Chapter 17: Shaping Future Events

Hope: Day 4
Nightfall: Day 18

Hope’s POV

After five minutes of laying on the bed, with Fluttershy sat at my side. Twilight had got up and walked to the changeling, who was also laid down on a bed, staring at the ceiling with his hoofs crossed behind his head.

I hadn’t noticed this before, but the changeling looks a lot bigger than the ones seen in the Canterlot wedding episode. But I guess it was just probably my imagination.

When Twilight was close enough, she asked him, curiously, “Um, how quick do your wounds heal? Mr-rrr-…”

Not bothering to look towards her, he interrupted, “Cocoon.”

Confused, Twilight replied, “Eh?”

Finally turning his focus towards her, he explained, “My name- my name is Cocoon. We heal rapidly when there’s love in the air.”

Getting an understanding, the unicorn replied, “I see…”

Fluttershy then said to me, happily, “By the way, I got some good news. That chicken that wondered off the other day, has returned.”

I wasn’t too interested in the chicken, but I replied happily, “That’s good news.”

The changeling commented, “It’s just a dumb chicken, pegasus!”

Annoyed at his comment, my mare flew up to him and stared him in the face and protested on his words, “How dare you!”

Before she carried on her protest, Rainbow shouted after realising something, “Tank!?”

Everypony in the room look towards the injured pegasus. I was confused for a moment on what she meant, until I remembered that is her pet’s name.

Still hovering above the changeling, Fluttershy ensured her, “Don’t worry. I picked him up last night, so I can look after him until you’re better. Actually, I brought him here with me to visit you.”

A moment later, I thought I could hear some sort of propellers. Then I realised that there is an accident just waiting to happen, as Rainbow’s pet turtle came flying into the ward, with a propeller attached to its shell by a belt.

Rainbow smiled with joy and said, happily, “Tank, your okay!”

As the turtle hovered in front of her and her bed, he slowly saluted and smiled in return.

The changeling then shouted out, in shock, “What in the love, is that!?”

The rainbow mane pegasus replied happily, clearly not taking notice of his expression, “My pet, Tank.”

Nightfall’s POV (Alicorn Form)

As I awoke once again, I could see Luna was still asleep. I carefully turned my head towards the window and noticed it was about dinner time, by noticing the Sun’s location.

So I then slowly got out of bed, being careful not to wake her and covering her back up with the blanket. Before I left my room, I started wondering, ‘Would she be fine in my bed, for the time being?’

I thought for a moment, ‘I let her sister know where she is, so nopony is worried.’

I then walked to the dinner hall. There, her sister and her guards were just having lunch.

As Celestia had just finished taking a drink of her tea, I informed her, “Just to let you know, so nopony worries, your sister is currently resting in my bed.”

After me saying those last words, we all stared at one of the guards. Who had just sprayed out his tea from his mouth, in the opposite direction of the table, by shock I imagine.

Terrified at the consequences of his actions, he quickly apologised, “I’m sorry your highness. I was surprised for a moment there… It will not happen again.”

The elder alicorn give him a glare that could easily make you flinch in fear, but she just took a deep breath and dropped it.

She then looked back towards me and requested, “I would like to have a talk with you and my sister, later tonight, about… your relationship.”

Knowing to well that she’s just concerned about her sister falling in love with me, I replied, naturally, “No problem.”

Not long, after finishing our meals, Shining Armor came in. He walked up to the large dinner table, with a look of concern and asked, “Celestia, can I speak with you for a moment?”

I had an idea where this was going and so did Celestia by the looks of it. She answered, “Is it about the changeling?”

Trying to prove a point, Shining protested, “I-… I don’t think this is a good idea. I mean… they attacked Canterlot…”

He then changed his tone to more annoyed and angry, “Their queen disguised herself as my wife, who also had me under her control! I don’t think this is a good idea Celestia!”

The Sun Princess knowing too well about his concern, she kept herself clam and replied, “I understand your feelings Shining Armor. But if this can prevent another disaster such as what happened with you and Cadance, isn’t this treaty worth attempt?”

Not happy with the answer he was given, he replied as he was getting ready to leave, “Fine! But don’t blame me later, because I won’t take any responsibility for what happens. Also, they better not try anything funny with my sister.”

After those last words, he magically opened the doors, walked out and slammed them shut behind him.

I then asked the princess, just after she took a sigh to relax, “Do you think he will be alright?”

Just while she was just getting ready for duty, she answered, “He will be fine. He’s just concerned about us and for Canterlot’s safety.”

We both left our seats while I began following her into the corridor, after the guards had opened the doors for us.

As we walked down the corridors, she carried on with her speech, “That is why I want you, Hope, Twilight and her friends to work together to try and come to an understanding with the changelings.”

Getting worried, I asked, “This is a big responsibility you’re giving me. I mean- this could effect the very future of ponies and changelings all together. Are you sure about this?”

She replied, “Yes... Remember, back on your world, our show is about understanding the magic of friendship. I can sense a bit of doubt in you. That is why instead of studying in the library, I want you and your friends to help come to an understanding for both of our species.”

Just when she was about to enter the throne room, I said, understanding what she wants me to do, “Alright, I’ll try my best. I just hope that Hope and that changeling are getting along okay. I head to Ponyville now and see how things are progressing.”

She replied, “I’m counting on you all and remember, sometimes it’s easier to accept somepony for who they are than to try and understand them.”

After that, she entered the room and closed the doors behind her. I then took flight to Ponyville hospital…

Once I entered the ward that we were in last night. I looked around and I could only see Dash sat up in bed, reading a book. ‘Daring Do’ I presume.

I came closer to her bed and asked, “How are you, Rainbow?”

Not knowing I was there, she looked towards me as she lowered her book while not attempting to hide it. Then she replied, “Hi Night. Not good, but I would have been much worse, if it wasn’t for you, Hope and the girls.”

I then say, “I’m just glad your alright. That was a nasty injury ya got there. I guess Hope and that changeling had recovered and left this morning?”

She replied, “Twilight allowed Cocoon to stay with her, even after those two guys had a fight with each other.”

Very surprised that the first day hadn’t gone well, even before I arrived, I thought, ‘It could have been worse.’

She carried on, “As for Hope, he’s gone shopping with Fluttershy.”

I wondered if Celestia had informed Twilight about this, so I asked, “I see. By the way, did Twilight get a message from Princess Celestia about Cocoon?”

Rainbow replied, “Yes. Everypony has already visited today and she has already told everypony about it.”

I then thought, ‘Now there are two unicorns, a dragon and now a changeling living in the library. Where does Twilight get all the beds…?’