behind a barrel was Chrysalis. Quickly turning her head, Twilight almost blinded herself as she fired a bolt of electricity.

When it cleared, she saw Chrysalis running away, her own heat signature increasing only slightly. Charging her horn, Twilight fired smaller shots, some of them hitting Chrysalis while others merely hit a bush or statue.

Getting rid of the dragon eyes, she could clearly see Chrysalis now. The changeling queen was covered in small burn marks, but she didn't seem the least bit affected. Lowering her horn, Twilight braced herself as another set of orbs appeared above the changeling.

Running before they began to move, she went straight ahead, and kept going as they arched down to hit her. Running past the orbs as they nearly missed her and the ground, Twilight still kept running, half way she picked up one of the barrels and was holding it in front of her as Chrysalis was firing small crystals at her. Peeking over the barrel, she saw Chrysalis with her head bent low, as if she were about to try and spear her and the barrel.

As the orbs came closer, and Twilight was three feet away, she dropped the barrel and teleported behind Chrysalis. The orbs hit the barrel, and Chrysalis, turning around to swipe at Twilight, was struck in the back and sent flying into some bushes. Twilight, teleporting away, reappeared behind a thicket of small tress, quickly gathering enough barrels, she looked out from the trees and saw Chrysalis shakily getting up, a clear cut on her back.

"Chrysalis!" Twilight yelled drawing the changelings attention. "Come and get me!" She yelled before disappearing behind the trees again.

Gritting her teeth from anger and embarrassment, Chrysalis took off towards the trees, throwing up small patches of dirt with each step. Getting to the trees, she jumped forward, horn ready for a trap, instead, all she saw were barrels.

Frowning, she looked further ahead and saw nothing, not even a blur to indicate Twilight wasn't just juking her with her own trick. Letting an angry breath out through her nose, she looked back at the trees and saw a squirrel looking down at her. Smiling, she aimed her horn at it and let off a quick blast of fire. it fell down, charred, popping and crackling without any other sound. Looking at the burnt squirrel, she stopped a hoof in frustration, frustration that only grew as she heard Twilight mocking her.

"Killing squirrels isn't going to help you win." She said. "Now, which barrel am I?"

Chrysalis, for a moment, felt her jaw drop as she saw the four-dozen barrels that were in front of her. Getting back her composure, she looked over the black barrels with a critical eye. Looking at one that seemed slightly dingy, she cut a large gash in the middle of it, but that only made Twilight giggle. Looking in front of her again, she crushed another underneath a hoof.

"Quit playing games! Fight me!" Chrysalis yelled picking another up in her magic.

"Ooh! You got me!" Twilight said, making Chrysalis even angrier. "Whatever will I do? Oh, how about this?"

Throwing the barrel away, Chrysalis saw a glow coming from behind her. Turning she saw Twilight fire a quick, small bolt of blue at her. Putting up a shield, the bolt passed through to her shock and merely hit her chest. Feeling nothing, she blinked and laughed at the other changeling.

"If all you are going to do is play games, Twilight, then you should give up now and save yourself the embarrassment." Chrysalis said.

"And maybe you should save yourself the embarrassment and watch out for the barrels flying towards you." Twilight noted as Chrysalis heard metal scraping against behind her.

Looking behind her, Chrysalis saw the barrels were now moving towards her. Attempting to knock one away only resulted in it getting stuck to her hoof. Another hit her in the side, sticking to her, more and more began to move towards her, all of them with the same blue glow as the spell Twilight had put on her.

Twilight, letting the changeling get swarmed with the barrels, ran to the shield that her brother had put up around the battle field. Running to the side until she found them, she looked back to make sure Chrysalis was still stuck in place, seeing she was, she tried the trick Alfred had used to talk with her when he had sealed her mouth shut.

'Um... Is this thing on?' She asked mentally reaching out towards the others.

'Hey! Twilight!' Camo greeted pressing his fore-hooves on the shield. 'How's it going? You know, besides the whole Chrysalis wanting to kill you thing?'

'Good. Why aren't the others talking? Why can I only hear you?'

'We're both changelings.' He replied dryly. 'Only we can communicate like this. And speaking of changelings, you might not want to turn around.' He said, his eyes widening behind the shield. 'Oh that's not fair!'

Cutting the connection, she had to agree with Camo once she looked back. Chrysalis, with yellow and green flames still traveling over her wings, was now a black, green, and purple version of the dragon she had turned into to chase the drone earlier. Backing up, Twilight felt a twang of fear stab her cold in the heart.

"Alright, I can deal with this. No problem." She said to herself. "The wings look too big for easy maneuvering, the blindspot would be directly behind the head, and the eyes are definitely sensitive to bright lights. Wait... Dragon eyes are sensitive to more than light." She looked over at Celestia, who was staring back at her with a worried expression. "It pays to have a goddess on your side."

Taking off towards the dragon now crushing the few barrels sticking to her, Twilight got onto one and crawled inside. Curled up, she peeked out and saw the dragon brushing off the barrels that had hit, but not stuck.

'Note to self. Magic put onto a changeling has no effect once the object of attraction becomes something that resists magic.'

Feeling the barrel around her begin to dip down, she jumped out and began flying on her own. She stared up at the dragon with a glare, while the dragon was still looking on at the ground for her. Flying up to it, she traveled up from the shoulder, around the neck, and then above the back where the massive wings were keeping it aloft.

Cracking her neck, she focused on one particular creature form her past.

Lavender flames crawled along her slowly, sometimes flickering but they still held. Her legs lengthened and thickened, golden scales replacing the smooth, black chitin. She lost her fore-legs but gained an extra two heads. Her chest grew to the size of the dragon along with every other part that she was covering. Her head disappeared and in its place was another, horned, golden scaled hydra head. Now with her wings gone, she let gravity work its own magic.

Dropping without a sound, she heard the pained grunt from Chrysalis as she came crashing down. The ground wasn't very far below, but even then, Twilight could tell the ground shook when they landed. Getting off the dragon, she stood, all of her heads snapping as the dragoness turned towards her, smoke pouring out of her nostrils.

"Well done, Twilight." Chrysalis said. "But very foolish of you to choose such a slow creature."

Twilight rolled all six eyes at that. In a flash of lavender, the middle hydra head had a red, smooth and sharpened horn sticking out, over the body a set of blue steel armor covered it, the other two heads grew bright orange feathers and a beak with their teeth still inside. Seeing the mix matched creature, Chrysalis backed up a step, unnerved by the look of it.

Chrysalis, not wanting to let the thing take the first strike, lunged forward, teeth barred ready to tear a head off. With the satisfying taste of blood being drawn, she bit down harder eliciting multiple roars from Twilight. As she was about to pull away, One of Twilight's heads latched onto her neck and held her there. Confused she bit down harder, but then she began to taste ash. Looking up, her eyes widened as the head and neck she was biting, was being consumed in flames.

Giving a quick slash to the underbelly, she got away just as the flames reached her. Watching the head fall away in a pile of ash, a new one grew back and screeched at her.

Breathing out a fireball, it hit the hybrid in the chest. Doing another, she was charging along with it when the middle hydra's horn glowed, and a black crystal shot up from the ground, hitting her in the chest and pushing her back. Feeling another come up, Chrysalis was pushed onto her back and found herself looking up at a crystal arch that was coming down on her.

Rolling away, the two crystals shattered, turning back towards Twilight, the hybrid was gone. Looking around, she saw a shadow suddenly pass over her. Looking up, she saw a pair of her own changeling wings, but much larger, carrying the hybrid through the air. Growling, she took to the air along with it.

Twilight, flying in front of the black dragon, bared her teeth at it. Casting the same blue spell, she put it on her and put an over charged one on Chrysalis who, simply began flying at her.

Clashing in the air, Chrysalis bit onto the head on the right, leaving a large gash of lavender flames that sealed themselves together. Clawing at the middle, she caught a glance of Twilight herself inside, surrounded by a lavender glow. She was knocked to the side slightly when the head on the left grew a pair of ram's horns and knocked her against the head.

Seeing the slightly dazed dragon, Twilight's tail was replaced by a thin blue, fur covered tail with a hand at the end of it. Reaching around, she grabbed Chrysalis by the horns and slammed her head against her own with the ram horns. Looking down, she saw a platform of black below them, all of them held together by the magnetism spell she had used.

Getting rid of her wings, Twilight held onto Chrysalis as they dropped. Chrysalis, coming to her senses, shook and released another wave of fire point blank into the middle head. She was released and watched in eagerness as Twilight fell onto the black below. She blinked in confusion when the black platform below merely faltered slightly but still held under Twilight's weight.

Looking up, Twilight shot off a blast of dark magic from the horn on her middle head. Chrysalis moved out of the way as it passed, but her right wing was hit when a second shot followed shortly after. Roaring in pain, she looked at it and saw the flames fizzling out, a hole going straight through her magic and the others in her.

Twilight shot off another blast and hit Chrysalis on the other wing. Stepping back on the barrels, she watched as the dragoness had to get steady on them when she landed. Locking glares, they both rushed each other, teeth and claws out.

Chrysalis dug her teeth into Twilight's side while Twilight was keeping her claws from tearing into her legs. Chrysalis tore away part of the middle, but that only patched itself up, the piece in her mouth turning to flame and going back. Twilight, had her teeth coated in Sombra's dark magic, and was able to keep tearing chunks out, much to her opponent's pain and frustration. Quickly giving off an ice spell, Twilight pushed Chrysalis off and disappeared in a flash of lavender.

Twilight jumped down from the barrels and flew to the ground. Watching the dragoness above thrash around as the barrels suddenly began swarming her instead of being balanced by two forces, she looked away and planned her next attack.

"Alright, I have speed on my side for this one. lets hope this-I need to stop talking to myself." She said shaking her head. Raising her horn, she aimed it directly at the dragoness above, fired a lavender bolt, and once it made contact with Chrysalis, she began to fall, the barrels also going down with her.

Running into the bushes again, Twilight held onto one as a small wind shook her and the bush. Peeking out, she saw Chrysalis shaking off the impact and looking around. Enveloping the bush and others in her magic, she teleported them away, but that also gave her away.

Chrysalis, turning to Twilight, opened her maw and a stream of fire came out, all of it aimed directly at Twilight. Twilight teleported up and began flying to avoid the flames. Hovering over them, she sent a small bolt of electricity into Chrysalis's eyes. The dragoness stopped her attack and shook her head as the bolt's effects dimmed, Twilight gave a shrill whistle and Chrysalis turned towards her, smoke pouring form her maw as she followed the buzzing changeling.

Twilight flew past bushes, the occasional tree, statues and finally at the edge of the shield. Hovering against that, she turned and began flying along the edge, Chrysalis hot on her tail was spewing flames, the raging inferno just barely felt against Twilight's back. Looking back as she saw the bushes from earlier, she stopped and dropped underneath the behemoth as Chrysalis rushed past her.

Running out from underneath the fake dragoness, Twilight ran a bit out before turning to get in front of the bushes. Chrysalis, wrapping her head around and tail around where Twilight was, made a ring out of herself, leaving Twilight trapped.

"Come on Chrysalis!" Twilight yelled. "Is that all you've got!?" She yelled teasingly.

"Insolent little changeling!" Chrysalis roared back. "You have already lost! There is no escape, no way for you to trick me again, and none of those annoying barrels to stick to me. This is the end of you, and the beginning of the changeling empire!"

"Yeah, well, bite me!" Twilight yelled, her cheeks flushing slightly from cursing.

"As you wish, Twilight Sparkle." Chrysalis grinned arching her head back.

Twilight steadied herself, waiting as Chrysalis lunged. The mouth full of those pristine white teeth loomed over her, and in an instant, they were coming at her. Twilight, using her magic teleported away and removed the bushes from the edge of the shield. Looking down at Chrysalis as she knew she'd be blinded by Celestia's own magic radiating off the alicorn, she watched as Chrysalis slammed her head against the shield, cracking and splintering it broke; she could see her brother on his knees, clearly strained from the sudden impact.

"Sorry Shining!" She yelled out. "Get out of here! Now!"

They all did as she instructed, quickly moving away from the now unchained fight. Twilight, looking back down at Chrysalis, had another thought cross her mind, one about a certain brash pegasus.

Flying up, she flew as fast as she could, and with her wings beating as fast as when she first did, she made it to the clouds with little effort. Stopping to hover above the clouds, she looked down and saw the large form of the Chrysalis's disguise.

'Come on, turn into something different.' She thought as she began her descent. 'I hope I can time this right, or else this is going to hurt.'

She folded her wings to her sides and rocketed down. The wind whistled past her, the rush of air stinging her eyes, and the resistance of the wind strengthening as she traveled further down. Being able to make out the dragon merely spinning in place, she lit her horn and coated herself in her own lavender flames, but they slowly turned white as her magic began flowing freely through her like when Pinkie, Fluttershy, and herself were at Froggy Bottom Bog.

Now, a flaming meteorite hurtling at Chrysalis below, Twilight looking through the flames, could see not only the black dragon below, but the sonic cone in front of her. Increasing her magic, she forced herself to go faster.

As Chrysalis's fake form drew closer, Twilight could feel the cone compressing at the tip, trying to push her back, but with an extra push she had broken the sound barrier in a deafening bang and a ring of fire. Hurtling faster than the whistle trailing behind her, Chrysalis had looked up just in time to not only see the ring of fire, but also for Twilight to get a clear shot down the middle of her disguise.

Tearing through the fake scales, Twilight hit Chrysalis inside and sent her into the dirt again. There was a flash of white, orange, and then red as dirt and rock were thrown into the air by the force of the impact and magic discharged.

Out from the five-foot crater, a hoof came out from the edge and pulled out the owner.

Twilight felt her ears ringing form it, but she was unaffected otherwise from it. Looking back at Chrysalis, she saw the changeling still twitching, her eyes rolling comically in her head, and her horn giving the occasional flicker to make a shield that flickered with it. Looking outside towards the gardens hall, she stared at the pillars holding it up before she grabbed the dazed Chrysalis in her magic.

Throwing her forward, Chrysalis came back to her senses with the push just before getting a chunk of a statue slam into her chest and send her sliding across the marble floor of the door-less hall. Getting up, she was about to launch her own attack when the pillars were blasted away with a few short bursts of purple. Hearing a crack followed by more, Chrysalis looked up only to be hit by another spell, dazed, she barely registered the small distraction before the hall's ceiling came crashing down on her.

Putting a hoof over her eyes, Twilight waited for the dust to settle again. Slowly lowering her leg, she looked at the pile of rubble that was once the statue garden hall, one of the two.

"Celestia is going to kill me." She said staring at the rubble. "I hope Spike will at least help me-"

She stopped and stared in shock as parts of the rubble moved; especially a large stone slab, easily twice as large as the one that had fallen on Chrysalis earlier, was lifted on the changelings back.

Chrysalis, bruised, bloodied, smoking, and angry, tilted her weight so the stone slab slid off. It fell onto the ground with a thud, one of her wings going with it, the other was crippled beyond repair so, reaching behind herself, bit into what was left of it and tore it off. Gritting her teeth, she glared straight ahead at Twilight, fire encircling her horn once again.

"Throwing rocks? Now, Twilight, this is just sad." Chrysalis sneered stepping off the jagged rocks. "I expected more from you. That little trick with Celestia and the dive-bomb were impressive, but the barrels were but a slight annoyance."

"Thank you, the barrels were an idea from one of Pinkie's party games." Twilight said glaring right back. "Your move, Chrysalis."

"No, you move first. You always seem to have a trick or two, but I'm not falling for it this time. Your move, Twilight." Chrysalis said putting some distance between her and Twilight.

Twilight, narrowing her eyes focused on the villains she had fought; focusing on one, Chrysalis's mere presence made her shudder at what she was about to do. Getting Sombra's horn again, she braced herself as she felt the magic rush through her, and into the ground below.

"I will not be so easy to fool, Twilight." Chrysalis said charging her horn. "You can make all the crystals you want, but it will not-"

The ground below them made a crack, dirt and stone being upturned and flipped as a wall of black crystal surrounded them. Chrysalis, looking at Twilight, snarled and released another line of fire. Before it could reach the changeling, the ground below them gave another crack and then split, plunging them into darkness.

Falling, Twilight made a slab of crystal shoot out underneath her, while in front of her, Chrysalis without her wings, was left to fall into the caverns below. Holding her place, Twilight watched as the dirt and stone, along with the crystals of the ceiling fell with her.

Seeing the dust settle below, she fluttered down, horn alight to look around. Landing on a small patch of dirt, Twilight lit the area up with a flare of her horn. Turning as she heard a rustle, Twilight saw Chrysalis charging her.

Not having enough time to do anything, the elder changeling slammed into her, knocking the air out of her lungs. Before she could raise a hoof to defend herself, she felt a sold hoof strike her in the nose. It drew back and another hit her on her jaw, knocking a tooth loose which fell out with a trickle of blood. After a strike against her fore-leg, one she was sure that had broken it form the crunch and pain it made, she was lifted up and brutally smashed against a pillar of crystal.

Sliding through the jagged pieces, she stopped just in time to see Chrysalis running at her again, this time with her horn glowing with a red aurora.

Getting a sharp blast on the side, Twilight bit her lip, tears flowing freely form the pain.

'I can't lose. Not now!' She mentally yelled, but another blast that left a burn on her hind leg scrambled the thought. 'This is her fault! Why I'm a changeling, why I was ponynapped... Why what the drone did to me was because of her!'

Feeling her anger boiling over, she didn't let a single spark go to her horn, but instead it went elsewhere. Feeling another kick and she was sure more of her chitin break, she turned her head and opened her eyes. A blinding light came out, making Chrysalis fall on her tail as she was raising to break a rib, the magic behind it was present and it all came out in two violet beams.

Chrysalis was once again slammed through more crystals, but not breaking them, she passed through the melting piles of crystallized minerals. Coming to a stop, she felt a foreign magic wrap around her, and suddenly, found herself back outside on the surface.

"If you want to fight Chrysalis," Twilight seethed, her entire body now radiating magic making her look like she was turning white. "Then lets fight on even terms."

She disappeared in a flash of lavender flames again, and this time, Chrysalis felt actual fear seep into her. Standing before her, was a fake Discord. He was lightly bruised, blood seeped from where his one snaggle tooth had been, but the most terrifying thing was the look he was giving her.

"Chrysalis, this ends now." The fake Discord said before snapping his eagle talon.

Chrysalis, feeling a sudden cold take over her body, felt the magic being torn away. Looking at herself, she saw the black and red mist leaking from her hooves like molasses, the lunar magic from Nightmare Moon came out as the mist, and Sombra's magic disappearing into the caverns.

Twilight, suddenly holding her new appendages, saw them smoking and changed back. The burning feeling in her hooves vanished in an instant. Gulping, she shakily looked up to meet Chrysalis's shocked gaze.

"How's that for a trick?" Twilight sneered.

Chrysalis didn't answer, instead she merely gritted her teeth and fell onto her knees. Seeing the changeling queen a miserable wreak, Twilight began to approach. What she didn't notice though, was Chrysalis picking up a shard of crystal.

"I will not let you hurt any other living creature." Twilight said stopping in front of Chrysalis. "I've won, you worthless, murdering, pathetic-"

Chrysalis lunged forward, making Twilight scream as she felt the crystal cut into her horn. Chrysalis, knocking her to the ground, stood grinning with the shard in her magic.

"I believe I will win, Twilight." Chrysalis said bringing another object into view to replace the crystal. "I should be able to defeat you with your own horn for revenge, that seems fitting, correct?"

Twilight, staring at her own appendage, tried to use her magic. It hurt, but not as badly a she would have thought. She could still use magic from the stub that was there, but it wouldn't be very strong. Now, with Chrysalis over her, the sun behind her, Twilight felt a sense of dread overtake her. Looking back up to meet Chrysalis's gaze, she spotted something in the air. A tiny black speck that was steadily growing in size.

'Pinkies party...' Twilight thought. 'At the angle she shot it, and the distance it has traveled, it should land exactly two step to the left.'

"Well, Twilight, seeing as how this may be the last time we speak, any last words?" Chrysalis said raising the holed horn.

"Um..." Twilight spit out some blood that had pooled in the back of her throat. "I have two questions actually."

"Go ahead, I'll try and fulfill them to the best of my abilities." Chrysalis said giving a small smile, even if some of the teeth were broken.

"Could you take two steps to my left?"

"What? Why do you need me to do that?" Chrysalis asked. "Why not begging for mercy, or for me to spare your worthless friends?"

"I don't want the sun to be in my eyes when I die. Is that so wrong?" Twilight shot back.

Chrysalis, staring at Twilight for a second, took two steps to her left. Twilight, looking over her shoulder, saw the party-cannonball was just passing Celestia's tower.

"My second question," Twilight said as the ball made it pas the roof of the other hall. "Do you like chocolate cake?"

Before Chrysalis could mutter a 'What?', the ball of party supplies smashed into the back of her head, exploding in a spray of party supplies and cake. As her head was launched forward, Twilight slung out with her good hoof and decked her in the jaw. Pushing a bit more magic through her horn, Twilight changed her eyes again, this time to a cockatrice's.

Chrysalis, groaning and shaking her head, suddenly snapped up with a snarl that died down to a breathless gasp as she stared into Twilight's eyes.

She couldn't move, she couldn't look away either as she stared into the two red dots. Feeling her hooves grow cold, she felt the stinging sensation like a thousand frozen needles stabbing into her legs, the feeling of her heart and lungs stopping, and then the painful chill as her head was encased in stone.

Falling to her knees, Twilight let out a gasp as she felt a sudden rush of energy, along with it voices. Looking suddenly past the castle walls, she saw purple fire-works being shot up, and the screeching of the changelings. Smiling, she picked her horn back up, and with some effort, reattached it with a trickle of magic.

Looking in front of her as the princesses and her friends came rushing out, she saw the frightened form of Chrysalis, etched in stone quite literally.

"Twilight! That was awesome!" Rainbow said hovering over her friend. "And you even killed Chrysalis!"

"Not bad, a shame I didn't get to see it." Camo grunted. "Thanks for saving us by the way. I even got enough bits to-"

Twilight gave him a glare and he shut up. Feeling a wing go over her, Twilight looked sheepishly up at Celestia.

"You did well Twilight," Celestia said, and, with a glow of her horn the stoned Chrysalis fell on her knees, gasping and panting like a dog in the summer. "I believe being turned to stone counts as a mortal injury, does it not?"

"Y-You... You win, Queen Twilight Sparkle." Chrysalis said taking off her crown and placing it on Twilight's head. "What are my orders, your majesty?"

"Return to the swarm and await there." Twilight said. "I have other things to do here."

Chrysalis, nodding somewhat bitterly, got up and trudged past some bushes, vanishing form sight.

"So," Camo said. "Now what?"

"I can go get something to eat. And fix my leg." Twilight said. "Fighting works up quite an appetite."

"Your highness, we do need to talk now." Celestia said as her sister moved next to her. "Now that there is a re-established empire, we must begin political negotiations, you do understand, right Queen Twilight Sparkle?"

"Political negotiations?" Twilight said glancing at Big Macintosh. "I'm sure an ambassador would be wise on both of our parts. Maybe even a... Wedding between our countries?"

"Twi' are ya really askin' me to-"

Big Mac was cut off as Camo came between them, a look of determination in his eyes.

"I will be the one to bring peace between our countries. So long as there will be-"

Shining Armor, reaching his boiling point, tackled Camo and sent themselves rolling on the ground, biting and punching. Shaking her head, Twilight went to Big Macintosh's side, and leaning up, they both gave each other a small kiss.

"I'm sure a wedding could be arranged." Luna said. "Just as long as this mess is cleaned up. Then, we may have the wedding."

"Take as long as ya need," Big Macintosh said putting a leg over Twilight. "Ah've got some negotiatin' to do."

Author's Note

Only two more chapters after this.

I got the barrel idea from watching Seananners mess with his friends as a barrel. The laser eyes, I don't know what I was thinking.

Remember Pinkie Pie's party canon incident in chapter 5.

The wedding

"I'm so nervous," Twilight said as she approached the doors leading to the same hall where her brother got married. "Why is this so frightening!?"

"Twilight," Rarity said putting a hoof on her shoulder. "It's alright to feel this way, but remember, this is a good thing. And you hopeful won't have to punch him again."

Twilight, nodded and smiled as the doors opened. A rush of warm air followed by the sounds of the others inside died as she was seen.

She stepped in, the sound of Fluttersy's birds singing filled the room with a melodic song, the lights coming in through the windows offered the right amount of a gold tint to the room, and at the top of the steps ahead was a shaking red stallion dressed in a black tuxedo.

Twilight, going down the aisle, watched as Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, and Scootaloo went past her, flinging flower petals onto the carpet. Twilight, dressed in a simple white dress, an emerald a darker green than her soon to be husband's cutie mark, and a cast for her injured leg.

Looking left and right through her veil, she could see the entire Apple family, her own family members, Blueblood in a corner, and Spike next to the podium with the rings. To the right, changelings were seated on the chairs, the walls, the pillars, and even the ceiling. Glancing out the window, she could see thousands more outside, waiting for the big moment.

Going down the red carpet, she mad her way to the steps, but when she tried to get up, she nearly tripped if it hadn't have been for Big Macintosh helping her up. Smiling, she took his hoof and got in her place in front of him.

"We all are gathered here today to witness the binding of these two souls," Celestia said. "Big Macintosh, and Queen Twilight Sparkle. This is a joyous moment for us all, to be witnessing true love at its greatest again. Big Macintosh, would you care to recite your vow?"

"Eeyup." He nodded, shakily gulping he began. "When ah first met ya Twilight, ah didn't think much of ya. But when ya risked everything for the town when ya went to get Nightmare Moon, ah saw somethin' different bout' ya. Ah saw a hard workin' mare that protects her friends and kin, just like an Apple. After that, ah wanted to tell ya somethin' or ask ya out to dinner, but ah never had the courage to do it. What ah'm tryin' to say is, ah love a for ya heart, not ya looks." He finished giving the blushing bride a smile, and she didn't laugh with his fillings this time.

"Very sweet; Queen Twilight, your vow now." Celestia said looking down at the changeling queen.

"R-Right..." Twilight said. "T-The reason I've wanted you to marry me... I don't really know to be honest. But, I guess it's because you never pressed anything, you were always so relaxed, and I'm sure I would have liked for you to come by the library so we could have read together. What really caught my eye about you though, was your stubbornness and determination to make sure I was safe, from fighting Princess Celestia to traveling an entire continent to make sure nothing happened to me. Big Macintosh, as cheesy as it is to say this, you are my knight in shining armor."

"Very touching," Celestia said with a light blush where Twilight had mentioned her soon to be husband fighting her. "Big Macintosh, do you take Queen Twilight Sparkle to be your bride?"

"Ah do." He said straightening his neck.

"And do you, Queen Twilight Sparkle take Big Macintosh to be your law-fully wedded husband?" Celestia asked looking down at her.

"I do."

"Then you may kiss the-"

They didn't wait, instead they pressed their lips together in a passionate kiss. It was only a few seconds, but it was enough to leave both of them grinning like a pair of idiots. The ponies and changeling clapped and whistled in a cheer, outside there was a wave of changelings cheering.

"Ring bearer, if you would." Celestia said motioning to Spike.

Spike, with tears sizzling on his cheeks, took the rings up which Big Mac took. Stepping down, he pulled out a hoofkerchief and blew his nose onto it just as the water works went full blast.

Twilight, closing her eyes let him slide on the ring, it got caught in a hole, but with a slight push, it went down to the base. Taking the other in her hoof, she put it around his hoof and set it just below his knee.

"This is so sappy! But I love it!" Spike said letting Pinkie borrow his hoofkerchief. "Why do I always do this?" He asked wiping his eyes on a sleeve.

"Now, how about the wedding cake, Pinkie?" Queen Twilight asked her pink friend who, was nearly drowning Spike and an unfortunate Rarity in tears.

Pinkie, nodding, ran down the isle soaking the Apple family, Twilight's family, and changelings before she came running back with a large triple layer cake. It stood as tall as a grown stallion, pink frosting roses dotted the edges while the rest was just a pristine white, and on the top there sat two miniature figures of Queen Twilight and Big Macintosh. Wheeling it to the happy couple, she pulled out a plate and cake cutter from underneath the trolley it sat upon. Cutting a piece from the top, she set it on the plate and gave it to the bride first.

As Queen Twilight was about to take a bite, the plate was uplifted and the cake as sent into her face. Blinking as the plate hung onto her nose, she looked questioningly at Big Mac, who, for his part was grinning back at her.

Wiping some off her face, she sent it right into his. He merely blinked and snorted some icing out of his nose. Looking at her, Pinkie set a plate with another slice of cake on his hoof. As he went to squish it in her face, she ducked and the piece went straight into a startled Celestia. The whole room gasped and then went quiet, even the changelings were glancing nervously between the two.

"You know," Celestia said wiping some cake off herself. "This could be considered an act of war."

"W-War?" Queen Twilight said picking herself up. "I don't think an accident has any real leverage for such a... Bloody action."

"I'd say it does." Celestia said. "The first royal cake war perhaps?" She grinned before throwing the piece back at Big Macintosh who ducked as it flew at him, and it nailed Camo in the face instead.

Camo merely sat there, blinking as the gears in his head made sense of what just happened. When they eventually fell to pieces, he managed to process enough that he began laughing. Falling off his chair, he was grabbing his side with one hoof while the other was pointed at Celestia.

"I-I never thought I'd s-see the day you have fun!" He laughed before another shot hit him in the head. "This is going to be a pain to get out but," picking some up with his magic, he flung it right back at Celestia, she moved out of the way and instead her sister was hit. Caught off guard as she was talking with Shining Armor and his wife, she fell over with an indignant squawk making Celestia and Camo laugh.

As they all began throwing cake in the room, no one noticed the cutter take out a slice of cake and then for the plate and slice to disappear in a swirl of yellow smoke.

Author's Note

Now, we shall get to see who this associate is! Quite a few of you must have picked up on the subtle, or not so subtle clues I've put into the story, but, be good people and wait for the next chapter before you tell, for the sake of the others who are still guessing.

The big reveal! If you hadn't already guessed.

Chrysalis, watching the wedding from afar, was currently sitting in the statue gardens under a new tree that had to be replanted. Watching from her rock, she could make out the others inside laughing and throwing cake. Sighing, she felt the familiar call of her associate, but this time, it was just a gently pulse. Getting up, she cracked her neck and began to make her way towards a large ring of hedges.

Passing a changeling that merely passed her without a glance or acknowledgement, she arrived at the hedges. Pushing her way through the branches, each one of them scratching at her still healing wounds. After untangling one particular branch from her horn, she pushed her way into the small circle.

In front of her, her associate stood, staring at her with unblinking eyes, cold eyes. She moved in front of her ally and connected their magic.

'I see all has went according to plan?' The voice asked.

"Yes, but... I apologize for not following through with your plan. At one point, I was going to actually win myself. I apologize for my insubordination."

'Sorry? Oh, don't fret over such a small thing, enjoy this while it lasts. We may have lost the battle, but, excuse me for the poor taste in pun considering your race, but we have not lost the war.'

"Is there anything left for us to do?" She asked. "What shall I do until the time is right?"

'You shall be coming with me.' The voice said. 'Do not worry about the other jewel, the mining you have done before has paid off. I can feel the energy just above an inch of molten hot rock. Oh, and, for your loss, I borrowed this form the happy couple.'

Looking down, a yellow mist appeared at her hooves and materialized into a plate with cake on it. Smiling slightly, she poked at it with a hoof before wiping the icing on the grass.

"Thank you for that, but I don't happen to care for cake." She said pushing the plate away.

'Oh, a shame I suppose.' The voice said somewhat dejectedly. 'Well, I suppose we should get going. And Chrysalis, one last thing, just a small favor to ask of you.'

"Yes? What is it? Nothing more to do with fighting, is it?" She asked slightly uncertain of the answer she wanted.

'Call me by my name, I see no need for such aliases anymore.'

"Of course," she smiled as the statue quietly cracked. "Discord."

The stone on him glowed a deep red through the cracks, piece by piece they fell onto the ground with a multitude of different, but quiet sounds from a duck snoring, to a feather falling. When the last one fell, he stepped off grinning like his mad usual self. With a snap of his talon, the stone put itself back together and sealed the cracks.

"Oh, you will not believe how much chaos you two made." He said patting her on the head. "It wasn't just enough that you two had to fight, but even I didn't expect Twilight to turn into me. Now that was chaotic." He said picking up the slice of cake. "Not bad, I never cared for wedding cake though."

"Discord," Chrysalis said. "Where exactly will we be going?" She asked looking around to make sure no prying eyes were peeking through the hedges.

"I don't know," he shrugged eating the plate and all. "I used to have a small cave that I lived in before I was turned to stone. Why not head back there? Some place familiar to me, and where you can have enough room to recover in a flash." He finished snapping his tail fluff to heal her. "Chrysalis, remind me later to put a whoopie cushion under Celestia's throne room pillow on Twilight's first meeting with them, will you?"

"I'll try, Discord." She said eying him strangely. "It's odd, I thought you'd be taller."

"Funny," he said. "And I thought you'd be less of a bore. Turns out, for once I was wrong. Come, Chrysalis, our temporary home awaits."

Before she could speak, he snapped his paw and they both disappeared in a flash.

Even if I was reading the map upside-down, this is still a short cut. And no, you hitting me with my pick axe does not count as a 'short cut' no matter how lightly you use it on me.

Shining Armor stifled a yawn as something brushed up against his nose, instead he looked around to find the source of the noise that was bugging him. He sat up, blinked, and then saw Camo laughing as he played his ukelele. Following the unicorn's line of vision, he saw the changeling moving around, slightly sporadically.

"Oh, good, you can move again." Shining said making Camo stop and the changeling fall back down. "Very funny, now get up. Hey," he looked around with a confused expression. "Where's Big Macintosh?"

"You were spooning him just a second ago," Camo said. "Don't worry, I won't tell your sister. But, as for Spike..." He smiled as a snicker was heard.

Spike came out from behind the stallion, smiling even with his arm still in a cast he was trying to hold his gut. Shining looked back and saw the apple farmer laying on his back and stretching his legs.

"We need to get going, now." Shining said. "Are you getting up?" He asked nudging the changeling. "Camo, he was moving perfectly fine, and you paralyzed him again. Great."

"Actually, he was still paralyzed." Camo said. "I just discovered a few hours ago that I can make him move by playing certain notes. So," he took out his map and put away the instrument. "We're going to need to go into Ghastly Gorge, and, in doing so, there is also a short cut! It could cut our trip in half to only three days on hoof."

"Then what are we waiting for? We need to get moving!" He said. "I'm still carrying the changeling, aren't I?"

"Oh yeah." Camo said with a smirk. "You could have gotten Spike, but you missed your chance. Besides, I'm carrying my own passenger. Oh, morning Mac, how'd you sleep?"

"Fine aside from the rock in ma'h back." The farm pony said yawning. "Shining, next time, ah want ya to sleep away from me." He said making the guard captain snort in embarrassment. "Ah heard Camo as ah was gettin' up."

"Just get Spike so we can get going." Shining said huffing.

As Spike got onto Big Mac's back, Shining slung the changeling over his. They both stood in attention while Camo checked a compass he had pulled out from a separate pocket in his bag. Turning once towards Shining, he squinted at it before doing a one-eighty. Nodding, he tucked it back in and began walking.

Sharing an uneasy glance with Macintosh, the two stallion's followed.

The green hills were behind them now, in front of them stood tanned dirt, rocks that jutted out from the ground, ferns, and even further up, Ghastly Gorge. They walked in silence, the only noise coming from the rocks crunching underhoof.

As the gorge was coming up, splits in the earth began to form. The two stallions were hopping over them while Camo just stepped over them, inches away from tripping. At one point, a large hole had opened up, a steep slop led down into darkness, and the two stallions watched in shock as Camo just walked down without a thought, his own eyes still on the map.

"Should... Should we go after him?" Spike asked as they stood at the edge.

"I'm sure he knew he went int here. He can get back up." Shining said. "Although, he does have the map."

"Let's just wait a second." Big Mac said.

"Hey! Could I get some help?" Camo said from within the hole. "I almost got crushed by the rubble from the wall collapsing!"

"Or were gonna die..." He said before going in.

"What do you think?" Shining asked the immobile changeling. "Because I trust you with my life, more than I trust him."

Hesitantly, he went down into the hole, a trail of dust following him. Seeing nothing, he lit his horn and casted a blue light around. Cracks lined the walls and ceiling, the floor was worn from time and covered in a layer of sand-like dirt, roots stuck out from the ceiling and reached down into the floor in some places. He squinted around and saw another light ahead, a dingy red shining past roots.

"Camo! Camo, is that you?" He called out.

"Yeah, it's me." Camo said as Shining got closer. "Macintosh and Spike are here too. And you might also want to start galloping! The roof is going to cave in!"

Shining stopped, letting his brain process what Camo had just said. He heard a loud crack, and then another, looking up he saw the ceiling above him begin to split with a webwork of cracks. Galloping from that, it collapsed and he was soon running from rubble as the cave caved in. Making a last ditch effort, he jumped and him, and the changeling, went rolling before stopping in front of Camo.

"That was awesome!" Camo laughed. "Let's do it again!"

"No... Let's not..." Shining said getting up. "I doubt me coming in here caused that, so, what did you do Camo?"

"I made a wall collapse, and in turn caused the ceiling to collapse. Oh well, all's end that ends well." He shrugged. "So, if I'm right, this should lead to the entrance of the shortcut... I can't tell because something has now moved in front of the current."

"Current? What current? It's all rock and dirt." Spike said. "What kind of current would there be?"

"You know, for a librarians assistant, you're not that bright. Haven't you ever heard about the savage land tunnelers living in the gorge's cliffs?"

"Y-Yeah. Those big eels. What about them?" He asked looking past Camo and at the wall.

"This, is what I mean." He said before firing a electric bolt at the wall.

As the electricity disappeared, the chamber shook, the walls threatening to give out. They all watched, one with a burning stare, the others in shock, as it began to move past them. It lasted for a full minute before it became a hole of darkness in contrast to the other walls where the unicorns light shone on.

"Was that a land tunneler?" Spike asked staring at the hole. "And did you just shock it?"

"How else would I have gotten it to move?" Camo said simply. "Great, there's too much iron floating here. One second." He said before sticking his head in there.

They stared at him as his body jerked to the right for a second, he put all three hooves against the walls of the opening. Using his prosthetic, he dug into the ground below him and pulled himself out. His head was soaked, the fur around the base of his neck was dripping water. Rubbing his eyes, he lit his horn again before looking at Shining Armor.

"Alright, the current is flowing in the right direction. No pun intended." He said. "I hope you all can hold your breath, because were going for a swim."

"How is there water in there?" Big Mac asked. "And how's it not floodin' in here?"

"The iron in the water," Camo said putting the map in his bag. "Is so concentrated, that the rocks here, are also magnetic might I add, that when an opening forms, the iron can block the flow of water. That's how the tunnelers can shoot out from cliffs and not fall out. They're constantly going around, looking for food."

"And ya want us to go in there?" Big Mac said.

"Well, it's either this, or we can suffocate in here. Your choice." Camo said stepping towards the water. "And by the way, two things before I leave... No, three. One, if the changeling can't hold his breath, just put a shield over his head. Two, all the currents, or most of them, flow to a large, unmapped reservoir in which, the eels have no interest in. Three, if you can, keep your fore-legs crossed at all times."

He stood up on his hind leg and prosthetic, crossed his fore-legs, winked and fell back with a splash of white foam. The others just stared at where he had dived in, and they did so until a flicker of light caught their attention. Shining looked down at the changeling and saw it's horn begin to glow.

"Need... Energy... To... Move..." It sad slowly, it's jaw cracking from the effort.

"Energy? Like magic?" Spike said getting in front of it.

"Yes..."

"Shining, could you give him a charge?" Spike asked making the guard captain roll his eyes.

"Fine, but if Camo starts playing that Ukelele again and paralyzes the changeling again, I'm smashing it over his head. Lift his head, I'm going to make a direct connection."

Spike lifted up the changelings head; getting away, Shining armor leaned down and put the tip of his horn between the changelings eyes. Channeling his own magic, he pumped the changeling full of energy. He stopped when he felt a hoof on his shoulder, looking he saw the changeling get up.

"I... I need no shield." The changeling said. "I can filter the water through the holes in my legs. Come, we must hurry if we are to catch up to the nut job." He smiled.

"Well, get going." Shining ordered.

The changeling nodded once before jumping into the water. Shining sighed before taking a deep breath and plunging in himself. Big Mac shared an uneasy glance with Spike before they both took a deep breath, with Big Macintosh holding Spike for good measure. With a final, dread filled gulp, and a few thoughts on what to add to their wills, they plunged in themselves.

The water, surprisingly, was rather warm that what they thought. What didn't surprise them was the clarity of the water; they couldn't see anything but the rocks and dirt as it passed. The pull on them was strong enough that Spike was nearly ripped from Macintosh's fore-legs each time they hit a wall, which, he took the most of the force. At one time, they dropped through an air pocket before falling into a whirlpool and sucked down into more rapids.

As the last breath of air was beginning to run out, they were suddenly being propelled up. Looking up, they saw a bright light, feeling a disturbance in the water though, when they looked down they saw a large eel tearing through the tunnel. Spike and Big Mac then began kicking furiously as the eel made its way towards them.

They passed the barrier between the tunnel and the open water, immediately the eel shied away from the opening. The two didn't bother looking back in fear of the eel returning. They both let out smiles as they saw the surface coming up, but even those were short lived as they realized their air was being released.

They broke the surface and looked around before Spike, climbing onto Macintosh's head, pointed towards the others mere feet away on land. Big Mac quickly paddled over, getting an extra push from Shining, they were pulled out and set down on land.

"Well," Camo said. "It seems as though I have led us off track." He said pulling out the map. "I have apparently, been reading it upside down. How funny is that?" He said giving a guilty smile.

They all paused from drying themselves to stare at him; Shining's left eye twitched, Big Mac's jaw was clenched, the changeling was hissing and Spike had smoke coming out from his nostrils.

"You did what?" Shining asked. "Could you repeat that for me? I'm afraid I misheard you."

"I read the map upside-down." Camo smiled. "B-But! This is still a short cut, it's just not a reservoir. It's a waste dump apparently."

They all looked behind them and saw a large building with three pipes leading over the water; all three pipes gave the occasional spurt of clear, brown, or yellow fluid before stopping.

"Where are we?" Spike asked.

"Princess Luna's liquor factory apparently." Camo said. "She shares half with her sister. Did you know Celestia is a major light weight? But her sister can drink enough alcohol to kill a hydra and she'd be tipsy. That's why she orders her drinks strong."

"Do you honestly think we care?" Shining said. "You led us the wrong way! I should drown you right here!"

"Hey, hey!" Camo said. "Just let me get out my pickaxe and get to a higher vantage point, that way I can see exactly which end of the factory we're at so we can find another shortcut."

"Give me that pickaxe and I'll give you a 'shortcut' right across the belly." Shining said shaking a hoof at the other unicorn.

"Even if I was reading the map upside-down, this is still a short cut. And no, you hitting me with my pick axe does not count as a 'short cut' no matter how lightly you use it on me." Camo retorted. "Hey... Does anypony else feel that?"

"No, Camo," Shining said. "But tell me if you feel this."

As he was pulling his hoof back, Camo's ear splayed back as he looked down. As Shining swung forward, a savage land tunneler shot up, swallowing Camo before falling into the water. Shining, with his hoof just barely brushing the eel's hide, stood in open shock. the only thing left was Camo's prosthetic leg which spun on the rubber hoof before falling over.

Big Mac, the changeling, and Spike watched as the eel began rising from the water and looking towards them. As it was opening its mouth, a sudden white light burst from the back of it its throat. It stopped before ice began enveloping it; when it hit the land again, the bottom half of its body floated up towards the surface.

As they all stared at it, labored breathing could be heard, and slowly, appearing between it's teeth, was Camo with his snow globe. He spit out a mouth full of water before laying against the teeth and sticking the snow globe in his bag.

"I never said they wouldn't come up from under us." He said. "Macintosh, could you give me a hoof here?"

"Eeyup." Big Mac said going over.

Big Mac turned around and raised up onto his fore-hooves as he bucked. The frozen teeth shattered and Camo rolled out as the rest of the body went into the water.

"I'm good, I'm good..." He said. "Just let me get my leg and we can continue. Oh, thanks." He said as Spike gave him the appendage. "It's a bit damp though..."

"Here, let me get that." Spike said before grabbing the leg.

Camo's eyes widened, and before he could say anything, Spike blew a small puff of fire on it. The leg went up in flames and Spike immediately ran to the water and plunged it in. The effect was instantaneous; the surface of the water from their end to the other caught fire, and, unfortunately the factory also let out another jet of alcohol into the water and the flames traveled upwards.

They waited for what felt like hours, but only a minute passed by until Spike spoke up.

"Well, at least there wasn't an-"

The factory went up in a sudden fireball, bricks and metal flew towards the sky, glass that had been blown out. The middle sections of the walls exploded out and feel onto the ground or into water, the pipes shot out flames for a few seconds before falling into the watery blaze. As the roof collapsed, a tall pillar of smoke rose into the sky.

As they all stood there in shock, bottles of liquor began falling from the sky. They all just stared at the destruction, even the changeling was shocked by the turn of events. Spike finally lifted the leg out from the water and gave it back to Camo who, immediately reattached it.

"I'm dead..." Spike said. "I just blew up the royal liquor factory. I'm going to be banished, no... Exiled to the moon for this!" He said falling to his knee's.

"It's like a dream come true!" Camo said hopping around gleefully. "Booze! Booze everywhere! And it's just falling from the sky, like some holy gift from the heavens above! Sweet golden, clear, and amber gifts!" He laughed jumping up and catching a bottle in his mouth.

"Hey! That's royal property!" Shining said going up to the unicorn.

"Well, considering it's raining from the sky, how long do you suppose before others start getting bottles?" He remarked uncorking the bottle. "Besides, you might just need it when you hear how I'm going to get us back on track within minutes. I'd suggest, for a stallion of little imagination, take this." he said grabbing another bottle and throwing it too Shining.

"For once, I think you're going to be right about this. Let's here the plan." He groaned, shutting his eyes for the inevitable pain of his brain cells committing suicide one by one.

"We're going to sail at least halfway there on an iceberg!" Camo smiled before taking a swig. "That's good rum."

"Would ya mind lettin' a sane pony get a swig?" Big Mac asked as the guard captain downed the bottle. "Ah'll find ma'h own bottle ah guess."

"Alright, I know it sounds a bit silly, but trust me! I know what I'm doing!"

"And," Shining paused to get another bottle. "How are you planning om sailing across land, much less on a giant chunk of ice?" He asked before staring at the amber liquid. "Cadence is going to kill me when she finds out about this..." he mumble. "I'd better get another bottle."

"Well, how do you think the changelings managed to travel across Equestria without being noticed?" Camo remarked. "There's a series of underground networks leading from point A, which since I was reading the map correctly, is at the edge of a desert, and Ghastly Gorge is point B. What I'm planning on doing, is freezing a chunk of the burned-out alcoholic water and making the natural wall were standing on, collapse and the initial tidal wave will carry us through the tunnels."

"Can I just go back?" Spike asked. "I'd rather be killed by the princesses than you. You're insane!"

"And don't you forget it." Camo said. "Now, huddle together and wait for me to break the wall. Just let me get my snow globe and we'll be on our way."

As he was getting his snow globe out again, The two stallions, changeling and dragon hatchling all huddled together at the edge of the water. They simultaneously gulped as he brought out the cursed object and began walking towards them. They all crossed their hearts as he leaned forward and pointed the object at the water.

Camo but the bottom in his hooves and just let the glass touch the water; in a moment of sudden energy, he began shaking it as fast as he could. As he did it, the inside began glowing a faint white, a shrieking began emanating from it. With a flash, the water began freezing rapidly. The others stared in fear and wonder as the water froze until it was as large as a royal chariot, with the guards added.

"Alright, now, just let me get my dynamite and we can get going." Camo said putting the glob back in his saddle bag.

"What!?" The group said backing away from the stallion as he lit his horn.

"Don't worry," he said opening a small portal. "I've only messed up once. And don't worry, nopony was injured. It was a deserted island after all. Now, if you will excuse me." He said before emptying the contents of his saddle bag.

They watched him empty the contents, place the pickaxe head, the rope, and the snow globe in the rip. He reached back in and pulled out a large fuse, duct tape, and a roll of dynamite. Closing the small portal, he took the fuse and put it into a stick's hole, and taking the duct tape, he wrapped it around the roll and bit it off when he had gotten a good rope of it.

"Alright, everypony on the ice, we'll be taking off shortly." He said going to the hole the eel had made. "Good, I can see the water trickling in; Spike, light the fuse when I say so, got it?"

"What? Why me?" Spike said as he sat atop Big Mac's back.

"You already blew up the factory, could one more explosion hurt?" He said throwing the roll of explosives in.

"It might kill us." Spike said pointing at the duct tape rope.

"You should have known that when you decided to let me tag along." Camo said quickly running the fuse to the ice and getting on. "Shining, before he lights this, could you magnetize our hooves and feet, in Spike's case, so we don't fall off the ice?"

"Is that even possible?" He said looking at the other stallion.

"Yes, for this case it is, because of the iron in the water. That's why we haven't been swept away by the wall collapsing, the magnetic pull of the rocks is keeping us here. But, if a sudden force disrupted that, it could free the water and send us on our merry, and hopefully sometime in the evening for myself, drunken way. Now, go on."

Shining, nodding, lit his horn and with a quick flash of blue, the group felt a sudden heaviness in their legs. Camo then put the fuse up to Spike, who, giving a sigh, blew a small puff of fire and lit it. Camo dropped the fuse and they all watched as the small flame traveled off the ice, across the ground, and finally into the hole.

After a minute, nothing happened. Spike, deciding to speak, went against that as the ground shook and flames erupted from the hole.

The ground in front of them gave way as the rock and soil fell away and the ice broke began moving. They fell down as the water rushed by them; Big Mac, Spike, Shining and the changeling all began yelling as they saw the dead drop in front of them.

"Don't worry!" Camo yelled as they fell. "The eels should be getting here any second, and they'll open up more holes for the water to pass through! You see, the disruption is sure to attract dozens! Possibly hundreds!"

As they neared the bottom, the right wall below them caved in and an eel came out. The iceberg they were on, hit it on the head as it passed to the next wall. As they slid off, the water caught up and hit the bottom. Looking back, they all saw more eels as a large wave began forming and quickly, hurtling towards them.

The wave hit them and they were launched forward and upwards as the water surrounded them for a brief moment. As they were pushed along, the eels were in an outrage, shrieking and roaring could be heard or mistaken for the wave or wind rushing by.

As Big Mac shut his eyes, trying to not get any of the mist in, a loud draining sound was heard, expecting it to be Camo, he spared a glance at the stallion and saw him with a frown, and staring straight ahead. Big Mac, looking forward let this hoof go to Shining Armor's chin and turn the guard captain's head forward. What they were both looking at, terrified all of them.

A small hole in the wall, just big enough for the ice to fit through, but not them with it, opened up directly in front of them. With no other entrances, Camo sighed before giving Shining a salute.

Standing, Camo reached into his bag and pulled out the glue. twisting the orange cap, he pointed it towards the opening and bit his bottom lip.

"I hope this works." He said before squeezing the bottle.

The glue, instead of splattering against the ice, flew forward and hit the top of the opening. The glue on the rock bubbled visibly from where they all were at, and then just simply fell away revealing the caverns that were behind the rock.

"We're going to live! Were safe! Or as safe as we could be at the moment..." Spike muttered.

As they neared the entrance, part of the ceiling fell down and an eel's head hung down, its massive jaws wide open.

"We're going to die!" Spike yelled. "I haven't even kissed a mare yet! I'm to young to die!"

"Hey! What am I? Chapped liver?" Camo said pointing the glue at the eel. "Open wide, you slimy son of-"

"Just spray the eel already!" Shining yelled.

Camo fumbled with the glue and almost dropped it, pointing it back at the eel, he squeezed the tube and another streak of glue shot out. It hit the eel in the back of the throat, it gave a shriek before the rest of it fell into the torrent of water as a large hole let the current of the water hook it and drag it away.

Finally entering the cavern, they were immersed in darkness, the only sounds that could be heard was of the raging water, or the other eels. Letting out a collective breath, the changeling lit his own horn and bathed them in a green light.

"Finally, we-" Camo was cut off as he was hit with a stalactite. "Ow! My-" he was cut off again as another hit him in the nose. "Get down!" He yelled dodging another. "Shining! Put up a shield!"

Shining Armor lit his horn, and suddenly they found themselves with a pink shield over their heads. Smiling, Camo peeked to the side and saw the eels still chasing them. Rolling his eyes, he reached in his saddle bag and pulled out a single stick of dynamite and a short fuse.

"Spike," Camo said. "Did you know, when a land tunneler smells blood, even a drop, it and any surrounding ones will go into a feeding frenzy> They'll attack and kill anything near them, even other eels. So, Spike, could you light this?" Camo asked tilting the fuse towards Spike.

"But the fuse is too short. It'll blow us up!" He said.

"Trust me, Spike, we are not dying today." Camo said shaking the fuse in front of the dragon hatchling. "I promise you."

Spike, looking into the stallion's eyes, sighed and lit the end of the explosive's fuse. Camo turned back towards the eels, and, spoke directly to Shining Armor.

"Shining, when I say so, open the shield and immediately close it, understand?"

"Just throw it!" Shining said.

Camo, rolling his eyes, threw the explosive through the gap Shining had made. Looking at the swarm of eels, he saw a fireball explode from between two. They both were injured, from the skin that had been blasted away, leaving blood to flow freely. The effect was immediate, the eels stopped and turned on the injured two. As more and more eels were injured, the slaughter grew until only a few eels were seen moving on their own accord.

"Now... Now are we safe?" Spike asked.

"Yeah, we should be safe for now. "Shining, you can drop the shield, it's smooth sailing from here on out." Camo said getting on his belly. "That's freezing! I should have made hot ice instead!"

"You can make hot ice?" Spike said. "Wouldn't it melt?"

"No, because it's hot ice. Well, it will melt in a way, but not from heat." Camo said. "So, while were being pushed along, why don't I get my Ukelele and-"

It was at that moment, that Shining Armor grabbed the stallion by the fore-legs, turned him around, and set him down an inch to the left. Before he could ask why he had done that, another stalactite hit Camo in the back of the head. Camo's eyes rolled up and, sliding slightly, fell onto the ice unconscious.

"Finally, it was about time." Spike said.

"Eeyup."

"Agreed; I only wish you had done that earlier before I was paralyzed."

"I would have smashed my bottle over his head," Shining said taking the bottle of royal rum out from his chest plate. "But that would have been a waste of rum."

Author's Note

This is a bloody long chapter name. And Camo Travels is a total bad ass.

Big Macintosh's fight for love.

Big Macintosh's fight for love.

He looked again in the mirror, blew a stray hair back only for it to fall back over his fore-head. He grunted and licked his hoof before slicking it back. He smiled and then the hair pointed straight up.

"Aww! Come on!" Macintosh grunted. "Dang hair stay down." He licked his hoof again and he made sure the hair would stay down.

"Good, now to head over." He sighed wistfully but with nervousness in it. "And all ah got was a small little gift." He frowned at the small box resting on his bed. "Maybe ah Should take something else?" He looked around until he saw a small, stiched, black and grey wool leg sticking out from under the bed. "Thad'll do."

He reached under the bed and pulled out the Smarty pants doll, he 'borrowed' after the want it need it spell. It only really affected him but even he knew it was natural.

He picked up the two items and set them down in his saddle bags. Before he left he looked back at his yoke and closed the door slightly jerkily.

"Hey big bro!" He was greeted by Applebloom half way down the stairs. "Ya goin' to go see your crush?"

"W-What crush? Ah don't have a crush." He stuttered.

"Mac," She said pulling a straight face. "Ma'h room is next to yours. Ah can hear ya in your sleep. Don't worry," She winked. "Ah Pinkie promise to keep it a secret."

"Ah don't know what yall are talking bout'. yall kids need to eat less sugar, it's makin' all of yall delusional." He quickly hurried past her and nearly ran out the door.

He slowed down once he was at the front gate, he looked back and waved at a grinning Applebloom. He started to go along the worn trail that led to Ponyville.

"Ah hope she'll like it." He mumbled to himself as he watched the saddle bag out of the corner of his eye.

Ponyville came into view even quicker than usual, he only then realized as he entered that he had picked up pace sub-consciously.

'Better early.' He thought. 'The early farmer gets the soil tilled fresher now, then later.' He thought of his own saying.

He nodded towards any mare or stallion who waved at him. He was only stopped when he heard Rarity whine.

"Opalescence! Please come down! For mommy?"

He gritted his teeth as another barrage of sound hit his ears. He looked over and saw Rarity loking up a tree, upon the tree's highest branch was white cat, who, looked positively ticked.

"Miss Rarity?" Macintosh said walking up to her. "Anything ah can help ya with?"

"Oh!" She spun around on her hooves, a grin on her face. "Yes, could you help me get Opal down? I've been trying to get her down, I even used her favorite toy yet all she does is hiss."

He looked at the cat and saw her looking down curiously at the work horse. He looked at the tree and put his ear to the trunk.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Macintosh... what are you doing?"

"Ah'm listenen'." He knocked on the tree once, twice and finally a third time. "Could ya just back up two steps and then take a step to the left."

"Alright. But I don't see how this is going to help." She moved back and then to the right.

"Now hold out your hoof. And make sure it's steady and firm."

"Okay, but what are you going to do?" She asked.

He turned around, planted his front hooves into the ground, reared back and thrust his back legs into the bark. It shook violently and down came a screech, followed by a white ball of fluff that landed directly in Rarity's hoof.

"Macintosh..." She stared wide eyed at Opal sitting in the center of her hoof. "How did you know she'd land here?"

"Ah need to know where apples fall so they won't get bruised on the ground." He rolled his shoulders, gave a nod and began to walk off.

"Macintosh, wait. I feel like I need to give you some kind of reward." She said getting in his way.

"Eenope. Ah don't want a reward for something any other pony would do." He tried to go around but found a slight weight on his hooves. He looked down and saw them enveloped in a blue glow. "What did ya have in mind?" He sighed.

"I was hoping you would have an idea." She said quietly. "Wait, I heard you were going to the hospital, correct? To see," She stopped and looked around. "The newest patient."

"Eeyup." He answered looking at the hospital in the, relatively short distance.

"Oh! Then wait here. I have just the thing." She trotted off to a nearby shop.

'Flowers and herbs.' He read in his mind. 'Opened in the neightees. Original owners were Meadow Springs and Herbal Remedy.' He recited the history in his head.

"Big Macintosh!" Rarity called out from the shop. "I need your help. Again..." She said with anything but mischief in her voice.

He snapped out of his trance and walked in, almost hitting a hanging pot above the door.

"Mornin' Flowers." He said to the colt behind the counter.

"Mac! How's it been? I haven't seen you since last Tuesday. What, is it the..." He looked at Rarity before putting a magic seal on her ears, much to her annoyance. "Match? Is it early?" He whispered.

"Na'h and it's aright' if she hears. Not like Ah haven't seen her there before. Go on, let her go."

"Macintosh! I demand to know what that was about!" She stamped her hoof, glaring red faced at the colt behind the counter.

"Buisness." He replied. "Aside from farming. The, y'know. That." He raised his eyebrows once for emphasis.

"Oh! That! Well, yes. So," She turned back to the colt. "My friend here would like to buy some flowers for a certain somepony."

Mac's face flushed as he saw the colt snicker.

"It's about time Mac. I was wondering when you would ask her." He laughed as he opened up the glass counter. "So, what'll it be?"

"I think Twilight like daises." Rarity said putting a hoof to her chin.

"Eenope." Big Mac said. "Red roses. With no thorns. That's her favorite."

"How do you know what her favorite flower is?" Rarity asked raising an eyebrow.

"Whenever ah went to the library ah always smelled roses. Sometimes ah saw Spike carryin' a vase." He said. "Those right there Flowers. Eeyup, those."

Flowers pulled out a bouquet of roses, all thorn-less as he set them down on the counter.

"That's two bits. Discount for a lover. See." He pointed at a sign on the wall. "Lovers get a one bit off discount."

"Ah haven't asked her out yet, actually ah was planin' on it today." He grabbed the flowers, threw two bits onto the counter and ran off.

He didn't look back as he ran towards the hospital, which was coming up surprisingly fast.

In a moment he was at the front doors, he opened them and saw a depressed nurse.

"Ah'm here to see-"

"She's up there. Just follow the sound of groaning guards." She said rubbing her head. "Just go through there." She pointed to the right at a hallway.

"Thank ya kindly." He nodded as he trotted past.

He looked at his reflection momentarily and saw his hair was a mess, again. Only the one, troublesome hair from before was still in place. He sighed ad let it hang.

Up ahead, the sound of armor against tile was heard. He turned a corner and saw multiple guards by the door. When he approached they all seemed to shift back and then forward slightly, almost as if they were shaking. Upon further inspection, they were trembling.

"Howdy." He greeted them "What's with all the guards?"

"Were here to protect the patient." One of them spoke up. "Nopony allowed."

"What? Why not?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Afraid of danger I suppose."

"Danger?" He chuckled deeply. "Ah heard of that mare takin' on gods and goddesses without a second thought. She even charged a hydra, eyes closed." He laughed again. "She don't need any guards."

"W-Well, she is unconscious."

"That so?" He sighed. "Well danget. Ah came all this way for nothin'." He grunted in response. "Could ah go and set the gifts down for her?"

"No." They all replied.

"No? Well, could any of yall do it?"

"No." They said again.

"Well fine." He sat against the wall. "Ah can wait for her to wake up." He crossed his fore-legs behind his head.

"Sir, we cannot allow you to stay in the hallway." Another said breaking the line they had formed.

That was all that Mac need to run around him in a flash. He accidentally knocked a guard over as he went for the door.

He was pulled back by the guards and thrown to the end of the hall. He got up and saw them all in a line again.

"We've had a very rough day! Just go home and do whatever it is you do." A Lunar guard said.

"Eenope." He charged again, head down.

One guard charged forward and slammed head first into the work horse. Big Macintosh pushed him back with ease, the guard was trying to slow hm down but could only slide.

"I need back up! No-" The guard yelled before being flung to the side.

The red behemoth stood his ground, even as the other guards lined up.

A solar and Lunar guard came at him. He rose onto his back hooves and smashed them down onto they're heads before shoving the Solar one out of the way and bucking the Lunar guard away.

A Solar guard ran at him, spear pointed out. Macintosh grunted and stepped to the left and wedged the shaft under his shoulder where he held it. He leaned back, took the spear from the guard's grasp and smashed the blunt edge into his face.

Another Lunar guard ran at him, horn charged with a black glow. Macintosh rose onto his back hooves and swung at the guards side, sending him into a wall. The guard got up, or tried before Big Mac smashed both of his hooves onto his side.

A Solar unicorn guard charged forward and hit Mac in the side making him slide. Mac wrapped his fore-hooves around the guards neck and brought him down to the ground, horn first. He side-swiped the guard and saw a small chip fly off.

Two Lunar guards and Solar charged. Two in the air, two on the tile. Macintosh charge, ramming into the two on the ground, flinging a Lunar guard into one of the Lunar pegasus guards. The other one landed on his back and started to punch him across the muzzle.

"Take this! And some of that! Yeah that's righ-" The guard was cut off when Mac flipped on his back and landed on the guard. "Ow..."

The remaining guards piled onto Big Macintosh. He'd already flipped onto his belly but was suffering multiple hits across his body. He gave a grunt before slowly rising onto his hooves, all the guards still on him. He grabbed A Lunar by the wings and sent his weight, and the guards weight onto it when he stepped on it. The guard fell off with a pained wail.

He grabbed another Solar guard by the horn and smashed his head into the wall. He fell down with a bloodied muzzle.

The remaining guards, all of which that did not consist of the bloodied Solar guards and Lunar guards splayed across the hallway, went back to make a wall. Only two unicorn's remained, the pegasai all were groaning either in the wall's or on the tile.

"Guards!" Shinning armor called out stepping out from the room. "What is the problem? It sounds like there's a war..." Only then did his eyes see Macintosh, who had a fire in his eyes that rarely anypony saw. And nopony ever liked it when that happened.

"Do I know you?" Shinning asked.

"Eenope." Replied Macintosh.

"Whoever you are, you're under arrest for-"

"Sir!" One of the two remaining guards whispered. "Don't make him anymore angry than he already is. I have two kids and a wife! I'm to young to die!"

"Are you saying that he managed to defeat ten trained and armed guards alone?" Shinning said looking back at the red workhorse from the corner of his eye.

"Eeyup." Big Macintosh said. "Ah wouldn't have unless they would'a let me in. Ah just wanted to give her some present's... to make her feel better."

"Really?" Shinning looked back at the guard, hoof on muzzle. "You realize that I'm the one who is supposed to handle visitors? Correct?"

"You never told us that. You just walked in here, took over and stopped that pink menace. After that you said not to be bothered and you locked yourself away in the patients room."

"Oh... Well still," he turned back to Macintosh. "I'm afraid that we cannot give her anything without proper inspection. And as for you, you're under arrest. All items will be confiscated and burned for the chance of any haphazard happening. Now come along quietly and-"

"Eenope." Mac grunted scraping a massive hoof across the tile. "Ah've come to far for a bunch of walkin', over pampered soup cans to stop me."

Shinning sighed. "Guards, ready the paralysis spells. Full power."

Shinning and the two guards charged their horns and fired off three bolts of green energy. They all hit Macintosh in the chest, he stood stock-still.

"We'll go on, get him." Shinning said as he turned back to the door.

Before he opened it he heard the sound of metal hitting metal, turned and saw two Lunar guards flying to the other end of the hall. Armor beaten to a pulp. Wide-eyed his gaze fell upon the red behemoth's chest as he found himself looking into two large, and very angry green eyes.

Macintosh snorted before flinging Shinning behind him and reaching for the door knob. Shinning charged his horn and teleported Big Macintosh to the corner of the hallway.

"Ah don't want to have to hurt ya." Mac snorted.

"Same here." Shinning growled charging his horn. He fired a volley of paralysis spells.

Macintosh raised his fore-legs in defense and caught all the bolts. His legs felt tingly but he still set them down firmly to Shinning armor's disbelief.

"H-How...?" Shinning muttered under his breath. "How are you still standing!?"

"Ah don't get muscle cramps. Never have so ma'h muscles are alway's relaxed." He cracked his neck as the same fire re-lit itself. "Am ah gounna' have to hurt ya? Or are ya gounna' let me through?"

"Only if the princess herself told me to stop." Shinning growled. "And she didn't."

Big Macintosh charged forward, head bent down to ram. Shinning armor ran forward too and jumped at the last second to trip Macintosh, the only thing he received was his leg getting cracked, and a swift buck to the side. He fell to the ground in a daze but shook it off when he saw Macintosh walk toward him.

Shinning lunge forward and brought his fore-legs around Macintosh's neck in an attempt to strangle him into submission. Macintosh just stood there, anger gone to be replaced by confusion.

"What are ya doing?" He asked staring at the guard captain.

"Why aren't you gasping fr air?" Shinning grunted.

"Ah only breath every two hours and thirty minutes. If its a slow day, three hours and five minutes." He shrugged. "This is how ya do it right!" In one swift moment he wrapped his fore-legs around Shinning armors barrel and held him there.

"How are you this strong!?" Shinning said as he tried to pry the workhorses fore-legs apart. "Magic? Training? Or both?"

"worked on the farm most of ma'h life. Do ya know what the nick name for me is?" Macintosh asked with a devilish glint in his eyes.

"What?" Shinning glared at him.

Macintosh started to squeeze, Shinning armor's armor started to bend, his ribs bent slightly and he was becoming short of breath.

"The Apple family oak smasher!" He yelled before giving Shinning armor a well placed headbutt.

He dropped the limp guard captain, cleaned off the blood from his coat, and retrieved his items. As he went back a bright flash, flashed from the other side of the door.

Before he grabbed the door knob he looked back at one of the Solar guard helmets and frowned.

He licked a hoof and straightened out his mane, this time it all stayed in place. He smiled and opened the door.

"Eenope!" He slammed the door and stepped to the side at Celestia teleported into the hallway. He gave a quick bow before regaining his calm demeanor.

"Shinning, why-" Her eyes widened as she saw the guards lying across the hall. With Big Macintosh holding a bouquet of roses in his mouth and a doll on his back resting against a small present while he stood in the middle of it all, face portraying no emotion.

"I'm guessing you have something to do with this?" She smirked.

"Eeyup."

"And you wouldn't happen to be related to the element of honesty, would you?"

"Eeyup."

She frowned.

"Your not a pony of many words, are you?"

"Eeyup... princess."

"As you know, I'll have to put you under arrest. Now come along." She motioned him forward.

"Eenope." He grunted.

"No?" She smiled inwardly but her actual face showed a small frown. 'Now I can finally use the treason trick.' She thought. "You realize that could be considered treason to disobey your ruler?"

"Eeyup." He replied nodding.

She stood there, shocked.

"And your still saying no?"

"Eeyup."

"Is that a yes for a yes, or a yes to a no?"

"Eeyup."

"Yes to what?"

He shrugged as he gently set down the objects.

"Princess, ah'm sorry but ah'm going to see her. Even if ah have to go through ya to do it." He narrowed his eyes.

"You realize that's completely insane, right? I'm an immortal goddess, ruler of the sun and your co-ruler. You don't have much of a chance, but if that is what you wish." She spread her wings. "Then so be it."

"Ladies first."

"I see your mother taught you proper manners, unfortunately you forgot not to hit a mare."

His eyes widened in fury before he gave an audible snort.

"Don't ya say a word bout' ma'h folks!" He yelled as he rushed forward.

She half smirked and half frowned as she put up one of her strongest shields. He smashed into and it shattered.

'How was he able to do that!?' She thought as a red blur placed itself upon her back. 'And why is he so heavy!? He's got to be mostly muscle!'

He wrapped his fore-hooves around her neck and started to squeeze.

He legs got shaky and she fell to the side, wheezing as he ran into the room finally.

She got up, snorted and was about to go in after him, only to have her flank get stuck in the frame.

He looked up from Twilight to see Celestia trying to wiggle out from her wooden trap. he walked over and stuck out a hoof.

She stared at it before putting a gold clad hoof in it. With a firm tug she flew in, landing on him in the process. She raised her head back as she sat up. Unfortunately, she was sitting in between his back legs, her fore-hooves on his chest.

She blushed as he just looked uncomfortable, before either of them could move another presence made itself know.

"I come and clean later." One of the Hospital's cleaning staff said as she walked away with the cart and a line of guard armor behind her.

He got out from under her and quickly ran to the bed with Twilight resting in it.

"Nopony has ever bested me in combat so easily before. Who are you?" Celestia asked sitting next to him.

"Big Macintosh Apple. Ah'm just a farmer ah suppose." He shrugged as he pulled a bit of cover onto Twilight's shoulder making a small smile appear on her muzzle.

"No, your much more than that." She narrowed her eyes before a small smile formed on her lips. "You care for her. Really care, am I right?"

"Eeyup." He said getting up. He walked out of the room before coming back with the items.

"Ah'm done." He said setting them down at his co-rulers hooves. "Give these to her when yall are done, if it's not to much to do that is."

"I think it will be better if you do that. Now," Her horn lit up before a blast of energy shot out, engulfing him and blowing the wall out. "It's time for you to go to jail for your crimes."

"Eeyup."

The dust cleared and she saw a soot covered Macintosh.

"Do ya just want me to climb in the hole in the wall and make it look like ya beat me?" He asked.

"Please. And before you go, we should have tea sometime. Discuss how you managed to defeat all of my guards."

"Eeyup." He said as he crawled into the hole in the wall.

He stuck out his tongue, opened his mouth, stuck one hind leg into the air and had his fore-legs against him.

"Not very believable." She said.

His one raised leg twitched slightly.

"Much better." She looked around. "Now to fix this." Her horn was charging, as she was about to fire a spell, a pink blur swept past her and engulfed her vision.

It ended and floating down at her hooves was a small note.

"Your welcome princess! Love Pinkie Pie!" It read.

Author's Note

The Next chapter will be back in the present. I apologize if you were expecting actual present time chapters before. I wrote these to get off some humor before going into the dark and emotional stuff.
And just for Big Mac. Macintosh-14

Canterlot military and royalty-owned

P.S. The cake is a lie. It's actually a *** ***.

For the main course, a hot plate of panic with a side of collard greens.

"Should I wear a dress? Or what about just going without one? Spike! Are your even listening!?" Twilight asked as she held a red dress up to him.

"Twilight, you look fine." Spike said. "It's just a date."

"Just a date? Just a date!?" She yelled.

His eyes widened before he quickly got into his vest of pillows and pot helmet.

"W-What I meant to say was... Uh, a formal date!" He said quickly. "Is it a formal date?"

"I don't know..." She said quietly. "So," she lifted the dress again. "Should I wear the dress or not?"

he face-clawed before taking the red piece of fabric from her.

"I take that as a no?" She said quietly.

He shut the doors to her closet before handing her a brush and mirror, afterwards, he crawled into his small bed. Claw on the pillow, ready to throw it if the time came.

She took the mirror in her magic before putting the brush to her mane.

With a few good brushes, along with untying a knot, her mane was exactly the same as before. Her mane hung down her neck, her bangs hid the base of her horn and each hair was exactly in place.

She looked in the mirror before sighing. She set the mirror down on her bed before getting her purse.

She took one last glance at Spike before heading downstairs and into town.

The cool night air was relaxing against her coat. The moonlight illuminating her features beautifully. Her lavender coat almost glowing in the light.

After a brisk trot, she found Big Macintosh waiting outside of Le marestro's.

She stopped and stared at him for a second, he did too.

His mane had been brushed evenly, he was wearing a tuxedo slightly small for him, a red bowtie was around his neck. And in his mouth was a single rose.

"Oh, I didn't know you dressed up." She said. "I would have too if I had-"

"I got this for ya,Twilight." He took the rose out of his mouth and gently placed it in her mane.

She blushed at the gesture and gave him a smile which he returned.

They both turned to the entrance, a young stallion standing patiently by the doors.

"Do you have an invitation?" He asked.

"Eeyup. Macintosh and a Miss, Sparkle." Big Mac replied.

"Very well, your table is this way." He extended a hoof towards the inside.

He went in first holding the door open, for them. After they entered, he led them to their table.

It was in the near middle of the room. A small table, white cloth, a candle in the middle.

Once seated her went off to get the menu's. Twilight looked around while Big Mac sat patiently.

The room was an average sized one-story room. A few chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The floors were a white marble, a few walls had some fake vines, another had a Murielle of a country side.

"Your menu's, sir and madam." The stallion said. "What would you care to drink?"

"Water." They both replied.

"Good. I'll give you two a few minutes to find something to eat." He gave a smile before going to another table.

Big mac picked up his menu, after a few seconds, he put it down.

Twilight also put hers down, already decided on what she was going to get.

"So, quite the restaurant for a first date." Twilight said.

"Thought ah'd try a change of pace. That and your friend Rarity came by, insisting ah take ya here."

"She would." Twilight rolled her eyes.

The waiter came back with the water.

"And what would you two care to eat?"

"Ah'll take the fruit salad and Caesar salad." Big Mac replied.

"I'll just have the Potato soup with a side of collard greens." Twilight said handing him the menu's.

"They'll be here in just a minute." He took a bow before walking away.

They were left in silence again, both of them not knowing what to say.

"Big Mac, I was thinking about the whole... You know. Telling the town." She sighed.

"What bout' it?" He asked.

"I-I guess I'm afraid." She shrugged. "Afraid of what the others will think of me."

"Ain't nothin' to be scared bout'. Not as long as ya have your friends and family there." He smiled. "Specially when ya folks will be there."

"There actually coming!?" She whispered. "Thank you... You don't know how much that means."

"Ah'm sure ah can't. Well what do ya know, it was minute." He smiled.

The waiter from before came back, carrying a plate with two salads and a plate with soup and collard greens.

Before he got to the table, he tripped and lost his grip on them. He stared at the soup in horror as it landed on Twilight. Big Mac stared in horror for a different reason.

"I-I am so sorry! I'll run and get some... P-Paper towels..." The colt broke off as he saw Twilight's hoof flash black, with holes going through it. "Changeling!" He yelled.

Twilight's eyes widened in panic, she looked down at her hoof and put it underneath the table cloth.

The restaurant's occupants were staring at the three of them now.

"Should ya be gettin' the towels?" Big Mac asked raising himself out of his chair, glaring down as he towered over the scrawny colt.

"B-But shes-"

"Ma'h date. And if ya don't get somethn' to clean this mess up. Ah might go and have to sue for faulty faculty." He leaned down, his eyes narrowed. "Now git'."

The colt gulped, looking between him and her. He nodded and ran to the kitchen.

"Why don't ya go and wash up?" Big Mac said, wrapping a hoof around her shoulder as he led her to the mare's bathroom.

"Thank you." She whispered.

He gave a smile in return.

She opened the door with her magic, leaving Big Macintosh to guard the door.

It was a simple one room bathroom. One stall, one sink, one mirror and a tray of soaps shaped like seashells.

"This isn't good." She bit her lip as she inspected her hoof.

The soup was scolding. It was absorbed through her shell and bits of the root vegetable were stuck in some of the holes.

She went over tot he sink and ran some cold water over it. It helped and washed the bits of food out.

Her hoof was once again enveloped in lavender flames. Now she was looking at a furred, lavender hoof.

She opened the door and came out, Big Macintosh beside her.

The colt from earlier was wiping the chairs and floor clean.

"I think we'd like our checks now." She said.

He jumped and knocked over a chair as he backed away.

"I know what you are!" He yelled, grabbing the restaurants attention again. "I know your a changeling! I saw your hoof when I spilled the soup on it! It was black, and I even saw the holes! I know what you are! Bug! Leech! Parasite!"

There were murmurs from around the room, the customers and staff alike looking at them.

"Excuse me," a large olive green pony came up. He was wearing a ink blue business suit, a small name tag in gold was on his breast. "I'm so sorry for my... Ex-employee's outburst. You may consider the food on the house. You have my deepest apologies."

"Thank ya kindly." Big Mac nodded before shooting a glare at the now, fired colt.

They both left, drowning out the yelling from the colt and the owner.

"Some first date, huh?" Twilight asked.

"Some horrible first date. Ah found a fly in ma'h fruit salad." He joked.

"Yeah... The thing about telling the town. I think I'm going to decide to do it tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Big Mac parroted. "Are ya sure that's a good idea?"

"Considering he saw my hoof, yes. It's only going to get worse if I drag it out. I'm doing it tomorrow. Good night."

"Good night." He said back.

He gave her a quick nuzzle on the cheek and she teleported back to her home.

Neither of them knowing of what lay's ahead in the morning.

Author's Note

I'm horrible with restaurant names. It seems to be the hardest thing to write about this.