A flash of orange heralded our arrival in the palace’s corridor.
“You are getting better at translation between dreams,” Luna said as she stepped away from me.
“It’s ‘cuz I’m awesome,” I said, pretending to dust off my shoulders.
Luna reached over and knocked loudly on Princess Cadence’s door. We had entered her dream to speak with her immediately, as she requested last time she spoke to Luna.
‘I hope it’s good news. But with her stated urgency, I know it can’t be good.’
Luna’s ear flicked towards the door, picking up something I couldn’t hear, “Cadence should now know of our arrival. It will take some time for her to get ready, I suspect. I have made her aware that she can simply will her looks and the world around her to suit her, yet she prefers the old fashion way. She will want to brush herself, clean, and make the bed by hoof.”
“Sounds like fun,” I rolled my eyes. “How often does she have these dreams? You know, the ones with her, her coltfriend, and a locked bedroom?”
“I would say too often, however she is the Princess of Love.”
“Yeah but you don’t dream that you’re on the moon,” I muttered.
Luna frowned, “You know very well why I do not dream of that.”
‘Shit, she wasn’t meant to hear that.’
“Yes, I, uh, sorry Luna. I didn’t mean it like that. Sorry, I’m just a bit tense right now. The battles against Division-P are starting to pick up steam. People are dying…”
Luna gave me a small nuzzle, “Let us hope that changes soon. It helps to focus on the good. Although I know you will want to comment on myself and my–” Luna dramatically whipped her mane back, “–awe inspiring presence and appearance, I would like to hear about your friends. There are so few friendly and trustworthy faces within Canterlot Castle that I would like to hear about those who are still on our side.”
I chuckled at her posing, “Just today I spent some time with Thorax and his coltfriend, Double Diamond. I brought them bad news but it’s hard to make Thorax upset, and Diamond took it in stride, I believe. With the afternoon open, Diamond took us to a gym he’s a member of to play some sports. Let’s just say that I’m not the most coordinated quadruped, and… yeah. At least Thorax ‘n Diamond got a ton of laughs out of it.”
“That sounds entertaining! Pray tell me, what is a gym?”
“A gymnasium is a large, spacious building where people go to exercise and play sports.”
“Ah! I presume the lack of open spaces in the city of Manehattan puts a premium on room to enjoy oneself?”
I shrugged, “There are parks to play sports in and run around, but the two biggest advantages of gyms are the exercise equipment they contain, and the fact that you can use the facility during any weather. I think. I’m not exactly an expert on modern amenities.”
Luna nodded slowly, “I see. I think I would enjoy a visit to the big cities. All our lives, Celestia and I have lived in distant, small villages, or large castles. Though Celestia most likely has enjoyed the comforts of Canterlot, I have not visited a city since…”
I wrapped a leg around her withers and gave her a hug, “We’ll visit Manehattan together. How’s that sound?”
“I would like that, Phasma,” Luna smiled.
“Coming, coming!” Cadence’s voice came muffled through the door.
“I’m surprised the door isn’t soundproof. Why isn’t that the case, Luna? I imagine guard duty on her door isn’t very comfortable, with that in mind.”
Luna facehoofed, “It is soundproof when the occupant desires it to be. It would be a massive security flaw otherwise; how could a Princess yell for the guards when no sound passes through?”
The door opened, and Cadence beckoned us in, still curling her hair with an iron.
‘Ponies have those? I guess magic really can outcompete most electronics… for now. I’m so investing in all that stuff.’
“You can make yourself presentable in an instant, Cadence,” Luna reminded her once again.
Cadence nodded for a moment before remembering she was in the process of curling her hair, “I know that, but I wouldn’t feel clean. You can’t just… stop being in that mindset, Luna.”
“Changing the subject,” I hurriedly said, “You had something important to tell us?”
Cadence levitated the curling iron back into the bathroom attached to her bedroom, “A lot of somethings… I went snooping around, so I should start with the fact that Daybreaker will probably know that I’m up to something. I certainly will be known to not be on friendly terms with the organization I’m supposed to be running. Past that, well you know how paranoid she is, Luna.”
Luna nodded, “It can not be understated. Did revealing your disloyalties reap benefits more than the cost?”
“I think so. I retrieved many files from Lord Acumen’s personal office. I haven’t read them all yet, so we’ll talk again once I have. But for now, I have read some distressing things. I’ve passed off most of this to the thestrals, so they can provide copies to you two if you wish to read them yourselves. First was a report from Locksdale Prison, where they are keeping the changelings. It isn’t good, but it could be worse. A little bit worse. They’re uh, they’re using ponies to feed the changelings, and they are not treating the changelings well. There have been a few deaths, but for the most part they are working to keep their captives alive. They’ve gotten a decent amount of information about the Fourth Hive apparently. Changeling loyalty matters only so much, and things change when it's their necks on the line. Most are loyal, but there are enough leaks to break the dam.”
I snorted, “Ain’t that the truth.”
Luna and Cadence looked at me with a puzzled look, but Cadence continued, “There was also some schematics. I couldn’t make heads or tails of it so you’ll have to wait on the Vallachians to break it down for us. It seemed at a glance to be some sort of necklace that protected the user.”
“Learning our enemies’ capabilities is always helpful,” Luna said.
“I’ll keep an eye out for these myself and see if we can learn about them out in the field,” I added.
Cadence continued, “There were also schematics for an explosive version of the collar. Turns out they did try to make it, but it was deemed unfeasible and unnecessary. At least, that’s what the closing notes say.”
‘Figures. They tried to be horrible pieces of shit, but the day was saved by fucking budget constraints.’
“... There were also some spells being developed to be used against changelings. Again, I’m no expert, so you’ll have to wait to hear what comes of that. There was also a missive directly from Daybreaker herself.”
Luna leaned towards her, “What did the Nightmare say?”
Cadence gulped, “The Division apparently took a photo of you in Vallachia.”
“Oh fuck,” I cursed.
“And, they are trying to hunt you down. I think it was implied that this whole fight against Division-P is to discover your location.”
“Oh fuck,” I cursed, a bit louder.
“And it was stressed to bring you in alive,,” Cadence finished.
“Oh fuck!” I yelled.
‘No no no no no! Not this alive shit again! Now another demi-goddess wants to turn me into a living popsicle! I just know it!’
“–down, okay Phasma? There you go. Just breathe. Like that, in and out. You’re okay, Phasma.”
I realized that Luna was not only talking, but that I was suddenly sitting down. Unconsciously, I was following her orders and trying to breathe deeply.
‘She must have realized that I’m having a panic attack– oh Panar I’m having a panic attack! Damnit, why can’t people just stick with trying to kill me! That’s bad, but far better than ascending or whatever Daybreaker has planned! Probably some Nightmare possession stuff again, or, or...’
I blinked and realized that I was staring Luna in the eyes. She was pressed up to me, nose to nose.
“There you are, Phasma. When I said to watch your anger, I did not mean to replace it with fear.”
I was at a loss for words, “I… I… uh, hi Luna?”
Luna giggled, “Hello, Phasma.”
Which in turn caused me to chuckle, “Heh, did I ever tell you that hearing you laugh is the highlight of my day? Er, night? It’s probably the closest thing to the taste of love there is…”
“Did I ever tell you that your nervousness is so adorable? The way you glance about when I cuddle up to you– I know you would be blushing if you could, or how you are a big tough looking stallion, but actually you’re just a big softie?”
“Wuh– buh– tch! I’m not a softie!”
Luna started chuckling again, but was interrupted by a loud gasp. We turned and saw Cadence with her jaw dropped.
She slowly backpedaled, “Wait a minute! Hold just a second! Time out! YOU TWO ARE IN LOVE?!”
‘She didn’t know?’
I looked to Luna for answers, but she looked just as confused as I was.
“I thought you told her,” Luna whispered.
“Me? You see her every day in the palace!”
“You told her your new life’s story! Did I not come up–”
“Of course you did! I just, uh, f–focused on other things…”
“What does that mean?!”
“It means I had to cut details out for brevity’s sake– and how the hell did the Princess of Love not figure it out?! It’s not like we never hugged, held hooves, or said we love each other, or…. did anything in front of her. Oh fuck, did we do none of those things?”
Both our heads snapped to Cadence, who had suddenly summoned a chalkboard wall, with a table full of clutter in front of it. She gripped one of the small sides of it and dramatically flipped it away with a loud, echoing crash. Then, picking up six different pieces of chalk, she quickly filled out the entire chalkboard wall with notation.
Luna and I shared a worried look. We had clung to each other, both out of surprise at the sudden crash and out of the need for protection.
“This changes EVERYTHING!” Cadence yelled, mid-scribbling.
I whispered, “Luna. If she kills me, then know that I’m sorry that I ever let this misunderstanding happen. If the Princess of Love didn’t know that we were together, then clearly I wasn’t doing a good job of, uh, doting on you.”
“OF COURSE Luna constantly defends Phasma’s actions! She’s too close to him to have an unbiased opinion on his problems! That’s why she couldn’t understand the hypocrisy!” Cadence yelled out, now moving to another wall. It wasn’t even made of chalkboard, just marble and plaster.
Luna whispered back, “Phasma. It is equally my fault. I should have told my niece about something so important, especially as it relates to her domain. I just figured that you told her. Her silence on the subject should have tipped me off that all was not right, but I believe we are all quite worn out and distracted these days. And our professional distance during our meetings with her must also equally be my fault, by their nature.”
I shifted uncomfortably in her grip, “Yeah but I’m the one who told her about our interactions. Granted, Cadence and I talked before you and I started hanging out a lot, but still…”
Suddenly, my vision went Pink with a capital P.
“You never told me, Phasma!”
‘Oh Panar, this is how I really die! Unless–’
I shifted and held Luna out between us.
“Take her instead! I’m too young to die again!”
Cadence paused, “Y–”
I pulled Luna back in close to me, “Okay but don’t actually do that. She’s my golden ticket out of being hung at the pony Hague.”
Luna deadpanned, “Is that all I am to you?”
“No, don’t discredit yourself. You’re also my future meal ticket. A two-for-one deal.”
Luna and I tried to maintain straight faces, but I broke first. I started laughing until I was picked up by Cadence’s magic and torn from Luna’s grip.
Cadence made me face her, like she was grabbing me by the scruff of my neck, “I am blaming you for this, Phasma, since you were the one who told me about your history with her. Now, Start from the beginning again, and this time focus on Luna. I want to– no, I need to know everything about you and her. Luna, stay here and give me your point of view when you see fit. And do not think for a moment that you will be getting away from this scot-free!”
I tried to protest, “Uh, isn’t there more you need to tell us about–”
Cadence dropped me onto my haunches and sat down in front of me.
“No.”
I flinched, “A–alright then. You promise you’re not going to hurt me?”
“Why would I– yes! Of course! I’m not going to hurt you, Phasma.” The anger slowly seeped out of Cadence, fatigue replacing she-hulk-ness, “Look, I somehow missed it too. So really, it’s all three of our faults. Mostly you two, though. I am elated– no, beyond the moon, all puns intended– that you two are together. I really do think you are good for each other. Both taken from your old worlds like fish out of water, both probably really messed up in the head but find solace in each other’s company, both insufferably DENSE AT TIMES! But! I can be calm, I just need to know everything!”
Cadence leaned uncomfortably close towards me. I glanced at Luna, hoping for support, but she was acting like we never knew each other.
“Traitor,” I cursed under my breath. “Okay. I better start from the important part. So no shit, there I was, speaking with Nightmare Moon just a day before I basically consigned the entire pony race to near-extinction…”
So no shit, there I was, absolutely losing it again after yet another 'So no shit, there I was' phrase.
Aww that was a nice heartwarming chapter. Now I know the next one's are going to be heart wrenching.
Celestia: "Phasma for your actions against pony kind during your invasion I sentence you to..."
Luna: "No sister I love him" Luna gives Phasma a hug which gets Phasma to give out a Squeak
Celestia: "To endless nights of snu snu with Princess Luna!"
lol
hey cadence ever heard about Privacy
behold the alicorn of gossibmatirial
most terrifying? daybreaker, nightmares, tyrannical changeling mother? nah none compare to a Candace when she got a new ship
"Phasma, I hereby grant you a royal pardon for your crimes against Equestria."
"Wait, what? But why?"
"You were the only one who managed to remove that massive stick from her rear end."
Ok, I get the addition of comedy bit but considering that information that she holds is more important than a story of how he met Luna I think Phasma shouldn't be a doormat in this moment.
Potential changelings lives are traded for this wasted time when they could talk about it another time.
Oh good, Cadance gets some relief from the darkness that should be building inside. Maybe with this new knowledge she can better handle them?
So she name dropped the location. Please don't go running off, Phasma!
Cadence I think your priorities are a little screwed up right now.
How old is Phasmatodea? Isnt he now 1 year old?
I think you mean transition. But translation could also be an interesting word to use, but I don't remember a scene that built up the lore for it? Can anyone correct me?
Inventing. No amount of investment is going to make an electric iron heat up just enough to not damage/burn hair suddenly appear.
A fun chapter, and that ending had me snickering.
She didn’t know?
She must know EVERYTHING!!! Every last DETAIL!!!!
Or Else.
The humor is priceless ♡♡♡♡♡
10948695
An understandable worry, but that "No" wasn't "No, everything else can wait," it was "No, I have covered the extent of my knowledge of what I have read so far. We're doing this now."
10948716
transition and translation are both correct, as they both can mean the same thing
10948706
Romances are for Cadence what books are for Twilight.
Would you like to know more?
Dian Masalanta is the most loving of the gods in heaven, punished by God for loving a mortal. She was thrown into the world, a punishment which made her very happy because she would be with his beloved.
Goddess of Lovers, Childbirth and Peace
My apologies for this being short, but unless Slider found some other source, very little is mentioned about this goddess on the net outside of Philippines, as the goddess herself is worshiped in small rural villages nowadays.
Phasma starts his stories a lot with this...
Can't complain though, it certainly is a unique way to grab attention.
Flipping the metaphorical table at these two dunder heads.
On another note.... Now its panic attacks for Phasma. Usually when people start getting those, their mental strain is getting to critical levels... Good thing Luna is there to make things better in every way possible.
Love their interactions, they look realistic in the best possible way.
10948709
Luna and Cadance know about Phasma's previous life... At least that was my understanding.
10948765
I did find very little information, and most of it not from reputable sources. However, I did find a legit site that actually listed its source as a published book on Philippian mythology, so I'm going to assume that it is a real myth.
I'm with Luna and Phasma on this one, I thought for sure Cadence would have noticed by now that the two of them are an item. Well, if Cadence had any doubts about helping Phasma before, she'll most assuredly be on his side now that she knows he is Luna's fiance. Speaking of which, I can't wait to see how much love they'll produce when they meet in person again. If a normal pony and changeling in love make enough to feed a few dozen changelings, then an alicorn and royal changeling in love sound like they could damn near feed the whole hive by themselves. That much food would surely win over all but the most die-hard Chrysalis loyalists.
10948728
... I suppose you could, if you wanted to get oblique with secondary meanings. But that's how we get different turns of phrase, so whatever.
An Equestrian Concentration Camp, yey!
Nice
Nice
10948769
The meme knows no end
So no shit, there I was...
Ahh he said the thing!
10948728
TRUE, ever translated a figure across a graph?
Absolutely priceless chapter. Was Cadance’s reaction KKSlider’s reaction when he realized or was this planned?
And the nail is hit smack-dab in the centre! Maybe this will let Cadance actually get through to the two and apply some much needed emergency therapy.
10948706
I dunno, the mental health of the future ruler of the changelings and current uncorrupted ruler of Equestria is a pretty high priority.
Phasma: hold my beer... so no shit there I was!
Luna: *Holding Beer*
Cadence: *mental rebooting in progress*
No Cadence they are not messed up in the head any more then you are. Can't say fully on Luna other then possession,1000 years on the moon, returning only to lose your sister to another possession. Plasma has died once, been reincarnated as I different doomed race, has a new mother that as far as he's concerned wants to turn him into a pickle or in her words rebuild him until he remembers, mained, tortured in the head by nightmares, lost most of his friends in a betrayal. So not messed up in the head just everything seems to be out to get him. There is no such thing as a sane person only different levels of insanity
10948909
When I realized what?
XD Cadence had an absolute epiphany, didn't she?
one hell of a relationship too, it's got all the goodies
10948828
10948669
I would quote on how unhealthy and dangerous for him that would be involving certain body part falling apart...but then I remember they have healing pods so...RIP plasma
The amount of times this story has ended with a “so no shit” has elevated my enjoyment immensely.
why do you curse me with an image of handsome squidward Cadence?
10948963
You've done that to yourself
10948927
they both like pretty objectively have psychological damage and she was being hyperbolic
In a case like this one, It's like an arena, but smaller and less violent.
10948932
That neither of them told Cadance they were dating
10948794
Is there any chance for you to feature Indonesian legends in the future (Ex: Nyi Roro Kidul, Malin Kundang, etc)
So no shit, there I was, reading another "So no shit, the I was" joke in Changing Expectations and...
10949104
Oh, yeah I planned that. Actually, the reveal was supposed to happen later, but I realized that it was pretty obvious while writing Phasma's panic attack and Luna calming him down.
10949147
Yeah, that sounds like fun
10949157
Oh lol, thanks for the response! I’m looking forward to the next chapter
to funny.
a awesome chapter
10947190
Not necessarily. What he needs is for the Equestrian State to tolerate changeling presence and for individual ponies to fall in love with individual changelings ( considering how much love is produced by transspecies relationships he wouldn't even need that many to sustain the Fifth Hive).
Since securing tolerance is way easier than love, he has a lot of wiggle room on how he decides to conduct himself. He can probably do almost whatever he wants so long as he maintains his current relationship with Luna (since I doubt Celestia would be willing to harm her sister's fiancé, and that Luna wouldn't let him go too far anyway).
It is also clear that Equestria doesn't really have a lot of options other than settling with Phasma. Their other alternatives would essentially be:
-to remove him and pray that they can manage to replace him with a puppet
like in canoninstead of getting someling worse.-to either exile or kill the changelings, which would be pretty much the same and not something the Princesses would ever even consider.
I'm curious if it's going to be him or the nightmares that finally spill the beans about him being reincarnated. He mentioned it this chapter and cadence nearly asked about it but was distracted so I'm curious who is finally going to be the one to say it properly