The Threat of Change

Spike was still only a baby dragon. He was still afraid, he was barely able to use his dragon fire as an offensive move and he didn't even support wings.

But none of that mattered when his one love was being hauled away by monsters. It was the events of Rarity's ponynapping all over again, but this time by a far more deadly foe and her very life was in danger.

He'd followed the changelings only a little distance into the cave and was desperately trying to keep behind boulders and cavern walls to stay hidden. Changeling's were not the smartest creatures in Equestria, but they also were not the dumbest and if he slipped even once, they'd find and kill him.

As he watched them take a left turn his thoughts quickly flashed back to the events of earlier that day...

~~~~~

A quick knock on the painted wood from his clawed hand and several seconds waiting led to the door to the Carousel Boutique opening.

"Hi, Rari- oh, hi Sweetie Belle. Is Rarity here?"

"Hi Spike - oh you just missed her."

"Drat..."

"I'm not completely sure what's she doing but apparently Twilight tipped her off saying there was this gem or something deep in the Everfree near the old castle ruins..... so of course the first thing she thought of was how wonderful it would look on her new dress," Sweetie Belle said, twiddling a hoof on the ground and the last part sounding somewhat sarcastic. Spike scratched his head and thought about it for a moment. Something about what she said sounded off and it didn't take long for him to work out what.

"..When did Twilight tell her?"

"This morning, Rarity seemed simply.... well very excited about it and-"

"Hold on, back up - this morning?"

"Yes. That's what I just told you."

Spike turned his head back to the direction of the library and then vaguely in the direction of the forest (but considering the size you can't really miss it).

"Twilight's been in Canterlot for the past week, I would be the first to know if she got back early."

"So you're saying it's not Twilight who told her? But that's not possible - I was there when we were talking to her... wasn't really listening to be honest, but it was definitely Twilight."

"No.... it couldn't have been.... Oh dear," Spike turn tailed and took off in the direction of the forest.

"Wait! Spike! What's wrong?!"

~~~~~

He should have let them know Twilight was gone. Had Princess Luna not specified she was to leave in secrecy, they would have found out long before. It's never too late to let your friends know you've been summoned secretly by the dark princess for even more secret matters to the heart of Equestria suddenly in the middle of the night, right? He dismissed the thought, replacing it with a memo to remind Twilight she should have at least told them she was going somewhere.

Spike began following them again and was startled by a sudden flash of green from the corner. Carefully he ducked behind an outcrop of rock and peered over. Much to his surprise - and relief - the changelings had stopped, resting themselves in the shelter of the cave, an emerald green fire glowing on the ground between them. They were quiet aside from the brief buzz of wings every now and then. Quickly the dragon scanned the area and fixed his eyes on the white form beside the changeling he'd come to recognize as 'Stem'. Had it not been for the dark red stains on her neck, mane and face one would have thought she was sleeping... in an obviously uncomfortable and most unladylike position. Spike stifled a laugh and then silently scolded himself for even thinking of laughing at a time like this. This was serious.

Two Changelings versus a baby dragon. If Rarity couldn't take three of them on, he stood no chance against these two.

But he had to try and with a quick swish of his tail he lifted a claw to climb up to the top of the rocks when the second changeling suddenly spoke and he clambered down again, a fresh current of fear flowing through him.

"What happened to Chassis anyway?"

"Uhh... Manticore? How would I know - after chasing the damned unicorn down we got separated and he ran off after some small purple creature. Good thing though - was a great distraction so I could get my hooves on that unicorn."

Spike felt his heart lurch into his throat. He'd be tricked, chased down and distracted by this 'Chassis' so they could get to Rarity. How could he have been so foalish?! Granted said changeling was now lying at the bottom of a cliff drop after Spike had tripped it and it wasn't really an intentional distraction either.

"But he must have lost the stupid thing because just before I had her beat, he suddenly shows up and then that's when she did this!"

"Are you still complaining about it? Get over it... it'll heal over the next day anyway... it was a good thing I showed up when I did then... I hope he likes the new scar and headache I gave him," the second changeling said, finishing with a chuckle.

Indeed Spike had woken up to a sore head, and the deep cut across his back, that would eventually scar, still stung but he tried to ignore it. He was a dragon after all and dragons were supposed to be one of the strongest and most resilient creatures alive. How it was even possible to cut through dragon scale like that was a wonder.

It did not, however, stop the tears of pain upon awakening in the dark forest, long after the changelings had hauled Rarity away.

"So what did you think of my disguise? Pretty great hey? Luring her out like that.... then tricking her and that stupid dragon... I'm just so talented"

Changelings were however, when not trying to hide themselves, ridiculously easy to track down.

"Pfft yeah, you played the pretty little mare really well! It's almost as if you were destined to do it!"

"Laugh it up Stem, just wait till we get back and I'm the one who gets the big reward."

"Big re- it was a team effort!"

"...and?"

"You're a jerk. You know that Tenae?"

The second changeling, Tenae, chuckled and got to his feet with a smirk on his face. An emerald spark danced from his horn and in barely a few seconds it flared and the ring of green flame drifted down to his hooves before dissipating into the the air and hard stone. Standing where the changeling had been mere seconds ago now stood the little dragon's guardian.

Stem sighed and shook his head slowly in disapproval, "my... apologies... you're a bucking jerk Twilight Sparkle," and Spike couldn't help himself as he climbed atop the rocks and launched himself towards the changeling who'd indirectly insulted his guardian, with something that might have resembled a battle cry.

It was a stupid move on both their behalves and no one heard the rush of paws coming towards them from further in the cave as dragon claw collided with changeling hide.

~~~~~

Rumours had been floating around Equestria for the past two weeks of ponies going missing and strange creatures seen lurking around. Indeed the Missing Ponies Service were busier than ever - in fact, up until now they barely got a serious case in the whole year, only ever having to deal with very minor things that end up sorting themselves out anyway. Now however, they were struggling to find the ponies reported missing, search parties going out to scout their last known location, their homes, workplaces and any other place they might have been in, all turning up empty.

Officially there were 25 ponies missing. Unofficially there were well over 100 and the few ponies they actually did locate, were dead and accompanied by one or two more ponies that no one even knew were missing. Horrifyingly though, all possessed bite marks along their necks, sides or stomach and unnaturally white eyes and dulled coats, like the colour had been sapped away.

It had long since been made clear the Royal Guard were leading search parties for the MPS now, fear of getting attacked while out by whatever had murdered the ponies but there was no official announcement by the Princess. In fact, no one had even seen her - not even on her balcony - for the past two weeks. A select few even claimed that Princess Luna was raising the sun in the morning, but no one believed it unless they saw it themselves and very few ponies were up at the crack of dawn in Canterlot.

All tours throughout the castle alongside general visits from outside ponies were refused and sent on their way. On the few days Day Court was held, the ponies in attendance were not greeted by the graceful sun princess, but by her younger sister. Suspicions rose and Luna often had to deal with ponies refusing to take 'my sister is on a much needed break' as an answer. Princesses's didn't take breaks. Not without sufficient warning and a proper to replace her. Though in all respect Celestia was in right to do whatever she pleased and Luna was far more than capable of leading the rule in her absence. However few ponies believed the story - there were too many unknowns, too many questions left un-answered and alongside the strange behaviour of the guard refusing ponies entry anywhere else in the castle, ponies were becoming uneasy and a select few attempting to delve into secrets well out of their league.

Where was their sun princess?

But if they knew the truth, all Tartarus would break lose. Things that haven't happened for hundreds of years would surface -  even without the Spirit of Chaos himself, Canterlot, and all of Equestria soon following, would fall apart in either fear or rebellion against their now-changeling-ruler. Or both.

They couldn't afford that.

A teal coloured bat-pony walked up to the pegasus in charge, a limp in his leg and blood staining the right half of his chest-piece. The captain of the squad looked down at the night guard, quirking an eyebrow as he observed the obvious wound on the soldier's leg. His eyes widened and he tensed up when he realised the guard was alone.

"Silence, reporting from Appleloosa, Captain Dagger, Sir."

"Were you attacked? Where's the rest of your squad?"

"Y-Yes... on our way back we happened to detour and pass Ghastly Gorge. We heard somepony calling for help, so naturally we went out to assist... we ran into them..."

"Changelings?"

"Yes."

"How many?" the captain asked, pacing across the hallway that led towards Canterlot's barracks. How Silence had even managed to get back without the changelings killing him was a wonder but if they could pinpoint small areas where the changelings had made base, they could go in and neutralize the threat before any more ponies in the area were hurt. They had done such an attack on a group of about forty changelings up near Manehatten and it was an easy enough job. With Silence knowing a new group's spot, they could fend off the attacks in Ponyville as well. Captain Dagger already had a plan going through his head - guards storming the front while several stayed at the back to block any exits and quickly taking out the new group of changelings. Easy enough job.

"All of them."

Dagger stopped in place, missing a step and nearly falling but catching himself before he tripped. Silence walked up behind him and stopped as Dagger stamped a hoof.

"If I may be so bold as to ask, I hear something has befallen her Highness... is it true?"

Dagger sighed and turned to face him, "yes, it's true. Last I knew she was being held in the lower levels of the... never mind. Silence, do you know what the changelings are planning?"

Silence sneered behind the captain, "of course I do... it's why I'm here..."

"What do you m-" Dagger's question was stopped as Silence lunged forward suddenly, a hoof-blade weapon concealed under his armour, driving it into the base of Dagger's neck.

The captain choked and with a brief gurgling sound, he fell dead to the ground. Silence walked around the body, dragging it down the hallway and into the closest hiding spot, a storage room. Sure, ponies would eventually find him but by the time they did, it would be too late.

Emerging from the room Silence re-entered the hallway and for a moment hesitated, looking down at his injury. His eyes flashed green and he watched with curiosity as his wound was ringed by tiny green flames that slowly drifted across the wound, sealing and healing it completely. With a satisfactory nod, Silence continued down the hall, his hoof-blade concealed once move under his armour, the blood on it wiped clean.

Lower levels? That meant only one thing, he thought as he turned around, a smirk on his muzzle, and headed deeper into the castle.

~~~~~

Twilight had moved to the library again and was furiously studying away trying to find more information and hopefully a cure. As the princess's moon reached it's peak in the sky, Twilight briefly reflected on the events of earlier. After getting over her nightmare Luna had ordered the guard to bring them drinks and as both ponies happily sipped away at their hot chocolates, marshmallows floating on the top, Twilight began asking questions - to nopony's surprise. At first these questions were harmless until she asked about the changelings and their recent activity. Keeping sensitive information - like the recent sightings and attacks in Ponyville - out, Luna mentioned that ponies were indeed going missing but she kept the number far lower than the actual record as to not spook the poor mare any more. Twilight had of course, sensed she was lying. Or at least not telling the full truth, but she didn't push it.

That was several hours ago however, pages flipping at the turn of magenta magic as the unicorn sifted through the extra journal content Celestia had given her. It wasn't the first time she'd read it, having looked over it while is hospital and several times since arriving in the library. Her mind however, was still clouded with flashes of her nightmare and reality. A broken mare laying defeated in a cell, chains around her neck, flesh torn away to reveal the black hide under-

No. Stay focused.

Another page flipped and she dragged her piece of parchment with various notes, closer.

Ventios was not very specific when detailing what happened and his writing was more like scribble, but if this was the only reference to what happened a thousand years ago with Aerith, she wasn't going to complain. Much. She came to the last pages, before Lightning Strike's entries, and continued reading.

~~~~~

I fear for her safety, I fear for us all. I guess it is safe enough now to say the curse has gone too far to save her now.

I received word from Celestia two days ago about the attack on the Archmage... all that time... all that research, wasted. Is there any hope for her now? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? I see none. Perhaps this is our destiny, perhaps this was meant to happen.

I have lost hope, what is there left to hope for when the very walls of the world around you are crumbling? Discord has taken control over more of the southern side of Equestria again, it's only a matter of time before he strikes Canterlot.

He has sent possessed ponies into the city to speak directly to us, is no where safe? He calls Aerith by another name - at first we didn't know what he was talking about - but now we do. 'Chrysalis'. He wants her.

What am I to do?

~~~~~

I believe this marks day 15 of the transformation. It's happened so fast. Aerith's accepted the name Discord's given her and snaps at us if we don't refer to her as such. But how can I call her that? She barely even recognizes me.

We're taking her to the Cavern Springs, a last effort to free her. If it works, all will be safe and once again we will only have the monster Discord to worry about, but if it doesn't...

If it doesn't I fear I may not return.

Guardians protect Equestria.

~~~~~

Twilight flipped that particular page for the twentieth time that night. On the next page was a diagram, an arcane circle with magical runes outlining it. It was a spell, obviously, but complicated and meant for two or more unicorns to perform. Not to mention it was only a rough design and incomplete. Scribbled on the next page were notes but she couldn't make them out, blurred by water spilt eons ago.

It was clear however, that this was certainly a last ditch effort to save Aerith. She had stared at it for hours while in the hospital and slowly but surely was working out how the spell worked. It was as unruly magic as the arcane ring suggested, bordering on the line between normal magic and dark magic. In fact, in modern day Equestria it was illegal to use such magic, but this was all she had to work from.

Pulling up a quill in her magic and a fresh piece of parchment, she began copying the archaic design.