The Alter Accords

Chapter Twenty Two: New Limitations.

Beep, beep.

‘Velox release the magic, release it!’ He heard Novo calling out to his other self from inside their mind to the one currently with wings and engulfed in the high voltage energy that was crackling and growing.

Beep, beep, beep.

‘Sorry, but I already tried, there is just too much magic for me to get a hold of normally. At least as I am now, so something has to give…I am going to miss cloud beds though.’ Terror was filling him up as he realized what was going on and that realization only scared him further, it wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

He felt the energy being redirected inside their body, the flows of which if not done right would ruin their entire being killing them. ‘Lego…you’re in charge now. I need you both to survive and…take care of AJ for me.’

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

It was building too quickly, he watched and felt the energy stop flowing, caught in many of their channels, some of them being very important. If he let it go now it would mean not only would the Pegasus never fly again, but basically be a earth pony for the damage it would do to not only his channels but all of their channels.

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep.

“NO DON’T DO IT!” Lego screamed both in his mind and out loud as his body only was able to move slightly forward. His chest was hurting badly, no not his chest, his whole body as if he hadn’t moved properly in a long long time.

Before he could even take stock of his surroundings or even think to look for that matter, the heart rate must have been in dangerous levels as teams of nurses and doctors came rushing in a cart of needles and defibrillation paddles. So distraught by memories that Lego tried to back away from the ponies who were saying things, though he himself couldn’t understand them in his state of panic. The subconscious of his mind noted that they were sticking a needle into what looked like an I.V. tube. The same subconscious also started to take over more and more as the conscious mind and body started to be subdued by the effects of whatever drug was now being filtered into the body.

It would be a few hours before Lego groggily woke up and thankfully this time since his mind was rather on the slow side from being drugged he could take in his surroundings and finally take stock. “Oh…hospital, makes sense.” He took note of the heart monitor that was connected to his barrel via wires and pads. I.V. tubes were hooked into his left foreleg. The uncomfortable feeling down below he recognized as a urethra tube meaning he was here for a while.

‘Hey Lego, seems like we are finally awake. How long do you think it has been?’ The distinctive voice in his head would have made any other pony think he was crazy but for him it was normal.

‘Novo, I have no clue, how are you and Velox taking things though?’ Lego thought back into his mind at the voice.

Novo responded pretty easily and laid back. ‘I am taking it pretty well I suppose but we must have been heavily under as I just woke up as well. Been searching for Velox but no sign of him as of yet though he is still likely sleeping if I had to take a guess.’ The unicorn persona just gave a mental shrug and chuckle. ‘Mostly I am just glad to be alive. I am sure you felt how the mana was moving in us before...well I am guessing the thing, an overload by the looks of things, which sent us here. On second thought I am going to wake Velox up, he might be depressed on how that turned out as last I felt we lost his wings…speaking of how are you out right now?’

Lego had no clue as to how he had switched out either only that he was out. He barely got to mentally express that as he was trying to get up only to find he could barely pick himself up.

“Ahh I see you are up now.” Lego would have jumped as the pony had snuck up on them while he was thinking about his current strength but he found he didn’t have the energy to do so, it taking nearly all he had to rise up at all at this point. “With your panic attack the drugs we gave you should have kept you out for a bit longer normally. Oh well I am Doctor Suture, the surgeon who worked on you and even transferred over to Ponyville to keep watch of you…that and to write a case study on you if you sign off later or I will just erase your name from everything so it’s all anonymous if you would like.”

Normally this would be one of the things he would be strictly against however the princess’ and even his friends knew his secret so the answer came easier then he would have expected. “I do not mind.”

“Great this will make for an excellent case study of what ponies go through during their recoveries in extreme cases of mana burning.” The doc told him almost excitedly but only caused Lego to have his eyes go wide.

“E-excuse me doctor but did you say mana burn? As in the thing that can cause many problems in ponies ranging from: shortened lifespan, loss of marks, special talents and more?” It was one of the warnings they had gotten when they were one pony when Velox first went to the second level of the current and released it warning that such a thing could happen. Naturally Lego was delegated to studying it to see how bad it was and not just take the word of the doctor at the time to learn about it.

Suture adjusted his clip board but didn’t look at it. “Yes that is correct…I take it you are familiar with the condition then?” a nod was the answer to the doc as he sighed. “I suppose then I should tell you what damage was done and some of the life style changes you will have to observe.”

‘That isn’t all Lego.’ Novo called out from inside his head. ‘Velox is missing, his room was open and I can’t find any trace of him.’

The day wouldn’t get much better for Lego he discovered when the doc started talking about his conditions.

Lego was looking outside his window now. He had a rather nice view of Ponyville from his window and was currently watching all the leaves fall down as ponies ran with numbers on their bodies. The running of the leaves he had found out from Twilight during one of her visits that had become a regular thing with all his friends. It seemed the running of the leaves was an Earth Pony tradition in which they shook all the leaves from the trees to make way for winter.

‘The turning of fall to winter, kind of ironic considered how much the doctor’s speculate how much of our lifespan was cut off.’ Lego spoke to the other persona present in his head as Velox was still missing. ‘It may be a rough guess but if it’s true then…wow plus we don’t exactly know how old we are to begin with to even come close to calculating our remaining time.’

‘You realize you are being too down about this, I mean you aren’t the one trapped in our head.’ The Unicorn spoke back to the outer pony. ‘Sure it sucks to live life for only what we can only guess is maybe a few more years, have to wear a false eye, be physically weak for many things that would be normal for others. We can’t even change out to share the burden but we are still here and we should look forward to every day there is another day…least I think that is what Velox would say.’

Lego wasn’t sure if their brother was dead or alive if his room in their mind would vanish with him or stay as he may have been absorbed, but regardless it had been a month since they awoke and no sign of the upbeat hot head of the brothers.

‘True, he would say something like that wouldn’t he? Even mentally backhoof me across the head for saying it.’ Standing up he looked at the time, while he might have no longer had his strength of hoof or body he still had his strength of mind and his mental prowess including internal clock. “Well its nearly time for physical training, we better get ready for more dropped objects.”

Waking up once more to Twilight talking to him he gave a sheepish chuckle to her as she spoke. “Sorry about that, the blankets and sweater that Rarity made is too comfy plus you caught me right after therapy.”

The lavender unicorn gave off a small chuckle at having him apologize like that. “It is fine trust me, it is just one of my friends nodding off to one of my explanations of magic like normal happens more than you would think.”

“True, they are long winded and boring.” He remarked pretending to be serious only for a fraction of a second before they were both laughing only to be interrupted by something wet landing on his nose. “Huh.” natural instincts said for him to wipe at it but instead he looked at it for a moment. “Snowflake?” Looking around he realized he was outside. “What how?”

When he looked over to the scarf wearing unicorn he noticed for the first time her horn was glowing and that she was walking along side of the wheelchair she currently had been pushing. “You may have been a sleep for a bit longer then you think, so I thought some fresh air could do you some good…the doctor may or may not have agreed.”

Lego wasn’t sure how shocked he should be or for which reason: Twilight Sparkle disobeying a medical professional or her sneaking something away from somewhere else. “My my Miss Sparkle, I didn’t take you as the rebellious type. I can only imagine what the nurses and doctors looked like as you absconded with me yelling ‘No pony tells Twilight Sparkle what she can or can’t do’.”

‘Especially the laws of physics, evil law breaking unicorn.’ Remarked the transmutation specialist that lived in his head.

Despite not being able to hear the rant that was currently going on in his mind Twilight laughed at the imagery that was conjured by the other pony. “Oh please I am not that dramatic.”

Smiling as she had just played right into his hoof as he gave a cough to answer her. “Mare-do-well.” Ending the quick name with a cough though this time of the real variety, he stopped her from helping as he got himself under control. “I am fine.”

Novo shook his head at those words. ‘We really should tell them. They may know most of what our injuries but keeping the lifespan things from them is…wrong.’

Lego knew Novo was right but ignored him for now as the mare that tried to help was blushing, his goal the entire time since he had been told by Pinkie Pie. “So you heard about that huh?” Giving a nod he watched her speak of her time as the Mysterious Mare-do-well.

‘You are also going to have to tell her how you feel, don’t think I haven’t noticed it.’ The unicorn in his mind spoke once more. ‘Look I get it, you have hit it off with her since nearly day one, you both like to talk about similar things, and you practically turn sluggish even for you when we used to check out a book just so you could talk to her. Don’t think I haven’t also noticed how you look forward to each day she visits. It’s like a love sick puppy, and don’t you dare tell me it isn’t that easy, MAKE IT THAT EASY…least one of us can have a normal relationship.’

Lego sighed as he wasn’t wrong. Any day that Rainbow Dash had come to visit he always had to act as the middle pony to tell her any thoughts of Novo’s. He really didn’t want to recall any day so far since he had told them they couldn’t change and Velox’s vanishing act on how AJ’s face got when she came by to see them. Asking him for any word on if they had found their missing brother before leaving only an apple behind for each visit when he told her that they haven’t yet found him, not that he blamed her as Lego was starting to doubt their brother being alive as well.

Back to the subject at hoof Novo was right, if he was going to tell her he had to be honest. “Twilight there is something I need to tell you.”

Twilight only gave a ‘hmm’ as a response as her horn was opening the door to her library. “What is it?”

While he didn’t notice they had come up to the library he did notice all his friends inside swapping stories with a banner that read ‘Happy Hearth’s Warming’. “Happy Hearth’s Warming.”

He was very happy to have her hug, though it was diminished when the voice in his head was felt shaking its head.

It was his first day out of the hospital and while he was happy about that he was now really tired from the party Pinkie threw him in his house that now came with a lot of new decorations courtesy of Fluttershy. He didn’t mind all the new stuff as he and his brothers really didn’t have all that much to his name it’s was just they had never settled in one place long enough to get much of anything. Grabbing a cup from one of the shelves he remarked to himself that with the new retirement fund that he was getting from Celestia, while not as much as his old paycheck, was more than enough to live comfortably with.

The sound of ceramic breaking brought his mind back to what he was doing as he sighed. “Most of my money will be going to replacing everything I break, or buying cheap plastic cups that are light.”

While his muscles had recuperated enough to send him home his magic had not improved any and he could still barely hold anything. Finding that out Applejack had spent some time redecorating his home with the help of her sister to better fit with that in mind. Grabbing another cup this time more carefully he went over to the fridge, a newer model that had a frost enchantment placed on it to keep it cool and poured him a glass of lemonade which he barely got to the table in time without spilling.

Placing a straw in it to sip he enjoyed the taste sour and tangy taste of the lemonade. The happy face was all too quickly replaced with one of sadness as tears flowed down his muzzle.

“Damn it.” He spoke quietly to himself as he hit the table not even rattling it with his strength. “Damn it.” He muttered again looking at his hoof, the one that dropped the other cup earlier. “I can barely do anything myself anymore…maybe I should have took the doctor up on the offer for a nurse to drop by every day.”

Finishing his lemonade without giving an audible answer to that he grabbed a broom to start sweeping up the mess he had made. Nearly an hour later with sweat pouring off him he had cleaned up the mess he caused only cursing a few times as he had gotten used to his weakness during physical therapy. Looking to the calendar he noticed Winter Wrap up marked on it for tomorrow.

He had gone into the hospital in summer and it was now about to be spring. “Seven months that hospital has been my home, weird that it has been the longest I have stayed anywhere. Novo what do you think?”

Novo didn’t answer him. Lego had forgotten he was on another of his journeys through their head to find Velox and just for discovery. It had been something more and more often the unicorn had been doing since he couldn’t do anything else, Lego couldn’t blame him either for it.

“Ya I know, no words can really describe it.” Lego chuckled to himself. “Welp today has been a long day and I am going to call it a day.” As he got to the stairs Lego choked back a sob as he got into the special seat on the railing. It had been enchanted with a levitation spell to help get him up and down the stairs. Heading to his room he went first to the bathroom. “I will shower in the morning, I really don’t want to have to deal with that problem and its difficulties right now…but I do have to deal with this.”

Fumbling for a moment he reached up and pulled out the glass eye. It was a near perfect replica of his former eye before he put it in its special wash and would leave it there to soak for the night. The next few moments were spent with the special care of the socket that was left washing his hooves before of course, running some warm water, he knew from the nurses that normally boiling water would need to come first but the water of Ponyville was specially clean so there was no need for that. After dabbing a cotton ball in the water and cleaning his eyelid to make sure there was no sign of infection as well. Next he pulled out the cup that held his eye and washed it before putting it back.

While they did recommend sleeping with his eye in he didn’t feel right with doing so as he headed to bed wearing a protective eye patch. In the morning he knew he would have to clean it again to make sure nothing happened, but he just wasn’t ready to live with the fake with him twenty four seven.

“Good night Novo, you too Velox.” The pony said without much emotion in his voice as he went to sleep.

“-go” He heard a voice call for him. “-ego.” The voice seemed to get closer that time only for wave it off.

“Go away Pinkie, I am not a waffle.” He still had misgivings about that nickname from her but for some reason he couldn’t place how right it felt.

He felt somepony shaking him as his eyes came open “Lego, oh thank goodness you are alright.” His eyes, well eye, focused on Fluttershy as she looked to be nervous about something and was taking away a cotton ball covered in red from his head. “I will have to tell Mr. and Mrs. Squirrel to come apologize later for the rocks they threw at you. They forgot it was Winter Wrap Up today so I am sure once they realize it they will feel bad.”

Lego started to laugh as he recalled what happened. He had offered to help during Winter Wrap Up and they put him on animal team so all he had to do was go around and talk to animals waking them up and coaxing them out for spring. Simple right? Simple wrong.

His first group of animals had been some birds that had just flown back and he was trying to put their nest up high into the branches where they wanted it only to not be able to climb up to get there. In the end another team member did it. The second attempt came with a burrow coaxing a family of bunnies out, they were relatives of Angel-Bunny and took after him it seemed running him off like he had committed a crime. The third and last attempt came at him with the task of waking up a pair of squirrels. He couldn’t climb the tree so he had to yell. That didn’t go over well as they started to throw nuts at him, so when he threw a snow ball at them, one of which didn’t get close, they thought to up the ante as well by throwing small rocks to get him to run off.

They didn’t know how weak he was though as he remembered the first rock hitting him right between the eyes making him dizzy. The second rock he didn’t remember at all though he thought he heard a ‘thunk’ as his body met snow right as he passed out.

Fluttershy wasn’t joining in on his laughter instead watched him with worry and he knew why. He could feel the tears stinging in the cold of the air threatening to freeze before the timid Pegasus hugged him giving him comforting words.

A couple of weeks passed since the closing of spring and it was a new time for Lego a time when he was experiencing something new, yet it was also something old, celebrated for years and years and now it was back again.

Adjusting his suit as best he could he sighed to his friends. “Sorry about almost missing the train everypony.”

“T’ain’t nothing to say sorry ‘bout partner. Everypony needs help now and then.” Applejack said in her country drawl and for some reason it would always tug at something in Lego’s memory as if it was a feeling he had long forgot, really he only started noticing recently but he remembered it struck him as odd the first time he heard it as well. She was wearing a rather nice dress that was made to mimic the look of denim but not the feel being primarily green and brown with a apple motif. Being plenty mobile yet not restrictive to her limbs it fit her perfectly.

Rarity was nodding to that sentiment. “Exactly darling, if we saw it as troublesome we would have said something. Besides you have been down and out for too long and need to liven up a bit and where best to do that then the most glamorous event of the year.” The prim mare had an ensemble of pink and yellow jewels intermitted here and there among the design with the accessories of a shawl and a tiara to complement it.

“Exactly, we need to turn that frowny face to an upside down frowny face.” There was a moment when it seemed Pinkie Pie had twisted her head upside down but between a blink and the next it was gone making Lego wonder if he had imagined it. Her dress consisted of many swirling colors, blue and white for the torso part that went into a lollipop and candy corn motif before turning completely pink for the dress, playful yet functional.

Fluttershy nodded and opened her mouth to say something only to be cut off by her oldest friend, but biggest loudmouth of the group. “Yeah big guy, I mean Rarity did pretty good with your new colors.” For the most part it had been hard for Lego to look at the brash pony of multi-toned hues as she was wearing something similar to the date she and Velox had so long ago that Lego felt the pain that the Pegasus had in her eyes even if she never mentioned.

He looked down to himself once more, he was wearing a black and white tux with the standard white of the inner shirts replaced by a red that was his old coat coloration lined with a indigo trim and forest green trim as well. ‘All three of our colors here for all of us.’ Was his thoughts as he straightened up his bow tie once more and wiggled in the seat feeling the comforting feel of the extra long coat tells to hide his new blank flank from the nobles.

“Besides our resident bookworm can’t keep her eyes off ya you stud you.” Dash told him and nudge his ribs with her elbow.

There is a moment in every beings life in which they did a spit take without actually drinking, this was that time, just lucky for him he didn’t have any liquid in his mouth to spit. “Wait what?”

“R-Rainbow Dash!” Twilight cried out. She didn’t deny what she was accused of but made the rest of the trip making up excuses that ranged from absurd to cute and finally to what could only be described by all present company as adorakable.

It was true though if it wasn’t for his body getting wrapped up in his tux in a way that made his friends wait at the train station longer then needed before they finally came to find him nearly ready to chew his way out they helped get him straightened up and off to the gala. “I still do not understand why the Princess’ sent a ticket for me. I mean a lot of important Earth ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi are going to be there. I said that the right way right Rarity?”

The Unicorn nodded as he had been informed during one of the visits both from Twilight and Rarity that the way he said Pegai was the old way to say it from times past a rather very formal tone that is rarely used now.

Fluttershy was the first one out, her billowy green and blue dress flowing out behind her as if it were leaves and water made to fabric itself. Various butterflies dotted her clothing as well as flowers showing off both her cutie mark in a different way and her love for nature all made more apparent by the way there were flowers throughout her mane.

As they were walking Lego got the distinctive tingle at the back of his neck that made him sigh as he slowly started to tune out the start of the Music of Harmony that he knew was coming. While he didn’t mind others singing with it he did mind the fact they all seemed to spill out secrets and such at times that once everypony in the musical was done they all seemed to forget they sang in the first place. It had become such a bother that he actively tried a few experiments a few times during his travels to incite the start of it so he could learn about it more but in the end he couldn’t and he eventually started to learn to tune it out.

Before it was all over he watched the girls dance in the ball room for a bit as their song came to an end. “I take it you are not emotional enough to be caught up in the Music of Harmony?”

While he should have been surprised he found he wasn’t as he shook his head. “’Fraid not Sunbutt. The Music of Harmony has never affected me so I have learned to tune it out so as not to listen in on other pony’s secrets.”

The majestic ruler that symbolized the sun just chuckled and set her book down. “Well it is good to meet another pony who shares that trait. I myself as well as my sister find we cannot be affected by it unless we wish to be. Though I think it is time for me to go greet the elements as the song is coming to an end till I get another moment I will talk to you then my knight.”

“Former knight, Sunbutt. Ya next time for sure.” He watched pastel maned Alicorn walk off with her pastel filled dress with mostly pinks in it walk to his friends. As she walked off he remembered the book she left and was about to yell at her that she forgot it only she was already mid conversation with the others. “Oh well, wonder what she was reading.” Looking at the title he chuckled at the text “’The True Tales of the Sextuple and The Missing Alicorns Elements. As written by scribe Terra Cotta.’ Sounds interesting.”

Twilight was enjoying herself, dancing talking to her friends, eating nice food without the gala becoming a disaster zone. Even Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had come down to join them, though it was only them and her friends at that point as all other ponies made more than enough room for the royal pair and the Elements the unicorn decided she needed a break and came over to visit the Stallion they had brought to cheer up but had only noticed his absence when it was just them on the dance floor.

She found him sitting off to the side sitting in a strange posture that strangely reminded her of Lyra reading a book that seemed rather old. “Hey there Lego, why are you sitting all by yourself?”

Closing the book he smiled as he sat it down, she liked his smile. “Sorry got caught up in an interesting read; I can see why Sunbutt was reading it.”

The most faithful student looked aghast for a moment before remembering the moment they had met. “Of course you would continue to call her that.”

Taking up a seat next to him she smiled enjoying the time it was just the two of them though it didn’t last long as the song ended and he spoke. “Seems your teacher is coming to get you. Hope you did well on your test.”

There was half a second where Twilight had a mini panic attack as she thought she had forgot a test when she seen his smirk. “Oh haha very funny. You wouldn’t be so calm if Princess Celestia gave you a test and you thought you might have failed it.”

There was a moment of pain that flashed over his face that made her teasing freeze up into a pit of cold as he responded. “She did and I failed, I was supposed to protect all of the elements with my brothers, I couldn’t pull my weight though and Velox paid the price by taking on too much.” As quick as the pain in his voice came it vanished as he took a chipper tone that seemed too much even for him. “Hey there Sunbutt, back already. Let me guess, couldn’t find anypony your size to tango with? ”

Bringing a hoof up to her mouth her teacher just giggled a bit and smiled. “Why Lego, I am a grown mare, I can find stallions all I wish to tango with.”

Twilight noticed she had missed a joke as Lego started coughing on his drink when she said that as well as missed the grin that quickly vanished on her mentor’s face as she tilted her head. “I agree. The Princess is graceful enough of a partner that even the most inexperienced of Colts could dance with her and look noble.”

She wasn’t sure why Lego was coughing so hard now nor why the Princess seemed to not be able to stop giggling, but she could tell it was because of what she said bringing a flush to her face before she felt the Sun rulers wing over her. “Oh Twilight never change.” After the tender moment she noticed her book was here and gasped “OH I can’t believe I forgot this here. I should have teleported it back to my room right away.”

Suddenly Twilight got that giddy feeling when she knew a rare piece of literature was around. “Oh is it some kind of rare book that is hard to come by.” She said levitating it around to her before frowning. “Oh it’s in Ancient Equestrian, just about the only language I don’t know.”

Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Lego’s ears swivel and a frown cross his face though her attention was more on her teacher. “I know how you feel my most faithful student. I myself am running into a road block as I only understand about every tenth word spoken in here. I know there is a relationship between the words acies and oca but the words are too different to decipher.”

“Battle line and coast line.” The lavender mage heard the voice beside her say as she turned to look at Lego. “Respectively for acies and oca I mean.”

The corners of her eyes once more caught the sight of a pony, in this case the Princess, looking at another with canted ears in their direction. “Hmm seems you have been keeping some knowledge from me Lego. I wasn’t aware you know bits and pieces of Ancient Equestrian. Perhaps sometime you can write down a list of the words you know and send it to me here to further help me translate the book here.”

Pieces suddenly came together in Twilight’s mind quickly. Lego looking at the book, Lego, Velox, Novo. ‘No couldn’t be.’

“Sorry Princess, Cascade Nights couldn’t learn the language anymore then I tried to teach it to anyone else, pony or otherwise.” There was a moment of silence between the three as something seemed to pass before the moment was broken. “I mean if you want I can translate the book for you if you rather that happened?”

Twilight had rarely seen her teacher look amazed at anything, in fact there was only a hoofful of times she could remember at all and those ranked very small indeed. “H-how much of the book can you read? You said you it was an interesting read when I came over to you.”

Without a blink of either doubt or hesitation he spoke. “All of it.”

“WHAT!?!” Came the royal Canterlot voice but not from Luna, but from sun raiser herself. A moment of silence came over the party as she quickly assured the ponies gathered that nothing was wrong, though it did attract the attention of the other royal sister and the element bearers.

Luna was the first to speak. “What troubles you sister?”

“Oh oh oh, did somepony take your last slice of cake that you were saving especially for last.” Pinkie spoke up quickly.

Twilight knowing her teachers fondness for the dessert gave a giggle as she seen Celestia’s eyes dart to the dessert tray briefly before she coughed. “No my little pony, that isn’t it.” Briefly Twilight swore she heard the distinctive pop of a teleportation spell and a pompous voice speak about a cake vanishing before her voice continued. “It seems our dear friend Lego here claims he can read this book. A book that has many famous scholars, myself included, cannot and with no possible translator to decipher it known. While I do not doubt his capabilities, it’s just hard to think some pony can come from nowhere with a complete understanding of a language that even I cannot understand completely.”

The mage of the elements nodded as she understood the feeling as when she was learning languages she had sought out all the court scholars to see if any could teach her the language only to find only a smattering of random words they each knew as it seemed even the Princess, the top most authority of the subject, couldn’t teach her reliably about it.

However some pony seemed to find a challenge in her voice as he pointed to the cover of book. “It reads: ‘The True Tales of the Sextuple and The Missing Alicorns Elements.’ With its author being one Terra Cotta.” Flipping open the first page to the gaping mouths of the princesses he continued. “I remember the glory days, the days when there was no earth, no sky, and no magic feeling separated-’ there is more of course but I figured this would give you a good judge if I can read this or not Princess.”

Celestia was speechless, her mouth was opening and closing as if she was trying to say words but nothing came out. Twilight could count how many times she had seen that look on the Princess’ face: Zero.

Luna took the initiative in this and spoke for her, but surprisingly her voice was laced with more emotion then Twilight could ever remember hearing save for when she was reunited with her sister back on the summer sun celebration so long ago. “C-Can you tell us once more the name of the author who penned this book?”

“Sure.” Lego said flipping back to the front of the book “As written by scribe Terra Cotta.’ is the exact wording. Why is he famous?”

The night Princess seemed to gulp back something as she spoke and almost had trouble with the words themselves. “We suppose you could say that.”

The pastel Princess had found her voice and surprised them all with what she spoke next. “Yes we do. Terra Cotta was our father.”

“Hmm neat.” Lego said ruining the moment of surprise.

Professor Adapt, lead scientist to royalty and mad genius was happy about how things were coming. He had managed to sweet talk the Prin-Queen into moving the hive to a more suitable location during one of their ‘sweet talking’ sessions. He always felt he needed a shower after those for having to both use the potion on himself to fake love and make it believable and cause of what they did.

“Sacrifices in the name of advancing is always the way.” He spoke to himself before nodding at his own self’s response. “Yes yes I know, if this plan goes the way it is supposed to go, we won’t need that selfish brat much longer. With all the mineral, crystal, and gem rich deposits in this mountain we won’t need to import many resources at all and can go totally undetected, even better cause of how deliciously close we are to the pony’s who helped cast out the last monarch. It is always fantastic to have such a nice food source so close.”

Looking over to his right he found his assistant, he forgets his name currently not that it mattered, bringing over lunch for him. It was a nice looking young mare that seemed to be well hypnotized. “Ahh thank you my boy for bringing me this. Now you may leave while I eat. Always best to think after a full stomach then we can really get down to business.”

Egnach was furious at the doctor, he barely acknowledged him as little more than a drone that came to deliver lunch. Did he know what was needed to get that meal for him that he demanded to be fresh…no yet Egnach had did it with skill and finesse like always. It was only thanks to the sample he brought back with such haste that he had been allowed to come to this site at all.

‘If I read the reports right, that blood had a unique property to transform mana into other sources, from Pegasus to Earth Pony, Unicorn to Pegasus and so forth. If he is combining that with his horn research it may be possible for him to create a steady food source for all Changelings just with ambient magic but…no, that isn’t what he is working on if I judge his plans right. Why would he need all the resonant crystals and gems for, those are usually for ultra high density storage of mana or enchantments.’ Egnach while he admitted was brilliant, handsome, talented, and all around better than most other Changelings knew that his intellect paled when it came to the scientist that he was currently the primary assistant of.

In the distance he could hear scream of the young mare he had brought as lunch come awake. ‘I swear that if I didn’t know any better he fed more on terror then love as he would always make sure they come awake after he had taken hold of their love link to start forcefully draining them.’ Egnach was disgusted. He himself had found a formula and a way to breed Changelings to eat something other than love but when he found the first few nymphs of the pod he secretly tested on turn mad he got rid of his research.

For some reason a song came to his mind as he started to chuckle remembering his failed experiment fondly. ‘Love, love, love, love, loooove. Love loooove. Makes the world go round.’

Author's Notes:

*Muffled noises of someone captured and struggling*

So I finally caught my muse...she isn't happy about it.

*Muffled curses*

Ya ya love you too muse-y. Anyways with this I am trying to write more. life is making it difficult so be patient with me and the chapters will come out when they...well come out. Not going to lie. I only did a once over of this chapter cause those of you that I know like the story I have kept waiting too long. Feel free to point any errors out and I will get to it as best I can.

Brain is back...what did I miss...why is there a concept of motivation tied up in the back?