A large crashing sound was part of what woke me up from my slumber. That, and the sudden extra weight that landed squarely on my chest. A heavy, scaley weight. I heard groaning from the source of said weight as well as a scream of fear from a certain yellow Pegasus.

A bright purple light surrounded the blue scaled Dragon on top of me, and the weight lifted as I watched Twilight pulling Ember off and holding her up in her magic. Fluttershy was immediately by my side, hugging me tightly and trembling in fear. Ember was shouting at Twilight to let her go. I tried to move, but I was being held in place by four protective mares. Twilight was shouting at Ember, demanding answers.

"Let me go, Pony!" Ember was shouting as she struggled in Twilight's grip, and to my surprise it was partly working as her tail was free of the purple glow and thrashing about wildly in an attempt to hit Twilight.

The purple unicorn, however, had enough sense to keep Ember out of reach. "Not until I get an answer! Who are you and what were you doing trying to attack my friends!?"

"Twilight, put her down," I said, finally recovering enough to escape the grips of all mares except Fluttershy who was still clinging to me.

Twilight looked at me in shock. "What?! But she's an intruder! She could be a Changeling! Zecora tested everycreature in the council! Nocreature changed!"

"She is right, my love," Zecora said. "None of the delegates changed or showed any signs of being an imposter."

I frowned. That was unusual. I stroked my chin thoughtfully for a few seconds, before I looked back to Twilight. "Just put her down. I teleported her here to try and stop a war."

Twilight shook her head. "She's dangerous!"

"She's also my guest," I replied. "Let her go, Twilight Sparkle."

She flinched, looking back between me and the still struggling Ember. "How can I be sure?"

"Zecora, go grab that Dark Fae testing batch you made," I said. "And Twilight, just let her go."

Zecora nodded and left the room, galloping out at speed. Twilight sighed, lowering the older Dragon to the floor and releasing her. She landed and glared around at the Ponies in the room. "If it wasn't for this dire situation, I'd hit you," she snarled at Twilight.

"Not the time, your Highness," I said. "Look, Equestria is in more danger than I realized. I was just in the Dragon Lands. Their leader is planning to invade Equestria. Princess Ember here can attest to that."

Ember nodded. "I've tried to talk my father out of it, but it's as if he's become possessed. He's only got a few more years before Dragon Law forces him to step down as Dragon Lord. I don't want to see my fellow Dragons dying due to some stupid pointless war!"

The silence in the room was palpable. Even Fluttershy's trembling stopped as she looked up at me with a stunned expression. I held her close as I nodded in agreement. "She's right," I said. "I can't emphasize enough just how dangerous a world war is. You think having a few thousand dead is a disaster. In World War II, the greatest monster humanity ever created killed off six million humans just because of their ethnicity. Six million. And that's not counting the casualties of the many soldiers who fell in the war."

"Seventy to eighty-five million dead during that war," Sunset said. "Soldiers and civilians. Three percent of Earth's population at the time."

Even Ember looked stunned by that number. "There…aren't even that many Dragons," she said, and I heard a trembling tone in her voice.

Zecora came back, carrying a small clay jar in her mouth which she set on the ground in front of me. I picked it up and opened it, revealing a green salve inside. I turned to Ember. "Your Highness, please forgive me, but I need to apply this to you. It's a Zebra salve that forces a Dark Fae to revert to their true self."

Ember sighed, then stood to face me. "Just put it on me. Hurry!"

I looked down at Zecora, and she nodded. "I will let you know where to apply it." And she did. She gave me detailed instructions, and I gently applied it to the Dragon Princess. I placed it around her eyes, claws, tail, and in stripes around the rest of her. When I was finished, I stepped back and watched. When absolutely nothing happened, I turned to Zecora who said, "She's not a Changeling."

I held out my hand and removed the salve with my magic, putting it back in the jar. "Okay, so why didn't we catch the intruder yesterday?"

Zecora shook her head. "I made sure the ingredients were perfect, my love. The other Ember didn't react when I applied the salve and neither did Ambassador Fuego."

"Hold on, did you say Fuego?" Ember asked. When Zecora nodded, Ember growled. "That traitorous bastard. Fuego was banished from the Dragon Lands months ago when we found out he'd smashed an entire batch of Dragon eggs. He's no ambassador. Never was."

I looked at Zecora. "Babe, is there any way that salve wouldn't work?"

"I've read the instructions over and over again," Zecora said hurriedly. "If the Ember we saw in the council chambers was a changeling, it should have worked."

"What if it was Chrysalis?" I asked. "The Dark Fae queen?"

Her eyes widened. "That…I cannot say for sure."

"A Scalechanger queen is not the same as a normal one," Ember said as she walked quickly over to the door. "They can become pretty powerful if supplied with enough love."

I rushed over and stopped her from leaving the room. "Not yet. We can't just go out there. Who knows how many Dark Fae are out there?"

Ember fought against my grip, but I held tight. "We can't just stay here doing nothing like a gods-damned Pony!" she said angrily. "My father's going to issue the Call of the Dragon Lord in the morning! We might not have much time!"

"We won't just sit back and do nothing," I said sternly. "We need to investigate thoroughly. We don't know how many staff members have been replaced by Dark Fae. Hell, we don't even know if anyone in this room have been replaced."

Rainbow Dash jumped up and flew straight into my face. "Now hang on just a minute there! Are you saying one of us could be an imposter?"

"One or more," I said. "They're Dark Fae. Changelings. Scalechangers. They're the perfect infiltrator. Zecora? Do you have more of that salve? Enough for the rest of us?"

She nodded. "There's enough back in our room, love."

"Hmm…hang on a moment." I turned to Ember. "You seem to know about them more than we do. What color is their blood, do you know?"

Ember looked thoughtful. "Hang on…there's an old Dragon poem my mother used to tell me before my first molting…she said it in old Draconic, but roughly translated it says 'The fields of Trenz were brown with blood, the red of Dragons and the green of Scalechangers'."

"Okay, green blood." I held out my arm. "Use your claw on me. Draw blood. Dark Fae might be able to fool our eyes, but I highly doubt they can change their blood color."

"You w-want to draw blood?!" Fluttershy screeched in terror. She flew up and grabbed my extended arm, trying to pull me away from Ember. "I won't let you hurt yourself, Jethro!"

I stood my ground. "We need to prove to each other that we aren't sus," I said. When Scarlet reacted with a small smirk, I knew that at least she wasn't a fake. She'd seen enough Among Us memes to get it. I turned back to Ember, holding out my arm. "Do it."

Nodding, she extended a claw and cut slightly. I winced, but the red of blood pooling around the scratch was enough to prove to me and the others that I wasn't a Dark Fae.

To my surprise, Rainbow Dash flew up next, holding out her hoof. "Fine…you bring up a good point. Do it."

One by one, we all allowed ourselves to be cut. Fluttershy was super scared, but I comforted her as best I could, telling Ember to just make a small cut. Spike actually went before Rarity, probably just to prove that he could be brave in the face of danger. We obliged when Rarity asked to just use a needle to poke her.

When we were finished, we were quite satisfied to see that we had no imposter among us. When a lot of them looked to me, I began formulating a plan. "We need to make sure Celestia isn't compromised. And if she is, then we go to Luna. If she's compromised, Cadance and Shining Armor. But first I need to wake up Gemini and Mica. They're both fighters and can help. Then I've got to go back to my room and grab my weapons and then we go to Celestia. I don't have any idea why the Dark Fae would want a war. It's not their M.O., but it stops here."

"I'll go check on the Princess," Rainbow Dash said immediately.

"No. We are absolutely not separating," I said. "It's stupid when people do it in books or movies and we won't do it here. The risk of being replaced is far too great. We travel together."

"I can totally get there and back without being spotted," Rainbow insisted.

I glared up at her. "In case you didn't understand me, Rainbow Dash, these are Dark Fae, otherwise known as Changelings. They can impersonate anyone, even down to their voice. Their queen is incredibly smart. In the show she infiltrated Canterlot and posed as Cadance for a while. She also fooled all of you except for Twilight. She even fooled Celestia! And she's fooled us, if this fake Ember is indeed her. Or unless she's another queen from another hive."

Ember shook her head. "There aren't any more hives. At least, that's what Dad claims. We wiped them out ages ago according to him."

"Some could have escaped. I know Chrysalis' is still around, but that's neither here nor there," I said. "We need to get to my room, then Gemini and Mica's, then straight for Celestia. Now, nobody act out of the ordinary. We're just heading out for a casual stroll."

"What about Ember here?" Twilight asked.

"Your Highness, stand in the middle of us," I said. "Everyone else, create a protective circle around her. I want her protected at all costs."

"I can protect myself," Ember growled angrily.

"I know that," I replied, getting in her face and staring her down, "but our relationship with the Dragon Lands and your father depends on how well we protect you. If you end up dead, he'll attack us, thinking we killed you."

Ember frowned, but sighed. "Fine, fine. But you'd better believe I'll fight if need be."

"Good. The more, the better. Now let's go."

Slowly, I opened the door and peered out into the darkened hallway. There was nobody around and I couldn't hear the sound of any patrols walking around, so I lit up one finger, creating a magic flashlight, and stepped out.

The trip to my room was silent, tension filling the air as we kept an eye out for anyone else. I held my free hand out, ready to use any magic I knew just in case. Not that Twilight hadn't taught me offensive magic yet, but I could easily use telekinesis to throw objects around, and my personal shield had come a long way.

When we reached mine and Zecora's assigned room, we all entered on my insistence, and I grabbed the sword I'd received from the Lycan Empire. I quickly changed into something a bit more battle ready than the red silk pajamas Rarity had given me, although I didn't have much. I threw on a pair of tough jeans, some boots, a brown t-shirt and a black hoodie. I strapped the sword to my belt and then we both went to the room opposite mine.

Gemini was the one who answered the door after a few not so gentle knocks. She looked groggy and pissed off. However, before she could wipe the floor with me, she noticed my sword at my side and was instantly alert. "What's going on?" she asked seriously.

"Dark Fae have infiltrated this council," I replied. "Hold out your claw. We need to make sure you aren't compromised."

I loved just how quick she was, because not only did she do that, but she grabbed a knife and cut a small portion of her arm, revealing dark red blood. Quickly, she rushed to wake Mica. We all came in and shut the door, waiting patiently. When Mica also passed and was caught up to speed, the two began putting on their armor and weapons. "I hope you're planning to go to the Princess first," Gemini said.

"If you mean Celestia, yes," I said. "We need to make absolutely sure she hasn't been taken. And if she has been, then we try and find Luna. And if not her, Shining Armor and Cadance. Shining has enough magic to raise a shield around the castle. Nobody gets in, and nobody gets out."

"Then shouldn't we see them first?" Twilight asked worriedly. "Then we can raise the shield faster?"

I stopped to consider. She was right, of course, but I was also very worried about the two Princesses and I wasn't just about to split up the group. I sighed. "You make a good point, but does anyone know where her room is? I know where Celestia's staying, but I don't know where those two are staying. They probably have one room, though."

Twilight shivered. "Thanks for that image," she said with a shudder.

"Now's not the time," Gemini said as she put her helmet on, strapping it down. "And who is this Dragon with you and how'd she get in?" she asked when she finally saw Ember.

"Princess Ember of the Dragon Lands," I said. "The real one, not the phony one we met today."

"I knew there was something off about her," Mica said, "but I just couldn't figure out what…"

"That wasn't the only reason you were staring, dear brother," Gemini said with a small snort.

"I know I wasn't the only one," Mica said. "There were plenty of others giving her stares."

"Not the time, you two," I said. "We need to get to Princess Celestia as fast as we can. Gemini, Mica, cover us however best you see fit. You have more of a military mind than I do."

"Mica, you're on the left flank," Gemini said, "and I'll be on the right flank."

"I can cover our rears," Rainbow said, moving to the back.

"I'll take point," I said, starting to move to the front.

However, as I moved to the front, a claw stopped me. Ember shook her head. "That's my job, human. No offense to you, but you don't look like you could fight a beetle."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," Gemini said, which surprised me and the others. "I used to be captain of Queen Amber's Royal Guard and I've been training this human for months. And I don't train others to be weaklings."

Ember looked at Gemini, then back at me with renewed interest. She approached, grabbed my arm and squeezed. I didn't react, just stared her down. She slowly released me, nodding. "Hmmm…fine. But we're both taking point."

"Okay, I can accept that," I said. I looked around, then pointed at Scarlet. "Scarlet, I know you've been training with Rainbow Dash, and she's taught you a lot already. Can you guard our rear with her?"

Scarlet nodded and went to the rear. Zecora stepped up and looked at me. "Love, I know many different combat arts. Let me help."

I was about to contradict her, spouting worry for her safety, but the clearer voice in my head countermanded me. If she does know a few arts of combat, I shouldn't be the overprotective macho idiot, I thought. I nodded. "Guard those of us who can't fight," I said. "I've got dates planned for a couple of them, anyway."

Gemini facepalmed. "His pack grows…"

Ember looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Do humans normally create hoards?"

"Not the time, your Highness," I said. "Now, are we all ready to go?" When the majority of the group nodded (poor Fluttershy was scared stiff, and I felt badly for her, but I didn't want her just staying behind and risk her being captured and replaced), I stepped out into the hall once more.

We walked towards Celestia's room in silence, and the more we walked, the more unnerved I grew, especially since I didn't see any guards around for a good while. When we reached the stairs leading to Celestia's room, I finally did see two guards standing watch. I stopped the group. "Those guards might very well be Dark Fae. Stay here. Shout if you get attacked, got it?"

"What happened to not separating?" Ember asked in a harsh whisper.

"If those are Dark Fae and see us approaching all at once, they'll be immediately on alert," I said. "But if it's just me, the local human knight, they won't be as on guard. Just keep me in sight and keep an eye on each other. Be extremely vigilant. We don't know precisely just how many Dark Fae are among us. Just in case things do go south, let's come up with a code phrase to greet each other with. Something innocuous enough that it won't be caught by an imposter. Something like…"

"Let's groove tonight as the greeting, and share the spice of life as the reply?" Sunset suggested.

I grinned. "A bit of Earth, Wind and Fire, eh? Alright, that works. Let's groove tonight is the greeting, and the reply?"

"Share the spice of life," everyone repeated.

"Just keep that in mind," I said as I stepped out from behind the wall and casually approached the guards.

The two guards froze when they saw me approaching and both aimed their spears at me. "Identify yourself," one of the identical Unicorn guards said sternly.

"Stand down," I said, "it's just me, Jethro."

The guards froze for a bit, then stood back down, saluting me. "Sir Jethro, how may we help you?" the Pegasus Guard said.

"Oh, I came to see the Princess," I said.

The two looked at each other with a concerned frown, then the Unicorn turned back to me. "What for?" he asked carefully.

"What, a Knight of Equestria can't come by to check on his Princess?" I asked.

The Pegasus just smiled a bit. "He's got you there," he told his partner.

The Unicorn, however, continued frowning at me. "It's just past one in the morning. Why would you need to see the Princess?"

"That's a matter between me and her, as it always is," I said, hoping to trip them up.

The Pegasus snickered. "Again, Sir Jethro?"

I grinned. "Same price as last time for your silence. I'll bring the bits around afterwards."

"And why the sword?" the Unicorn asked.

"Oh please, you know the answer as well as I do," I replied. "Throws other Ponies off when I say I have private discussions with my Princess. But before I do…" I reached into my pocket, found a small pocketknife, and quickly flipped it towards the Unicorn. "Think fast," I said.

To my horror, his horn began to glow a sickly green as he caught it in his magic. The potentially fake Unicorn stared at it with a confused frown, then looked back at me. "Sir?"

I kept my amused expression as I reached out to take the floating pocketknife. "You're getting better with your reflexes there," I chuckled. "I'm gonna have to get more creative."

The Unicorn just smiled a bit uncertainly. "I guess so, sir," he said.

"Sir Jethro, as much as we'd like to let you in for your nightly meeting with the Princess, she's actually asked not to be disturbed," the Pegasus said in a convincing apologetic tone, "this council has been very hard on her and she needs her rest."

I shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I can see that. Well, guess there's nothing left for me to do except go back to my room. Tell the Princess I said sup when she gets up."

"Of course," the Pegasus said.

"Have a good night, sir," the Unicorn said.

I gave them a thumbs up, then strode away, humming Let's Groove by Earth, Wind and Fire. I turned the corner and approached the group. Clearing my throat, I said, "Let's groove tonight."

"Share the spice of life," they all replied.

Twilight approached, eyes wide with terror. "Those aren't the guards," she said in a trembling voice. "None of them have green magic."

I pointed ahead, indicating that we should move. The rest of them fell into line. I nodded. "They probably have her trapped," I said. "If they've made their move already, it's likely they've tried to or are on their way to get to Luna, too. Let's head to her tower, next. She should be awake. At least, I hope so."

"We need to split up," Rainbow Dash insisted.

I frowned. "How many times do I need to tell you, RD, no. We split up, we risk being captured. We go as a group. I know it limits us, but we've got more strength in numbers." I turned to Twilight. "Twi, can you raise a shield around the castle powerful enough to keep anyone out and keep anyone from leaving?"

She shook her head. "Not yet."

"Damn…and no one knows just where Cadance and Shining Armor's room is," I said. "Okay…can you teleport us all there, Twi?"

"I can barely teleport myself," she replied in frustration.

"Fine, fine. And I haven't mastered teleportation magic yet. And I won't ask you to teleport into Celestia's room to see what's going on. To Luna's room."

Once again, it was unnerving to see almost no guards on patrol. The only ones I saw were guarding the entrance to the hallway where the guests were sleeping, and we didn't even pass by that. Finally, we came to the bottom of the stairs leading to Luna's room. We all walked up, staying as close together as we could, but the winding staircase made it hard for me to keep an eye on the majority of the group. When we began to approach the landing, I stopped them and approached the two guards I'd seen before.

When the brown Unicorn stallion guard from before saw me, he frowned. "Sir Jethro? Is everything alright?"

The dark blue Pegasus mare stood up straighter at attention. "If this is another social call, I'm afraid she can't be disturbed right now, sir."

"Social call? I mean, this is only the third time I came to her tonight," I said, seeing if I'd catch them in a lie.

"Third? Sir, this is only the second time you've come here," the Pegasus said warily.

I grinned. "Very good." I pulled out my knife and tossed it towards the Unicorn. "Think fast." When he caught it in light brown magic, a wave of relief washed over me. "I need to see the Princess right away. The castle is under attack."

The guards both looked shocked, but quickly recovered and stood more at attention. "What's the situation, sir?" the Unicorn asked.

"I need to see the Princess first, then I'll bring you up to speed," I said.

"Right away," he said as he knocked on the door. "My Princess, Sir Jethro is here to see you."

There was a small noise, and I thought I heard her cursing behind the door. The door swung open, enveloped in Luna's signature magic. Luna didn't look too happy to see me, at least at first. But when she saw the look on my face, her frustration turned to concern. "Jethro, what has transpired?"

I turned and called out, "We're clear. Come on up." The crowd of assorted creatures came walking up, and we exchanged the code words again. I turned back to Luna. "Inside, quickly. Your guards too."

She must have heard the urgency in my voice, because she nodded and ushered everyone into her room. When she saw Ember, however, she bristled. "And who is this?" she asked, nodding at Ember.

I gestured towards Ember. "Princess Luna, may I present Princess Ember, daughter of Dragon Lord Torch. The real Ember, not the fake one we've been hosting."

"Fake one? What do you mean?" Luna asked.

"Dark Fae, my Princess," I said. "We've been infiltrated."

She went silent for a bit, then uttered one word. One word that summarized the entire situation perfectly. "Fuck."