"I then replied with, I will aim better next time," Acid says before Blood Moon chuckles. The two are walking along the streets of Canterlot heading towards the castle as the sun sets over the mountains.
"You two are nuts," Moon replies after recovering from laughing.
"That's an understatement," Acid replies, looking up at her with a big smile on his face. "Back when we were in first grade together, we would play pranks on each other all the time!" Moon rolls her eyes with a small smile on her face. "We still believe that's the reason Film was sent to Cloudsdale for school,"
"I wish I had a family like yours," Moon says as the two walk up the stairs towards the castle entrance.
"What's your family like?" Acid asks as the two walk into the castle entrance hall. The room was huge in all three directions. Hanging from the high ceiling was a giant chandelier glowing brightly without any candles.
"I was an only child." Moon started. "My mother wanted nothing to do with me, and my dad was too busy working to support me and his lazy wife," Moon says with a hint of anger and sadness present in her voice. Acid's ears flop a bit as he looks down at the tiled ground. The two stay silent as they turn and walk down the hallway.
Moon stops in her tracks and places a firm hoof on Acid's back. He stops and looks up at Moon, who was staring at something. He followed her eyes to see a little changeling staring back at them. One who had just gotten out of a closet nearby.
The little changeling barley stands as tall as Acid. His blue eyes shimer in fear while his bug-like wings spread out a bit. His dark green tail dipping in between his legs like a scared puppy. His dark green hair looked a little like swiss cheese and a vacuum came together to make a mess on his head. The most notable thing about him was the more dragon-like scaling of his skin and the fire-like gray emblem on his chest. The closet door shutting behind it as the group just looks at each other.
Blood Moon is the first to make a move. She jumps in front of Acid before spreading her wings out. She readys herself to defend Acid as the little changeling flinches at the sudden movement. He starts to back pedal, but slips and lands on his rump. Fear present in his eyes.
"Wait!" Acid yells out as he quickly teleports between the two.
"Acid! Get behind me! That's a changeling!" Moon yells in utter confusion.
"I know!" Acid yells back. "I've known he's been here for a while!"
"You have?" Moon asks, confused.
"You have," The changeling squeeks out, also in confusion.
"I have," Acid comferms, looking over at the little changeling.
"Then why didn't you report him? You saw what happened at the wedding!"
"Because he's not one of Chrysalis Changelings!" Acid turns and yells back. A few sparks flying off of his horn.
"How do you know that?" Moon says with suspicion in her voice.
"Not only was he here way before the invasion. He also didn't get ejected from Cadence and Shining armor's love," Acid says. "And just look at him, does he look like a normal changeling?" Acid points at the little changeling behind him. Moon relaxes as she looks over the frightened little creature.
"I guess not," Moon says before Acid sighs in relief. "You do realize you still need to tell the princesses, right?"
"I know," Acid responds, looking down bashfully.
"It's either you or me, and I think they would rather hear it from you,"
"I guess I no longer have a choice then do I?" Acid asks, looking up at Moon. Moon shakes her head. Acid takes a deep breath before sighing. He turns around to face the little changeling. The changeling looks nervously at Acid. "Do you have a name I can use?"
"D-Dox," The changeling stutters out.
"Ok," Acid says, hesitant to continue. "You're gonna have to come with me. You understand?" Dox knods his head yes. "All right," Acid wispears as he turns around to head back down the way they came. He walks past Moon as she watches Acid and Dox walk past her before following them. The group walks back into the main entrance hall before they turn down one of the other many hallways.
"W-when did y-you know about me?" Dox asks Acid.
"I technically found out about you the same day I became friends with Moon," Acid says, pointing back at Moon, who was watching Dox intently. "But I first truly encountered you when you started as my intern,"
"You saw through that?"
"Clear as glass my friend,"
"How?"
"Your unnaturally green eyes gave it away," Acid says as the group turns down a massive hallway that ends at two big doors with a Solar and Lunar guard on either side. "Even before I knew about Changelings, I knew something was off," Acid explains as the group walks up to the guards. "I need to talk to the princess,"
The two guards look at the little changeling, who was shrinking back into Acid's side as the guards glared down at him. The solar guard lights his horn as the door is enveloped with the same gold color. The doors open into the throne room before the group walks in. The door closes behind them as they walk up to the bottom of the throne stairs. Celestia looks down at Dox with a raised eyebrow and a kind smile. Luna sits next to her sister on her own, slightly smaller, throne.
"Good evening princess," Acid says, doing a small bow to the two.
"I see you brought company," Celestia says, eyeing Dox, who was looking between the two sisters as he shrinks deeper behind Acid.
"Princess, This is Dox the changeling. He's been hiding out in the castle for over three years now," Acid explains as he wraps an arm around Dox's back. Dox flinches a bit before relaxing into Acid.
"I know," Celestia responded.
"You knew?" Acid and Dox say in surprise.
"She knew?" Moon whispers to herself.
"Did thy know?" Luna turns to Celestia in confusion.
"I do," Celestia confirms their reactions. "I found him when he was just a small egg. I found out it was a changeling egg and decided to hide it," Celestia explains as the rest listens intently. "One day it hatched without me being there and was afraid it had gotten killed, but to my delight I found the little thing already disguising and hiding amongst the castle to keep safe." Dox relaxes a bit as he looks up at the princess. "He caused no harm, so I let him wonder,"
"Why not at least tell us?" Luna asks.
"I never thought it was important," Celestia says, turning to Luna. "But," Celestia says as she turns to face Acid again. "I'm assuming you are not here just to tell me there is a changeling in the castle?"
"No," Acid replies. Celestia looks down with a knowing look.
"I guess it's time to bring this information to the cabinet," Celestia nods her head. "Sister, send letters to the other princesses,"
"We are on it," Luna says before standing up and walking past the group and out of the throne room.
"And you three should go and prepare for the meeting," Celestia says, turning to the group. Acid and Moon knod before turning around. Acid ushers Dox out of the throne room as he follows Moon.
(Time Skip)
Acid, Moon, and Dox walk back up to the two big doors to the throne room. The two guards standing by the doors get ready to open them up.
"Just to warn you two, I can be easily agitated when it comes to stuff like this. So if I freak out, don't worry, it's normal," Acid explains.
"Easily is an understatement," Moon responds.
"I was more warning Dox than you," Acid quips back. Moon rolls her eyes at Acid as the doors open to let them in.
Sitting in the center of the long hallway is a long rectangular wooden table. Sitting at the end of the table in her throne, now moved down from its post, is Princess Celestia. Sitting to her right side is Princess Luna, to her left is Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor. Sitting to Luna's right is Princess Twilight, the new alicorn as of last month.
Along the left side of the table sits Firebrand and two empty seats, while on the right side there is only one empty seat. The others are filled with the head of agriculture, magic, and head general Lighting Brand.
Acid lightly grabs Dox around the body as the two head for the two empty seats. Moon heads to the empty seat on the right side. The group were already debating as Acid sits down with Dox very close to him. Moon sits down across from Acid before Celestia clears her throat. Everyone drops dead silent and turns their head to face Celestia.
"Now that everyone has arrived," Celestia says, looking between the two groups. "I call this emergency meeting into order,"
"Order my butt," Moon and Acid think at the same time.
"Emergency is an understatement!" Firebrand immediately shoots off as he stands up. "We need to lock that thing away right now!" He yells pointing at Dox while looking at Celestia. Dox shrinks in his seat before Acid lightly pats him on the head for comfort.
"We understand your concern, but if you would so kindly sit back down Mister Firebrand so we can start the meeting. That would be splendid," Celestia says calmly and clearly. Firebrand slowly sits back down in his seat. "Now as long as no one else has any interjections, we can start officially. Let's start with head of agriculture Mis Petals,"
"Thank you Princess," Petals says as she bows her head before standing up. Petals bright yellow fur glows in the light from the sun. Her pink hair tied up in a bun almost like a small nest. She pushes up the glass on her face to better see. "I just want to ask one question to Acid," She says, turning to face Acid. Acid stands up reluctantly before Petals asks her question. "How long have you known the changeling was here?"
"4 years, give or take," Acid replies with almost no emotion. A few whispears break out as Acid sits back down. The whispers were shushed almost immediately when Celestia looked across the table for the ponies who were talking.
"That means he was here way before we knew about changelings, and by the fact he is here, it must mean the magic from Princess Cadence and Prince Shining didn't affect it." She looks over to the pair for confirmation. The two look at each other before nodding. "In conclusion, I think the little changeling.."
"Dox," Acid interrupts. Celesita closes her eyes and sighs as everyone looks at him. "His name is Dox," Acid repeats. Everyone looks at him in silence for a second before Petals continues on.
"I think Dox might not be one of Chrysalis's changelings," Petals finishes before sitting down.
"Thank you Petals," Celestia says before turning to the pony sitting next to Petals. "Professor Star, do you have anything to say?" The mare is a dark blue unicorn with purple-blue strands of hair combed neatly.
"I do Princess," She says before standing up slowly. "Considering the fact we have implemented new magic that detected changelings, ther are two options. One, Acid here has been working with the changelings to keep him from being spotted," The mare looks over at Acid, who stairs back at her. "Or…" She pauses for a second to push a strand of hair out of her face. "He saw this little helpless creature and decided to help it," Acid and Moon sign as Star sits down.
Before Celestia can say thanks, Lighting Brand slams his fist into the table. This act causes everyone to jump in surprise and turn their heads towards him. "Kindness or no, this little monster needs to be thrown into the dungeons right now!"
"Mister Brand," Celestia says calmly before being interrupted by Firebrand.
"I second my father!" Firebrand retorts as he stands up. "There is no discussion needed, that little thing needs to be sent to the deepest pits of Tartarus!" He points at Dox as he yells in anger. Dox shrinks in his seat with Firebrand staring daggers at the little guy.
"There is no evidence that shows he was a part of any of the previous changelings," Petals barges in. Moon looks over at Dox, who is trying his best to slip into the chair. She then looks over at Acid, who has his hoofs over his ears while looking down at the table. Anger building in his face. His eyelids twitch a bit as his eyebrows sharpen like swords.
"Acid," Moon thinks in worry before Twilight slams her hoof on the table. Everyone looks over at her in silence. Her face was calm, yet anger was written across her eyes clearly. She stared down the group as Firebrand and his father sat down slowly.
"If you two can not keep calm, I will personally kick you two out," Celestia says sternly. "Am I clear?" The two nod in agreement. Celestia sighs as her face returns to normal. "Mister Brand, do you have any constructive words to give?" Lightning Brand shakes his head no. "Firebrand, anything to add?"
"Yes I do," Firebrand says as he stands up. "I believe that he is a new type of changeling from another group that wants to invade us, and he must be put under at least hoof cuffs and questioned," Firebrand says as calmly as possible while still somehow showing anger. Celestia nods as Firebrand sits back down.
"Acid?" Celestia says, turning to Acid. He stands up and looks slowly at everyone at the table.
"I first must say thanks to those who agree with me." Acid says, looking at Petals and Star. Petals smiles while Star nods her head. "This little changeling was here way before we knew what changelings were. He was not ejected when Princess Cadence and Shining armor had used their love to get rid of the changeling." Acid says, looking around the table before looking over at Twilight. She smiled kindly back before nodding.
Acid takes a deep breath before saying, "I have scanned his brain, he has no idea who Chrysalis is, and has no connection to any hive. I have also done some research and found out yes, he is from another hive." The room went silent as everyone held their breath. "But that hive has long been extinct." Almost everyone sighed in relief.
"How long?" Lighting Brand asks.
"For over 20 years," Acid says before turning to face Celestia. "With your permission, I would like to take Dox as my own kid." Everyone looks at him in shock except for the princess.
"Do you understand that when you sign the papers and get cleared that you will be in full responsibility for his actions?" Celestia asks.
"I am well aware of that Princess, and I think I'm the right pony for him," Acid says calmly. Moon looks over at him with slight worry in her face.
"Luna will get the papers for you to sign and I'll get Miss Fizzle to run a background check on you to save some time," Celestia says. "This ends our emergency meeting," She says before slamming her hoof down onto the table.
(Time Skip)
The doors to the throne room opens as the group spills out of the room, leaving the princesses behind. Acid walks out at the back of the group with Dox walking next to him.
"T-thanks," Dox stutters as he looks over at Acid. Acid looks over at Dox and smiles softly.
"You're welcome," Acid says, wrapping an arm around Dox's back before pulling him into a hug. Dox smiles and nuzzles into Acid's neck.
"Hey, Acid!" Moon yells out as she follows behind Acid. Acid stops and lets go of Dox before turning around to look at Moon walking up to them. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Ya," Acid replies with a slight questioning tone slipping into his voice.
"I understand why you would defend Dox, I've been there before too," Moon starts off, easing Acid's worry a bit. "But don't you think adopting him is a bit fast?" Acid's horn sends off a really small orange spark as he attempts to keep calm.
"It might be, but I feel responsible for this little guy." Acid responds.
"That's just it, you aren't responsible for him,"
"Yes I am," Acid snaps back. His anger is now visible on his face as well as his horn. Dox and Moon flinched in surprise. "I watched every day as Dox went and disguised himself. I should have told him sooner. I should have helped him, but now it's going to cause a panic because I didn't help him sooner," Acid says, his voice seething with anger.
"It's just," Moon replies, awkwardly looking away from Acid as she formulates her next words carefully. "You have a hard time keeping ponies with you for longer than a few weeks," Acid looks at Moon in confusion before he sighs in anger.
"You don't think I can handle him,"
"Yes, I mean no! That's not what I'm saying at all!" Moon tries to frantically correct herself.
"If you think I can't keep relationships with more than one pony," Acid says as he turns around. "Maybe you should remove yourself from the equation," Acid's voice hisses with coldness as he walks to Dox standing in utter confusion and worry. "Come Dox," Acid wispears as he walks by him. Dox looks back at Moon before turning around and following Acid away.
"Acid, wait!" Moon says, taking a step forward but not pursuing further as she watches Acid walk away. Her eyes fill with tears as she swallows a lump in her throat. "I don't want to lose you again," She wispears as a tear rolls down her eye.