Chapter 3: Changelings
It had been a few months since she arrived in Ponyville and made so many friends. Since moving there, she and Pinkie had gotten pretty close especially since they shared a room together. She had even gotten very fond of the others, especially Twilight. They shared so much information of all sorts of different things. Star showed Twilight her journals that were filled with drawings of different star formations and how they moved from month to month. And Twilight shared with her the vast amount of knowledge she had from the books she studied.
It was a warm day in May, the mane six were out on a picnic and Starstrike and Spike were in the library doing some work. Twilight had invited her to come with them, but she gracefully declined the offer, there was something she noticed in the sky last night that she didn't notice before and she wanted to investigate it. Spike had stayed behind with her to help, as much as he would have liked to have been around Rarity, he didn't want to be around gossiping mares. As they worked on looking up what it was, a green poof of magical fire spontaneously erupted from Spike's mouth. A scroll popped out and fell to the floor, followed by another. He coughed and picked them up. Putting one under his arm he opened the other and skimmed through it, his eyes growing wider and wider with each sentence he read. He rolled it up and went to the other.
She turned to him. "What is it?"
"A wedding invitation! I have to go get this to Twilight right away!" He turned to run off and skidded to a halt at the door. "Do you want to come with me?"
"Ah no it's okay, I'll stay here. That orb I saw in the sky last night has me feeling a bit off about it." She gave him a smile. "You go on without me, see if you can sneak one of those sandwiches away on your way back."
He laughed a little and winked. "Will do Star, see ya later!" He ran off, closing the door behind him.
Star wondered about the wedding and shook her head, the timing was… strange. She just couldn't put her hoof on it. Maybe it was a coincidence but in her time in Ponyville, well there were no coincidences.
It was almost an hour later before Twilight came into the library, pretty ticked off, Spike following after her. "But Twilight, you should be happy for him."
"HE COULD HAVE TOLD ME IN PERSON!" She practically screamed as she walked angrily into the library.
Star looked up from her book and blinked. "Twilight? What's the matter?" She stood and went to her, then butted her head against hers in affection.
She pouted and looked up at her with teary eyes as she sunk down to the floor. "My brother's getting married to some Princess."
"And you're upset because he didn't tell you about it." She frowned and sat with her, opening a wing and wrapping her in it. "It's okay Twilight. I'm sure it will be fine. I bet the princess is nice." She thought on it. "Hmm…. You spent a lot of time in the castle as a filly, maybe it's somepony you know."
"I never thought on it that way… but I don't recognize the name at all."
"Maybe she went by another name?" She offered as she tried to comfort her.
"Possible…" She frowned. "All of us are going to Canterlot tomorrow, we've been asked to help prepare the wedding. I just feel so odd about all this, like it's all so sudden."
Star wouldn't mention that she inwardly felt the same way. "I'm sure you guys will have a good time, but I do agree with you. He should have told you first."
Twilight turned to her, realizing she wasn't mentioned in the letter. She frowned. "I'm inviting you."
"Huh?"
"Yes, you are my plus one." She grinned. "My friends don't see where I'm coming from but, you understand my concerns. Besides, this will be good for you. You'll finally get to see Canterlot first hand."
She nodded. "I did want to go see it. Thank you for the invite Twilight."
"No problem, go home and pack up what you need, we leave first thing tomorrow on the Ponyville express."
Star nodded and stood folding her wing. "Alright, I'll see you in the morning then." She smiled and turned to Spike, giving him a weary look. She was concerned about this whole situation. It sounded too fishy and she knew it was nagging at Twilight as well.
He frowned and nodded silently, holding the door open for her.
She silently walked out and headed home, where Pinkie Pie was excitedly telling the Cakes about it.
"Hey Hey Star! Guess what!" She bounced around happily.
"There's a wedding in Canterlot."
"Heeeyyy how did you know?"
"I was at Twilight's when the letters came."
"Oh! Heehee silly me." She smiled. "The girls and I got invited."
Star didn't say anything to her.
"Ohmygosh! You weren't invited you so totally have to go!"
"I am going Pinkie, Twilight invited me as her plus one."
"Oh goodie! You're going to love Canterlot! It's so beautiful there!" Pinkie began to ramble as Star went up the stairs to the room they shared. She hopped up the stairs, following her to the room. She started to pack the essentials, which included the party cannon. Star blinked, she wondered how the heck she got that thing into a suitcase that small, but shook her head. She had learned over time not to ask those sorts of questions of Pinkie Pie, she was completely unpredictable. She packed a small bag and set a space for her hat. The ponies in Ponyville had been very nice to her, but that still didn't mean others would accept her outside of this place.
It took a whole day to reach Canterlot and they arrived in the morning. Star had her hat pinned on and walked out a bit after the girls, looking around the place in awe. It was truly beautiful. Pinkie was right about that. She was glad she had acquired Mr. Cake's camera, she would take plenty of pictures to share with them. She snapped a few as she followed them Spike was up a head of her.
It didn't take them too long to reach the castle where they met Shining Armor. Star felt there was something just a tad bit odd about the groom so she stayed a little ways away from the group. She felt like an eighth wheel of sorts. She explored the grounds a bit on her own before Twilight found her later on in the garden.
She seemed a lot more excited than when she first arrived. "Hey Star, you were right! It was somepony I knew!"
Star nodded and went over towards her. "See, what I tell you?" She smiled, but it was odd, everything seemed normal on the surface, but she felt there had to be something else.
"I'll take you to the dining room, we're about to have dinner and you can finally meet the Princesses." She grinned as she led her off.
Star shifted uncomfortably and adjusted her hat, she had yet to take it off, and probably wouldn't for awhile. Meeting two other Alicorn like herself felt odd. But then again, they weren't like her at all. They were far older and wiser than she could ever hope to be.
When she was introduced to the two acting Princesses she felt something spark inside her, a sort of familiarity, but she pegged it to be the fact that they were similar, nothing more. She found she rather liked them both, but Celestia was a bit intimidating. Perhaps it was the fact that she was a bit higher on the ladder then her sister Luna. Starstrike found herself conversing more with the younger princess, mainly about star formations and her findings. There was an undeniable instant bond between them.
The week of the wedding left Star a bit weary, constantly watching the skies for the object she had seen in it the day before she was invited here. She spent every day exploring the shops while the others did the preparations. The day before the wedding rehearsal Twilight came to her looking troubled. She was upset at the others, none of them believed her when she said that there was something seriously wrong with Cadance. She listened to her speak, allowing her to rant.
"You believe me don't you Star! Please tell me you do!" She looked desperate.
Star nodded. "When I met her the other day, she didn't seem like everything you made her out to be. There's something wrong with that mare. She's putting on an obvious show in front of the others but I'm not sure why."
"She's doing something to him Star, I know it! I saw her!"
"I don't doubt you at all Twilight. Did you talk to the Princesses about this?"
"No… I haven't…" She admitted. "But I don't think they'd believe me anyway. Tomorrow is the wedding rehearsal and I just don't know what to do. I can't let him marry her. She's up to no good!"
Star sighed. She wasn't sure what she could possibly tell her. She reached over and petted her softly, trying to calm her.
It was late the next day and Star wondered where Twilight was, she heard from the others what happened at the rehearsal and was hoping to talk to her. She waited all night and still there was no sign of Twilight. It was odd, but no pony else seemed to be too concerned. Frankly Star found it odd. She stayed the whole night looking for her, but there was no sign of her at all, it had her worried.
The night went on and Star spent it searching for Twilight to no avail. She frowned and sat down in the square, there ponies heading out of their houses for the day. The wedding would be any moment and she still could not find Twilight. She rested her head down on the table. She found her eyes drooping from the lack of sleep.
It wasn't until the sound of screams reached her ears hours later into her sleep that she woke. Her eyes snapped open and she saw them. The pink dome that had been surrounding Canterlot had shattered and these dark creatures had swooped in and where running after screaming ponies. She stared at the strange hole filled black colored winged creatures, she wasn't sure what the heck was going on but she knew she had to run and hide. She stood up quickly and ran, her hat had fallen off in the commotion, but she was too busy running away to realize it. She ended up surrounded by a large group of them. She grit her teeth a little and looked around her. She had been completely surrounded. Regardless of what she would have tried to escape, they were close enough to easily jump on her to stop her.
Not too far away in an alleyway the Doctor was watching the events unfold, he had just left Carrot Top and Ditzy in a safe place. He frowned when he saw the mare surrounded by the lot. It didn't look like they were going to attack her. He noticed she was an Alicorn and wondered if she was possibly apart of the royal family. As far he knew the royal family was the only one who had Alicorn in them. It was a bit odd, but he can tell she was trying to get away. He pointed the sonic screwdriver and ran forward towards the group, helping to open a path for her. "Well hello there, nice weather we're having." He grinned. "I think it's time you ran now miss."
She blinked at the brown earth pony and nodded in thanks before bolting off in the direction of the path he had opened up. It didn't take long for him to follow off after her, a grin on his face. "Well beautiful day for a lot of running now. I'm the Doctor by the way, simply the Doctor."
She looked back towards him. "My name is Starstrike. Or just Star is fine." She said as she ran alongside him. As they ran the creatures followed them in the streets. She skidded to a halt when a group just ahead turned around towards them and ran at them. She froze in place. They stopped and looked up before taking off into flight, heading towards the castle.
"Okay... either there's been a change in the plan, or they have a good reason to be running from somethin' even more hazardous." The Doctor gulped, trying to stay to the side of the onslaught of Changelings.
She pressed her lips together and ducked away to avoid them. The sounds of fighting could be heard from a distance in the direction the mob was currently running to. "I don't want to know where they're going..." she couldn't help but shiver at the thought of what was happening.
He peered out from behind a barrel, and let out a small sigh. "Sounds like that racket is comin' from the Castle. Think we should get a closer look...?" He grinned just a bit to Starstrike, whispering across the alley to the box she was under.
She poked her head out and looked at him, a serious look in her eyes. "Are you serious?" She seemed to contemplate it as she looked around her. "Well...I'm curious to know what they're up to and why they're even here. So I guess that's a yes then." She got out from under the box and looked at him before peeking around the wall to see if there were any around that would give them trouble.
The coast appeared to be clear, and he adjusted his glasses before hurrying along to the path that would lead to the castle. He saw a few guards gooed in the distance, but held his hoof in front of Starstrike as they once again crept into the shadows. There were still changelings around them, and nothing they could do to help them. In the meantime, he heard a faint cackling laughter as he gazed up at the castle.
She shuddered at the sound and looked at him. "I guess that's where we're going then Doctor?" She asked him softly, shaking out her tail. Her left wing twitched a little in agitation and nervousness as she turned her head to look back in the direction they would be heading in.
"Naturally. Where there's danger, there's fun." The Doctor grinned, happy, but almost in a slightly insane thrill seeker sort of way. He shook his tail as well, from excitement, as he began to head for the castle. He turned to look over his shoulder to her. "You can run, if you want. It would be safer than stickin' with me. I'll go where there's trouble."
She shook her head. "Somehow I think it may be safer with you." She trotted alongside him.
"Glad to have you, Miss Starstrike." He flashed her a brilliant smile as they made their way to the castle. Luckily since the changelings mistook her for their Queen, they seemed to be left alone.
Star was glad they were being left alone as they navigated their way up to the castle, feeling just a tad bit bolder as they got closer to the sound. The sound was coming from inside the throne room, which made her feel a tad bit weary. "What should we do now Doctor?"
He waited by the door, just peering through the crack at the inside. He kept quiet, just sneaking a few peeks at the room. There were already six ponies in there, talking with a bizarre creature that was black, and had a dark blue mane, with humming wings.
She tried to get a look and watched the events that were going on inside. "Swiss cheese legs..."
The Doctor had to keep himself from snorting in laughter. "She must be the leader, but Celestia's been neutralized... Who're the two ponies on the altar...?"
She looked closely. "The bride and groom, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor..." She whispered to him. She had met them briefly before, but she thought there was something off about her. Thinking about on it, it was then that things were beginning to make sense.
"So, suppose I should ask... you Alicorns... aren't you all of Royal Blood...? Isn't it like a very special breed?" The Doctor mumbled as he observed the commotion in the other room. The Queen moved to the side, looking around outside, then back towards the two on the Altar.
She looked at him and shook her head. "No, it's very possible for two very normal ponies to have an Alicorn foal," she whispered back to him. "As long as it's somewhere along the blood line, it can pop up in any generation."
He nodded softly, more or less just curious about it, but decided to take her answer at face value. "Alright then. So, I don't suppose you've got any brilliant ideas about how to stop a megalomaniac mare like that...?" He chuckled a bit nervously, shooting her a quick glance. True, the sonic screwdriver might help a bit, but stunning her wasn't a permanent solution.
"I don't think this is something we should intervene in..." Her eyes were narrowed as she watched. She could hear Twilight whispering to Cadance. "It seems Shining Armor is under a spell... if anything could break him out of it, it's his true love."
The Doctor actually chuckled a bit at this and rolled his eyes, ever the skeptic. "I'll grant you ponies the power of friendship, but now you're sayin' True Love has actual force as well? I find that a bit surreal. Perhaps if I catch her off guard with the screwdriver...?"
"You shouldn't underestimate love Doctor." She gave a sad smile. "Although some of us will never have the pleasure of knowing it, it does exist." She turned her head to look at him. "And love can make strange, powerful things happen."
"And some of us had it a lifetime ago... only to have it torn away..." He mumbled softly, still glancing inside as suddenly a large shockwave blasted the Changeling Queen right past them and out of a window, along with her brood out of the city. The Doctor stood there with slightly widened eyes and a bit of a shocked look. "Ooookay. I stand corrected... true love has about as much force as a sonic pile driver..."
She laughed a little before peeking in. She heard Celestia speak to Twilight, apologizing for doubting her judgment and the cheers that went along afterwards.
The Doctor softly nudged her with a hoof. "Perhaps we should scuttle off before we get questioned for snoopin' around the castle, yes? I doubt either of us had a wedding invitation... although... I could always... nah." He shook his head and began to walk off, looking over his shoulder to her. "Are you coming, Miss Starstrike?"
She looked at him, she did have an invitation from Twilight but after this whole event she was pretty tired out. "Y-Yes... I suppose so." She peeked back and gave a soft nod before following after him.
"So, now that the danger's over, I suppose I'll thank you for your company. It certainly was quite the adrenaline rush, eh? What's next on your agenda, Miss Starstrike? Got any grand dreams you're chasin' after?" He smiled to her as they walked through the cobblestones of the town where everypony was straightening things up now that the Changelings were gone.
"Well I was invited here by a friend. This is actually my first visit to Canterlot since I moved to Ponyville not too long ago" She thought on it a bit. "As for a dream... well... I don't believe I really have one that's concrete"
"Oh, I see. It seems like a trendy sort of town, despite the looming castle. The airships seem to be popular, though I have to say I'm a bit fonder of Zeppelins myself..." He trailed off, looking back to her as they moved through a few alleys, before coming upon a blue box. "Ah, well, if you were invited here, perhaps you should go find your friend? Make sure they're alright, after such a scare like that..." He chuckled softly and smiled gently to her, his brilliant blue eyes locking upon hers for a moment.
"No... Twilight's quite alright now." She gave him a smile before looking up towards the box. "What is that?"
"This? It's a great deal of things, really. I'll admit it's a bit out of place in Equestria, but I am still quite fond of it..." He turned his gaze back to the box, moving towards the door and opened it. "It might just blow your mind..." he grinned over his shoulder to her, before the door shut, and within a few moments, the box made the most curious sound as the light atop it flashed, and the box faded away like a ghost.
She blinked and stepped back looking shocked. What manner of magic is this? But... he's an earth pony... no not magic... something completely scientific! How fantastic! She trotted around the spot several times before finally deciding to head back to the Castle, once there she ran into Twilight. "Thank goodness you're alright, I was looking everywhere for you last night. What happened?"
"It's a long… long story. Star, I'd like you to meet the real Cadance." She led her over to her.
Star felt the warmth around her from the other mare and smiled. "It's nice to finally meet the real you." She bowed her head.
Celestia noticed her lack of hat and gave her a long look, her mind wandering somewhere.
"We're going to re-prepare the wedding now that the real bride is here." Twilight told her.
"That's great. I'm glad things worked out in the end." She smiled at her, but her mind wandered to the adventure she had. The rush of adrenaline made her feel so alive.
When she finally left Twilight and the others her mind had gone back to wandering to the Doctor, her eyes distant as her mind wandered to the Stallion. She sat in the garden and looked over the many different species of flowers. But she wasn't really looking at them now. He called himself the Doctor… and he looked so much like the Stallion from my dreams… oh my stars… She gave a goofy smile and a soft giggle came up from her. He does exist! I wasn't just imagining him he's real he's real! She squealed joyously. But as she kept thinking about the name it had finally dawned on her. That's the Doctor Spike was talking about… Her heart sank and she pouted a little. He's involved with Twilight Sparkle. She slumped a little, her ears flattened a little. Maybe it's not the same stallion! She perked up. Maybe it's a stallion that just looks like the one from my visions, that's it, that's all it is. She smiled a little regaining hope. I'll find him one day… one day… But in her heart she felt she had already found him, her mind was just in denial because of the things she thought she knew about him. Her mind wandered to if she would meet him again, she had no idea how soon it would be.