Chapter 16

Dave sat up in bed, stretching until his back let out a faint crack. His eyes finally adjusted to the morning sun as he scratched his back, his happy sigh was cut short as he saw Flux and Battering Ram sat by a beaten stallion

“You do work fast” Dave climbed out of bed and grabbed the stallion “Now you are going to tell me everything you… Braeburn?” his hands released the earth pony, two black patches remained where Dave’s hands held the impostor

Flux tapped the changeling “The changeling got himself kidnapped by Pinkie Pie so he could join in during the street party” she nodded towards Battering Ram “He managed to find out that the real Braeburn is still in Appleoosa and has no idea that the party ever occurred”

Dave nodded as he glared at the changeling “This son of a bitch managed to infiltrate without any problem” his eyes moved to Battering Ram “Are there any more changelings?”

“None, this must have been special because the rest are busy back at their hive” Battering Ram picked the changeling up and wrapped his hoof around its head “Do you want to keep it?”

Dave sneered before shaking his head, Battering Ram nodded as he twisted the head around resulting in a loud snap. Flux raised a wing to block Dave’s path “So what is inside our vault?” she raised an eyebrow as Dave shrugged

“I assume that you will both be spying on me so I will let you know when you can come talk to me” He pushed the wing aside as he retrieved his clothes and quickly left the house, rolling his eyes as he looked back and saw Battering Ram throw the changeling’s corpse into some nearby bushes

Dave kept his eyes on the town ahead as he walked, his eyes refrained from scanning the skies for Adamas. A breeze rolled over the fields and brushed Dave’s face, the smell of flowers and morning dew graced his nose as he finally reached the edge of Ponyville

A few ponies that got up early to set up stalls and open shops gave Dave a few waves as he made his way through the town. Dave responded with weak nods, not pausing to chat or say hello. His course remained on the train station at the other end of town

Dave spotted the train pulling into the station so he ran the final few yards as he leapt onto the train, the driver looked around for the sudden passenger but smiled as he saw Dave. “Well hello again Dave the human” The driver tapped his hooves “I would love to let you ride for free but you did crash my train last time”

Dave smiled weakly “So how much do I owe you?” His smile faded as the driver gained a sly grin “Can I just give you some bits now and some later?”

The driver burst into laughter as he released the brakes and let the train pull away from the station “I know what was going on with ya” The driver wiped some sweat from his brow as he began shovelling coal into the train “Besides, I didn’t buy the train so I don’t mind”

Dave chuckled as he patted the driver’s back “You are a real buddy you know that?” he smiled before making his way into the carriage and sitting down at one of the tables

Meanwhile…

Queen Chrysalis hissed as she stormed into her throne room, the walls coiled around a central throne made of a dark jade stone. She dumped herself into the chair, her eyes hidden behind her long mane as Odio entered the wide, tall hall

Odio looked up at the round room before his eyes fell onto the queen sat in the centre. He was surprised that the changeling queen didn’t have a huge castle for her own use like Princess Celestia and Luna but instead settled with a room that was almost a large dome, the walls had plenty of cavities and holes where the queen could easily lay herself down or suspend some prey in the thick green gel she used to keep them fresh

“Well I admit that you made a big mistake by talking like Celestia” He sighed as he sat by the throne “But you had me convinced with that speech about how much you loved Dave and would indulge his every desire”

Chrysalis groaned as she turned away “Leave me” she sighed “I am in no mood for conversing with you” she played with the holes in her hooves as Odio ignored her command

The large changeling smiled as Chrysalis continued to sit in silence “I am right in assuming that you have no feelings for Dave?” Odio smirked as Chrysalis continued to be quiet “Well I knew you had some… fascination to him”

“Fascination?” Chrysalis snarled as she glared at Odio, “I am not obsessing over that ape!” she folded her hooves as she looked away “I was just… planning my next move”

Odio shook his head “No, you were wondering why Dave helped you for no reason, he didn’t have to and he did it without wanting to be repaid” he swished his bladed tail as Chrysalis slowly looked up at him “You were wondering if you would drain his love or allow him to share it with you”

“He thinks I am disgusting” Chrysalis sighed “I can never win his affection as long as he is with Princess Celestia” she held her head as she closed her eyes “I am a queen! I should not be trying to win the heart of a lesser creature”

“He loves Celestia that much is true” Odio tapped the soft ground with a claw “But he used to love Luna, and feelings never truly go away” he gently used his claw to raise the queen’s head “If you managed to kiss him then that must mean something”

The changeling queen sighed, “You tell me what I should do!” Chrysalis raised her voice until Odio moved away “If you are so powerful and wise, then why don’t you save my race?” she snarled until her lip began to quiver and she collapsed into her throne “I don’t want my changelings to die”

Odio let out a sympathetic sigh but his mouth formed another smile “I can’t save a race that I am not a part of, don’t forget that I am only using a body I formed in the egg sack” he hid his smile as Chrysalis looked at him “If you want to see how much Dave cares then you must get him when he is completely alone and show him that you aren‘t some power hungry tyrant”

“How can I if he is always with Celestia? Or some other pony?” Chrysalis hummed before she shook her head “I-I have an idea… No, I am not going to do it” she sighed, “It would be stupid if Celestia was still angry about the attack”

“I think she might hold a grudge like that” The large changeling stared down at the queen “but if you don’t do it then you may lose everything you have” Odio smiled as Chrysalis slowly nodded “So whatever this plan is… you have to consider it”

Meanwhile…

Dave hopped off the train and started walking through the streets of Canterlot, heading straight for the castle. Luckily, nopony was out walking the clean cobbled streets but Dave continued to head for the castle as quickly as he could

He reached the courtyard gates and the guards gladly let him in, nodding with smiles as he thanked them. He jogged up the stairs into the castle as he began his journey towards the guard barracks, sure enough, he spotted Strong Shield stepping out of a room

“Hey dad” Dave caught his breath as he stopped by the unicorn “Listen, I have to ask a major favour from you”

Strong Shield stared at Dave with his only eye “And what kind of favour is this?” he frowned as Dave scratched the back of his head “What have you done?” he growled

“There was a changeling in Ponyville and he was after Nox” Dave sighed as he took a final gulp “I struck a deal with Flux and Battering Ram” he admitted

Strong Shield snarled “What?” He advanced towards Dave and poked him with a hoof “What kind of deal was this?” his eye was full of a strange hatred as he looked at Dave

“If they got rid of the changeling that was threatening Nox then I would get you to tell them what is inside the vault” Dave shrugged “I was protecting my son, you can’t blame me for getting their help”

The black unicorn reluctantly nodded “You should have found me” he groaned as he rubbed his head “If I tell them then they won’t believe me” he shrugged before staring at the floor “I’ll tell them but it won’t end well”

“Good enough” Dave nodded “I will pay you back I swear” his smile lasted for a second before Strong Shield’s ears perked up

“That reminds me” The ex-guard looked at Dave “I found a small lead, I need you to help me either tonight or tomorrow night” he began to walk into the guard barracks as Dave followed him

Dave quickly caught up with Strong Shield as he avoided guards that were in their way to posts or to attend other duties “What kind of lead is it? Do we need to break into someponies house?”

Strong Shield led Dave down a corridor, the doors along each side led into various sleeping quarters for the guards. Strong Shield stopped at the final door, its wood was covered in mild scratches and was in a much worse condition than that of the other doors

“This was the recruits’ sleeping quarters” Strong Shield sighed as he unlocked the heavy door and made his way inside “this was where I met Battering Ram and Flux” he shook his head as he allowed Dave to walk in before locking it behind them

“So what do you want to show me?” Dave watched Strong Shield curiously as the pony made his way one of the bunks. Each of the walls had a small bunk attached to the wall except the one the door opened onto. Strong Shield went for the central one at the end of the room before pulling the mattress onto the floor

“Don’t move or make a sound” Strong Shield grabbed the edge of the bunk and lifted it so it was flat against the wall. He placed his hooves on two of the vertical metal bars, his eyes closed as his hooves gently rubbed each of the pieces of metal until a single sound could be heard from the resonating metal

Strong Shield’s horn glowed as he slammed the bunk into the wall, the floor beneath him shook as narrow gaps fell away. The unicorn backed off as the bunk fell into its old position before the entire frame fell into the stone floor and broke into sections

“What the hell is going on?” Dave shuffled behind Strong Shield as the bars each pushed a piece of the floor down until they made a neat set of steps, they continued to descend until a small hole in the wall was visible

Strong Shield walked down the short steps, his horn still visible even though he was at the bottom of the stairs. He placed his hoof into the wall and twisted it until the wall clicked, allowing the unicorn to push it aside

Dave dropped the short distance to the entrance than bother walking the ten steps down to the opening, he crouched so he could fit through the doorway. He stood up again as his jaw dropped “How the hell?”

His eyes were fixed on the large golden bowl in the centre of the room, lava slowly flowed through as it bathed the room in a warm glow. Strong Shield walked around the centrepiece to a wooden desk that sat against the wall, levitating a parchment over to Dave

“This is the plan, read it then destroy the parchment” Strong Shield walked over to one of the side doors as he stepped inside, the sound of rummaging ensued as Dave sat down to read

Target Location: Shade Nightclub

Nightclub owner: Vinyl Scratch, Aka: DJ Pon-3

Target: Swift Mix

Target Occupation: Bartender at Shade Nightclub

Target Description: Eyes-Cyan

Mane-Lime green

Body fur-Light purple

Cutie Mark-Alcoholic beverage containing two olives

Plan:

Step 1: Identify and isolate target in the nightclub’s VIPs’ area (target is know narcotics dealer)

Step 2: Strong Shield will gain information whilst Dave deals with any unwanted attention (Gang members)

Step 3: Regroup and make way back to Castle to take places at appropriate areas, Dave will be in Celestia’s quarters whilst Strong Shield shall be pretending to nurse a bottle of whiskey in the barracks

Step 4: Regroup in morning after breakfast to debrief and plan next course of action

Notes:
If Battering or Flux show up, inform Strong Shield so he can terminate threats

If Dave is not subtle about fighting then use excuse of ‘self defence’

If target ingests suicide pill then Dave will have to search the target’s body for any antidotes e.g. cavity search

If anything goes wrong, it is Dave’s fault

Final review:

Chance of success with Strong Shield: 90%

Chance of success with Dave: 30%

Total chance of success: 120%

Dave scrunched up the paper and threw it onto the lava “So basically if anything happens it is going to be pinned on me?”

“Basically” Strong Shield stepped out with a small patch “I will be wearing a slight disguise whilst I deal with the target so in case I am discovered then this disguise shall protect my identity” Strong Shield applied the patch to his left eye, it replaced the scar with a working eye and his fur and mane turned into a dull blond

Dave nodded “Alright so you have a magical disguise and I have bugger all” he shrugged as he watched the paper burn in the lava “What kind of drugs is this bartender selling?”

Strong Shield shook his head “Some cheap stuff called Ketamine, it is supposed to chill you out”

“Horse tranquilizers?” Dave roared with laughter as he walked past the disguised unicorn “Even this world’s crime is hilarious”