Return

Discovery

A stinging sharp rain showered Canterlot as Equestrian soliders marched out of the castle walls, and into the streets of Canterlot.  As they march, the noises cease, and the only thing filling ones' ears is the constant hiss of the rain.

Ponies watched as soldiers marched relentlessly towards a lone house.  A house that looked old, run down and beaten.  At any given point in time, it could have collapsed and fell in the matter of seconds.

The soldiers took no hesitation in tearing the door open, and rushing inside.  Civilians watched, as they dragged out a helpless stallion, squirming and flailing in the grip of the soldiers.  Mothers shielded the eyes of their foals, looking away from the scene in front of them.  Shock spread to all of their faces as to seeing what Celestia was doing.  Sending soldiers out to capture an innocent stallion.

As they held the fighting stallion, a green flash of light blinded them all.  Ponies saw a black creature filled with holes take off, and try to get away, before being piled over from soldiers.  The changeling was dragged away, and taken within the castle walls...

"I'll give you one last chance...why are you here?!"Shining Armor yelled at the beaten changeling.

"I won't tell you ANYTHING!  Let me go, or suff-uhg."The changing was cutoff by another strike from a soldier.

"Fine...I guess we'll just have to take it up a notch."Shining Armor said teasing the changeling.  Shinging armor pulled out a small razor, sharp enough to cut through just about anything.  "Where is your Queen?"

"You want to know so badly?  Well too bad.  Besides, from my point of view, she went on a little vacation..."Celestia walked in the room, who had heard the entire conversation.

"You don't want to cooperate...I guess it's time for you to sit in...time, out."Celestia's horn glowed, and the changeling shrieked in pain.  Her magic gripped his heart, threatening to stop it under her own discretion.

"Go ahead...kill me...besides, you won't be able to stop her.  She'll kill...you all..."The struggling changeling grunted, as Celestia stopped his heart with one flick of magic.  The changeling fell limp to the floor as Celestia released him, emitting a gruesome thud as he landed.

A few guards looked in shock at how easily Celestia killed the mortal insect.  She used no spells, no tricks, and stopped with heart in its tracks.  A guard dragged the body away, and it was never seen again.

"Captain..."Celestia said, gaining Shining Armor's attention.  "Alert the royal guard.  We have an immanent threat approaching."

"Right away Princess.  Any further details?"Shining Armor asked as he put on his helmet.

"No.  Just put the whole city on high alert."Shining Armor saluted, and quickly left to the war room.

"Gentlecolts...thank you for meeting me here on such short notice.  As some of you may know, this morning at nine hundred hours, a changeling was intercepted in his house, and brought back here.  After he was killed, the Princess told me to put Canterlot under high alert.  It is important that we consistently check civilians, for their could be changelings right under our noses."Shining Armor finished his briefing.  A few of his officers begun prodding around each other, making sure they weren't impostures.  "I can see we're already off to a good start.  Dismissed."

Later on, Shining Armor arrived home from a hard days work in the royal guard.  "Shiny!"Cadence said coming from upstairs.  "I heard what happened this morning."Those words reminded him.  Before he responded, his horn glowed, and took a grip on his wife.  "Ah, hey what are you doing?"Cadence struggled.  After a few moments, Shining Armor released her.

"Sorry, I had to make sure you weren't...her."Shining Armor said referring to their previous encounter with the changeling queen.

"I understand.  Do you really think she's coming back?"Cadence asked in a worried tone.

"I hate to say it...but that is the current condition.  She's expected to show up some time...more powerful, and less merciful than before."Shining Armor said quietly.  "I just hope it doesn't come to that point soon."

"TWILIGHT!"Spike yelled as he burst through the library door.  Twilight jumped, and dropped the books she was holding.

"AH!"She exclaimed as a barrage of books pelted her

"Sorry Twilight, but you have to see this!  It's from the princess."Spike said, giving the scroll to Twilight.  She read it, and looked at Spike.

"Have you heard anything else?"She asked.

"No."Spike responded.  Twilight looked at the message again to read it more carefully

My Faithful Student,

It has come to my knowledge that the previous threat of Queen Chrysalis is still lurking in the streets of Canterlot.  This morning, the royal guard intercepted a changeling hiding undercover in Canterlot.  No information was gained from him, but we are sure that the Changelings will come back.

Please come to Canterlot immediately Twilight.  It is important that you come alone, as some of your friends might be changelings.  I can only trust my closest subjects right now, which is why you must come alone.  It will put your friends out of danger, and lower the possibilities of any tragedy if it were to happen.  Please Hurry Twilight.

Your Royal Mentor,

Celestia

"My Celestia how is this possible?"Twilight asked herself.  "Come spike, we must go."

"Are we going to Canterlot?"Spike asked curiously.

"Yes, we must hurry Spike."Twilight said as she packed her suitcase full of items.  She encased her Element of Harmony in a separate, protective case so that it wouldn't fall into the wrong hoofs.

"Twilight, why are you bringing that?  It's useless without the other five."Spike said.

"Correct, but you can never be to sure."Twilight said, as she threw her baggage on her back, and made her way for the door.  "Let's go."