"Shining's back at the castle again," Twilight said as Wayfarer joined her, Cadence and Spike in the kitchen. "I think after all the excitement Friday night he's become paranoid about hunting down every last Shadow."

"If anyone would make for a good Persona user," Wayfarer said as he fixed up his own breakfast. "It'd be Shining." The hunt Friday night through the castle had proven that much. While magic had no direct effect on the Shadow's, Shining was very good at finding ways around that. Wayfarer was particularly impressed by the way he was able to destroy the smaller, goo like Shadows by activating a bubble shield inside of them. The expanding air blasted them apart and a quick shot of fire from Pinkie and Laititia took care of the remains. He got especially good at it when they got to the throne room and found the sword that Celestia had given Twilight all the way back before the fight with her Shadow. It was placed back in its sheath and leaned against the throne, none of the construction workers or the maid staff had mentioned it to them, and Celestia had started theorizing that because they'd lost it during the point where the castle seemed to be altered by the presence of Shadows, they would only find it when they returned at the same time. None of that made any sense to Wayfarer, and he would have asked Twilight to try and explain it, but she had been busy being appalled at the idea that she'd just forgotten a gift like that. Regardless, Shining had cast aside the spear he'd been using and took up the sword instead, he seemed much more at home with it and his strikes became that much faster.

Wayfarer smiled as he reminisced. "He's a heck of a lot more of a fighter than I honestly expected from a royal guard."

Cadence nodded, smiling knowingly. "Well, Celestia didn't name him Captain of the Royal Guard for nothing. He's stronger and smarter then the rest of them. But even so, there are still threats to Equestria that even he can't handle on his own, and after being rendered helpless twice within the span of a month I think that's bruised his ego a bit."

"He probably wants a Persona now just to prove he can still hold his own," Twilight said sadly. "But I don't think his pride is worth hurting himself."

"Twilight, trust me," Cadence said, waving a hoof dismissively. "You, Celestia, and Luna don't give him enough credit. That thing with Chrysalis and getting his magic jammed by Sombra was just bad luck. He can handle any mission Celestia gives him, if she would give him one, which she has. He'll pull through on this one, I just know it."

"I hope you're right," Twilight said.

"In the mean time, today's the start of Breezy Beaches Week! We should absolutely find something fun to do in town, got any ideas?"

"Well," Wayfarer said as his ears twitched a bit, the sound of music playing outside had grabbed his attention. "It sounds as if someone is already putting something together."

The other three paused to listen as well. A jaunty sounding flute made itself known somewhere. "Is that Pinkie Pie?" Twilight wondered aloud. after a moment more of listening, he shook her head. "No, Pinkie's got a lot of instruments, but not that many."

The sound of the flute had grown into a cacophony of other sounds. It sounded like dozens of instruments were playing now, way too many for one pony, even Pinkie Pie, to play. Looking out the window Wayfarer saw that several other ponies that hadn't left for the coast had opened up their doors, trying to decern where the growing music was coming from just as they were. Tossing a glance at each other, Wayfarer, Twilight, Cadence and Spike decided to abandon their breakfast and investigate.

Walking from the library, the four joined a march of other curious ponies as the music continued in a joyous, almost circus like canter. Along the way, a few other familiar faces joined them in the crowd.

"Hey guys!" Rainbow Dash called as she pushed her way towards them, leading Rarity in her wake. "Twilight, did you know anything about this?"

"I don't even know what this is."

"It's a parade!" Came the enthusiastic shout of Pinkie Pie as she bounced out of the crowd somewhere ahead.

"What she said," Rainbow Dash remarked. "I flew over, and there's at least forty wagons rolling into town, and some of them are as big as a house!"

Soon enough, they'd reached Ponyville's main street where, indeed, dozens of wagons in a myriad of different shapes, sizes and colors paraded up the road. Each wagon was pulled by anywhere between one and six ponies, with the bigger wagons, the ones Rainbow had correctly described as house sized, being pulled by even more. All the ponies pulling looked like their payload was nonexistent, waving excitedly at the onlookers. Every pony was dressed up in costumes that ranged from subtle to bombastic, similarly as diverse as the wagons. On top of every other wagon was the source of the music: dozens of ponies, and a smattering of other races including zebras, gryphons, diamond dogs, and to everyone's shock, what was most definitely a changeling. Each of them were dolled up in their own costumes, and each had an instrument of their own. It was quite the sight to behold.

When the procession finally came to a stop, many of the wagons had lined themselves up around the edge of the town square. Some of the wagons, namely the huge ones, continued on, right out of town to the open fields outside of Ponyville. The wagons that remained were carefully parked away from every place of business and residence, then once everything was situated, the music took one more crescendo before dropping off. Then it all came back with a more triumphant sounding tune as the wagon pullers joined in as a full chorus.

"Come one! Come all!
Drop your tools and taunt the guards!
Give boredom your best regards!

Come one! Come all!
Close Town Hall and the school yards,
Go break out your Tarot cards,
Then come join our Band of..."

"BARDS!"

With a mighty shout and boisterous laughter, the most flamboyantly dressed pony of them all leapt from one of the smaller wagons as it unfolded like a giant puzzle box. The pony, a pegasus with a smile that could rival Pinkie Pie's, galloped over to the crowd and began singing in earnest as the wagon pulling choir began dissembling and unpacking the caravan.

"Every now and then our Caravan comes round!
Every now and then we go and raise a town!
Every frown we see will be turned upside down!
Once again, the bohemians have arrived!
Here is where the cards told us to travel next!
Here is where we'll play and sing and deal the decks!
Everyone will find their fancy with the Band of Bards!"

The wagon ponies had gathered around one of the largest remaining wagons at the center and took a rope in their mouth, pulling apart the sides from the huge coach and quickly folding out a large stage. The stage was complete with curtains, spotlights and around twenty more ponies and other creatures. All of them leapt down stage just as the last board fell into place and immediately joined in as the colorfully dressed pegasus continued his song.

"Ars Longa Vita Brevis!"

"All the finest arts and authors!"

"Ars Longa Vita Brevis!"

"Musicians and plays we offer,
Creative types come and join our flights!
That's the way the Caravan delights!"

"What in the world has stumbled into our quiet little town," Wayfarer deadpanned as he stared up at the stage. The stage ponies began dancing in increasingly acrobatic movements, leaping and catching and swinging each other in a choreographed display that he'd never seen the likes of.

"Ars Longa..." Twilight said aloud in thought. "I know that phrase from somewhere."

"Ars Longa Vita Brevis," Celestia repeated as she came up from behind them, her eyes glimmering with delight. "It means 'Art is Long, Life is Short.' It's old Ponish. Very old Ponish. It is the motto of the Great Equestrian Bohemian Caravan, and it seems like they've chosen Ponyville for their next show. You all are lucky, the Caravan hasn't performed for ten years now. This a very pleasant surprise indeed." They're attention was brought back to the stage as the dancing performers leapt away from the edge to allow the Pegasus to return to the center and continue his song.

"Ars Longa Vita Brevis!"

"Paint the world with joy and wonder!"

"Ars Longa Vita Brevis!"

"Play your songs as loud as thunder,
See the world as crazy as we do!
Eccentrics become the helmsman,
No one throws a wrench in our plan,
That's the way the Caravan delights!

Come one! Come All
Hurry Hurry! Here she comes!
Hear a song pass through her gums!

Come one! Come All!
Come hear that her voice does ring!
let your heart and joy take wing!
Sing dear Hourglass, SING"

With the final note, the pegasus leapt high into the air, and dozens of other pegasi and some gryphons pushed a row of clouds over head, dimming the sunlight immediately and letting a spotlight shine down on the curtain. From behind the drapes stepped an earthpony mare with a coat the color of white sand and hair that looked more like gold than anything. She was dressed in a white button up and a vest of Lapis Lazuli blue with matching boots on her hind legs. Around her arm was a red band with black lettering on it, Wayfarer could only make out the letters T, A, and R. The crowd went silent as she slowly walked across the stage, the music changing rather suddenly from a jovial beat to a simple guitar riff. When she reached the edge of the stage, violins joined the guitar, and she finally opened her mouth and sang.

"Dreamless dorm, ticking clock,
I walk away from the soundless room.
Windless night, moonlight melts,
My ghostly shadow to the lukewarm gloom.

Nightly dance of bleeding swords,
Reminds me that I still live."

Somewhere, a set of drums and several trumpets joined in as she belt out the chorus of her song.

"I will burn my dread!
I once ran away from the god of fear,
And he chained me to despair!

Burn my dread!
I'll break the chain,
And run till I see the sunlight again!

I'll lift my face and run to the sunlight!"

The instrumental accompaniment backed off again, a menacing bass line repeating over and over before a gentle piano echoed back her melody.

"Voiceless town, tapping feet.
I clench my eyes, in the bright light.
Far in mist a tower awaits,
Like a merciless tomb, devouring moonlight."

The instrumentals came back in full force as she started to gracefully prance about, dancing in acrobatics on par with her companions, getting the crowd to cheer her before backing down once more. The simple guitar riff from the beginning played once more, leading back into another verse.

"Clockwork maze, and unknown
In frozen time a staircase stands.
Shadows crawl on bloodstained floor.
I rush straight ahead, a blade in the sands.

Cold touch of my trembling hooves,
I close my eyes to hear you breathe."

The echos of the songs tag line resounded around through the air, until once more, the instruments flared up, empowering her final chords.

"I will burn my dread
This time I'll grapple down that god of fear,
And throw him into hell's fire!

Burn my dread
I'll shrug the pain
And run till I see the sunlight again!

Oh I will run, burning all regret and dread,
And I will face the sun with the pride of the living."

And with a final bow, Hourglass backed away, the audience gave a polite applause, but Wayfarer could tell that they, much like himself, were a little perturbed by those lyrics. none of them had much time to contemplate that however as the Pegasus returned to the stage and started singing his own song again. At this point Wayfarer realized that he too had a red band around his foreleg like Hourglass', but looking around, none of the other performers had one. It became apparent that this brightly dressed stallion was introducing acts, as he only sang a few more limericks before another stallion stepped on stage. His hair was brown and his coat a dark grey, he also wore a red arm band. His act was bringing out a large blank canvas and several dozen cans of paint, his magic lit up and the paint flew through the air in mesmerizing patterns before hitting the canvas. The act of painting had become a show in itself, and before everyone's eyes he had quickly painted something that, while not exactly a masterpiece, was definitely good for how quick he had done it. A few more acts followed, including a brick red stallion who played trombone, a steely grey stallion who did impressions, a really dark grey mare who read out some well written if not slightly disturbing prose, and finally an old man who could juggle without the need of his horn. All of them wore that same band around their foreleg.

The old stallion remained on stage after his act, bowing to the audience's applause as the previous performers and the pegasus who introduced them stepped out. "Let's give another big cheer for the mares and stallions of the TAROT Theatre! Here to announce the return tour of the Great Equestrian Bohemian Caravan and their Band of Bards!" The crowd gave the requested cheer as all the performers bowed again. "And lets give a big thanks to our master of ceremonies this week, Mr. Gust Strong-Wind!" The pegasus bowed again, smiling with the barest hint of a blush. "Now then, as leader of the TAROT Performers, I, Court Drama, do hereby officially hand the reigns of this shindig over to Gust, and I'll let him carry the torch from here."

Court Drama bowed out, letting Gust Strong-Wind step forth again. "Thank you, Court. And thank all of you for a much appreciated welcome! We're glad to be back on the road after ten years of silence. The Great Equestrian Bohemian Caravan is back to delight your senses through the finest of arts. We invite you to peruse the crafts we've brought for you, learn a thing or two about being a craftsman yourself, or just stay right where you are and enjoy the myriad of performances we have planned here on the center stage. Please, enjoy yourselves, and have a pleasant Breezy Beaches Week!" With another cheer from the crowd, the ponies disembarked from the stage, save for Gust, who stayed just long enough to announce the next act: a preview of a play directed by Court Drama called 'Hinny of the Hills'.

"Wow," Wayfarer said simply. "Is this just something they do? Visit towns and start a fair completely out of the blue?"

"Indeed," Celestia said. "They used to travel Equestria, stopping in every town and paying a very lucrative amount of money to essentially take control for a week. But they haven't brought the caravan into a single town in the last ten years. At most a wagon or two would ride into the market place, fill up on supplies, then leave. I'd assumed it was because a large chunk of them had settled down in Manehaten to form the TAROT Theatre Troupe."

"Well," Rarity said looking around as the crowd either moved to the wagons or got closer to the stage. "Why don't we have a look around? I'm certain my fellow artists and I are eager to share ideas." She laughed under her breath, then led the others away to the circle of wagons.

Each wagon was loaded with curiosities both familiar and exotic. Some had booths to purchase commissions from an artist, one was selling books written by the gryphon behind the table, another few had Zebra's trying to teach ponies to talk in rhyme like them. Rarity insisted on stopping at every booth, and no one really complained, even Rainbow Dash oohed and ahhed at the works of art that had been brought or were being created before their very eyes. Eventually, they ran into Fluttershy, Applejack, and Shining Armor, who had come into town to see what the fuss was about.

"I remember hearing about this!" Shining said as he looked around with wide eyes. "Mom said she met her writing teacher at one of these!"

A few of the wagons hadn't been able to fit in town square, so they trotted down main street a ways to where a few more had set up shop. There weren't as many ponies gathering around these, so it was a bit quieter here. Quiet enough that they caught an argument going on through the open back door of one of the wagons.

"Cmon Chitin," came a deep yet energetic voice. "You can't hide in here all week."

"Incorrect." This voice was high pitched, but Wayfarer couldn't tell if it was male or female. "I can, in fact, remain here. I also posit that it will be safer for me to do so. The ponies will not appreciate my presence."

"And they never will if you don't talk to them! Think about it, you might just be the first positive experience these ponies have with your kind! So come out of this wagon and say hello!"

"Ughh... Very well, but you'll need to give me extra feedings after all of this."

"Not a problem, we'll have you looking like a healthy drone in no time."

The owners of the two voices stepped out of the wagon. The first was the stallion who did the quick paint demonstration on stage, who looked like he thought nothing in the entire world could be wrong with this day. He descended the steps and smiled up at the door, waiting for his companion to come out. By chance he glanced at Wayfarer and Twilight's party, and immediately his sunny disposition dropped like a rock. He turned to the wagon and looked like he was about to voice some concern before a changeling stepped out of the wagon.

"What is with that look on your face, Vivid?" The changeling asked before it looked up and saw what had caused the stallion worry. Whatever it was expecting by walking out in public, it probably wasn't running into Cadence and Shining Armor. Wayfarer turned to see that Shining looked ready to murder the changeling, and Cadence was about five steps away from a panic attack. "Nope," the changeling said simply, hesitating for only a moment before it bolted off the wagon and galloped down the street. Shining immediately started pursuing it, chasing it down with all his speed even as the painter stallion called after them.

"Wait! Stop! Don't hurt them!" The pleads fell on deaf ears as Shining tackled the changeling to the ground and started binding it with magic. Then the stallion tackled Shining off the changeling. "They're not gonna hurt anyone! They're a good changeling!" The changeling in question almost bolted again before the stallion quickly jumped off Shining and onto it. "Chitin stop! You're just making it worse!"

"I told you it was a bad idea Vivid!" The changeling called Chitin screamed. "Probability of successfully conversing with an average pony while undisguised? Zilch! Nadda! Not happening!"

"What in the name of Tartarus are you doing?!" Shining yelled as he got to his hooves. "That's a changeling! It needs to be brought to Canterlot!"

"Not this one!" Vivid yelled, his stocky form easily holding Chitin down. "Chitin belongs to the Caravan, they answer to Court Drama and Elizabeth!"

"Did someone say my name?' Came a familiar voice. Everyone turned to see that Court Drama had approached them. Shaking his head, he passed over everyone to pull Vivid off of Chitin. "You two know better, no roughhousing in public, people will get the wrong idea."

"He started it!" Vivid sneered, pointing at Shining Armor. "He scared Chitin and then tried to arrest them!"

"I scared them?!" Shining sneered right back at Vivid, staring him down. "You do know what that thing is right? It's a changeling! You know, the things that kidnapped my wife, brainwashed me, and then tried to take over Equestria? Ever heard of them?"

"Oh yeah, sure," Vivid scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Let's blame an entire race for the crimes of one group! Maybe if the Royal Guard weren't all a bunch of pansies-"

"Vivid, enough!" Court Drama said sternly. "Go take Chitin over to our wagon, and stay there until I come to you."

Vivid continued to glare at Shining Armor for a bit before snorting in irritation and then leading Chitin away, but not before Wayfarer heard him mumble a few obscenities. "Load of horse apples, so flipping racist, should have been a hippogryph."

Shining looked like he was about to go after them, before Cadence stepped in and stopped him with a hoof pressed against his chest. She looked into his eyes and shook her head, silently telling him to let it go. Shining growled a bit, then sighed and backed off, allowing Cadence to step forward and address Court Drama. "You do understand," she began. "That there is an ordinance in place that demands that all Changelings must be caught and brought to Canterlot for questioning about the events surrounding the wedding of myself and Prince Shining Armor?"

"I am aware," Court Drama said. "I played a lawmaker on broadway once. I've kept up a vested interest in Equestrian law ever since. I'm also known for choosing to interpret the law in my own way, namely that the ordinance only really applies to changelings that know anything about the event in question, which Chitin does not. Therefore, I, and many other members of the Caravan, saw no reason to bring them before you, or your fellow princesses."

"I don't think interpreting the law is your job," Shining said angrily. " I believe that's the business of the ministry and the princesses."

"Quite right," Court Drama nodded. "But seeing as the ministry and two of the four princesses are not here, I'll leave that to Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight Sparkle to decide." Twilight looked surprised that she was suddenly getting roped into princess duties out of the blue like this, and a quick glance at Cadence told Wayfarer that she was just as unprepared for this. "I would ask," Court continued. "That you be lenient with Chitin. When we found them, they had no memory of the invasion of Canterlot, nor of any plans to do so. They couldn't name their queen, nor where their hive was. We saw no reason to hand him over to the authorities after that, especially since, after a bit of experimenting, we were able to more than satisfy his feeding needs. We of the Caravan are open to all races and walks of life, doesn't matter if they're a pony, a gryphon, a diamond dog, a dragon, or yes, even a changeling."

Cadence and Twilight looked at each other, neither really sure what to do. Both of them tossed a glance to Celestia before turning back to Court Drama. "Can we have some time to think about this?" Twilight asked.

"Are you asking me or telling me, princess?" Court gave them a knowing smile, and yet it was not unkind or mocking in any way.

Realizing her flub, Twilight cleared her throat and spoke up with authority. "Princess Cadence and I will convene and discuss this and then get back to you before the day is done."

"In the meantime," Cadence added. "Please confine the Changeling to one of your wagons. If we catch them out again we'll summon guards to escort them to Canterlot."

"A reasonable request." Court Drama nodded, then bowed before the two of them. "I await your swift and merciful decision, your majesties. Now if you'll excuse me, I must return to keeping the show running smoothly." And with that he was off.

Shining wasn't exactly happy. "What is there to discuss?" He demanded angrily. "It's a changeling, it's dangerous. Letting it roam free is like letting a tiger loose in a sheep inclosure. What's to stop it from feeding on someone?"

"Court Drama said they found a way to feed it," Spike said, which earned him a raised eyebrow from Shining. "I'm just saying, maybe the tiger won't want to eat the sheep if it's already full."

"And how do we know that they've found a way to feed it? They could all be under it's influence or something."

"Well, umm..." Fluttershy mumbled. "Have you detected any mind control spells?"

Shining Armor opened his mouth, then immediately snapped it shut. he sighed irately, then addressed that question. "Ughh... No, I haven't. But again, I ask: How do we know they're capable of keeping it fed?"

"Its legs," Wayfarer spoke up, grabbing everyone's inquisitive stares. "I thought changelings were supposed to have holes in their legs, like they were decaying away. I didn't see any holes in Chitins' legs, so maybe that means they're healthy and well fed?"

"I did notice," Rarity added. "That, and that its wings looked far more glossy and less torn up then the one's that invaded Canterlot."

"Ooh!" Fluttershy spoke up, suddenly getting excited. "When a Gem Beetle has a healthy diet, their carapace actually starts glowing when brought into sunlight. It's why they only live in caves so as not to alert predators. Maybe the changelings actually look really pretty when you give them lots of love?"

"And besides!" Rainbow Dash said, suddenly swooping up Spike and presenting him to Shining like a prized trophy. "Every dragon we've ever run into has tried to maim us or otherwise acted like a total jerk, but you don't see Spike acting like that. Who's to say there aren't some good changelings out there?"

"Alright!" Shining shouted. "I get the point. Celestia, what do you think?"

Celestia had been surprisingly quiet the whole time, her hoof tapping her chin in thought. At the sound of her name she raised her head up with a start as everyone looked to her. "Oh no," she said, suddenly smiling. "I'm not going to tell you what you should do. I'm on vacation, remember? This one is all up to you, Cadence, Shining, Twilight." The three of them looked at each other unsurely. "Though I will admit I'm curious as to the process of how they feed the little bug, if indeed they are. Oh well, guess that's a mystery you three will have to solve for yourself. Good luck! I'm off to enjoy a play!" And then she left, chuckling to herself. Everyone else just sort of looked at each other in bewilderment, sharing confused looks and shrugging shoulders.

"Well I guess we'd better go deal with this," Twilight said, disappointment at missing the fair for a day evident in her voice.

"Do you want me to come with?" Wayfarer asked.

"No, Celestia's right, we should be able to handle this ourselves."

"We should probably talk to some of the other Bohemians," Cadence suggested. "I saw the Changeling playing an instrument in the band when they rolled in. Maybe they'll be good character witnesses. And even if the changeling is brainwashing people, there's no way it could have gotten to everyone in the Caravan before someone noticed."

"And I'll have a spell ready to confirm whether they are or not," Shining added. "I'm not letting anyone else fall victim to those things while I'm around."

So with a wave of goodbye, the group dispersed to either continue enjoying the fair, or to start an investigation. At the end of the wagon line on main street, Elizabeth poked her head out of her velvet blue fortune teller's tent, her lips pouting in disappointment as she watched the ponies she'd been waiting for walk away. "Oh drat," she said. "I almost had em."