Chapter 9

*One day ago*

The soldier quickly rushed through the double doors of the main castle. He ignored his muscles pleading with him to stop. Admittingly the soldier wasn't the most athletic of his kind, but he needed to deliver this news to his queen.

He was halted in front of her chambers. "State your purpose" said one of the two guards.

The soldier gave a small bow, respecting his elites, and cleared his throats. "I have urgent news that my queen must hear" he informed. The guards eyed the soldier before stepping aside. The soldier wasted no time heading inside the chamber.

His queen in all her might stood there, looking straight at the doors that were once shut. The soldier quickly trotted as close as he was allowed and bowed his head, not daring to look back at her.

"Why have you disturbed me?" His queen asked. He was now allowed to speak.

"Sorry for the intrusion my queen, but I'm afraid one of our men has been captured" the soldier said.

The queen let out a frustrated sigh at this. It was uncommon for one of their spies to be captured, but it does happen every now and then. Usually it's because of a simple mess-up or bad luck. She stood up and walked closer to the soldier.

"Which one?" She asked. The soldier gulped, knowing that his Queen would really hate this.

"The one… In Canterlot" The soldier finally said. The Queen paused for a second before trotting over directly in front of the soldier. He kept his head down.

"You mean the one stationed in the Canterlot Gardens?" The Queen asked. The soldier nodded low enough to not bring himself to eye level.

The Queen sighed, knowing full well that terrible things would result if Celestia were to keep the Changeling.

"Look up to me" The Queen ordered. The soldier did as he was told, she didn't look enraged but more ticked off. "Guards!" She called.

Both the guards at the door immediately ran to her and bowed. "Yes Queen Chrysalis?" They both asked in unison.

Chrysalis looked at both of them. "You two make sure nopony enters my chambers until I return. As for you" she continued as she eyed the soldier. "You must accompany me. We are heading to Canterlot."

"Alright listen closely Screwball" Discord said. The now-named Screwball looked at him ticked off.

"Don't call me that" she hissed. Discord rolled his eyes as they entered the village. "Just follow my lead"

She was beginning to wonder if she should really be tagging along. Discord eyed his surroundings. The townsponies were busy chatting away, none really paying attention to them. He wanted to fix that, but better safe than sorry.

A lot of the features of the town reminded Discord of Canterlot. Most of the city was small houses, but there were stores everywhere ranging from restaurants to small stands. Though, most of the villages were like this. Discord trotted over to one of the carrot stands, which had nopony waiting in line (unlike most of the other buildings), Screwball following close behind.

The pony behind the counter looked excited to see him. "Hello! How may I help you?" She asked enthusiastically. Discord cleared his throat.

"I'll have twelve carrots" Discord said in a lower voice than his original. The pony nodded and began putting carrots into a small box. Screwball eyed Discord with confusion. Couldn't he just summon food?

"Hey! It's you!" A voice said from behind, prompting both Discord and Screwball to turn. There stood a dark-orange coated pony with a blue mane. The pony looked excited, but Discord looked confused for a moment.

Screwball stepped forward. "Oh hello Mr…?" She went, not bothering to mask her voice. The pony gave a nervous chuckle.

"Oh sorry. My name is Cherry Smoothie." The pony stammered, making Discord smirk. He wasn't even in his real form and he still intimidate ponies. "You… Probably don't remember me" she added looking a little down.

She then quickly shot her face up. "It's alright though! I never really talked to you Mr. Nun'ya!" Cherry added. Screwball leaned over to Discord.

"Nun'ya? That's the name you went for?" She whispered in disbelief. Discord suppressed a chuckle. Now he remembered. He went around claiming his name was None-ya B. Not his best of names but it usually got a laugh out of him when they asked to elaborate the B.

"Just call me None" Discord said with a smile that looked like it would break into a laugh. The pony quickly bowed and looked back up.

"Anyway I remember when you came to town. You kept going around and using your magic to play pranks on everypony." Cherry continued. "It was amazing! I've never seen such amazing magic!"

Discord puffed his chest slightly and 'Screwball' rolled her eyes. "Why thank you. Good to see somepony here appreciates my talents." he added.

Cherry shook her head frantically. "Oh! No I must thank YOU." she insisted. At this point the pony behind the stand was just watching with the carrots to the side.

Discord, surprised and somewhat concerned, began rubbing his ears. "I must've misheard. Did you just thank me for pranking everypony?" He asked. Cherry scratched the back of her head.

"W-Well not specifically for that. It's erm… Well the cloud you created." Cherry clarified. The confused look Discord was giving her prompted her to continue. "Erm… Well you see after you left, I kinda… Um… Took it."

Discord rubbed the back of his neck. "You took my cotton candy cloud?" He asked.

"Yeah… But you wouldn't believe how useful it has been! I've been using the chocolate milk from it to make a new special smoothie at my store. I've never had so much business before and it never runs out! I must thank you!" Cherry quickly said as she began shaking Discord's hoof.

The pony quickly went up and slapped some bits onto the table. "This one's on me" she declared proudly. Cherry then shoved the newly bought carrots into Screwball's face before she could protest.

"Oh! And I must invite you over to my shop so you can sample some of the Chocolate Smoothies. Free of charge of course!" Cherry added. Discord had a dumbfounded expression.

"Oh that won't be-"

"No I insist!" Cherry interrupted as she began pushing Discord. "It's the least I can do!"

Discord, not one to pass up free chocolate smoothies, decided to just go along with it. Especially since this pony didn't look like she would give up anytime soon. Cherry stopped pushing Discord and began to walk ahead of him.

"Great! Follow me please. Oh and your daughter too!" Cherry said.

"She's not my-"

"Yeah c'mon let's go Dad" 'Screwball' joked, emphasizing the word Dad. Discord let out a grumble as Screwball stuck out her tongue at him.

Might as well get some enjoyment out of this.

"Are you absolutely sure Twilight?" Rarity asked in an almost frightened voice. "Perhaps we just… forgot how we encased him. Surely he can't-"

"Rarity" Twilight interrupted. "There is not a doubt in my mind. I'm afraid it's true."

Silence enveloped the room for a few seconds, each having their own look of shock as if they're still processing what Twilight has just told them. Neither of them moved. It was as if time stood still for that moment.

Rainbow was the first to break the silence as she slammed her hooves onto the table. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?"

Twilight jumped back a little. "Rainbow. Keep your voice down." Twilight attempted.

"Ugh! I thought we were finally rid of him! Of course he escaped! He just HAD to come back huh!?" Rainbow yelled in frustration.

"Ah' can't believe it… Discord escaped…?" Applejack went.

"Oh how dreadful! Now we must worry about Discord and the Changelings." Rarity said, putting a hoof to her forehead. "I feel a headache coming"

"How did he even escape so quickly?" Applejack asked.

"I'll tell you how! He must've stolen the elements of harmony and replaced them with fakes! It was just another act!" Rainbow yelled to nobody.

"Oh dear, you don't think he teamed up with the Changelings do you?" Rarity went.

"Who cares!? I'll pummel him so hard he'll wish he was still in stone!" Rainbow yelled.

"It doesn't add up…" Applejack went.

Twilight couldn't get a word in as they continued on.

"That no good…!"

"Oh what shall we do?"

"Little…!"

"Where in equestria could that darn fool be now?"

"Son of a-"

"GIRLS!" Twilight yelled, putting a halt to all of their rambling. They all turned to her. Rainbow looked furious, Rarity looked worried, and Applejack looked confused.

Twilight let out a sigh. "We're not going to get anywhere if we're just rambling like this."

Rainbow shot up into the air. "Yeah! Let's go beat the snot out of him!" Rainbow declared with an almost evil smile. She was yanked down by Applejack.

"Ah' think it'd be better if we came up with a plan." Applejack said as she turned to Twilight with a very serious look. "Like how are we gonna let the other two know."

Twilight's ears dropped. "That's the thing girls. I don't think we can let the know, at least not yet."

"Yeah, I've never seen Pinkie so down." Rainbow agreed.

"And poor Fluttershy, I don't think she can bear this news" Rarity added.

"But without all of us, we can't activate the elements of harmony" Applejack thought out loud.

"Exactly. I'm not sure we can convince Fluttershy to use her element again." Twilight said. Silence once again enveloped the room. Everyone of them processing the situation. Though despite the silence, neither of them heard the hoofsteps near the window, nor the distant bouncing approaching them.

"Hi girls!" the familiar voice of Pinkie soon exclaimed. It was as if they were all jolted awake as the stared dumbfoundedly at the door.

Pinkie had a wide smile. "Boy you all wouldn't believe what I just saw! I was in the kitchen and- Hey what's wrong?" Pinkie asked when she noticed how scared they all looked. "Did something happen?"

"No nothing's wrong! Why would something be wrong? Don't be silly PInkie!" Twilight quickly said with a unconvincing smile. Both Rainbow and Rarity facehoofed.

If Applejack was the worse liar, then Twilight was a close second.

Pinkie tipped her head a bit before continuing. "...Okie Dokie Lokie?" Pinkie went, her eyes focusing on Twilight, who was sweating at the moment. Pinkie then broke into a smile again.

"Anyways! So I was in the kitchen sitting in the corner because apparently I was 'getting in the way'" Pinkie said with an unphased smiled. "So I decide to stare outside the window I was facing and I was like 'it's such a nice day! We should totally go for a picnic' so I thought maybe I can convince the cooks to pack us a picnic with sandwiches and pie! Ohhhh I want some pie now! But they wouldn't listen to me! So I decided to make us a picnic and luckily for me I always carry a picnic basket in case of picnic emergencies. Then I-"

"Pinkie, breath" Twilight said. Pinkie then took in a huge breath and smiled.

"Thanks Twilight! So anyway-"

"Pinkie where are you going with this?" Rainbow asked. Pinkie then gasped.

"Oh right! I thought I saw Princess Luna outside!" Pinkie said, waving her hooves around.

"Princess Luna is awake? That's certainly odd" Rarity said. Luna's sleep schedule was completely opposite from Celestia. When they arrived yesterday Twilight assumed Luna was awake because it was nearing night and she woke up early.

"Perhaps Princess Luna is awake because of the Changelings?" Twilight theorized. Last time the Changelings invaded, Luna was asleep throughout the whole ordeal. Maybe she didn't want to be left out?

"That's what she told me!" Pinkie replied. All eyes fell on her again.

"What?" Twilight asked.

"Oh wait! She said to eat first!" Pinkie exclaimed as she zoomed out the doors. A second later her head peeked around the corner. "I'll be right back!" and with that she disappeared again. The others, looking a bit confused, sighed.

"That's our Pinkie Pie" Applejack joked. The others gave a small chuckle. It was as if she sensed when there was too much tension.

"Now don't forget girls, we can't let them know about 'you know who'" Twilight said in a serious tone. The others nodded in agreement.

"Especially Fluttershy"

Fluttershy couldn't feel her hooves. She couldn't feel her heart. All she felt was confusion. No that wasn't right, this was anger? It was something and she couldn't tell what. She placed a hoof on her chest to make sure her heart was still beating.

Well it was, but a little too quickly.

Fluttershy took a few deep breaths, hoping the others didn't hear her when she scampered away from the window. The words Applejack uttered still ringing in her head.

Discord escaped

The thought of those words made her shake her head. More confusion. If she knew she'd be hearing those words, she would not have listened to the distant voices that ended up being Rainbow. Curse her curiosity.

Fluttershy isn't sure why, but she found herself running back to the statue. She looked up to it and attempted to shake it.

"Tell me it isn't true" She whispered to the statue. No reply. She hated that. Fluttershy shook her head and tried to keep the tears at bay.

She failed. The tears began running down her cheeks and she began weeping a bit. She still didn't know what she was feeling, but she was pretty sure it's sadness.

You're crying tears of joy

Fluttershy took a deep breath, attempting to calm her nerves. It didn't help much though. She flew up towards the statue's face once again and made eye contact. She felt nothing and sighed. Whether or not Discord was truly free, she wouldn't find out this way.

Fluttershy began rubbing her head. "So what Fluttershy? The draconequus that broke your heart and lied to you is free. Maybe he will just stay away for the rest of my life? Yeah, there's no way he'd risk the element anyway!" Fluttershy thought with a weak smile.

Why did that cause some pain in her heart

Fluttershy stopped rubbing when she felt a familiar lump in her hair. She fished around her hair with her hoof until she managed to pull out the object in question. If her heart was working before, it must've stopped now.

Fluttershy began to sweat. It was her button. The button Discord had given her to summon him. The button that can bring him to her. She eyed it for a second, not really remember which side did what.

It was just one action and she could bring him. When the others got together to encase Discord in stone the last time, she conveniently forgot about the button. Or at least that's what she told herself.

For the moment, nothing mattered to Fluttershy. She focused solely on the object in her hooves. It was so tempting to push it regardless of what her mind told her. As much as she hated to admit it, she wanted to see him. Out of anger or love she wasn't sure anymore, but she wanted, no she NEEDED to see him.

She slowly reached around the button, laying her hoof on the Discord-faced side. She was so scared. What would happen? Would it work? Would he be happy to see her? Would he apologize for what he said to her? Would he lie again?

"Hey you!" A harsh voice called out, startling Fluttershy out of her thoughts. Instinctively she hid the button in her mane once more before turning to the source. There stood a guard glaring at her.

"O-oh um… I was just…" She mumbled. The guard kept his stern look.

"If I'm correct, you are miss Fluttershy right?" The guard asked. Fluttershy nodded weakly and the guard bowed slightly. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I was instructed to bring you back."

Before Fluttershy could form words the guard continued. "Breakfast is almost ready and your friends told me to escort you to the dining room. They said you'd be out here."

Fluttershy attempted to clear her head. The guard signaled her to follow him. "This way" he ordered. Fluttershy nodded once more and did as she was told.

The button would have to wait.

"Tia, as your sister we must warn you that we may very well be walking into a trap" Luna whispered, keeping an eye on the nervous looking changeling.

"Worry not sister. I have guards on standby. If anything were to happen, they know what to do." Celestia reassured.

"But Sister, we are still unsure…" Luna began.

"E-erm, here's the spot" The changeling prisoner between then interrupted. Both the royal sisters halted and began looking around. "H-her majesty will be here soon"

Luna looked as if she was ready to pounce. "We will be ready for them" Luna said. Celestia placed a hoof on her shoulder.

"Yes, we will be ready" Celestia said in a more calm tone. Luna rolled her eyes.

"We do not know how you are so calm in the face of an enemy." Luna mumbled. Celestia gave a small laugh and smiled at her sister.

"We may not like the changeling queen, but we must ensure the safety of our citizens by remaining calm. The last thing we need is a war." Celestia responded.

"Well isn't that noble of you?"

Both Luna and Celestia's eyes shot forward and there stood the Changeling queen with a smug look on her face along with a changeling guard at her side. Luna frowned and Celestia frowned as well, but not as fierce. The Changeling between the sisters bowed immediately.

"Princess Celestia" Chrysalis said.

"Chrysalis" Celestia responded. Chrysalis took a glance at the changeling prisoner between them.

"Let's cut the pleasantries Celestia. As you know, I've come to discuss the terms of the release of my Changeling." Chrysalis stated as her smug smile vanished.

Celestia smiled a bit. At least she cared for her subjects. "Yes I indeed known. Have you an offer in mind?" Celestia asked.

"It is simple. In exchange for my citizen, we will pull out all our spies from Canterlot." Chrysalis. Luna's eyes widened and she was ready to attack the queen.

"You mean to tell us there are more spies here?" Luna asked. Chrysalis looked at her with confusion.

"Of course, us Changelings are masters of disguise." Chrysalis responded.

"How many are there?" Celestia asked.

"If I told you and you decline my offer, I'd be putting my operatives in risk." Chrysalis responded.

Luna eyed her sister who looked lost in thought. Celestia then looked back at the queen. Taking this deal would mean their stance with the Changelings wouldn't change. Celestia knew very little of the Changelings so she couldn't tell what the Queen would do if she declined. For all she knew, the queen was still stronger than her so she could forcefully take the prisoner back.

Celestia smiled. "Alright, I find these terms acceptable" she said. Luna looked a bit disappointed and Chrysalis smiled.

"Wise move" she responded and she faced the prisoner. "Stand here" she ordered. The prisoner shot up and scrambled over to her side. Luna continued to frown.

"How will we know you will hold up your end of the bargain?" Luna asked. Chrysalis rolled her eyes.

"I'll summon them here in front of you" Chrysalis said but paused as she faced the ex-prisoner. "Though first, I am curious as to why my changeling would break their disguise this way" The prisoner looked nervous.

"I-It isn't my fault my Queen! I was-" The changeling paused, looked at the sisters and leaned in and whispered something. Either Chrysalis was uninterested or she had a good poker face. After a few seconds of whispering, the Queen looked serious for a moment. Then she smiled deviously and she faced the royal sister again.

"Looks like I have some information that may be useful to you Celestia" Chrysalis said. Luna stepped forward.

"We have released your prisoner, we have nothing more to discuss with you" Luna harshly said. Celestia stepped forward with her sister.

"Does this have to do with Discord?" Celestia asked. When the queen gave a confused look, Celestia continued. "If it isn't about Discord, then I doubt it can be of use to us." Chrysalis smiled again.

"If it's information about Discord that you want then I can happily provide you with that" Chrysalis said. Luna rolled her eyes.

"We do not need this information, anything you know about Discord we can figure out ourselves as well" Luna said.

"Oh I disagree, I know more about Discord than anypony else" Chrysalis said in a smug tone.

"We doubt that" Luna said.

"I know he escaped around a week ago" Chrysalis said. Celestia looked interested while Luna looked sceptical. "Shortly after a visit from a certain little yellow pegasus"

At that, Celestia's eyes widened. "Of course if you doubt that, go ahead and ask her. She didn't see him escape but she will confirm she went to visit him that night." Luna looked at her sister.

"Shall we summon Fluttershy?" Luna asked her. Celestia shook her head.

"If Chrysalis did indeed have spies here, it is obvious she would know these things. Though I am confused as to how you could know this information. If Fluttershy did indeed visit the Canterlot gardens, I'm sure the guards would've informed me" Celestia said.

"That is true. If one of YOUR guards saw her, they would've informed you." Chrysalis agreed. Celestia took a second to realize what Chrysalis told her. "Consider that information free. Though for any more, I am going to need some sort of payment"

"What information on Discord do you have that would be of use to us?" Luna finally asked. Chrysalis gave a sinister smile.

"I can tell you where he is"

Author's Note = Sorry for the long wait! The funny thing is that I had like 80% of the chapter done on time, but I had writer's block on the last bit and didn't want to post it until I was done.

Anyhow, so the Changelings are gonna be playing a part of the story. For good or bad will be revealed later! I have big plans for the next chapter, I don't want this story to go on for too long so I might speed up how things progress.

Thanks for the review BrilliantCreativity! Seriously people reviews are a good way to speed me up.

Thanks for reading the story! Have a beautiful day and stay strong! Summer is almost here!