Chapter 19

Nox stepped into Sweetie Belle’s room and saw the white filly talking to her friends, he politely knocked the door before stepping in. Applebloom spun her head around and smiled at the new guest “Hey Nox” she called and her friends soon gave similar greetings

“Hey girls” Nox nervously joined the group as he stared at a broken chair “Are you trying to get your cutie marks in building?” he stroked his chin at the splinters on the floor

“No…” Scootaloo groaned as she threw a paintbrush back into a pot “We tried painting Sweetie Belle’s ceiling but we couldn't reach it” she stared up at the single dot of blue on the ceiling

Nox held back a laugh “Well, it would have certainly been a nice colour” he finally broke into a full laugh as Scootaloo shoved him “Anyway I am not here to judge your decorating”

“What are ya here for?” Applebloom asked as she began picking the broken chair up and moving it to a corner of the room, she hurried back to the colt’s side as he finally managed to stop giggling

Nox opened his mouth to confess but his nerves hit home and his throat seized “I um…” he pulled a wing around himself as his face turned red “I-I need to chat with Sweetie Belle… it’s kinda embarrassing”

Sweetie Belle smiled before she sat herself down next to Nox “we are all friends here, it’s ok” she smiled until Nox let out a loud groan “Whatever it is you can tell us”

“Doyouwanttogooutwithme?” Nox gasped for breath as he looked at the confused faces around him, his nervous smile moved to Sweetie Belle as he took another, deeper breath “I-I mean, what I said was, I said… would you like to go out with me?”

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo gasped while Applebloom’s face dropped, her concerned eyes replaced with hurt and betrayal. The earth pony ran out the bedroom before tears began to flow. Scootaloo shrugged before she chased after her friend, leaving Nox and Sweetie Belle alone

The white unicorn stared at her hooves as a large blush spread across her face “W-why would you like me?” she shuffled nervously away from Nox “You’re a prince and I’m just a regular unicorn”

“W-well you’re nice and kind” his smile turned to a frown “I like being around you and I like seeing you smile”

“But you’re not even a week old… technically speaking” Sweetie Belle sighed as Nox looked down at himself “I like you but… as a friend”

Nox growled at himself “Stupid alicorn body” he whispered before he calmed down “It’s ok, I should have thought it through first” he let out a small fake laugh before he walked for the door “Say goodbye to the others for me?” he smiled as much as he could to Sweetie Belle before he dragged himself downstairs

Cadence noticed the grey alicorn enter the room as he hopped onto the sofa and buried his head into a cushion. The princess of love sighed sadly as she knew what Nox’s news would be so she returned to talking to Celestia, who was having measurements taken around each hoof

“So what are we doing for the rest of the day?” Cadence levitated over some samples of fabric as she rubbed them against her cheek “By the way, I think that pink would be a nice colour”

Celestia nervously smiled as Rarity measured her hind legs “When Rarity has finished taking measurements we could go visit my student erm… your sister-in-law uh… Twilight” she chuckled at the various links Twilight had to royalty

“That sounds like a wonderful idea” Rarity called from somewhere behind Celestia’s tail “I’m almost finished here but it will still take a while to make your clothes”

“Well I would hate to ruin your schedule by placing in a late order” Celestia cringed as Rarity let out a loud gasp

The white unicorn bowed to the princess “I would gladly do this, you have done so much and we have never properly repaid you” she smiled up at Celestia before she set about getting herself ready to make the clothes “I should be done sometime this afternoon”

Cadence hopped off the sofa as she walked over to Celestia “If you would like to go see Twilight then I don’t mind staying with you and Nox” she looked over at the grey colt that was still face down in a cushion “Are you alright Nox?”

Nox groaned loudly as he flipped onto his back “I don’t get it, why doesn’t Sweetie Belle want to go out with me?” he looked at his hooves “I bet it is because I live in Canterlot”

“Aww I’m sure the right girl will show herself,” Rarity said reassuringly before she froze “Um… who did you say turned you down?”

Nox sighed sadly as he sat up “Sweetie Belle”

“Heh… excuse me” Rarity calmly walked over to her stairs before she rushed at full speed into Sweetie Belle’s room, her head turned to look at her bigger sister

“Hey Rarity, can I help you with anything?” Sweetie Belle was silenced as Rarity grabbed her cheeks and shook her violently

“ARE YOU MAD?” she released her sister as she pointed at the door “A prince? A prince threw himself at you and you brushed him off? My own sister refused the chance at becoming royalty” the mare continued to over dramatize the situation as Sweetie Belle crept out of the room

Meanwhile…

Strong Shield walked through the streets of Canterlot as he headed for his home, his magical disguise was wrapped up neatly and was balanced on his back. His eye flicked between windows and alleyways as he walked down the cobbled road

He walked around a mare wearing a large purple hat as he made his way towards a side street, he gave one final look around the quiet road as he walked up to his house and made his way inside, he dropped his disguise on the living room table as he looked around his under decorated house

The walls were a clean white, no paintings or photos were on display to add variety to the room. A dull brown sofa and chair sat around a varnished table. In the corner of the room sat a mannequin dressed in Strong Shield’s old armour, it’s surface still held a pure gold shine as he looked at it

“The helmet is tilted slightly too much to the right” He sighed as he corrected the mistake “I understand you made a deal with my son” he turned to see Flux sat on the sofa whilst Battering Ram was walking out of the kitchen, a large plate of salad in his mouth

Flux rolled her eyes as Battering Ram sat down and began devouring the heap of food. She waited for Strong Shield to reluctantly sit next to her before she looked at him “We dealt with the changeling in Ponyville, Dave said you would be willing to tell us what is inside the vault”

Strong Shield sighed “Alright, you wont like it but…” He looked up at his former friends “It’s Project Harvest” he sat calmly as Battering Ram stopped eating and growled at him

“We all know that what you just said is a lie” he glared with Flux at the black unicorn “Tell us what is really inside” he forced himself to calm before Strong Shield continued

“I knew you wouldn’t believe me but what I am saying is true” Strong Shield ignored the hatred in his guest’s eyes as a knock came from the door “Excuse me whilst I see who that is” he stood and marched for the door, feeling the glares on the back of his neck

Strong Shield opened the door to see three ponies looking at him with warm smiles, two were stallions whilst the other was the mare that he had walked past earlier except her hat was missing. She held out her hoof as she smiled

“Hello we are planning a social gathering to commemorate the birth of Prince Nox” She smiled as Strong Shield shook her hoof “Would you like to come join us?”

“That sounds nice” He smiled until he tilted his head “Where is that hat you were wearing?”

The mare sighed, “Oh, I must have left it at the gathering, would you like to come with us?” her two companions slowly began to lose their smiles

Strong Shield ignored her “That hat had such a nice shade of blue” he sighed as a smile crept across his face

“Yes it did didn’t it?” She responded as her hoof tried to lead Strong Shield outside “Would you like to join us? I can show you my hat again”

Strong Shield’s face went blank as he pulled the mare forwards and slammed the door on her hoof, it flashed red as it turned black. Strong Shield opened the door enough to kick the changeling into its companions before he shut the door

“The hat was purple you dumb bug” Strong Shield growled as he hurried to the window, he peeked outside to see ponies being snatched into hidden spots, changelings quickly taking their old positions. He groaned as the three outside his door began to headbut at the thick wood

Flux curiously joined him “Changelings with a plan?” she hummed “This doesn’t seem too good, they are actually replacing ponies rather than avoiding the real one”

“Canterlot is under attack again?” Battering Ram groaned “every time I come here there seems to be an apocalypse of some sort” he stood as he moved over to the door, opening it long enough for him to kick one changeling across the street, pick up the other two and slam them into the ground

Strong Shield dragged Battering Ram back inside as he locked the door “Now they will warn the rest of the changelings” he growled, “We have to get to the castle and make sure that it is secure”

“We?” Flux laughed, “give us the key to the vault and we will help you, we still don’t believe that it is Project Harvest” she was reassured as Battering Ram grunted in approval

Strong Shield shook his head “If I die or get captured then the location of the key will be lost forever” he smiled as Flux groaned “So I suggest you help me get to the castle” he glanced out the window before deciding that the back door was a better option

Flux and Battering Ram followed Strong Shield as they moved from alley to alley, keeping their bursts for cover as short as possible. The trio reached the main street before they stopped, keeping close to the wall

Flux poked her head out as she surveyed the area “Judging by stature, height and general eye contact” she hummed “The ponies on this entire street are changelings”

“Any alternate routes into the castle?” Battering Ram whispered before a smile came to his face “Or can I make a distraction?”

Strong Shield peeked out of cover to look at the buildings “Flux, you boost me onto the buildings on the opposite side of the street and follow me to the castle walls” he looked back at his bigger ally “While you have fun being an exterminator”

Battering Ram nodded as he confidentially strutted into the middle of the street “QUEEN CHRYSALIS SUCKED ON MY BIG HAIRY BA…” He could not finish his insult as the street full of changelings rushed at him. Ram managed to kick or buck a few away before one actually managed to grab him, but his strength allowed him to shake the changeling off with ease

As the fight continued, Flux ran for the closest building and crouched down, Strong Shield hopped onto her back before Flux launched him into the air. Strong Shield reached the first windowsill and kicked off it, his momentum slowed but Flux flew up to push him the rest of the way on to the rooftop

Strong Shield nodded to the Pegasus as he began to run across the rooftops, Flux flew alongside him as they left Battering Ram to fight a small swarm of changelings. As they reached the castle wall, Flux flew ahead and turned upside-down, Strong Shield leapt onto her hooves and they kicked off each other, causing Strong Shield to soar over the wall

He landed with a roll as he dived behind a bush, he looked at the guard and noticed his armour was slightly dented “Even the guards are changelings,” he groaned quietly. He spied the castle door as he snuck his way around the edge of the castle and hurried up the stairs

Meanwhile…

Queen Chrysalis sat by the door to her cell, her ears pricked as she heard the sound of buzzing, her hopes grew as a small group of changelings arrived at her cell and began gnawing on the metal

“My changelings” She sighed happily “I am most pleased to see you but… why did you come for me?” she shuddered as she noticed her army’s eyes were all red

One froze and shook violently, it’s eyes turned black before being replaced with a dull crimson “Assuming direct control” it called in a growl before bursting into laughter “I’m sorry I couldn’t resist” Odio chuckled

“ODIO!” Chrysalis snarled, “What have you done to my swarm and how did you get here?” she froze as the changelings snarled at her

“We made peace with the gryphons, temporarily captured Canterlot while we rescue you, umm…” Odio hummed sarcastically “Oh and once you are free the changelings are going home and returning to normal”

Chrysalis shook her head “I want to see Dave”

“You and me both” Odio sighed before the body he possessed started to bounce on the spot “Well I liked being a bug for a few days but being a large fog of hate is much more my style” he waited until the cell door was removed before waving to the changeling queen “See ya around!”

Meanwhile…

Strong Shield was walking down the corridor as a loud buzzing filled his ears, he frowned as the corridor around him filled with changelings. They all avoided him as they crawled out of open windows and flew though the city streets

Strong Shield looked out the window and saw all the changelings removing their illusions and replacing unconscious ponies in their original position “This wasn't an invasion…” Strong Shield realized “this was a highly organized prison break”

The changeling swarm managed to escape the city before any of the ponies regained consciousness, Flux and Battering Ram looked at the castle before they walked out of sight. With nothing else to do Strong Shield ran for the barracks, failing to notice the black fog that raced past the window he was just looking out of