It has been one week since DJ’s disappearance and things were still progressing back in Ponyville. Everypony still went about as if it were business as usual, only there was a somber feel in the air. When the former Elements of Harmony informed the town of their prince’s disappearance, many took it hard. DJ had become a staple to their everyday lives in the town. From their point of view, the only thing worse that could happen is if Pinkie Pie up and left town. Sure, they still smiled and went about their days, but it just didn’t seem right without that crazy blue alicorn.

It was also noticeably quiet throughout Ponyville. Without DJ attempting to invent another Earth-based device, there were no sounds of tools working, explosions, or fire ponies putting out the flames. It was almost as if the entire town itself was mourning the loss. Many, such as Big Macintosh, Ditzy Doo, and others, still had hope that their friend would return soon. Unfortunately, this was not thought by all.

DJ’s family was the worst hit by this turn of events. Twilight, personally, was highly distraught. She was deeply saddened by her husband’s actions, but also fiercely angry at his stupidity. Angry sadness is not a pleasant sight from an alicorn princess with near limitless magic. Spike was depressed about his brother, often secluding himself in their private training clearing just inside the Everfree. Nyx and Scootaloo were faring slightly better than the others, but only just.

Still, with their vacation over, it was once again time for the new school year to begin. Both would normally have been excited to get to go to school with all their friends again, but it just wasn’t the same without their adoptive father. They paid attention in class, though, trying to be strong. It felt like forever until it was time for lunch and recess, but still it came. Nyx and Scootaloo were joined by their fellow CMC members for lunch: Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Twist, and Dinky Doo. The foursome were surprised at seeing Scootaloo’s new cutie mark, but they were interrupted before they even began to ask by the one pony none of them really wanted to deal with right now.

“Hello there,” said the pink filly known as Diamond Tiara. Her words weren’t harsh, but the tone behind them were close enough. Right behind her, stood Silver Spoon with a blank expression shared by Diamond Tiara. This surprised the fillies as Diamond was usually smiling smugly or looking disgusted whenever she was near them. Something was up.

“What do you want Tiara?” asked Scootaloo with a harsh glare. She wasn’t in the mood for any of the filly’s insults.

Diamond Tiara rubbed a hoof in the dirt a little, looking down with a sheepish look. “Well, um, you see… I just… well I just wanted to say… I’m sorry.”

As one the Cutie Mark Crusaders responded with looks amazement. “HUH!?”

“I’m sorry, too,” Silver Spoon added.

“We really have had no reason to bad mouth any of you. We’re sorry for always making fun of you.”

“Okay, what the hay is going on here?!” Scootaloo exclaimed in surprise anger. “Who are you and what did you do with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon? Why would you ever apologize to us?”

“It’s just that…ugh! Why does this have to be so hard?!” DT asked angrily to the air. “Look, it’s just that after everything that’s happened to you and your family over the past few years, I just realized that my actions weren’t making anything better. It isn’t fair what keeps happening. First with Nyx and the Nightmare Moon incident, then Prince DJ dying and then coming back to life, Sombra doing… you know what and being adopted. And now your dad’s gone again and nopony knows if he’ll be back. Stuff like that just isn’t fair.”

The fillies still weren’t convinced, however. “Okay that all makes sense, but why did you only just now figure this out?” Nyx demanded.

“Because…” DT hesitated before giving in and admitting the truth. “Because I don’t what I would do without my dad and seeing you both keep losing yours, I just makes me feel terrible about all of the teasing that I’ve put you through. I don’t really expect you to forgive me, but can we at least try to be… friends?” Diamond stuck out a hoof in a gesture of peace. The CMC all stared at her, judging her, and watching Silver Spoon who was nodding in confirmation the whole time. After what felt like hours of agonizing anxiety, Scootaloo though out a hoof and bumped Tiara’s, getting a smile out of the pink filly.

“Alright Tiara, we can try to be friends. But you’re gonna have to prove yourself,” she explained. “That goes for you too, Silver Spoon.”

The silver and pink fillies responded with nods. “Of course!”

“Good, because after school you two have some initiation rituals to perform,” Sweetie Belle said with an evil grin that was shared by the entire table. DT and SS looked and each other and gulped audibly. They were in for something scary, especially given the reputation of these fillies.

*****Meanwhile*****

Deep within the badlands of the Equestrian continent, stood a massive structure. It looked like a massive beehive cut from stone and earth that towered above the desolate, barren landscape. This was the changeling hive where Queen Chrysalis ruled over her many children and commanded them. Within its walls, in the lowest levels, sat the dungeons were captured ponies were placed to be drained of their love. It was here that one lone prisoner sat, an alicorn with a deep blue coat and a dark brown mane. His wings were clamped to his sides with a metal band, while his horn had a magic nullifier placed over it. Here sat Prince DJ Sparkle, lamenting over his current predicament with his ‘partner’.

How do we keep getting into his crap?

Don’t ask me! You’re the one in charge, remember?

I still blame you!

Stop blaming me for all of your fuck ups! Your own fault for not realizing this sooner! I mean, come on! Where else would Chrysalis have her portal, huh? Of course it had to be in her hive!

Well, why didn’t you say anything before!?

I thought you were prepared for something like this.

And how often do I plan things out?

. . . Good point. Ugh, should have known better that you never thought that far ahead.

Good to see that you’re learning. So let’s recap here. We entered the changeling hive through a magic portal…

…Got surrounded by a massive army of changelings…

…Who subsequently stripped me of my jacket and swords, leaving me powerless…

…Then clamped your wings and placed an antimagic cone on your head…

…And then we got thrown in jail! All in all, this sucks.

Eeyup. So what are you gonna do now?

What every other dude who gets locked up…go crazy!

Little late for that don’t you think?

Don’t take this away from me! DJ could feel Malice rolling his eyes. Shaking his head, DJ proceeded towards the barred entrance to his little prison/cave where his two day guards stood watch. With nothing better to do, DJ decided to start up conversation with them. “So…what’s your names?” Okay, lame start, but right now I got nothin’.

The two guards simply stood there, not saying a single thing or even acknowledging his existence. After several awkward moments, DJ sighed and retreated back into his cell. He sat there on his haunches for several minutes, thinking of something to do. Then it hit him! DJ smiled and reached behind his back, pulling out a harmonica from nowhere. Thank you Pinkie Physics!

The alicorn brought the instrument up to his lips and blew. His first attempts were horrible, but he continued through, getting the rhythm of the little instrument. He placed one hoof over the side to act as a sound dampener and began to place some classic prison harmonica, even going so far as to position himself right up against the bars of his cell between the guards.

Staff edit:  Copyrighted lyrics removed

DJ’s song was suddenly interrupted as the harmonica was ripped from his lips. He looked at his instrument, coated in a green magic aura. DJ watched as the little device floated up over his head and then swung down, smashing itself over his head. “Yeowch!” he cried, holding his head and feeling for the inevitable bump. Wincing in pain, DJ turned his head to look past the bars to see Queen Chrysalis staring down at him with distaste present on her face. “You know, you could have just said you don’t like the song?”

"Perhaps, but that was more fulfilling,” Chrysalis replied with a ghost of a smile. She ordered the guards to unlock the door and the dragged DJ out of his cell and forced him to walk. Chrysalis led the way, DJ behind her several steps as the guards flanked his sides. Once out of the lower levels, the four beings found themselves out over what was like a stone scaffold. DJ peered out over the side, glimpsing hundreds of changelings going about their work. They all seemed to have their tasks well in hoof, enough so to make DJ nod, impressed.

One of the guards noticed him staring out and shoved him forward. “What, you got a problem with changelings?” the guard asked as they continued walking. “Something wrong with an honest day’s work, your highness?” The way he spat out the formality was easily caught by DJ and he sought to rectify it.

“Actually, I have no problem with it whatsoever. If anything, it’s to be admired.” DJ smiled inwardly upon seeing the guards’ faces show shock and awe. “Your brethren are truly stupendous workers. Though, I am not quite sure what it is they are doing.”

After a moment of hesitation, one of the guards explained. “They each perform tasks that are necessary to the hive. Some are repairers, others take care of the young, and some string the webbing among the halls to keep out parasites. Are you used to hard work?”

“I do come from the country. I worked on the family farm, often doing whatever odd jobs were available. Just because I am a prince, don’t think I am some noble brat from Canterlot. I can’t stand those rich snobs; they’re about as bad as politicians.”

“Sooo,” came from the other guard. “You don’t think there’s anything wrong with hard work?”

“On the contrary,” DJ replied with a happy smile. “I believe the creator herself bless those who work for a living. I am not a religious pony, but a little faith never hurt. In fact…” DJ trailed off as he focused on the chorus of sounds around him. The repair changelings clanging their hammers against the stone walls, the stringers plucking the webs to extend them, and the nursery workers singing to the newborns to keep them calm. DJ got caught up in the rhythm and began to sing to the beat.

Staff edit:  Copyrighted lyrics removed

DJ smiled entirely through the song and could have sworn that the two guards behind him had joined in once or twice. “You see? I have nothing, but appreciation for those that dedicate themselves to their work. Without them, nothing would ever be done. You shouldn’t make assumptions about others.”

“Enough!” Chrysalis screamed at them. “I have had just about enough of your pointless blathering, pony. No more! We are here.” They stopped outside a rather small cave entrance, only just big enough for Chrysalis to walk through without ducking. The guards shoved DJ inside.

“Hey! I can walk you know! Don’t have to keep shoving,” he chastised. DJ ‘hmmph’ed and looked into the cavern he was in, his eyes widening. All around were green pods that were luminescent, lighting the cave with a surprisingly calming green glow. DJ whistled appreciatively. “Wow, what goes on in here?”

“You will soon find out,” the queen said darkly. DJ gulped just before he was blasted by Chrysalis’ magic. Slowly the magic began to form around him and soon encased him in one of those pods. The queen admired her work and ordered the guards to place the prince with the other pods.

DJ watched as his pod was placed among the others in the room. He looked to his left, then to his right, and then at Chrysalis. “Sooo, what now?”

“Soon you will sleep, son of Celestia. And when you awaken, you will be mine.”

DJ blanched. “When you mean yours…?”

“You will become one of my changeling children, yes.” With a hearty laugh, Chrysalis made her exit, taking the guards with her. The whole way, DJ struggled inside his cocoon, trying to break out.

“Hey, hey! You can’t just leave me here, you evil bitch! I don’t want to be a changeling! That’s not who I am! Let me out of here!” After several moments, DJ realized that it was pointless to struggle. He hung his head in defeat, no way of getting out. So, he did the only thing he could: meditate. Meditation was an art that DJ had longed to perfect as it was the perfect exercise for his Force powers to grow. DJ calmed his mind and began retreating deep within himself and soon, everything went black.

**********

Hours later, DJ was awakened from his mediation by Chrysalis returning to the room. He feared what this meant for his body. He heard Chrysalis order his cocoon opened and soon he heard the cracking and tearing of his pod. DJ fell out of the pod unceremoniously and heard the queen gasp in shock. Fearfully, DJ opened his eyes. They looked out to see blue furred hooves and muzzle. Confused, DJ stood on his hooves and looked over his body; it was still fully alicorn. Not a single bit of him was changeling. With a look of pure confusion, DJ gave Chrysalis a lopsided smile.

“H-how? How have you not changed?” Chrysalis whispered in shock.

DJ shrugged. “I dunno.”

The changeling queen’s confusion soon turned to outright anger. “You dare make a mockery of my power? Guards!” DJ’s guards were once again at his sides. “Return the pony to his cage.” They bowed and pushed DJ away. “One way or another, Sparkle, you will become one of my children!” Chrysalis called after him.

As the guards led DJ back to his cell, one of them spoke up. “So how did you do it? How are you still a pony?”

Once again, DJ shrugged. “Honestly, no clue. It’s nice, though. I prefer being me.”

“Something wrong with being a changeling?” asked the other.

“No, shape shifting would be an amazing power, but I’m a pony through and through. I feel at home in the body I’m in so I feel no reason to change it. Besides, I think it would freak out my wife if she saw I had holes in my legs,” DJ answered while waving his legs around. The guards smiled slightly, but kept moving. Soon they were back at his cell and one guard opened the cage, this time allowing DJ to simply walk in. “Thank you, my good stallion.” DJ strolled on in and sat in the middle of his cage with a huff.

Back to square one.

We’ll find some way out of this. I don’t want to be caged like this forever. Nor do I wanna be some damn bug.

We need to figure out how we stopped the process. Maybe we can keep the others from working, too.

“Hey!” DJ was brought out his conversation as one of the guards called over to him. DJ made a sound that let the guard know he was listening. “Do you really have no problem with changelings?”

The question surprised the alicorn. Why did these guards ask so many questions? Maybe…maybe they do have free will? DJ shook his head and answered the curious changeling. “Not a one. In my book, changelings are kinda cool. If only your mother wasn’t such a pain, I would think we could be friends.” It was an honest answer.

Several minutes passed by in silence. No one said anything and DJ just took to sitting there and thinking of ideas that could pass the time. “Scout,” said the guard who had asked the earlier questions.

“Hmm?” DJ asked, truly confused.

“My name. It’s Scout. My partner is Sting.”

DJ smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Scout and Sting. My name is DJ. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Little did DJ know, the two guards were smiling as well.