In the beginning, Harlequin’s infiltration plan worked perfectly.
The Irongate guards let her past without resistance, looking more than a little confused as she went by. But they didn’t try to stop her, or even question what she was doing there.
The same held true for the house steward, who seemed either like her boss in the house, or the one who she told what to do. Maybe both?
After giving her contrived story of the sudden change of plans and feeling unwell, she was escorted to the lady’s chambers for a change of clothes and an emergency meal provided by hastily roused servants.
It was luxury like she’d seen only once before, when she broke into the home of Triptych in order to negotiate a peaceful surrender. The house seemed to be built in some of the same ways, with elegantly carved wooden paneling, and floors that were polished to a perfect marble shine. If anything, this further manor house was even more luxurious, since there was so much space to work with.
The steward didn’t feel suspicious, which was her only comfort. Instead, that pony shuffled from mild annoyance at being woken to fear something terrible was happening to the house, then back again.
Once she’d been served some thin broth with rotten-smelling grape juice beside it, she summoned her again.
“Have somepony help me to the study,” she said, feigning her mysterious illness with shaky hooves and an uneasy voice. “There are some matters I would like to review before I retire.”
Was that elegant enough? Apparently, because Lacework took her herself, down a connecting hall and up a stairwell towards the top of the house. She flung the doors open, looking concerned. “I’ll send somepony to light the fire for you, mistress. But are you quite certain you’d like to do all this reading tonight? You’re clearly exhausted from your trip here. Perhaps it would be better to return to this in the morning.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed. “But I’m set on it. Go ahead. I’ll… be here.”
She waited until the steward was gone, before hastily scanning the room. She didn’t need the fireplace to see in the dark, the moonlight streaming in through a shut window was enough for that.
The study was massive, with so many shelves of books that she could hardly count them all. They rose so high into the air along the rim of the wall that a brass track went with them, along with a stepstool that could be pushed anywhere in the room it needed to go.
A few shelves were glass, with delicate-looking locks holding them in place. Old queens before us if what I need isn’t in there.
She was fairly certain one of the books had a little train-car embossed on the cover, at least if those were the thing she’d ridden to get here. Maybe the expansion plans would be in there?
Why does Blueblood want this? They’re guarding bugs, aren’t they? Not building trains.
They were wrong to think of ponies as simple creatures that didn’t plot and plan. They might not be constantly trying to take love, but they wanted some things. Value, as Hydrus had said.
The door opened again, and a servant entered, rolling a little wagon behind them with wood and clear liquid.
“Is there anything else you require?” he asked, as soon as the fire was burning.
She shook her head, nodding politely to him. “No, I think that’s it. Ensure I’m not disturbed while I work, please.”
He left, and she locked the door behind him. That much was easy. Actually getting into the glass shelf proved to be a little harder.
She searched the rest of the room first, skimming over the various books that looked like they had something to do with trains. But discovering specific things about the “expansion plans” of the railroad when she couldn’t actually read anything that had been written about it…
After an hour or so of futile searching, without a sign of anything she could bring back to Blueblood, Harlequin found a key tucked away in a hollow book in the desk-drawer, one that looked like it would fit perfectly in the locked shelves. She went straight for the one with the little railroad picture. The lock clicked, and the glass was free to swing out of the way.
Then she reached in, snatching the book and curling up in a corner to read.
Well maybe not “read” since she didn’t know how, but… curl up in a corner to look at what the book had inside. She squinted, as though looking closer would somehow let her understand more of the secrets the book contained. But no, the patterns didn’t reveal their meanings to her.
I wonder how hard it would be to learn. I can already talk just fine, that’s connected. Maybe if I could learn what sounds those letters make, I could say it to know what it was saying.
That might be a good plan, but there was no time for learning now. She skimmed from page to page, past writing that wasn’t blocky like most of the other books, but graceful and elegant as though a set of real hooves had written it. She was almost to the end before she finally reached something that looked interesting.
It was a map of Equestria, with little crossed lines she took to mean the places trains could go. There was one leading to Canterlot, then down the mountain to Ponyville. But there were other lines, red ones that went to other places further away labeled with words she couldn’t read.
Harlequin stared at the image for at least ten minutes, memorizing its every aspect the same way she would memorize a pony she wanted to copy. She saw every letter, every pattern on the map. If this wasn’t it, what was?
Something rumbled down the hall, at least half a dozen hooves. Guards? Harlequin whimpered, darting across the room and tossing the railroad book back into place. She had shut the cabinet by the time someone tried to open the door. It rattled in its frame without budging, and she raised her voice a little. “Coming! Be right there!”
She wasn’t going to have that kind of time. They weren’t knocking the door open with their hooves, but something metal slid into the lock.
Harlequin put the key back in place, slamming the little book into a drawer and then selecting a book at random to open in front of her as the door swung open.
She’d been right in her guess—all the guards she’d seen tonight were there, carrying a cot between them. They ignored Harlequin completely, making their way to the table in the middle of the room, surrounded by the comfortable chairs. They pushed the other books there aside, then lowered the cot onto the table.
“Lady Irongate,” Lacework called, shuffling in behind them. “He only just arrived. I assure you, we’ve called for the authorities, and the Ponyville doctor is on their way. We’ll find out what happened.”
“You won’t!” the pony croaked. Harlequin made her way over, looking down at the pony sprawled there.
He was older, with gray hair in his mane and a worn expression on his face. Something in her recognized him, even though she had no reason to actually know him. He looked so like the pony she was pretending to be, which meant he could only be—
“Come closer, child,” he said. “A gift from the sun herself that I can see your face before the end.”
She obeyed, stumbling over to him with eyes wide with horror. The other ponies had felt terrified, but it wasn’t of her. It was worry for the fate of this pony. His chest was wrapped in makeshift bandages, bruises swelling on his face and near his neck. She’d seen ponies younger than this die from wounds like these in the invasion—but this grizzled old earth pony looked up stoically. As she came closer, he reached out with a hoof, taking one of her legs and forcing her to meet his eyes.
“I know we’ve… never seen eye to eye, daughter, but… please. Don’t leave me now.”
Harlequin’s legs buckled under her, and she dropped to the ground. Magic unlike anything she’d ever felt before washed over her. She recognized it, even if she’d never experienced it. “I think… I was a fool to go so far. But I didn’t think they’d be so bold…”
“Don’t be so melodramatic, master. The doctor is on the way. You’re going to be fine.”
No he isn’t. Harlequin knew a dying creature when she felt one. He’d lost blood, and his body was failing. Though then again, she did know one way he might survive this…
“Everypony else, outside!” he roared, trying and failing to sit up from his cot. Harlequin was there to catch him, stopping him from tumbling off the stretcher to the floor. He looked up, eyes wide with shock. Do bugs know ponies can make so much love when they’re dying? A few drops of this could easily have filled up the awful harvesting bottle, stop her from needing to… harvest again.
“Brass Bell,” he whispered. “I’m glad you’ve decided not to… not to hate me, at the end.”
He fell still as the others filed out. “I’ll alert you as soon as the doctor arrives,” Lacework said, shutting the door behind her. Finally the two of them were alone. Lord Irongate looked up, and in just watching her she felt like she might explode with all the love.
And something else. The more love he provided, the guiltier she felt. Was it wrong to lie to this pony? Maybe she shouldn’t be filling him with hope about a daughter that probably didn’t feel any differently about him.
I need to let him die here, she thought, letting him grip her leg with fierce earth-pony strength, despite his wounded chest. That’s the only smart choice. There’s only one smart choice here, Harlequin.
“How did you find yourself at the old family home, daughter? On this night, of all nights?”
“I couldn’t sleep,” she said, even though it didn’t actually answer anything he’d asked. But as usual, he didn’t seem to notice. “It isn’t important, er… father. Who did this to you?”
“Who do you think?” He glanced up at her, but whatever he was expecting, she didn’t know how to respond. “I can’t forget… of course you don’t know. It was Charon Holdings. Of course, it’s always them. No, I won’t be able to prove it. But they’re the only ponies who would. They want that EIC contract.”
She didn’t know what to say to that, so she said nothing, letting him hold her. She didn’t know where she was putting all this love by now. Felt like her body might split right down the middle. But this time, she didn’t. Why?
“You don’t buckin’ give it to them when I’m gone. I know you… never took much interest in the family business. But if you ever loved your father, I need you to do this for me. Don’t let Charon take those contracts. We’re the reason that anypony in Equestrian can afford to ride. Don’t let them take our engines and our tracks and… ruin them.”
“I won’t,” she promised. It still felt like she might explode, but she didn’t look away. I should be running. I should fly back to the city by night, not even wait here. The guards will be involved now. Guards and doctors.
Doctors who couldn’t help him. This pony didn’t have long.
Harlequin stared down at that broken pony, bleeding and dying. She didn’t even know his name, but all this love for her—it was almost enough to…
“You don’t think the doctors can help you?” she asked. “Here in Ponyville… aren’t they skilled?”
“Not that,” he muttered. “Charon is too… too good. Something will go wrong. Pony gets lost, or wanders off, or… if I was in Canterlot, I could pick a hospital at random. But they might not know how to fix a wound like this.” He trailed off, staring at her again. “I can feel it, Bell. My life, draining away. It won’t be… much longer now.”
“Do you want to live?” she asked faintly. “What if there was another way, something the doctors couldn’t do. Would you take it?”
For the first time, Lord Irongate’s eyes narrowed. “My daughter speaks of philosophy now, at the end. What have you done with the real Brass Bell?”
Harlequin tensed, eyes widening—but then he laughed. “Relax, Bell. I know I shouldn’t. It’s just so good to hear your voice again.”
He was fading fast. If he didn’t make a choice now… “I can save your life,” she said, voice urgent. “I don’t need a doctor. I can do it here. But the price will be terrible—the last time I saw it, the pony wished he had died. But I think he’s getting used to it.”
I have to make it back so I can see him and find out. And learn how to read.
Lord Irongate froze, looking thoughtful. “You aren’t… being hypothetical, at the end. You’re not trying to get me to tell you that I’m satisfied with the way my life went, and that I’m ready to go? Because I won’t lie, daughter. I’m not… I wasn’t ready. Charon is changing the story. I need you to stop them.”
“No,” she said flatly. “You can stop them yourself. Tell me now, Lord Irongate. I don’t know how much good it will do if we wait. But if you let me save you—”
“Yes,” he answered. “Obviously yes. I’m not ready to say goodbye to you yet. Or my work, or… any of it. It’s all too cruel. But I don’t feel any anger that you can’t… solve all of it, sweetheart. I’ll die remembering your forgiveness.”
Harlequin let go, walking around his cot to his neck. “Don’t forgive. Survive.”
Uh-oh.
Ohhhhh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no--that's a very bad idea, Harley. That's like all the trouble of Codex times a hundred. As good an intention as it'd be, in the long run, I think it'd be smarter for you to stay out of it and let what happens, happen.
Good plan. I like that plan. Let's stick to that plan.
I said stick to the plan! That's not part of the plan! Auuuugggh, this isn't going to go how you think, Harlequin!
*sigh*...on the upside, I guess that goes to show just how good a 'ling Harlequin actually is, wanting to do whatever she can to save the life of a pony she's never met.
Still not a good idea, though.
Blueblood is going to be so pissed.
Funnily enough based on what we've seen of Blueblood so far, I can actually believe that if she returned with the wrong book, he demanded to know why, and she explained that she couldn't read, he'd actually take it reasonably well. Something along the lines of "my fault, I forgot that you were all barbarians. Get Hydrus to send me a bug who CAN read."
Like, he'd still be an asshole, but so far he doesn't strike me as the sort of villain who'd punish an underling for failing when a good faith attempt has been made to carry out a task, for reasons beyond that minion's control.
That, on the other hand, Blueblood ain't gonna like one bit. Or Irongate himself, for that matter. Ooooh this
couldwill go south.Well now!
This'll be interesting...
Well, Codex number 2 sure won't be pissed off like Codex number 1. Let the pony go, Harlequin. You got your own problems. Adding to them hurts you and those that need you. You'll simply be trading one corpse for a mountain of others. You can't save everyone.
Just think how much more powerful Harlequin will be after converting this pony.
Consider what Lord Irongate might do with the powers of a changeling.
This will not at all be Codex 2.
No plan survives contact with the enemy. Blueblood is sunk.
----
One other thing I just thought of -- Hydrus will 100% know that Harlequin converted another pony just by the form Harlequin is in. There is no hiding this.
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She might grow to whatever level Hydrus is. They might actually have to fight over control of the hive. Though if conversions continue I shudder to think of the consequences of a possible Queen Harlequin. She might have to wage war with Equestria. Just to survive. Depends on how freaked out Luna would get.
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Also depends upon how much of a role-model Lord Irongate is. He does show some good moral fiber with trying to keep travel costs low for equestria when the other side is all about gouging as much money as they can out of a system. A lot of times you can get say $50M out of something if you deny most of the population the ability to have/use something but only $10M if you want it available to all. Most companies in our world will take the former always.
Lord Irongate could be the perfect pony to turn into a changeling.
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Considering the opposing company’s plan to gouge prices, I think this was the right decision. Harlequin is not suited for taking over a company, and when the real daughter finds out..?
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Oh gosh, I didn't even think of that! Yeah, that's going to complicate quite a few things...
As for Irongate, there's a couple different ways that could go. He could embrace it, and end up either being a force of good for one or more party, or become corrupt and go the villainous route. Or he could reject it, and either turn on Harlequin for doing this, or become depressed, worst case even suicidal (sad, but considering the trauma of the process, definitely can't rule it out).
As it really hasn't been the story's forte thus far, I doubt the villainous route. The rest are more difficult to call.
Of course, this all assumes this isn't just a red herring--she hasn't actually bitten him yet, so perhaps something interrupts Harlequin next chapter before she has a chance to do so, or complications arise preventing Irongate from converting fully in time and he perishes anyway. It wouldn't be the first time this fic's done something like that and defied immediate expectations. We shall see.
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I highly doubt Harlequin ever intended to keep up the charade long enough to inherit anything, should it come to that. First chance she got, she would've fled back for the hive and try to put the whole incident behind her. It would be the most logical thing for her to do, and she did consider it already, and probably still is toying it should things still not work out. Anyway, point is, once Harlequin got out of the way, the real daughter would be clear to step in and receive the inheritance as it should be.
Unless something has happened to her, too...the thought has crossed my mind...
If Harlequin does successfully convert Irongate, though, I expect she'll stick around at least long enough to make sure he adapts to the new form okay, give him a bit of a run down on how to be a changeling, since she knows from her experience with Codex that such input would be needed. She doesn't have it in her to just leave Irongate to figure it out himself, after all.
The real daughter finding out was going to a problem no matter what happened. The thing about Blueblood's plan is that he doesn't seem to take into consideration that the house staff are all going to remember Harlequin's appearance there and are going to realize something's up when the real daughter turns up knowing nothing of this supposed "early visit" and no doubt start to suspect some sort of foul play.
Oh. My. God.
I wonder if Blueblood's plan is this encounter, and not what he previously explained.
This either went massively off the rails, or Blueblood is one seriously sneaky son-of-a-bitch.
Why do I have a feeling Blueblood arranged the beating
I don't remember what Harlequin's cutie mark is, but I presume it is a script being flipped.
At least she warned this one. No one counted on Harlequin being a fundamentally good person. It's amazing how massively a genuinely caring and selfless mind can disrupt grandiose plots and intricate intrigue.
And hopefully Lord Irongate will get even rather than getting mad.
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That wasn't a beating, it was half of a hit job.
They beat him but left him alive enough to seek help and tell people. They'd finish him off if his injuries proved insufficient.
It's an intimidation tactic. One that would probably have worked better if the person they were trying to intimidate hadn't been a fake.
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Suicide, really? Do his last words portray him as a an emo kid, crying over how the world is unfair (that's Codex), or as entrepreneur striving to defend his business?
In any case, even partially successful conversion will prove Codex's claims - being a pony - worth considering to public.
I hope Irongate is also wise, not just old.
Or perhaps this is a plot by either Blueblood or the S.M.I.L.E organization.
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Don't fall for stereotypes--anyone could become suicidal if pushed through hard enough trials, with no end in sight. Being stuck involuntarily transformed into a changeling, an enemy of the state, and forced to live like one with no promise of a better life or a return to anything resembling the normal life he left, with his social standing destroyed should this get out (and it will), and potentially little to no acceptance from other ponies who were once his acquaintances as friends or even family...it's a lot of stress to go through all at once. So yes, I very much could see someone becoming suicidal through this. Especially in Irongate's case, as he's already up there in years and at death's door had Harlequin not intervened--he may decide he may have been better off dead anyway, deciding he had been his time after all and the changeling posing as his daughter robbed him of that peace of death.
Considering everything Codex has been put through and that he's "lost" family himself through his transformation, I'm sometimes surprised he hasn't slid towards such a mental state himself, but despite all of the guy's many faults, that says something about his intellect--he'd rather make the best of a bad situation than let it bring him down. But again, not everyone in the world are capable of maintaining such a resolve.
That doesn't mean the story's actually going in that route, of course, I'm just speculating on directions it could go.
Oh, god, I just realized something.
It was never confirmed that what hurt Irongate was the opposing company. It could have very, very well been Blueblood who hurt him, and knowing Harlequin was going to be waiting for him...
This very well could be a plot to completely destroy the name of Irongate, “exposing” him as a changeling.
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Agreed.
Excellent chapter, This could throw a huge wrench in Bluebloods plans and give Harlequin another Ally. I know being changed into Changeling will suck, but it will be better then death and give him a chance to stop the sabotage of railroad and make up with his real neice. Very exciting writing and looking foward to the next chapter.
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That is certainly a possibility, though it hinges on Blueblood knowing about the conversion process; and on knowing for certain that Harlequin will use said conversion specifically to preserve Irongate's life. This Blueblood we've seen here is definitely a smart schemer, but he's no David Xanatos. His knowledge of Changeling abilities seems to be a limited to what he's been able to observe for himself, plus anything that Hydrus might have deigned to share. And he seemed to actively avoid learning anything about Harlequin as a person, treating her strictly as a living tool, intended for a very specific job.
If Blueblood was behind the beating for whatever reason, then Harlequin is likely about to completely banjax his plans.
Man, you look away for a month or two and things go completely crazy....
Every time I think this couldn't get more complicated, this story proves me wrong. I love it.
This is a 4-dimensional Rubics cube with a plot that writes parts of itself out of importance often enough that it feels random... But it is well written and entertaining, so I do not care!