Entering the castle proper was not an issue for the Earth changeling pair. After all, traveling in the company of the six Elements of Harmony provided more than enough reason for the guards to let them pass. In fact, the guard ponies just waved them past without even stopping them. Now that they were inside, Nick decided to act upon one of his friend and king’s plans. “Ms. Sparkle, I was wondering, do the Canterlot Archives have a section on magic? My brother and niece are both quite talented in the art and I wondered if we could have a look around?”

Twilight turned to look upon the infiltrators and smiled. “Oh, yes, the Star-Swirl the Bearded wing! Magic is such a fascinating subject! I’m glad to see such a young filly like little White Lie-“

“I’M NOT LITTLE!” the aforementioned foal interrupted.

“-take an interest in it.” Twilight smiled at the impostors. Since her happiness was freely given, Nick and Klika both immediately started leeching off her magic. However, they limited themselves so as not to alert the unicorn to the drain. “Hey, my friends and I are headed by there anyway. How about I show you around?”

Nick gave her a genuine smile and said, “That would be perfect, Ms. Sparkle.” His eyes wandered over to his ‘niece,’ to whom he mouthed, “ready?”

Klika nodded.

Flashback

In the days following Chrysalis’s order of the weapons, and while half my small hive was out gathering the request, I was busy concocting a plan for retrieving more information on magic from the other world. I could not keep asking Chrysalis to keep sending me books one at a time, yet I needed more. Similarly, I couldn’t just take a whole library either. I was in a quandary.

The answer I found was split between the books of utility spells, memory spells, and magic theory that I did possess. Alone, none were the solution to my problem. However, when combined and cast by a changeling, things get interesting.

The core of my findings revolved around the navigation spell. Conventionally, the spell would grant the user the ability to capture a three-dimensional mental representation of the area surrounding them. This is a still representation, as it only captures an image at the instant the spell is cast. However, the real beauty of the navigation spell is that when the user shrinks the effective radius and increases the power used, the resolution increases. Burn nearly your whole reserve on mapping a single building and the user can read every written word it contains.

The next spell I found was the mindscape spell. It grants the caster the ability to enter a dream world constructed from their memories. Mix it with a photographic memory spell, the hive mind, and an overpowered navigation spell, and I have a mental representation of any building that any of my changelings can visit. I call it the world-capture spell.

The final spell needed for my project was the transcription spell. The transcription spell is cast upon a tool, which then records any thought onto the appropriate medium. An enchanted pen will write and an enchanted chisel will carve in stone. I will have an enchanted computer and mental access to the greatest spell collection in Canterlot.

Of course, the world-capture spell is not without its drawbacks, as Klika and I discovered while we were practicing it. The initial construction of the mindscape is extremely love-energy taxing. If I were to measure magic in terms of the life span I drain from people as I feed, this setup takes almost 50 years worth of magic. Then, I have to maintain the mindscape and photographic memory with a constant, if small, stream of magic or the details start blurring as I forget.

The fatal blow to world-capture’s usefulness on Earth is the quite visible sphere of magic created within the mapped area. However, magic is a common sight in Equestria and it is Equestria that possesses the magic libraries.

Upon entering the Star-Swirl the Bearded wing of the Canterlot Archives, Klika notified the hive mind. In response, all nine of the other Earth changelings granted her access to their magic reserves. With four of them actively feeding at the moment and one ready to capture someone and rip the love from their body, there was more than enough love magic for the world-capture spell to be cast without harm.

Klika, still disguised as a unicorn foal, set her horn alight. Her face quickly contorted into an expression of extreme focus. After about four seconds of glowing increasingly bright, her horn released a sphere of green light that rapidly expanded to envelop the wing of the building. Many ponies gasped as they felt the magic pass through their bodies. For about six seconds, the library was bathed in a sickly green glow.

“What?” Twilight asked, perplexed by the little filly’s display of magic. “…The same shade as Cadance’s magic.” Nick just barely managed to catch that comment the unicorn muttered under her breath.

As quickly as it had come into being, the light retreated back into White Lie’s horn. The young changeling princess staggered and fell over, clutching her skull. Nick, as Cheat Code, rushed over to her and scooped up Klika’s head, cradling it with his wing.

“What in tarnation was that?” a bemused Applejack said. Her friends asked similar questions.

“Oh, my, is she going to be alright?” asked Fluttershy, concerned for the filly’s health. “She looks quite young for her to be doing that much magic.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Nick replied while trying to disguise his own spell-induced migraine. “She’ll be fine.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, that spell seemed familiar. Do you know what it is?” Twilight asked. Her face mirrored the confusion the two changelings could feel coming from her.

“That, Ms. Sparkle, was her father’s personal world-capture spell,” Nick answered. “It seems somepony won’t be getting any dessert tonight. Honestly, I think she loves learning a little too much, just like my brother. He invented that spell to give himself the ability to memorize entire libraries in an instant. Little Miss Lie must have sneaked into his office and read his notes.”

“Did not,” Klika mumbled from her position on the floor. Nick only gave her a fake stern look.

Twilight Sparkle, meanwhile, only stood there, slack-jawed. “A spell… for memorizing… entire libraries.”

“Dude, I think you broke her,” Rainbow Dash deadpanned.

A pink alicorn princess of food (love), despite how interesting that sounds, is a rather boring companion. It seems that Cadance, in spite of my vain attempts to cheer her up, just is not motivated to do much. I had cleared my schedule in order to baby-sit Cadance for Chrysalis, and so I had nothing to do either.

Luckily or unluckily, depending on your perspective, the monotony of my apartment was interrupted by a sudden info-dump-slash-migraine event. I could not help myself; as I stumbled to the floor from the surprise, I let out a very loud, “Damn it! I wasn’t ready!”

The food princess perked up, concern flowing from her body. It tasted like vanilla ice cream. Cadance trotted over to where I lay clutching my head. A hoof gently stroked my back. “Rex?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. I merely groaned in reply. Ignoring her, I plunged into the newly created mental representation of the Canterlot Archives. ‘I’ll need to congratulate Klika on a job well done. This place is impressive.’ I selected a scroll at random off the dream shelf and took a peek. ‘No way! A time travel spell? Magic can let you TIME TRAVEL! Hell yeah!’

Returning to reality, I picked myself up off the floor and dusted myself off. Cadance asked me if I was all right, to which I lied with an affirmative. In reality, I was quite mixed. My hive just obtained the greatest store of magical knowledge on Earth, yet all any of us could think of was the pain, nausea, and sudden depletion of twenty five percent of our collective magic reserves. Furthermore, I can still feel the world-capture spell draining my personal supply of magic. I guesstimated that it was about a one percent per day net drain, even if I passively feed on the ambient emotion in my apartment building. ‘I really wish the princess was back home so I could get out of this transformation and save my magic,’ I thought in irritation.

As I walked past her, I started tugging a little harder on her compassion. Now, my hunger outweighed my need for discretion. I sat down at my computer and opened up the word processor, figuring that there was no need to waste any time before transcribing Klika’s findings.

“What are you doing, Rex? What is that thing?” a curious Cadance asked.

“This is my computer. I’m using it to write. You could say…” I trailed off, seeking the right words. “Inspiration struck.” My hand hovered over the keyboard. A moment later, both became enveloped in a sickly green light. The keyboard practically buzzed when the spell took hold; the transcription spell depressed keys so fast that I could not read what was on screen. Apparently, when unrestrained by the speed of thought, It can type a six hundred page textbook in sixty seconds. Saving the transcribed textbook and discarding the mental copy, I ordered over the hive mind, <<In your free time, transcribe books from the mental library. Discard the mental books when finished and email me the digital files. Keep the original files backed up on your computer.>>

Cadance gave a small chuckle and said, “That’s impressive. When you said inspiration struck, you really meant it. Mind if I take a look?”

“Nah,” I replied. “I’d rather get it to a professional editor first.” The truth was, I vowed no living thing on Earth outside of the swarm would ever see these books.

It was then that Nick spoke over the hive mind, <<Hey, Rex, Twilight made a comment about Klika’s magic being the same color as Chrissie’s. She’s got this whole paranoia vibe going on right now. Thought you’d like to know.>>

<<Thanks, man. I’ll pass it on,>> I replied. Turning my mind to my equestrian counterpart, I said [Chrysalis, Twilight has a clue. Do I need to be expecting another guest?]

A minute later, the insect-like queen replied, [It is as I feared. The Element of Magic is too clever for her own good. Do make room in your home for her. She will be arriving within the hour. Where is she located?]

[Note that this will cost you more. I don’t work for free,] I said in reply.

[Noted. Now…]

I quickly consulted with my hive memory before answering, [Star-Swirl the Bearded wing of the Canterlot Archives, south end.]

Chrysalis was mildly amused. She found the idea of ripping ponies from their home reality and trapping them in a non-magical world and at the mercy of her counterpart somewhat satisfying. She and one of her disguised guards made tracks for her room. Shining Armor was in a meeting with his guard right now; Chrysalis expected him to be stuck there for at least another hour. As such, the queen planned to use her toy soldier’s face to erase his sister from the face of this universe. Chrysalis considered it ironic.

In her room, she assumed the form of Shining Armor while her guard took Mi Amore Cadenza’s face. Exiting, she hurried to the library wing. Chrysalis made sure to carry herself with an air of determination, trotting fast enough that no pony would bother her.

Upon her arrival, Chrysalis came across the sight of a grey pegasus dodging her target’s barrage of questions regarding some spell or another. “Twily, come here, my L.S.B.F.F. I have something to show you.”

Twilight, interrupted from her interrogation of White Lie and Cheat code, looked over and said, “Oh, Shining Armor, hi. You have something for me?”

The fake brother nodded and said, “Yep, but it’s a secret. You can’t tell any pony. Come here.”

“Of course, B.B.B.F.F.” Twilight followed the impostor down the isle of shelves and around a corner.

“Twilight, turn around,” Chrysalis commanded. The moment the unicorn could not see the changeling queen, the latter reared up and pounded her fore-hooves together. In a flash of light, the Element of Magic was erased from Equestria. Chrysalis smirked.

Yet again, it seems that my coffee table is a landing pad for extra terrestrials. I stood from my computer, where I had just finished transcribing my twentieth book, and moved to investigate my new arrival. Princess Cadance, who was sitting at my side, followed.

“Twilight?” Cadance called as soon as she witnessed who was on my coffee table. Twilight, disoriented from the transfer, slowly turned around.

“Princess Cadance? Where am I?”

“Oh, Twilight, I thought I’d never see you again! Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake,” Cadance started.

“Clap your hooves and do a little shake,” the unicorn finished. “But where are we?”

“You’re in my apartment on, as far as we can tell, another world,” I say. “Welcome to planet Earth. My name is Alvarium Rex, though you can call me Rex, and I will be your landlord for your stay.” I finish with a little flourish of my hands, then collapsed down upon the couch. ‘I guess I used a little too much magic. I feel sort of weak,’ I thought to myself. After a moment of awkward silence, I break the ice by saying, “Well go on. You two know each other, right? Well then, happy reunion. I’ll leave you to your thing.” Heaving myself off my comfy seat, I proceed to the kitchen for drinks. Although, I do make sure I pay attention to their conversation.

It was in the middle of recounting their tales that the discrepancies started appearing. Twilight was the first to notice that Cadance’s story did not match up with Twilight’s memories. After discussing further, Twilight spoke her conclusion, “I think that there is an impostor.”

“No,” Cadance said, her eyes going wide, “not the changelings. Anything but-“

The glasses of tea that I was holding came crashing down at the alicorn’s words. “Whoops, butterfingers,” I said nervously. ‘Calm down, Rex. Just see how this goes.’

“What are changelings?” Twilight asked.

“Horrible monsters. They look like bug ponies with holes in their legs, insect wings, fangs, and a wickedly sharp horn. They take the form of the pony you love and feed on your love for them. Changelings are horrible, soulless monsters who cannot feel compassion.”

‘HEY! I take offense to that! Everything I do is out of the love for my family… and self preservation,” I mentally whined. Of course I could not say it aloud. That would defeat the purpose of being disguised.

“And one of them replaced you,” Twilight concluded. “So how did we end up here?”

“I’m not sure. The last thing I remember seeing was one of the maids, then I was here.”

“I was talking with Shining Armor and then I was here. Oh, no! Shining Armor saw me vanish right in front of his eyes! He’s not going to know where I am! What about all of my friends! My family! Princess Celestia!” Twilight was now hyperventilating at this point. I intervened, sitting her down on the couch and making her breath.

“Don’t worry, Miss Sparkle. I’m working on a way home for Cadance, and now you, I guess.”

“Thank you, Rex.”

“Don’t thank me yet. There are less than a dozen magic users alive on Earth right now that I know about. We tend to keep to ourselves because of the dangers of using magic in front of the normal people. As such, we have very few resources,” I said. ‘Well, we didn’t until now,’ I mentally amended. “My colleague and I are practically inventing a new discipline of magic in order to get you home.”

“Exciting! I’ll gladly help you with your research! My special talent is magic.”

“Cool, we’ll see what happens,” I said.

Author's Notes:

*Ding* Have a chapter!

It's been a while, hasn't it?

How do you feel about magitech? Because I like magitech.

I think a song will be coming. Perhaps in a chapter or two... I rewrote This Day Aria over three months ago in anticipation of the conclusion of this arc.

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Have you seen season 4 yet? It looks cool. I wonder if we will see more changelings. The Tree of Harmony has "foreshadowing" written all over it.

(edited 3/2/2014)