The Quest for Changeling Dust

     Hello, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Abbarridisimo Tratante, Mr. Tratante to my employees, Abbarro to friends, though you'll no doubt come to know me as Riablo. For nearly a year now I've ran the biggest company in Equestria. Tratante Industries sells technologies to ponies that they never imagined possible.

     You see I am human, one of the many that now exist in Equestria since the incident from three years ago. Not much is known about the incident except that it was ended by the six holders of the elements of harmony, and by the six human heroes that helped them. Many humans returned home, around twenty decided to stay.

     I was an engineer back on Earth so coming here with their unadvanced technology I had to adapt. Then I realized I can use my human knoledge and sell hundreds of different products that were invented back on Earth and claim them as my own ideas. After quickly becoming a millionare I built a modern mansion right out of the Canterlot city limits. It could be seen from nearly anywhere in Canterlot and the train drove right by it. With all of its high-tech gizmos and doo-dads and sheer size alone it put the royal castle to shame.

     I had become a man of power, of importance, which of course attracted the wrong crowd. Little money here, lotta money there and the next thing I know I'm Equestria's kingpin of crime. Surrounded by the best guard's money could buy, griffon mercenaires, unicorns who practice dark magic, skilled pegasus archers, I was untouchable.

     But I was the adventurous type and wanted a little fun. Changeling dust is an extremely powerful drug that made weed look like tylenol. After the incident with changelings taking taking over Canterlot I've had more than enough to sell. It's formed when the changeling transforms it's appearance. A smoke cloud forms around their bodies and falls to the ground. It leaves a purple powder that can be collected and when snorted leaves you 'trippin'.

     Before the attack from the changelings there was only one way to get the drug. Find a changeling hive, force them to transform in battle, and slaughter them all. Then we'd collect the dust and go home. I formed a group of changeling hunters with four humans. Me, the leader, known as Riablo. 'Tiny Tank Tim, a speedy midget with one hell of a six-pack. Sensei Seth, a black belt with a short fuse. Finally Sarge, an ex-military officer with a thing for weapons. We were armed to the teeth with high-tech weapons, not one of which I had shared with ponykind.

     Owning the cleaning crew of Canterlot means I have more than enough changeling dust to get me by for years, but these are the tales of how the job used to get done.