Chapter Twenty Five: Self Judgement

The clank of a cup and the splat of a jelly doughnut on the table in front of Augury caused the changeling to sigh yet again, his frustration with the two royal guards sitting across from him beginning to boil over. Platinum and Valor, though both part of the royal guard, did not seem to have the manners expected at tables, though Pony Joe seemed to be enjoying the company quite much. The doughnut shop was almost a prison for Augury as he glared at Platinum and Valor on the other side of the circular table, the changeling just about ready to flip the wooden surface and find two other royal guards to watch over him. The conversation he had with Twilight earlier in the night made Augury long to go back outside and admire the view of Equestria, but the two royal guards refusing to leave kept him plastered to the ground, constantly being pelted with random bits of pastries. Sprinkles and jelly spread across the entire table, Augury tried his best to not plant his face into the dirty, yet somewhat appetizing, doughnut coated circle of wood.

“Valor, will you stop it!?” Platinum shouted, giving the royal guard by his side a forceful push as he stared at the decimated jelly doughnut that had exploded on the table.

“I can’t help it. The patterns these doughnuts make when they explode are so neat.” Valor said with a grin on his face, closing one eye and leaning lower to level out his eyesight with the mess of doughnuts.

“Hey, as long as you keep buying, I’m all for whatever you do with these.” Pony Joe noted from behind the counter across the room. “Business is hard to come by when Canterlot is scared of something.”

Augury growled and looked down at the colorful array of sprinkles and jelly. “And to think I wanted to come back and help guards like these...” The changeling mumbled to himself.

Bringing his head back up, Valor gave Augury a smug look. “Hey, you’re the one that wanted to come back to Equestria. You’re the only one to blame for getting yourself stuck with me and Platinum here.”

The pegasus royal guard beside Valor took a sip of his coffee and set the cup back down at a clean spot on the table. “I think he’s talking about you more than me.” Platinum added, grimacing at his helmet as he quickly realized that he had left it on the table.

“Don’t pin this all on me, jelly helmet.” Valor snapped back while he poked at Platinum’s jelly and sprinkle encased headset of armor. “You’re the one that thought it was a good idea to bring me, Emperor of Small Pastries back in our school days, to a doughnut shop.” Valor shifted his eyes to Augury, who stared at him with a disgusted look on his face. “I was a weird colt, alright?”

“And you still are.” Platinum took another sip of his coffee. “But back then you weren’t a complete psychopath on the inhabitants of Bagelopolis.” He lifted one of his eyebrows at one of the rather more mutilated sweets on the table. “I don’t think poor old Lady Lemon Bar over there is going to see her son anytime soon.”

“Ah, she was dying anyways.” Valor noted casually, but quickly winced as Platinum furrowed his brow. “What? You bit the lower half of her body off, I just put her out of the misery you drowned her in.”

“With a hoof to the everywhere?”

“It was quick...”

“I can’t take it anymore!” Augury screamed in agony, smashing his hooves down on the table. “What is wrong with you two!? How did you even get into the royal guard with such idiocy for wits!?”

“Believe it or not, Valor has quite the warrior inside of himself, as you might have saw with the little game of ‘Impale the Flying Doughnut Hole’ earlier.” Platinum said.

Valor smiled and lifted his magic synthesizer sword into the air, the decorative horn on the handle glowing with a blue aura. “I had some practice in the royal guard barracks. Give me a target and I’ll launch this thing dead center into whatever you want. I was also in the military before I was a guard, so yeah, I guess. I don’t know, it was even a surprise to me when I was accepted.”

Platinum laughed subtly. “I was fairly normal until I met Valor back in school when I was about six, so what you see in me now is more than likely due to Emperor of Small Pastries over here.”

Sheathing his sword, Valor chuckled. “Guilty as charged.”

Augury shook his head as Valor reached onto the table and picked up a intact chocolate frosted doughnut. “Amazing how Celestia decided to put me beside two of the stupidest royal guards she had.” Augury said.

“I prefer the word ‘special’ rather than stupid.” Valor said, trying to balance a doughnut on his nose. “Most of the other guards are stoic and just don’t know how to have fun. Platinum and I have even been complimented by Celestia herself for our shenanigans sometimes. Well, lately at least. Right Platinum?”

“I guess Celestia likes to have fun once and a while, sure.” Platinum added.

Valor focused his eyes through the hole on the doughnut on his nose as a sparkle formed in the air in front of him, Platinum and Augury focusing on the twinkle of light as well. Not only a second later, a scroll popped up in the air above the messy table, dropping limply onto the sprinkles and jelly spread across the wooden surface. The scroll had a small red circle on the paper, marking something that made Valor and Platinum start to worry as their eyes grew wide.

“That can’t be good.” Valor said quietly as he set the doughnut on his nose down onto the table.

“What can’t be good?” Augury asked, eyeing the scroll with curiosity.

Platinum withdrew his sword and picked up the scroll with a levitation spell from the synthesizer. “The little red circle. It’s only used for urgent matters when the princess is sending out letters. Whatever’s in here, it’s important.” Platinum explained.

“Well open it up. The circle doesn’t mean nothing.” Valor insisted.

Platinum shook off some of the sprinkles and jelly that were still stuck to the paper, trying his best to get the paper as clean as possible. Most of the pastry contents off of it, Platinum unrolled the scroll and plastered his eyes onto the words within the letter. Valor leaned sideways to read along with his partner, leaving Augury to only guess as to what they were reading on the apparently urgent scroll.

“What does it say?” Augury asked, tilting his head upwards to try and get a look at the two royal guard’s faces.

“Looks like the princess wants your attention, Augury. And quick.” Platinum said as he moved the paper away from himself and faced it toward the changeling.

Augury leaned closer to the scroll. “Dear Platinum and Valor, it is required of you two to bring Salvation to Canterlot Tower’s hall as soon as possible. Escort him to the entrance, where he will be taken inside. There is no time to waste, bring him to the hall immediately.” Augury read aloud. He looked up from the scroll as the paper dropped to the table. “I suppose we should get going then.”

“No kidding.” Platinum agreed as he backed away from the table. “Last time we got a letter with a red circle on it was when Canterlot was under attack by changelings. I guess something must really be wrong. Valor, let’s go.”

“Right. Pony Joe... uh, do you want us to...?” Valor asked, limply pointing a hoof at the table as he timidly turned to look at the shop keeper.

“Ah, it’s fine.” Pony Joe dismissed as he waved a hoof to the door. “Take care of whatever you’re doing. I’ll clean it up later.”

“Thanks Joe. We owe you one.” Platinum called out as he, Valor, and Augury walked out of the shop, all three of them picking up their pace as soon as the moonlight hit their faces.

______________________________________________________________________

“Oh for- Valor! Hurry your flank up! We’re almost there. It’s only about three blocks from here. Come on!” Platinum shouted as he and Augury slid to a stop in the middle of the empty Canterlot road, both of them turning around to look at the royal guard far behind.

Valor almost collapsed as he looked up from his hooves, trying his best not to empty his stomach onto the ground. “I’m... trying. Oh Celestia... I shouldn’t have eaten so many doughnuts. Just go! I’ll be... I’ll be fine by a gutter somewhere.” The royal guard replied, motioning his hoof for Augury and Platinum to continue forward.

“He’ll just slow us down, Platinum. Celestia isn’t going to wait all night for us. He’ll be fine.” Augury said.

Platinum growled quietly. “Alright.” He raised his voice for Valor to hear. “Just stick around here somewhere! I’ll be back to get you once Augury’s done with whatever the princess wants with him!”

Gagging slightly, Valor nodded. “You got it, brotato. Try and bring back something for me to drink. This isn’t going to taste good...”

Platinum and Augury winced as they heard a loud splat in Valor’s direction, both of them turning away as quickly as they could and starting off towards Canterlot Tower. Against the snores of the sleeping ponies within the city, the changeling and royal guard’s hoofsteps through the streets were the only other sound in the night. The chirping of crickets and occasional hooting of an owl seemed to be void from Canterlot this particular night, causing slight unease to settle in Augury’s heart as he and Platinum continued through Canterlot’s empty roads. Something didn’t seem right about the cold air hanging in the city, and the absence of the royal guards, honor guards, and military ponies in the streets further pushed a feeling of dread onto the changeling running alongside Platinum.

Augury almost tripped over his own hooves as he and Platinum came around the corner of a store in Canterlot’s shopping section, the royal quarters of the city coming into view. The royal guard beside the changeling just about let his suddenly wobbly legs get the best of himself as well before Augury and Platinum slid their way to a stop, both of them opening their eyes wide with surprise. Considering he was in the royal guard, Platinum should have been calm about the situation given Augury’s knowledge, though both the changeling and guard stood in silence at the sight in front of Canterlot Tower.

What seemed like the entire royal and honor guard stood in front of Canterlot Tower’s hall entrance, all of them standing in formations to make a clear path to the doorway. Their swords partially unsheathed and their eyes fixed straight forward, they knew something that Augury and Platinum did not. Military ponies were strewn about the cleared out fields behind the royal and honor guards, all of them either examining their magic synthesizer swords or focusing their attention on Canterlot Tower. Even the arrival of the changeling that was summoned himself didn’t distract a single one of the ponies in front of the entrance to the building. Determination and hidden fright keeping their eyesight sharp and their hearing honed to make sure nothing wen’t wrong with what was going on inside, Augury and Platinum exchanged a glance of worry as they slowly advanced down the path leading towards the decorative doors.

A peculiar royal guard turned his head towards the changeling and royal guard advancing down the path. He stepped out from the line near the door and walked out onto the stone path, his eyes fixating intently and sternly on the changeling walking beside Platinum.

“It’s about time you two got here. Where’s Valor?” Shining Armor asked, taking off his helmet and setting it beside himself as Augury and Platinum stopped just before the entrance.

“He... had to stay behind for a little while. He’s alright, captain. Don’t worry about him.” Platinum admitted.

Shining Armor squinted uncertainly at Platinum. “Well, whatever he’s doing, You might as well get back to him. Augury, come with me. Platinum, you’re going to have to stay outside with the rest of the royal guards. I’ll handle the changeling from now on.”

“The changeling?” Augury asked, lifting an eyebrow.

“A name is a luxury for you right now.” Shining Armor barked. “Don’t expect to hear me call you by yours too often. Now come with me. They’re waiting.”

Augury took a brief look at Platinum for a second, who only motioned his hoof towards Shining Armor as the captain pushed open the doors to the hall of Canterlot Tower. The previous royal guard that had been watching over him already walking away to find Valor, Augury sighed and followed Shining Armor into the heavily guarded building. Nothing seemed to be wrong with the interior of the hall as Augury examined the banners and pillars lining the walls, though the lack of any sources of light also obscured his vision slightly. Quickening his pace to walk beside Shining Armor, a strange sight came into Augury’s view that had been blocked by the captain of the royal guard. A large white dome emitting a soft glow of golden light rested towards the other side of the hall. The edges of the dome touching the ground flowed around with a slightly liquid behavior, the golden light seeming to radiate from flowing ribbon-like strips of magic coursing along the edges of the dome.

Three silhouettes stood against the light projecting from within the bright shelter. Two tall and slender and the other shorter than its fellow figures, the silhouettes waited impatiently for the approaching changeling out of the dome. The shorter figure stood beside one of the taller and thinner shadows, both of them standing across what looked like a round table from the other slender silhouette. Their silence forged a small bit of worry in Shining Armor and Augury’s minds, though the captain was sure that Princess Celestia could handle herself in a fight.

Shining Armor turned to look at Augury as he stopped just outside of the dome, motioning his head towards the large white shelter. With a quick nod, Augury cleared his throat and slowly stepped forward towards the dome. The magic that the white hemisphere was crafted from separated following Augury’s stature, opening just only an inch thicker than Augury’s actual size. The changeling entering the dome more focused on the entrance to the bubble closing behind him, he barely even noticed who was waiting for him.

“Ah, so the changeling of the hour has finally arrived. Having fun back in Equestria... Augury?” A slithery voice asked, a seductive hint to the question.

Instantly recognizing who’s mouth the question slipped through, Augury felt his muscles tense up slightly. Princess Celestia stood strongly on the left side of the rounded table in between her and the two visitors, keeping her eyes intently set on Queen Chrysalis and Ruin as the two changelings watched Augury approach slowly towards Princess Celestia’s side.

“Oh, Augury, it’s so good to see you again! Did you miss me? Oh, don’t bother. I can tell what you’re missing already. I can see it in those eyes of yours.” Ruin taunted, swinging her tail back and forth. The red eyed changeling appeared to have a slightly altered appearance to her changeling form. Her eyes glowing partially and her hooves strewn with deep indents, some of the indents already holes, Ruin hadn’t taken long to forget the pony side of herself. “I can sure tell you who missed you, though!”

“Ruin, that’s enough.” Chrysalis said.

“Listen to your queen, Ruin. It’ll save you from getting your head torn off one of these days.” Augury said, glaring at the smaller changeling across the table.

Ruin only bit her lip and waved her mane to the side, closing her eyes.

“Maybe you should take your own advice, Augury. You made a mistake leaving The Hive, and now the consequences are catching up to you.” Chrysalis said sternly.

“My choice to leave was because of you two. I wasn’t going to stick around any longer just to take in more suffering. As long as the consequences allow me to crush both of your skulls, I’m willing to take anything you throw at me.” Augury threatened.

“The entire changeling army would say otherwise.”

“And the entire Equestrian army would say otherwise against them.” Celestia interrupted. “I didn’t call Salvation here for you two to argue. You wanted him to come here so I brought him here. If all you came to Canterlot to do is talk with Salvation, then I suggest you leave.”

“Salvation, huh?” Ruin asked. “So Augury isn’t your real name?”

“I’m surprised Chrysalis hasn’t spilled out all of my details into her new general yet.” Augury stated, giving Chrysalis a blank stare.

Celestia slammed her hoof down on the table, Ruin almost jumping out of her own coat at the loud crack.

“A warning next time, will you?” Ruin said angrily, fixing her mane.

“As I said before: if you have business to discuss, discuss it.” Celestia warned, resting her hoof back down on the ground.

“I suppose Celestia is right.” Chrysalis agreed. “I didn’t come to Equestria for no reason, and I didn’t call Augury here for no reason either.”

“Spill it out then.” Augury demanded.

The changeling queen sneered at Augury for a second, though she quickly collected herself and cleared her throat. “I came here to give you a choice. The Hive needs your leadership, Augury. I’m offering you to come back with no consequences. Should you take the opportunity, you’ll be right back where you were with no drawbacks.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Well then you can kiss your little sweetie Tranquility goodbye.” Ruin added, giving Augury a sinister smile.

Augury quickly glanced at the changeling general before he glared back at Chrysalis. “What is she talking about?” He asked.

“If you choose to come back, you will be able to see Tranquility once again.” The changeling queen offered. “She’s still there. Waiting.”

A mixture of anger and happiness swept over Augury in one brief wave, the changeling just barely catching himself from collapsing on weak legs. With all of the threats Chrysalis had thrown at him and Tranquility’s willingness to sacrifice herself, the thought of Tranquility still herself and alive in the changeling wasteland drew Augury to feel sick to his stomach. Left thinking that she would be gone, Augury leaned forward onto the table and held his head with his hooves, now worried with what Chrysalis could have done with Tranquility other than her previous threats. The nature of changelings stuck in Augury’s mind as he thought about what Tranquility had been done with, and though he tried his best to keep the thoughts out of his head, Augury felt as if he would burst out in panicking tears. Having faced that he needed to let go of Tranquility to save Equestria, the troubled changeling’s decision to defy Chrysalis suddenly seemed like the were for nothing.

Augury looked up from the decorated table at the two changelings. What if they were lying? What if they were just telling him that Tranquility was still there to get him to come back? What would happen if he did go back? What would be the point? Already out of The Hive and his mind seemingly made up to himself, Augury started to wonder if leaving the changelings, Tranquility, and all of the captured ponies was his only choice. Tranquility was back in The Hive, alone, and nothing was holding harm away from her now that Augury escaped. With the thought of his marefriend meeting a fate possibly worse than death, Augury had to question his own judgement.

“I... I...” Augury muttered, slowly letting his eyes fall back to the table.

“She’ll be yours again, but you will also be mine. The right choice is in front of you. She misses you.” Chrysalis said.

Feeling Celestia’s stare on him, Augury didn’t dare look to the princess. “I... don’t know. I can’t...” Augury mumbled quietly.

“She’s alone. All alone! With me! Come on, buddy. Changelings are fun!” Ruin exclaimed, a sinister grin forming on her face.

Slowly, Augury let his horn prop his head up on the table, closing his eyes. “Celestia, I’m sorry...”

“That’s right.” Chrysalis said, nodding. “Now, come-”

“...but you’re going to have to deal with my flank around Canterlot for a while longer.” Augury interrupted, bringing his head back up to look at the two changelings across the table from him as he set his hooves on the floor.

Her mouth quickly turning into a frown, Chrysalis nudged Ruin on her side as the changeling general snickered to herself lightly.

“Oh well. I guess we’re just going to have to fight against him.” Ruin said. “Can we go now? This is boring.”

Chrysalis put a hoof on the table and leaned forward slightly. “Augury. I will-”

“I’ve made my choice.” Augury asserted. “I’m not going with you, no matter what you offer me. Equestria is my home. If I have to make some sacrifices to try and restore what I had taken from it, then so be it.”

Judging by the silence from Chrysalis, Celestia figured the queen wasn’t expecting Augury’s answer. Even the princess hadn’t anticipated Augury’s decision once she heard the offer. “I assume that this is done.” Celestia said. “You have the permission to leave now, Queen Chrysalis. The guards will give you no harm.”

Hesitantly, Chrysalis slowly walked with Ruin towards the side of the containment barrier, keeping her eyes on Augury until she moved out of sight of her former subject.

Augury turned to Celestia as he heard the hoofsteps of the changelings grow distant in the hall, the princess letting go of the magical dome hovering over herself and Augury. “What did they come here in the first place for? I don’t reckon that was all Chrysalis wanted.”

Illuminating the hall with a light spell, Celestia lowered her eyes to the changeling remaining next to her after giving a quick glance towards Chrysalis and Ruin down the hall. “They came here for you. Only you. Now, come with me. There are some things that I need to discuss about the changelings.” Celestia said, motioning a wing for Augury to follow as she walked towards the doors that held The Elements of Harmony.

Before heading with Celestia, Augury glanced towards the entrance of the hall. Chrysalis and Ruin stood by the doorway, Ruin just barely opening the large doors, but the queen stayed motionless, staring with longing eyes at Augury. The two changelings locked glares for a brief moment, and for a split second, Augury could just barely see Chrysalis’s bright green eyes glint in the moonlight coming through the open doors. With Ruin pulling her legs and the royal guard outside beginning to suspect Chrysalis of something, the queen slowly turned away from Augury and walked out of the hall and into the night. Doors closed and Celestia waiting to talk with him, Augury rubbed his tired eyes and trotted over to the princess of the sun. Next Chapter: [Final] Salvation Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 4 Minutes