I paced back and forth, trying to comprehend the news I’d just received.

“So...there’s another?”

I turned to the lounge Rarity had set up against one of the boutique walls. Rarity was sitting on it with Starlight Glimmer next to her. My gaze was fixed on Starlight.

“What’s he like?”

Starlight shrugged.

“Kind of shy. He seemed nice enough. Especially for a changeling.”

I furrowed my brow at Starlight. She flashed a sheepish grin and cleared her throat.

I continued pacing.

“What’s his name again?”

“Thorax.”

I nodded.

“Thorax... He’s young.”

Rarity chimed in.

“What makes you say that darling?”

I turned to the mares and sat down.

“The younger generations chose their own names. And there were a few sets of eggs that went with...buggy sounding names.”

Starlight leaned forward.

“So you didn’t choose your name?”

I shook my head.

“Names didn’t used to be a big deal for changelings. I was probably among the last ones that never had a name to begin with.”

They both looked shocked at that comment. Rarity was the first to speak.

“So...Shade?”

I smiled.

“I picked that when I met Twilight. I’d never considered it before. It just seemed...right”

Starlight leaned forward, excitement in her eyes.

“So how old are you exactly? You talk about the generations of changelings like you’ve seen a lot of them.”

I chuckled. It was no wonder that Twilight took a liking to her. I saw a lot of similarities between the two.

“I’m nearly ninety.”

Starlight’s eyes widened at the thought. I turned to Rarity and smiled.

“Still like the idea of dating an older stallion?”

She threw a sly grin my direction.

“I said old, not ancient.”

I acted offended, which only led the two of us to start laughing. Starlight had composed herself again by that point.

“I didn’t realize changelings aged like that! Theres so much we don’t know about!”

I stood up and approached the lounge.

“The changeling race has always been secretive. It’s been even more so since Chrysalis took over. She wants her enemies in the dark when it comes to her kind.”

I stopped next to Rarity, resting my head on her shoulder.

“I can’t believe another changeling got away from her. Maybe there’s a little hope for the rest.”

Rarity brushed my mane with her hoof.

“Maybe there is.”

Starlight stood up and stretched her hooves.

“Well I just thought I’d deliver the news. Sorry I don’t much more. Spike is the one who spent the most time with Thorax.”

Rarity turned to the unicorn, her expression turning puzzled.

“Spike? Why didn’t he come and tell us?”

Starlight shrugged.

“I don’t know. Twilight asked him if he was going to come tell the two of you, but he said he had something to do. And then he suggested I come.”

Rarity and I shared a quick look. Before I could say anything though, Rarity thanked Starlight and saw her out of the boutique.

Once the door was shut, Rarity turned to me, tears forming in her eyes.

“I’m horrible.”

“What?! No! Why would you say that?”

She wiped the tears away as she walked back to me.

“Spike. He’s always...had feelings for me...and I’ve never bothered to turn him away. And now I’ve gotten into a relationship with somepony else. I’ve probably crushed him!”

I pulled her into a hug and pet her mane.

“It’s alright. You don’t have to feel bad over this. You can’t help how he feels.”

“He’s always been such a good friend. I should have said something to him before now.”

I nodded.

“Maybe, but that’s in the past now. But maybe you can repair the damage a bit.”

I pulled away from Rarity and looked at her face, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks.

“Go talk to him. I’m sure he’d appreciate it.”

She wiped her cheeks and nodded.

“You’re right. I will.”

She walked over to a mirror, checking herself over. I assume she wanted to make herself presentable again. Once she was satisfied, she gave me a kiss on the cheek and left for Twilight’s.

I retreated to the bedroom and lay on the bed. My thoughts were consumed by changelings. Thorax had left the hive. He was living happily in the Crystal Empire. Of all the ponies to have a change of heart, I never would have expected it to be Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. Not after everything...

I sat up and shook my head. It was a lot to take in. Could there be more like him? Would changelings begin leaving the hive regularly? How was Chrysalis reacting?

Ugh! More unanswered questions! I was going to give myself a headache with this thinking. I need a distraction.

I reached for my bag and pulled out a book I’d brought with me. As I pulled the book however, it pulled out another item.

Discord’s bottle.

I looked at it as it fell into my lap. That was another headache I wanted to avoid. I ignored it and opened my book.

I read through the first third at a leisurely pace, but as I broke into the next section, I found my eyes wandering from the page to the cursed gift on the sheets.

I scowled and picked the bottle up to shove in the bag again. As soon as my magic wrapped around it I found myself hesitant. I slowly reached out and took it in my hoof.

The bottle was warm to the touch. I stared at the clear liquid within. It seemed so...plain. And yet this elixir could provide anypony with enough life to live for centuries.

Life that had once been mine.

It could be again though... And maybe Rarity’s too. But would she want to make that sacrifice?

I shook my head.

“No. You’re nothing but trouble.”

“Who’s trouble darling?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“Rare! You scared me!”

Rarity stepped through the doorway.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Her eyes found the bottle.

“What is that?”

I felt a lump growing in my throat.

“It’s...nothing.”

She was unconvinced.

“Are you hiding something?”

“I...well...it’s just...”

I saw tears forming in her eyes.

“Who is she?”

Now I was confused.

“What?”

“Who is this mare you bought the perfume for?! You wouldn’t be acting like this if it were for me!”

I jumped from the bed.

“No! Rarity! That’s not it at all!”

“Then explain yourself!”

I held the bottle in front of her.

“Discord gave it to me.”

Now she was the one confused.

“Discord?”

“This is...my...life.”

“What does that mean?”

I sighed and sat down.

“All the extra years I would have had as a changeling. He bottled them up and gave them to me.”

Rarity stared at me for a moment before slowly sitting down.

“Why would he do that?”

“He called it a last temptation.”

She looked between the bottle and me.

“You mean...”

“I drink this...I’ll live as long as I would have before. Centuries.”

Rarity was quiet for a few minutes, her eyes staring at the bottle. When she finally looked at me, tears were filling her eyes again.

“How long have you had this?”

“Since Discord changed me.”

“That...was months ago.”

“I know.”

“Why...why have you kept it?”

“...I don’t know. I guess...I thought...”

“You want to live for centuries.”

“Yes. No! I mean...”

I put my face in my hooves.

“Tartarus Rarity. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I was going to find the right time to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

I looked up at her and she seemed to guess. The look on her face caused me more pain than I’d felt in a long time.

“You were going to ask me to share it?”

My head fell down.

“No. I know you’d never do that for me. That’s what I was talking to myself about when you got here. I can’t ask you to give up everything to live centuries with me.”

Her expression softened a little, but I could tell she was still torn up.

“Why would you keep that? Do...do you want to drink it?”

I shrugged.

“The thought did cross my mind. I mean...so much of what I’m feeling is due to my new lifespan.”

“You think none of us have those feelings too? Life is short Shade. You have to make the most of it. And you’re in a unique position to do that. I know you’re scared of the dark parts of living, but you can’t let that stop you from trying to find the light”

I looked at the bottle for a moment. And then looked back at Rarity, slowly nodding.

“Okay.”

I set the bottle on the ground. Without thinking, I stomped my hoof down on it. There was a satisfying ‘CRACK’ and then a surge of pain.

“Sweet Celestia!!”

Rarity stared in shock as I fell back and looked at my hoof. Several shards of glass had become embedded in my skin.

After a few moments, Rarity came to her senses.

“Why did you do that?!”

She summoned a bag and began pulling out some bandages. I just stared at my hoof, glass and blood decorating the surface. And then I saw it.

A drop of elixir rolling down a shard.

I watched as it met with my hoof and seemed to disappear. I felt the slightest tingle through my body.

That’s when the tears started.

I couldn’t help but feel pain over however many years had just been forced on me. I didn’t want them. At long last I knew I didn’t want them. And that only made the tears come faster.

Rarity worked on removing the glass and wrapping my hoof. I continued crying through the whole affair. When she was finished she did her best to comfort me. Somehow I think she knew what had happened.

After what seemed like an eternity, Rarity helped me up.

“Come on. We’re going to the hospital. You need proper stitches.”

“Wh- Wh- What am I going to do Rare?”

She paused, looking me in the eye. A small smile formed on her lips.

“You’ll live you big dummy. I’m not letting go of you. For as long as you live.”

More tears were forming, but I smiled as I leaned against her for support. If she could be this strong, so could I.

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