The mood in the music room was, understandably, quite tense, as both the Rainbooms and Dazzlings sat or stood in their various spots, watching the door of the room with both anticipation and some degree of fear. They counted the moments, waiting for their new arrival to get here, but soon, that patience was rewarded, as the door slowly began to creep open. The girls all watched as a pair of boys began to enter. The first was one they knew well. Flash Sentry, Sunset's former boyfriend, and head of one of the school's other bands. Beside him stood Random Insert, known as Randy to his friends, the sight of whom Sonata couldn't help but give a wave to, which the boy nervously returned. However, both he and Flash gained stern looks as they both stood aside, allowing a third entrant into the room. And it was here that the girls tensed up a little. For there he was, the Changeling in human skin, walking in slowly, taking in each and every person in the room as he entered.

The girls did not appreciate his glance, especially with those piercing blue eyes of his. As he entered however, the girls all saw that he was accompanied by another two of the school's male students. First, there was Big Macintosh, Applejack's older brother, who was watching the Changeling intently. Though they could not blame him, since the guy was being exposed to his younger sister right now. Beside him stood an even larger boy, Bulk Biceps, who was perhaps the least acquainted with the group, but still on relatively good terms with them. The sight of all four of those boys being used to escort this one person might have seemed like overkill, but when visitors from Equestria were concerned, one couldn't be too careful. The boys escorted the newcomer to a chair in the middle of the room, and both Mac and Bulk placed a hand on his shoulders before forcing him to sit in it. With their visitor now seated, Sunset gave him a somewhat stern look before gesturing to Applejack. The farm girl nodded at her before reaching behind her and pulling out a length of rope, after which she began to approach the boy.

Aria, though, couldn't help but chuckle at that sight.

"Jeez, Apples. You could at least take him out to dinner first before breaking out the bondage gear."

Applejack shot Aria a look of annoyance, as did Adagio for that matter, before getting back to the matter at hand. She stood next to the boy and began wrapping the rope around his middle, pinning his arms to his body. After this, she made sure the rope was secured to the chair, which would make movement even more difficult for him. Having made sure the knots were tight, Applejack gave a nod to Sunset, after which the latter turned to the four boys.

"Thanks for your help. We can take it from here."

All of the boys, Flash especially, gave them concerned looks after hearing that. However, after giving each other silent glances, they nodded in agreement before making their way outside. However, Flash gave a "we'll be outside if you need us" look to Sunset before exiting, which the latter responded to with an appreciative smile. With the boys now gone, the girls were alone with the Changeling, and the mood was quite definitely an uncomfortable one. This was the first time anyone in their group had ever done something like this, and all of them were feeling a little on-edge about it. Fluttershy especially seemed worried about it, taking refuge right behind Rainbow as she looked at their captive. In time however, the silence was broken, but to everyone's surprise, it was the prisoner who spoke.

"Well? Here I am. What did you need to speak to me about?"

The girls all looked to each other, as if daring one of them to speak up first. Eventually though, Sunset gave out a sigh before speaking.

"Let's start with the basics. What's your name?"

The boy raised his eyebrow at that before answering.

"I'd have hoped Miss Dazzle would have told you that, but very well. My name is Vanidicus."

Sunset looked rather taken aback at hearing that.

"That's Latin."

The other girls looked at her, showing more than a little interest in what she'd just said. Sunset, however, frowned as she turned to face them.

"It means liar."

Vanidicus nodded at that.

"Aside from our Queens, Changelings do not bother with names. However, since that wasn't going to work in this world, I figured I needed one. Given my people's nature, it felt an appropriate choice."

A few of the girls nodded at that, but only briefly. The boy had a point, but it was still a grim one. Sunset though was not impressed.

"You're not making a good case for yourself by choosing a name like that."

Vanidicus shrugged his shoulders as best he could within his restraints. Taking a deep breath, Sunset looked to her friends, even the Dazzlings, hoping that one of them would speak up after this, Thankfully, one of them did, and Adagio herself no less.

"Tell me, bug...how did you get to this world? And when?"

The boy narrowed his eyes somewhat before giving an answer.

"It happened many years ago. My hive needed information regarding the ponies living in Canterlot. As one of the soldier class, I was chosen to infiltrate the city and learn as much as I could before reporting back. However, during my investigation, I happened upon an old room, containing...a mirror."

Sunset's eyes widened at that. This creature had used the mirror to get here? She shouldn't have been surprised, given that, aside from the spell that Starswirl the Bearded used to banish the Sirens, that portal was the only means to enter this world. But even so, to know that he had been in Canterlot raised many questions, but she was sure to save them until he finished explaining himself.

"Under normal circumstances, I would have ignored the thing, but I was unfortunately discovered while observing it. A scuffle broke out between me and one of the guards, during which I tripped and fell into that accursed thing. When I came to...here I was. I didn't realise what had happened, but I figured that this world may need investigating, for potential future infiltration. However...when I'd learned as much as I needed to, I tried returning...but the portal was closed."

Sunset understood well what this being had gone through. Until Twilight made her alterations to it, the magic mirror could only open every few years. If Vanidicus didn't know when it was usable, it was understandable that he would feel himself trapped here after a while. Turning, she looked upon her friends. All of the girls, especially Adagio, were listening to every word he was giving them. They didn't know if he was telling the truth, but nevertheless found themselves enthralled by his story. Sunset scratched her chin a little before speaking to him.

"How long ago was this?"

Vanidicus looked down at the ground and let out a deep sigh.

"Many years. Centuries at this point."

All of their eyes widened with shock after hearing that. This guy was centuries old? It was a surprise, but then, there was precedent for young-looking beings who had long lifespans, with the Dazzlings being just three examples of such. However, as she dwelt on that thought, a realisation came to Sunset.

"Then...you weren't part of Chrysalis' invasion?"

The girls all watched as Vanidicus' head snapped up, looking at Sunset with a look that could only be described as hatred.

"Do not dare speak that name to me! Where did you hear of it?!"

Although taken aback by that, Sunset managed to recompose herself, clearing her throat in readiness for providing the Changeling with his explanation. However, to her surprise, Adagio began to walk alongside her and speak on her behalf.

"From what we heard, Queen Chrysalis attempted to invade Canterlot, and quite recently. So tell us, why are you so upset by that name?"

Vanidicus seemed to have calmed down somewhat after hearing that explanation, and thus began to give her answer.

"Much like lowly insects, we Changelings to not get on well with other hives. More often than not, we'll fight amongst each other before we get to any of the ponies."

That much seemed to make sense, at least in a small way. It was one of the things that had actually sunk into the girls' collective knowledge from their science classes, that insect colonies, like ants, will often fight each other for food or territory. If Changelings were much the same way, then such conflicts would be quite a bloody experience. Although he had not outright said it, Vanidicus did manage to give away that he was from a rival hive. And if that was the case, then Rarity's earlier fear of him being some kind of war criminal was quite definitely put to rest. However, as they dwelt on this, they began to notice that Vanidicus' expression was changing, becoming one of realisation. His voice had changed also, sounding utterly mortified.

"If Chrysalis finally felt safe enough to attack the ponies outright...then that means...my hive is no longer a threat."

He hung his head in silence after that, and for a brief moment, the other girls didn't know what he was talking about. However, as the moments passed, understanding dawned on them, and they began to comprehend what it was he had just figured out. In all likelihood, his hive had either been wiped out, or severely crippled by Chrysalis' forces. Either way, there was little chance of him returning to that place even if he knew how. If what he said was true, then all he once knew would be long gone by this point, his fellow Changelings all exterminated. It was, to be sure, an unhappy thought. And as such, for the first time during this entire interrogation, Fluttershy emerged from behind Rainbow and spoke softly to him.

"I'm...I'm so sorry."

Vanidicus looked up at her, showing clear surprise that anyone would speak to him like that. For a moment, the girls wondered if this being had ever heard a kind word in his entire life. Regardless, his expression softened somewhat as he responded to Fluttershy.

"I have been living without them for years now. But...your concern...is appreciated."

The shy girl gave a small smile before taking a step backwards. Adagio, who had largely been quiet during all this, nevertheless kept her eyes on Vanidicus. She had always considered herself an expert on reading people, and ever since she'd exposed his identity, she could not help but feel that he had been completely honest about everything so far. That was not something that squared in her mind, given her knowledge of the Changeling race. As such, she took a step forward, gaining his attention as she spoke.

"Tell me something, Changeling. Why are you telling us all this? I know this is an interrogation and all, but still..."

The boy nodded at that and gave a dry chuckle before replying.

"And why should I keep quiet exactly? I have no plans to make you or your new companions into my enemies. I seek no conflict with you or anyone else in this world. I admit, I was surprised to see you so readily go to the Rainbooms about my identity, but even so, it is not something that concerns me."

Yet again, Adagio sensed no lie in his words, no flicker of falsehood in his expression. It was something she was sure to relay to Sunset, giving her a glance and a nod to let her know he was telling the truth. So far, things had been going well. Vanidicus didn't seem to have any interest in causing trouble, they were starting to understand him and his origins, and every question had been answered honestly and openly. None of them had been expecting things to go so smoothly, especially Adagio and Sunset. However, a new thought suddenly occurred to Sunset as she considered all this. She realised that there was one vital question they'd neglected to ask him thus far, and as such, she stepped forward and began to ask it.

"Tell me something, Vanidicus. Why did you approach Adagio as you did?"

The Changeling's expression grew somewhat stern as he looked towards her.

"I needed to learn more about the kind of person she is...before I went ahead with anything."

Sunset raised an eyebrow at that, as did Adagio, the latter stepping forward with a hand on her hip, speaking to Vanidicus in a more authoritative tone.

"Went ahead with anything? Pray tell, boy, what is it you wanted from me exactly?"

Vanidicus leaned back into his chair, staring intently at Adagio, his expression somewhat softer when Sunset had been speaking to him. Giving a small smirk, he gave the Siren her answer.

"What I want, Miss Dazzle...is a Queen."