You slowly awaken, groaning in pain. Before you Celestia is sat, a concerned look on her face. ”Oh, you’ve awakened.” She says with a strained voice.

“The change…”

”Down in the dungeon.”

“Are you… ok?” you ask weakly.

”I am fine Solaire. Please, rest for a while long-“

“Nay Celestia. I shall go and hold palaver with it now.” You haul yourself out of bed, noticing that you were in some sort of medical wing. As you take your first steps you sway on your feet unsteadily, feeling vulnerable at your lack of armour.  Celestia obviously notices this concern. “Your equipment is safe, do not fret.”

You nod, before slowly making your way out of the room in nothing but a flimsy gown. Celestia follows and takes lead, but remains silent, the tension caused by the assassin’s folly destroying any possible conversation between the two of you. She leads you deep into the palace, the ground underfoot growing steadily cooler. Eventually, you are led to a stone cell, flanked by two unflinching guards, both armed with spears. As Celestia approaches, the two guards silently turn and salute her as she reaches the cell. She leans her head down and appears to use her horn as an unlocking device. You hear the grinding of gears, and the cell slowly opens.

Inside, bound in chain and with a glowing cloth wrapped around its horn, is the changeling. It peers coolly at you with its azure eyes, calmly staring at you while you take up position in front of it. You return its gaze for a few minutes, arms folded, as Celestia coldly glares at the changeling. Finally, you decide to break the silence.

“What is your name, Changeling?”

It continues staring at you, a faint smile hovering on the edge of its lips. So, it wishes to remain silent… thankfully, you have a penchant for smooth talking.

“I must say, you gave me quite the fight upstairs. I am most impressed, and you should be proud. I have faced a multitude of demons, and you fought well.” The changelings’ smile grows bigger. “I would not be fit to serve my Queen if I was not perfect in battle.” It hisses.

“It appears we share a common belief then. I too strive for perfection… only I put it towards a different cause…” Silence descends again for a few seconds, before the changeling speaks. “My name… is Drejtimi.”

“Drejtimi?”

”I did not stutter.”

“Your name is most unusual, as is your body.”

”I am the physical perfection of my species, second only to the Queen.”

“I was referring to your claws. Out of all the changelings I faced, you are the only individual to sport them.”

”What good would a blade be, without a way to wield it?”

“About as useful as an assassin who fails in her mission, I suppose.”

The changeling hisses, and you smile. “Tell me, Drejtimi. Why did you take it upon yourself to assault my dear Princess?” you ask.

”The answer should be obvious to you.”

“The river of evil is fed by many streams.”

The changeling spits at you. “Are we evil for wanting to ensure our survival? We deserve life too! After you killed our beloved Queen, we become lost, divided. We sit in our hive and slowly starve, because of you! Removing Celestia was our only choice. And I failed. You have doomed us all, as have I.”

“I would rather not see you antagonize yourself over your defeat. It will be a cold day in Izalith before I let harm come to those I hold dear to me. Your loss was inevitable.”

The changeling growls ominously. “I do not suppose you came here to deride me, sunlight warrior. What is your business with me?

“I am here to ask a question. Where is thy hive?”

”I shall die before you know of the hive’s location.”

You slam a fist into the wall beside her, causing her to flinch slightly. A tinge of fear creeps into her cold, professional eyes. Good. You could work with fear.

“Listen closely, for I shall not repeat my words. I killed your Queen. I saw the anguish in her eyes as I purified her vile form with the power of pure sunlight. I revelled in the cries of the surrounding demons as they fled, scattering like sheep from a shepherd. So you spoke true. You will die before you tell me the location of the hive. But fair warning… your death will be unequivocally excruciating. No-one is coming to rescue you. I have seen things that would drive lesser men mad with fear; things that not even in death can men escape from. And I shall do these things to you. Because when the time comes for the sun to make its descent, you are nothing to me. I care not for your life, only your death. Do you understand?” you whisper, eyes locked with the now terrified changeling. A single tear of defeat runs down the changeling’s cheek. “The Badlands. We took up home in the Badlands. That’s where we planned the invasion…” You retract your fist slowly. “You have made a wise choice, Drejtimi.” You mutter, before motioning to Celestia to move out of the cell. Once you do you whisper hurriedly to her.

“So what shall we do with her now? Should we have her executed?”

Celestia stares at you with disgust. “I do not wish to be party to the ending of a life… but of course, we cannot let it loose again. If it returns to the Hive, then that could spell trouble for us all. What do you suggest?” You rub your temples in frustration, before an idea hits you.

“Say… what if we gave the demon protection?” Celestia blinks. “Protection? From who?”

“From the masses. That way, we can send the demon on its way. There needs to be no loss of life, and it is ensured that we the changeling never returns to the Hive.” Celestia considers your proposal for a moment, before nodding. “Yes. That seems reasonable enough. I shall go prepare the necessary documents now.”

You accompany the guards as they carefully lead the duffel bag-clad prisoner out of the dungeon, up through the palace and out into the courtyard. Drejtimi winces as the sunlight blinds her, before looking round worriedly. By this time, you were adorned in your armour, equipped with your sword and shield, and the changeling eyes them nervously. You draw your sword and the changeling shuts her eyes, blocking out both the gathering crowd of leering ponies and the sight of your harbinger of death. “I shall not fear... I shall not scream… I shall not cry…” the creature whispers and you feel a rare moment of pity.

“Open your eyes, Drejtimi.” The changeling reluctantly complies, looking at you with dread filled eyes.

You sigh deeply. “If it were up to me… you would be dead. I hail from a land where pity is a luxury many cannot afford… But Celestia has invoked mercy in my heart.” Drejtimi looks up with a pathetic hopefulness, and you continue. “You will leave this place, and you shall not return to your Hive. You shall also not impersonate native ponies. However, on the grounds of thy compliance, we shall grant you protection. No harm shall befall you, and that is my solemn word. Do you accept these terms?” Drejtimi nods silently.

“So be it. Guards, release her and hand her papers to her.”

Her shackles are released and the magic-blocking cloth removed, and Drejtimi is handed a number of royal-stamped documents and decrees.

“Now be gone, changeling. I may have shown mercy this time, but if we meet again, do not count on another show of mercy.” Drejtimi takes off and rockets through the air, quickly leaving Canterlot. And now… you prepare.

Whether through word of mouth or the clashing of iron and steel, there will be reckoning at the Hive. If you had your way, it would be the latter… but the pit of dread in your stomach reminded you that Celestia’s views would be much different… perhaps different enough to drive the two of you apart.

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