“I don’t know why we’re here.” The Changeling drone said, buzzing his wings, annoyed that he had to be dragged all the way out to Ponyville on an empty stomach. Settling his annoyances by launching another blast at the wall, he turned to another one of the drones. “Honestly, we all know what’s going to happen. We’re just going to execute the trai-“

“Silence!” Tarrlok snapped, making the young male jump. “There’s no evidence to suggest that Commander Imago has betrayed us! Now, stop blathering about this, and keep focused, understand?” The male who was talking snapped back to attention, saluting with his forehoof.

“Yes Ma’am!” In truth, Tarrlok didn’t want to think of her commander being killed, even if it were by her own people. She knew that, if they found Imago to have stayed here of his own volition, he would be deemed a traitor to the swarm, for putting his own needs and wants over that of The Hive.

“And stop firing blasts off everywhere!” She added. “If you keep that up, you're liable to hit the Commander. Besides, we only fired that one to draw him out, or the-“

“Stop right there!” A female voice shouted. As one, the Changeling’s turned to face the five mares before them. Right on time. Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity. Turning to their leader, Tarrlok spoke.

“Just as you thought sir, here they are. “

“That’s right we’re here! And you can think twice about taking another step into Ponyville!” Rainbow Dash snapped, flying towards the group, as though to intimidate them. Ignoring them, the male narrowed his eye, smirking.

“As expected.” Turning his head, provoking a gasp from the five mares before him, he looked to the three drones he and Tarrlok had brought with them. “You there, Caudal, you come with me. You two stay with Tarrlok and keep these five occupied.”

“Ha! You think three of them can handle us? We fought half your army bub!” Dash spoke, all of her usual bravado shining through.

“What do you want!?” Twilight demanded. “You’re obviously not here trying to take love, so what are you doing here!?”

“None of your business!” One of the drones, the same from before, snapped, slamming a hoof down. “All that matters is- Ack!” He was cut off by a tail whip from Tarrlok, and a harsh glare sending him back into silence. She turned to the group, her eyes attempting to show compassion and friendship. Meanwhile, the strange male and Caudal spread their wings, taking off in the direction of Everfree Forest, and Fluttershy’s cottage.

“Oh no you don’t!” Dash said, flying after the two, only to be stopped by the smart-mouthed drone from before.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He sneered, yelping as he dodged a buck from the angry weather pony.
“Rainbow, hold on!” Twilight called.

“Clypeus, knock it off!” Tarrlok ordered, speaking in unison with the mare before her. Turning her head back to face Twilight, she opened her mouth. “I think we can avoid a fight here…”

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Imago flew as fast as his body would allow, his wings being weighed down by fatigue. Grinding his teeth, he pushed his body harder.
‘How could I have been so stupid!? ‘ He chided himself, shaking his head. ‘I should have known not to use Chrome Quill. To be somepony else when I went outside of the cottage. Of course there’d be scouts out everywhere! He doubted the hive was back to full force after only a few weeks, and if it was, then they’d be sending out scouts to either find me, my body, or sources of love.’ He shook his head, clearing his mind. Now was not the time to be berating himself. It achieved nothing, and only served to distract him.

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“N-No!” Fluttershy squeaked, disbelieving that she’d managed to tell some pony no. The Changeling before her hissed in irritation, slamming his hoof down, further frightening the animals inside.
“I told you mare, let us in, and we’ll leave you alone! We won’t even bother any of your stupid animals!”
“M-My animals aren’t stupid….”She said, more to herself, before taking a breath, puffing out her chest as she swallowed her fear. “A-And I won’t let you in, until you apologize and agree to be quiet.” The changeling before her rolled his eyes, giving a groan.

“By Crysalis’ crown, why am I even dealing with you? Get out of my way!” The drone shoved her, attempting to make room for him, and the large male behind him. Fluttershy hit the ground with an “oomph,” but reacted quickly. Looking up at the Changeling, she focused her eyes, and Stared at him. The drone found himself nearly paralyzed, a gut-wrenching feeling running up and down his spine. At once, he felt the weight of everything he’d done wrong, every lie told, every pony hurt, every mare stolen to siphon love, and every cookie stolen. His breathing sped up, his heart raced. He felt tears brimming in his eyes, and the irresistible urge to apologize began to overtake him.

“Oh, for goodness sakes…” The large male behind him groaned, shoving the drone aside. The Stare was broken as Futtershy gasped in horror at what she saw. The male’s left eye was missing, three large markings where it had once been, and nothing else. Not even a hole. The left side of his face was merely blank. The male was also huge, not quite the size of Celstia or Luna, but easily taller, and wider, than Big Mac, and his body bore many other markings like the ones on his face. He also looked very mean, judging by the look on his face. “It’s a pony, Caudal, not a Changeling. It’s made for draining love from. You don’t have to talk to it, just knock it out of the way.” Raising his hoof, the male swung hard, causing Fluttershy to duck and cover her head, waiting for the blow.

But one never came

Opening one eye, she looked up to see two black, perforated legs standing before her, and one white wrapped leg.
“Imago!” She cried, even as the Changeling in question struggled, holding off the larger male’s blow. The one-eye’d male spread his wings, flying backwards to stand on all fours, before Caudal stepped forwards.

“Commander, you are here!”

‘Yes.” He said, speaking evenly, keeping his eyes on the two of them. “I’ve been here since the attack.”

“You admit it…” The one-eye’d male spoke, his eye narrowing in anger. “You’ve been sticking around here, feeding yourself, and not making a effort to return? I hope you at least have been stockpiling love from this one.”

“I haven’t. “ Was all the commander said, sitting in front of Fluttershy. “And I wouldn’t, even if I could have. “ Now the one eye’d male snorted in anger.

“You understand what’s going to happen?”

“Yes, I do. And I’ll come back without a fight, under one condition. I go peacefully, you leave Fluttershy, and the rest of ponyville alone. “ Fluttershy gasped, coming out from behind Imago.

“B-But, Imago-“

“Fluttershy!” The voice of Twilight Sparkle rang out, the mare herself, along with the other four Elements of Harmony. Tarrlok and the other drones weren’t far behind.

“Sir, we’re sorry for letting them get here, but-“

“No need Captain. I’ve found the commander, and he’s agreed to come back with us.”

“Imago, wait!” Fluttershy cried out, coming around to stand in front of the Changeling. “You don’t have to do this! We can-“ Imago shook his head, prompting Fluttershy to stop.

“No, Fluttershy. It’s better this way. If I refuse, they’ll fight me, and I won’t win. I’ll be dragged back either way. Better for me to go with them.” Fluttershy shook her head, fighting the tears the bloomed in her eyes as she stepped forwards.”

“But that’s just it! I don’t want you to go! I…”She grew quiet, looking down and away. “I…like having you around. I like you being here…I don’t really….I don’t know what it is…b-but it’s true…Please…Imago…Please don’t go…” Hearing this, Imago smiled softly, bumping his head to Fluttershy’s in an action that turned the pegasus’ face crimson.

“That’s all I needed to hear, Fluttershy.” He spoke softly, uncaring if the other heard. “I…really enjoy being around you as well.” He gave a soft chuckle, smiling gently at the tearful, butter yellow mare. “I’ll be back…Alright? I promise.”
Fluttershy looked up to the male, sniffling softly as she did.

“A-…Are you sure?”

“I...oh, what do you call it? Purple promise? Peely promise?”

“Pinkie Promise!” Pinkie Pie said, joyfully hopping once to emphasize her words.

“That’s it. I pinkie promise I'll be back…” Seeing the small smiled on the mare's face, he turned. “Alright, I'm ready to head back…Father.”

Author's Notes:

I'm back!
Sorry that I know you guys deserve a better chapter than this, but I enjoyed this story so much, I decided I needed to come back and wrap it up. (6 months later) now that my life isn't so hectic and I have some time on my hands.
Enjoy!