AN: Starting here, even more canon had been thrown out the window. Canon is a guideline at best.
My laptop died, my budgie nearly died, how do you like the articles in here?
Ciao for now,
ABSOL_uteOG
After the Empire was wrapped up – the process to revive the rest of the tundra now that the Windigo's are gone had started by now – Twilight felt the need to rest. She was still irritated by her meeting with King Sombra, being one reason for that need.
Besides that his fixation onto her necklace was just weird, she couldn't stop thinking about his offer. Not what he promised, but that he tried to recruit her. She is apparently a natural at dark magic. Twilight could just use it after seeing Celestia doing it once. And she overpowered his blocking crystals, This can't be normal.
But so is being an Alicorn, so there is that. Twilight just isn't normal, something she should know by now. No wonder he would want her as his apprentice.
To calm her nerves, she focused on training Trixie. Said Unicorn soon said to her teacher, "Twilight, I think I'm done with my education."
"Huh? But I still have so much to teach you!", countered Twilight.
"I know, but this only started to compensate for my lack luster school education, which we reached.", explained Trixie, "I for my part would prefer to focus on my career as an entertainer now. I simply do not need your level of magic. And to move out. Since Moondancer came, the Oak gets crowded."
"She has a point.", added Moondancer. "I would be up for some lessons, though."
"Mm, I can't argue that.", admitted Twilight. Someone knocked frantically onto the door of the library, jumping the three Unicorns and Spike. "Coming!" Opening to the door, Twilight saw Pinkie Pie, looking worried. "Is something wrong?"
"Rarity acts weird, no, she is weird!", explained Pinkie, equally frantic as her knocking. "Something is just off about Rarity!"
Twilight was surprised Pinkie sees that as a big deal. "Pinkie, Rarity is stressed with her work, that probably explains any 'odd' behavior."
"But I feel it in my tail!", claimed Pinkie Pie.
Trixie sighed. She may not know these ponies for long, but she already knows how tiring Pinkie can be when she got her mind on something. "If you say so. I'll check in Rarity, then."
"Mm, I come with you.", said Moondancer, joining Trixie's side. She doesn't feel like handling Pinkie being Pinkie, so she joined Trixie. If Rarity is just overworked or something the likes like Twilight assumed, she and Trixie can help her out.
Walking into the boutique, they instantly noted that the interior was more chaotic than normally. And that Rarity's cat Opal was keeping her distance from Rarity, but the mare was not bothered by that. As they walked in, they saw Rarity tidying up the boutique. But at the same time not. She put green fabrics with the yellow ones for starters.
Trixie then made Moondancer stop with her hoof. Trixie took a closer look at Rarity. "Something's off about Rarity. I can sense something.", she whispered.
"And I can see her mane style is different.", added Moondancer. Rarity's mane normally has an edge in it, but today, the mane was lacking that edge. The unicorns left the boutique again. "What did you sense?"
"An illusion, on Rarity.", said Trixie, "Different from Sombra's trickery. What now?"
"Do you think you could break the illusion you feel?", asked Moondancer.
"Maybe. But I would like to confirm that there really is an illusion.", said Trixie. "I don't want to react impulsively and make a mountain out of an ant hill. Sure, she acts weird and I sense something... but... let's stay rational, maybe the illusion is just her way to test new mane styles without ruining her hair by cutting? Maybe her cat reacts to the illusion? Or doesn't like the style? The lack of color sorting... she's overworked? Changed her system?"
"Good points. Then again, Pinkie sensed something, Rarity started to act weird and you sensed an illusion... Hm... I... read something in the Crystal Empire. A little text about beings called Changelings. Shape-shifters."
"You think?" asked Trixie. "Do you really think she got impersonated by a Changeling? And Why didn't I ever hear of those?"
"Like Twilight and I aid about the library of the Crystal Palace, those tomes are partly lost to time." answered Moondancer. "So was the knowledge about the Changelings. Not that I read much, the documents were a lot but not complete. They looked rushed. It is a possibility we can test with ease.", said Moondancer. "Changelings, according to the book, rarely bother to study who they impersonate, which can cause awkward situations."
"So... asking her a question only the real Rarity should know?", concluded Trixie. "I already know the right question! Remember the drama surrounding Twilight's necklace?"
"Yes. Oh! Good Idea!", agreed Moondancer. "Now what if this is a Changeling?"
"I break the illusion, hope it works and we capture them?", guessed Trixie. "We need to find Rarity... what did the text say?"
"They like caves and like to hide anything in caves, including the victims of their impersonation.", said Moondancer. "Mm, Rares' basement resembles a cave when new stock comes in."
"How do you know?"
"She asked me to do her inventory. She noted that her inventory overworks Twilight.", explained Moondancer. "Turns out Princess Duty can be overworked."
"Mm, what now?", asked Trixie.
"Going in and asking about the necklace.", said Moondancer. "Now come, Trix."
"Lead the mission, er, way, Moony."
"Moony?", asked Moondancer surprised by the nickname.
"Hey, if you call me by a nickname, it is only fair if I also call you by a nickname.", reasoned Trixie.
"Mm, fair.", accepted Moondancer. So they walked back into the boutique. Moondancer said loudly t get her attention, "Hey! Rarity!"
"Oh?", she turned around from the shelf she was 'sorting'.
"Pinkie told me about the argument you had with Twilight about her necklace, but Pinkie forgot like half of it.", lied Moondancer with an ease that impressed Trixie. She supposed that skill was practiced by hiding a Princess in their midst. "Could you tell me what that drama was about?"
"Why don't you ask Twilight?", countered Rarity.
"Did you forget, Twilight is visiting her brother in Canterlot.", said Moondancer. "She requested no letters while they sort something out." Trixie realized she had overdone her 'powerful Trixie' play as she watched Moondancer. "Now what was it about?"
"Mm, I don't remember. It was so long ago.", she answered.
"That was not even a year ago, Rarity.", said Trixie. For all she cared, that just confirmed their theory.
"But if your memory is weak, then we can move on to the second matter I'm here. Business.", said Moondancer nonchalantly.
"Business?"
"As if you forgot that one as well! You asked me to do your physical inventory.", said Moondancer. Half lying. Rarity did ask her that, but she already did it. For free. "You even paid me for it. Now, where's your storage basement?"
"Ah, follow me!", she said, suddenly excited.
Moondancer whispered to Trixie, "Charge up the spell." They followed Rarity into the basement. Moondancer conjured a clipboard and feather, to perfect the pretense. Trixie assisted her by 'lighting' the area. While they were pretending t do the inventory, Trixie noted green goo around the basement. They then walked into a room, more storage. Then they heard the door close and get locked. Turning around, they saw Rarity, levitating a key, her magic and eyes green. They are meant to be blue. "Now!"
Trixie shot Rarity with her magic, an illusion around Rarity shattering. Uncanny Rarity vanished, replaced by an insect-like. Tall thing. Equally rugged and holed hooves and horn. The horn was still just sharp and pointy, despite looking decayed. Her big, green eyes were wide in surprise, she dropped the key. Moondancer then noted the wings. Rotten, like an insect.
"Knew it. A Changeling." she stated.
"And a terrible actor at that." said Trixie. "What now?"
Moondancer shot the key, it rusted fast until it was just metal dust.
"Look what you did, now we three are locked in here." said the Changeling all cheery.
"No, just you." said Moondancer, before grabbing Trixie and teleporting out of the basement.
Twilight was just sorting in new books, when Moondancer and Trixie appeared in the library. "Uh? Girls? Moon, did you teleport?"
"Yes! Listen! Rarity had been impersonated by a Changeling!" explained Moondancer, ignoring the nickname. She explained what had happened.
"That, that... a Changeling! Trixie, you get the others. Moondancer and I will look for the real Rarity and make sure the Changeling doesn't escape!" decided Twilight. "I teleport, okay?"
Twilight and Moondancer popped back in, in front of the door. Moondancer was relieved that the door was closed. The Changeling was trying to break it, though. "Good thing that Rares invested in those security doors." said Twilight.
"Oh, a new voice?"
"Coming from the impersonator. Who are you and what have you done with my friend?" asked Twilight, just so slightly slipping into her 'royal voice' she hate using.
"Mm, what a demanding sound. Well, I am Queen Chrysalis of the Badlands Changeling Hive. Show me some respect, will you?"
"I am not showing some coward respect." countered Twilight.
"Coward? Who are you calling a coward, girl!"
"The mare who felt the need to pretend to be someone else." she said. "That sounds like a coward to me." Twilight then switched into her royal voice again, this time more intense. "Now, where is Rarity?" Moondancer slightly flinched hearing that tone. She is not used to her friend sounding like this. Good thing that all three Alicorn's had forsaken that ability.
"Somewhere in here..." said Chrysalis lowly.
The two mares then left Chrysalis and started to check the rooms of the basement for Rarity. With each room, they were more disgusted. Everything was infested with this green goop. "Ew." said Moondancer when she saw that Rarity was arrested in a pod of this goo. "She will be disgusted by this."
"Kind of ironic she choose Rarity to impersonate." added Moondancer before freeing Rarity. As she yelled when noting the goop, Moondancer cast a cleaning spell on her.
"Thank you." she said, "This witch-"
"Call your element, Rarity." said Twilight. "Trixie should come with the others soon."
"Of course." Rarity said her element and her necklace appeared.
"Twilight? Moondancer?" they heard Trixie yell.
The three mares followed the voice and walk into Trixie and the others. Moondancer then explained the events, Rarity confirming it. Then the eight girls were in front of the door. Twilight opened the door and Chrysalis stepped out. Fluttershy flinched, seeing her gruesome figure, while Rarity just wanted to attack the self proclaimed queen.
Queen Chrysalis herself looked around, as if she was looking for someone. "Hm." She then saw their elements. "Ah, you're the element bearers. Oh well... You know, if things would have gone according to plan – to my plan – we would have met at Princess Cadenza's wedding, but my... acquaintance, he had other plans that required my skill set."
"What skills? You're a terrible actress." said Twilight.
Chrysalis eyes snapped to Twilight, recognizing the voice. She seemed to be surprised. "I have other skills than acting." She then started to flap her wings, attacking the group.
Twilight kick-started the elements with her magic. A rainbow came, scaring Chrysalis off. Chrysalis flew out the basement, the mares on her tail. Then out of the Boutique. Out of the boutique, the ponies of Ponyville noted her, other Changelings popping up and following their queen to flee. Rarity send a few blasts their direction.
"Rares, you need to work on your aim." said Rainbow Dash. Rarity just huffed at her comment.
After the situation in Ponyville calmed down, Twilight and all of her friends – Rarity even took Sweetie Belle with her out of worry- took the first train to Canterlot and informed Princess Celestia and Luna of what had happened.
"Changelings? I've never heard of Changelings." said Luna. "Sister?"
"Changelings appeared after... I banished you to the moon. I only have very limited knowledge of them." said Celestia. "They... I do not think Changelings are a natural species."
"You think someone created them?" asked Moondancer. "The records I found also stated that the author doesn't consider them natural."
"I am not sure, but they just don't seem natural. If the writer thinks so too, maybe they are truly not natural." clarified Celestia. "I only know that one hive exists." Twilight was shocked. Celestia not knowing about something is so rare. "I know very few are aware of them, even less actively researching Changelings, as most records were hidden in the Empire until now. For most, they only know Changelings as a local myth, a reminder of the Empire before it vanished."
"Oh, so a foe we have nothing of note on." said Luna. "Twilight, did the queen say something of note?"
"She works with someone. Chrysalis originally wanted to attack Cadence's wedding, but her acquaintance had other plans that stopped her from doing so." recalled Twilight. "I have no idea if he is also a Changeling or some other species."
"I see... Twilight, as my student, I know you are a thorough researcher. Would you mind to travel though Equestria and find anything you can about the Changelings?" asked Celestia. "I know it is a big time commitment and you wanted a break after the ordeal with Sombra..."
"I would be honored to do that for you." agreed Twilight. "Could Moondancer, Crowley and Trixie accompany me? I think their skills and Crowley's knowledge about the last millennium will help in this."
"Crowley?" said Luna surprised. She is so used to the Thestral's company, her leaving for some time feels so odd now. "I better inform her." With that, she left.
New Enemies of Equestria by Snap Quill
Yesterday evening, a new adversary of Equestria emerged. Changelings. Insectoid shape shifters.
They were discovered by Moondancer and Trixie Lulamoon and their friends after the leader, Queen Chrysalis, of a group of Changelings – the Badlands Hive – impersonated Rarity. Rarity is an up and coming fashion designer – the one who made Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's wedding dress – and Bearer of the Element of Generosity.
There had been records found of the Changelings in the library of the Crystal Palace by Moondancer prior to Chrysalis attack.
According to Viscountess Twilight Sparkle of House Stars, Chrysalis admitted she wanted to infiltrate Prince Armour's and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's wedding, but didn't for reasons unknown.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna recommend to stay vigilant until the hostile Changelings are dealt with.
The group would leave to their first stop tomorrow morning. They planned to start where the oldest recorded legends of the Changelings come from, the area by the Northern Tundra, now the border to the recovering Crystal Empire. The ones not helping with research would return to Ponyville a day later. The reason, Sweetie Belle wants to see Canterlot and Rarity won't say no. The sisters needed a distraction from Chrysalis takeover.
But the evening, Twilight paid Celestia a visit in her chamber, having dropped her glamour.
"Ah, Twilight! Is there something you want to talk about?"
"I am sorry of I repeat myself, but I want to tell my friends the truth." said Twilight. "Before you say no, listen to me! Imagine Fluttershy gets impersonated by a Changeling, this could be a great check-"
"Any other question could do the trick." interrupted her Celestia. "I am sorry, but my answer stays no. I know you are frustrated, but we have a good reason to keep your status a secret."
"Oh no, I don't have any reasons! But you! You won't even tell Luna! Your sister! Another princess! Why can't Luna know?" countered Twilight, her feathers ruffled as she was annoyed. "No wonder she became Nightmare Moon with a sister like you."
Celestia dropped her wings. "Oh, that stung."
"Mm, it is meant to sting, Princess." said Twilight. She reapplied the glamour and started to leave.
"You understand one day."
"I don't think there is something to understand, Princess." said Twilight, leaving her chamber.