Blue, part two: A shattered country

Rainbow stirred in her sleep, feeling something weigh on her wings. She opened her eyes just in time to see Vinyl standing above her, with a cup of water. She tried to jump from her place, but found out quickly that the weight on her wings was actually Soarin, still asleep. Vinyl winked at her, then poured the cup on him.

Trixie, on the other hoof, awoke by the sound of Soarin screaming bloody murder. She yawned, and examined her hoof before getting up. It healed completely, for all intents and purposes. She was walking about as fast as she was before, even though she limped a little. It's appearance, however, was a little uncanny. The scar she had was barely visible by then, mostly covered by fur combed over it. It was still recognisable, and presented a very big problem if they had to move into a town. Attention was the last thing they needed.

Well, that problem would be dealt with later. She rolled over, and rose to her hooves. The others, bar Soarin and Vinyl, were near the spring; a little blessing in a forest full of dirt. They were very close to the hive anyway, she supposed that changelings had to drink something, too.

After she felt sober enough, she looked around for Luna. The moon princess stared at her reflection, apparently lost in thought. Trixie stepped closer.

"Is everything all right?" she asked. Luna quickly raised her head, and focused on her.

"Yes, yes, of course. There is no need to worry about me."

"You know, that is not really reassuring," Trixie said. Luna sighed, and turned to face the midday sun.

"I am sorry. My mind is somewhat preoccupied at the moment."

"Is it connected to that surge of magic last week? You've been out of it since then."

Luna blinked.

"I'm sorry?"

"You have been acting weird," Trixie translated. She let out an exasperated sigh. "Come on, this isn't a very complicated phrase. Why do you have so much difficulty speaking modern Equestrian?"

"Imagine yourself learning a new language," Luna said, "that you only knew for three weeks. That is exactly the proportion of the time spent here after my redemption compared to the time before."

"Yes, but doing nothing about it didn't really help you win a lot of ponies over, did it?"

"This discussion is over," said Luna with a bit more venom than she intended, "we have something more important to talk about. Gather around, please."

The escapees formed a half-circle around the moon princess, giving her their full attention.

"As you know, we are near Chrysalis and her hiding hive. I do not know how many of her subjects are still with her, or their disposition towards us. I know one thing: we need to do this. If she is a threat to our country, I intend to get rid of her. If she is willing, however, I would prefer making peace with the changeling race."

She paused briefly, measuring their reactions. Rainbow and Shining looked like they weren't exactly pleased with the thought of meeting changelings, let alone live with them. Trixie and Soarin seemed indifferent, Fancypants was positive, and Vinyl... wasn't really paying attention.

"In case the worst comes to pass, I have formulated an exit strategy. You must stay behind me, no matter what happens. I have gained a little bit of freedom with my actions. You see, my sister is... severely weakened. I believe she cannot sense if I cast spells, even on a somewhat larger scale. I must admit, I made an error in my judgement, and... visited her dream yesterday. She did not notice me, fortunately. That is the sole reason that I am willing to risk using my power."

Vinyl raised a hoof.

"So, uh, Princess dudette, what if they attack on sight, without hearing us out?"

"I suppose we do not go inside to talk to Queen Chrysalis," said Luna. "Now, if you are all ready, we can continue on. I expect us to reach the hive by nightfall."

Night has indeed fallen by the time they reached the place Luna indicated. In fact, it was around midnight that they spotted the two changelings guarding a cave entrance.

The alicorn stepped forward, confident and majestic. The guards exchanged unsure glances, but made no other movement.

"Guardians of the hive! I wish to speak to your liege, post-haste!"

The changelings abandoned their posts, and huddled together. One of them took off into the cave entrance, and the other beckoned them to follow. They were led through a dark cave, lit only by the small orbs of light the unicorns conjured. The cave soon ended, and gave way to tunnels dug out by their insectoid hosts. Walking in that featureless corridor felt like an eternity to Rainbow, but they arrived at a larger room, filled with junk. Changelings didn't create, but they liked to possess.

They were showed some ancient sofas to sit on, and the guard hurried back to the tunnel. Rainbow looked around. Everything the changelings could get their hooves on – it was there. Furniture, pictures, common and rare household items, even special calipers used by pegasi for preening.

A changeling entered the room from the other way, and froze. It's mouth opened and closed a few times, but no words came out. After a while, it gathered its courage, and stepped closer. Rainbow could see a very faint pattern on its... skin? Chitin? Whatever it was, the markings were barely recognisable in the faint light. The creature seemed to be equal parts curious and frightened. Luna smiled on it gently, causing it to frown. It decided to settle down on one of the sofas, and kept staring at them.

"Sooo... Does this mean we won't be dinner?" Vinyl asked.

"That depends on how delicious you are."

She spun around, and saw the changeling smirking at her. The voice was definitely masculine.

"Stoopeed chang'ling can't speak!" he added. Trixie rubbed her temples in response.

"Great, a smartass. So what, you here to keep us company and report what we said?"

The changeling flashed one of his fangs. Somehow, after seeing them up close, his carefulness disappeared.

"As if our glorious Queen would listen to a simple commoner like me. I'm just interested in you suicidal ponies. I haven't met any of your kind yet."

"Whoa, dudebug, you mean you haven't been outside your hive?" Vinyl asked. The changeling nodded. "But wait, don't you need love to live, or something?"

"Changelings require the same sustenance we do, albeit on a smaller scale. Their magic can handle illusions, and bodily transformation, but to cast offensive spells, they need an outer power supply... like love. They are not as versed in magic as unicorns are, but their shapeshifting is an innate ability, free to use at any given time. They lack the speed and agility of pegasi, but possess the gift of flight. They lack the endurance of earth ponies, but their body is very durable. They do not thrive in the night like bat ponies, but they have no difficulty navigating a dark cave. They cannot spread love around like crystal ponies, but they have strong bonds in a hive. They are like and unlike the other races, but have emotions, ambitions, and needs just as we have."

A stunned silence followed Luna's speech. Then, wordlessly, the changeling got up, and bowed to her.

"I see that you do know my people, Princess," he said. "I'm sorry if I came through as insolent; I see now that you are unlike those who look at us as mindless beasts."

"Back in the day I knew many a respectable changeling. Times change, sadly, and I'm sorrowful to see that some of you had become corrupt. I believe that it is essential to talk to Chrysalis, and end this, while we have the chance."

Shining gave a bemused look.

"Whose hide are we supposed to save again?" he asked.

Then came the simple answer, "Everyone's."

The changeling sighed, and looked as he was about to leave, but two sturdy-looking soldiers entered the room, both brandishing razor-sharp spears.

"You are to come with us immediately, upon the order of Queen Chrysalis! Resistance is futile!"

From the other tunnel, several other similar-looking guards entered, and formed a circle around the prisoners. One even held back the curious changeling when he attempted to leave.

"Hey!" he protested, "I'm not—"

"Resistance is futile!" said the guard, without a hint of comprehension.

He was herded together with the ponies, and led through an even longer corridor than the one they came in through. Rainbow supposed that there was another entrance, because having only one, especially one like this seemed stupid, even to her. No branching corridors, no lighting, no circulation - Rainbow wondered where the air came from. Still, they were able to breathe, so it didn't really matter to her.

A few minutes later they reached something that could be classified as a 'dirt room.' The whole appearance of the place tried to mimic the Canterlot throne room; the changelings even made something resembling a throne from dirt. Atop it, of course, sat Chrysalis, smiling smugly.

"Well, well. The mighty princess of the night visits me in my humble abode! This calls for celebrations!"

She clapped, and a changeling came in the room, with an aluminium platter strapped to her back. It trotted up to the ponies, and stood beside them wordlessly. The male changeling's expression changed; he looked like as if he saw a ghost.

"Please have some refresments," the queen said, "we barely get any guests down here!"

Shining mumbled something unintelligible. Chrysalis flashed her fangs.

"I can assure you, lover colt, I feel the same," she said. Slowly extending her gossamer wings, it became apparent that there was a large hole in the left one. "Thank you for the souvenir, by the way."

"Oh yeah? Well, I—OW!"

"Sorry, my hoof slipped," Trixie said with a bemused expression. Luna chose this moment to take the reins of the conversation.

"Queen Chrysalis, we have matters of great importance to discuss."

She took a glass of whatever it was from the stoic changeling, and drank it. The texture was unfamiliar, but her experience told her it was nothing harmful. She nudged the others a bit, and Rainbow reluctantly took something cookie-shaped, but not entirely cookie-flavoured. Only after eating it did she realise that Chrysalis has been staring at her the whole time.

"I'd enjoy that if I were you," she said. "After all, who knows what the future will bring?"

"Peace, I hope," Luna said, "and prosperity to both our people. Please, hear me out. I know you have suffered at the hands of our ponies, but I believe we can stop the persecution of the changeling race. All we ask for is shelter from the hidden enemy."

Chrysalis flashed another toothy grin. She looked more bemused than happy, though.

"Peace? You have the nerve to talk about peace after all that's been done to us? Seven hives, all exterminated! Changelings declared outlaws, hunted by all who see them? Don't make me laugh!"

"I wonder what exactly happened in those hives," Shining snapped. "I can't imagine a tea party going on about, else our troops wouldn't have reacted so cruelly... if what you say is even true."

"Silence!" Chrysalis shouted, "I will not have you standing in my throne room insulting me!"

She let out an inarticulate howl, to which changelings started to close in from every distance. Rainbow's eyes darted from one to another. Each was heavily armored, and had builds much like Big Mac. Even their fangs seemed longer than the average changeling's.

"How do you like my elite guard?" Chrysalis asked. "I haven't been lazy all this time, I can assure you. I haven't forgotten, either. I won't give you shelter, no. In fact, I think I won't let this chance go by me. Outcasts or not, you are powerful ponies. I wonder what would happen if—"

"Answer me this, Chrysalis," said Luna, voice raised, "Do you have a hoof in either the discrimination of blue-coloured ponies, or the framing of my companions?"

The queen looked sour, but answered nonetheless.

"No. As much as I would've loved to see you tear yourselves apart, I still didn't partake in that tomfoolery. And if you try to interrupt me one more ti—"

"We are leaving," Luna said with an indifferent expression. To Rainbow's surprise, Chrysalis laughed.

"Leave? Have you gone mad? You are completely in my power, surrounded by my elite guard, and you think you can get away? Oh no, this is too rich to pass up. I shall have my revenge on you, Shining Armor, and get rid of a pesky Element in the process, too. Not to mention you, Luna. This day is getting better and better!"

"There are two of your people right beside us," Luna said. Indeed, the male changeling was frantically searching for a way out, but the other just stared at them, not moving a muscle. Chrysalis stomped with her hoof.

"I don't care!" she yelled, "They are worthless compared to me! I'll gladly sacrifice any of them to destroy you! You! You and your worthless wife!"

She started circling around Shining, keeping her distance.

"If only she didn't escape! I would have been a true queen, and you all would have been my slaves! Obeying me! Feeding me! Oh, how happy I was when I heard about that bitch's death!"

"Don't you dare talk about her lke that!" Shining roared. Chrysalis smiled... then fired a dark green bolt at him. He reeled back, but the bolt hit a barely visible blue sphere... emanating from Luna's horn.

"You have made a mistake," she said in a casual tone, making Chrysalis take a step back. "You thought that my sister was the protector of Equestria... While that was true during my absence, that is not how things are. The sun shall scorch all opposition, while the moon embraces the weak."

Her horn glowed even brighter, and she let out a bluish energy beam, that passed by Chrysalis, and made a hole in the ceiling. Moonlight shone through it, highlighting the group of ponies.

"And now," Luna said, "I bring judgement upon thee."

A blinding circle, with Luna as the center, expanded rapidly through the air. Rainbow was forced to close her eyes, and when she opened them, it took a few moments until she was able to see properly. She heard the screams, though. The short death screams of the changeling guards, and the cries of agony that Chrysalis produced. The latter did not stop.

The guards' bodies were nowhere to be found. Chrysalis, on the other hoof, was scorched, and she was bleeding dark blood. The two changelings with them were unharmed, however, and were blinking furiously to regain their sight. From all the tunnels around, changelings began to emerge, alerted by the screams of their queen. Luna let her gaze wander over them.

"Changelings! Though it pains me to do so, this shall be the fate of all who seek destruction and death. I might look like a tyrant to you, but I desire no animosity between our people. To prove it, I shall leave, and give you this warning: do not stay in Equestria. These times are hard for you; ponies are distrusting, and will react poorly to you." She stopped, taking a deep breath. "I will promise you this, however; if peace is restored in our country, I will work on mending the relations between our races that deteriorated so long ago. That requires time, and I can only give you one piece of advice: Survive! Live long enough to become old, and experience the peace unknown to you. I shall leave your queen with you; it is your choice whether you follow her path, or do as I've offered you. I cannot make your decision."

She turned to the two confused changelings.

"To you two, I offer the chance to get to know us better. I shall take you under my wing, and protect you, as any of my subjects. Again, the choice is yours."

The male hesitated, but the other nodded. Seeing it do so, he slowly nodded as well.

"Right. I will cut this short. Trixie, name the place we must go."

The ex-showmare avoided her gaze.

"Trottingham," she whispered.

Luna's nod was barely noticeable. She gathered her power, and in another flash, they were gone, leaving behind a hive in utter chaos.