Changeling Cricket gritted his teeth in pain. His leg wasn't doing so well thanks to that human. That fire launcher she used somehow had eviscerated the insides of his lower back leg while leaving a nice indent of his shell where it impacted. He didn't know how that thing worked, he just knew that with a weapon so powerful, the ponies could be unstoppable and the queen's campaign would be utterly ruined. Then it hit him. If the changelings were to obtain such weapons, the ponies would be easy taking. Love would be easily stolen.
Cricket stared at his surroundings. The room was a simple grey box with nothing but a tattered cushion in the corner. He had his legs bound by iron locks and his horn had been severed. Unlike ponies, changeling horns could be simply regrown, given time. It just meant that he couldn't use the lethal loopback spell. Queen Chyraslis had ordered all covert spies to use the spell as a last defense if captured. The Royal Guards were even thorough enough to clip his wings so that he was grounded. Cricket muttered a few curses under his breath until he noticed his cell door opening.
A Royal Guard quickly entered his cell before closing the door behind him. He was alone but he had a spear in his hooves. Seeing the guard, Cricket scowled. "What do you want?"
The Royal Guard simply looked back for a moment before turning to Cricket. "I see your horn has been severed... Cricket."
The captured changeling smiled. The guard in front of him was another changeling, disguised probably to keep as eyes and ears for the Queen. "Do the others know of my failure?"
The guard/changeling shook his head. "Not yet, Cricket." Slowly, his eyes traveled down to the broken leg Cricket kept off the ground. "What happened?"
"The damn human...She has some sort of fire stick she carries with her. Powerful weapon, didn't even need to penetrate changeling armor to do damage! Instead, the insides of my leg spalled. Maybe... maybe we can somehow get one."
"That won't be possible. She probably keeps it with her at all times."
"What about the Jinn? Did the Queen find a way to get the Jinn's treasures?"
"Yes... But it will take awhile. The Queen has asked for me to keep an eye on the human while she tries to open the treasures. If we can utilize them, Canterlot will be an easy campaign... I have to go. Shining and the human will be "visting" you soon."
With a simple nod, Cricket watched the guard leave his cell, only to see the despicable Captain and his human flunky waiting to see him.
---
Later that day, I visited Shining at the command center. He had just gotten finished dealing with some things and was about to visit our little shape shifting friend. We arrived shortly at a holding cell, one specifically made to hold captured changelings. Shining was happy it was actually being used. The changeling inside simply sat in his cushion, keeping his injured hind leg out. Two royal guards were stationed to keep watch and none reported any activity of the changeling trying to escape or anything. I watched Shining walk over to the changeling and I simply leaned against the wall.
"Ugh... The human..." The changeling's voice was like I had remembered, very harsh and from the throat with the voice reverberating.
Shining quickly looked at me for a moment before turning back to the changeling. "I see you and Lt. Roya have meet before. How's the leg doing?"
"Go away, pony... I don't want to listen to your dribble."
"Really? You're just making this harder for yourself. It would be easier just to tell us what the queen is planning."
"I said, go away! I won't tell you a thing!"
Shining sighed. "Really? Let me ask, why did you go and kill Crystal Clear? Did she find you undisguised?" The changeling simply looked away as Shining continued. "She must have freaked out when she saw a changeling roaming around the castle. You freaked out and did the quickest thing you could do. You stabbed her. Realizing that your cover would be blown, you noticed Blueblood's shirtfront and disguised as him, hoping to pin the murder, am I wrong?" The changeling simply growled at the explanation before slowly nodding. "That clears that. Now why were you in the castle?"
"Grrr... Go away!"
Shining sighed before turning to look me at me. I was curious to why but Shining quickly returned to the changling and began channeling his magic into his horn. The changeling quickly closed its eyes in fear. Slowly, Shining brought his horn down until it touched the changeling's head.
The whole little silent deal confused me but with a sudden burst of lavender light, Shining stumbled back. "Are you ok?" I asked.
"I'm fine... This guy won't be talking for awhile."
I looked to see that the changeling had went... asleep? He simply had dropped his head and was snoring quite loudly. "What did you do?"
"A mind scrying spell. Technically illegal without consent but a changeling doesn't get that luxury. The only issue was that the changeling was mentally prepared, not to mention a changeling mind isn't like a ponies. Both of those gave me a painful magical loopback." Shining accented the explanation with a nursing of his horn.
"Did you find anything?"
"No. The only thing I did was put him to sleep.
I stared at the drooling changeling and sighed. "Well, I guess dreams are a way to escape the harsh reality."
"I'll make sure he's always under watch. I just need to head to the nurse's office."
"You do that. I got a dinner in an hour with some delegates. Apparently I'm the lone ambassador to humanity now."
"Good luck with that, heh!"
I smiled and walked with Shining to the infirmary. After that I left for my room to get ready. I was caught a bit off guard upon finding Rarity in my room, complete with an ensemble of different outfits folded on my bed.
"Good evening, darling! I was hoping you'd arrived sooner or... Sweet Celestia, what happened to your jacket?"
I stared down at the corner of my jacket for a moment before shrugging. "Just a simply burn left by a changeling. Nothing dangerous."
"Dangerous? It's damage! Let me fix it!" Instantly, the corner of my jacket became surrounded in a blue aura. It took a moment but the spell Rarity was using slowly made the burnt black fade until the familiar olive green returned to my jacket.
I was surprised at the repair and quickly had to thank her. "That was wonderful and thank you!"
"It's nothing but it won't last long. It's just a temporary cover up I learned after a certain noblepony ruined my last formal dress... Anyhow, I tried my best and thought of different color palette's to fit your skin and mane color!"
I watched Rarity levitate the different dresses towards me. They all featured more quiet colors. "They're very beautiful Rarity I can't thank you enough."
"Don't worry darling and don't even think about paying me. I just couldn't keep my hooves away from trying a whole different body type! I was thinking of functionality so I kept a few inner pockets for you. I was thinking of a short train but I remembered how you humans walk with that rolling motion, which would be dangerous when you think about your bipedal stance. Nothing against you humans but you're simply top heavy and a simple stumble is asking for a fashion accident!"
I nodded and was surprised by how Rarity thought through this. "Is it okay if I try a few on?" Rarity nodded and I quickly began undressing before trying the first dress was a beautiful pitch black one that ran a bit past my knees. Embroidered around the dress in a sash style was an artwork of vines and flowers. To add to the whole dress, Rarity made a contrasting white neck scarf with the same flower and vines artwork with the addition of real flawless gemstones to boot. I found it wondrous and was a bit awestruck at my reflection in the mirror. "It's beautiful!"
"I knew you'd love them! I even made some working clothes for you." With a smile Rarity brought over a more clothes before noticing an envelope sitting on my bed. "It seems you have mail."
"From whom?"
Placing my new dresses back down, Rarity too the envelope and quickly opened it. Inside was a golden ticket. "You are cordially invited to the... Grand Galloping Gala!"
"What's the Grand Galloping Gala?"
"It's one of the, if not, the most extravagant ball in all of Canterlot. Though my friends consider it the most boring event ever to occur in history, I find it enjoyable."
"I would assume so for you. Let me guess, most of your income is through these pampered showponies?"
Rarity nodded. "Though there are some ponies I rather stay away from... Unless you like what my friends consider a boring lifeless joke of a party, I suggest you try to make an excuse to not go."
I shook my head. "It wouldn't be a bother for me."
"Really?"
I nodded. "I'm the supervising detective of a whole homicide unit. Attending fundraisers or other major events are pretty much mandatory for me."
"I'm one of the few who can stand going to events like the Gala but your job sounds really drab, nothing against you or anything. Being around dead bodies to catching horrible lowlifes? I rather hogtie myself and became a disgusting pig before that happens."
I chuckled a bit at Rarity's statement. "That sounds fair. Being a homicide detective isn't something most people consider a dream job outside of law enforcement. When is this Gala, anyway?"
"Tomorrow, darling. I'll be there, since well... It's one of the few chances I can get of showing off my work. Anyway, I should head out now. It was great chatting with you, Roya!"
"Same with you, Rarity. Oh and before we go, may I ask for your skills to make something for me?"
"Sure! Ask away!"
I nodded and quickly told her my order. She was a bit confused by it but simply shrugged. With a smile Rarity quickly left me to prepare myself for dinner.
The time arrived and I found myself in the familiar dining room donned in a decent outfit not unlike my normal clothes that I came to Equestria wearing. Sitting down at the table, I noticed that the table had already been laid out with numerous meats ready to be eaten. Looking around, I couldn't tell if the princesses were disturbed by the sight of things that were once alive. Truth be told, I presume they were acting, which meant that anyone would be best to never try poker against them.
The griffon ambassador and a few other well dressed ones all watched me sit down. Princess Celestia was the first to speak. "It is nice to have everybody together at the table. Now, let me introduce everyone. This is Lt. Roya Sayid of Human-Earth, as Twilight and I have dubbed it. She is a police detective from her world." With a smile Celestia turned to the griffons and introduced me to each of them.
The first was a young looking griffon with a very sharp beak clear of any scratches. He had tan plumage and his top "hair" feathers were slicked back, complete with a streak of grey feathers going symmetrically down his head. Wearing a blue uniform with a silver and black sash, it was obvious he was either a military officer of some sort or of royalty. "This is Sir Silverstreak, of the Flocken providence of Griffony."
Celestia moved to the next griffon. This one was like Silverstreak in plumage but was an older griffon, easily passed his prime. His beak was very hook like, with the tip being black like a falcon's. With a stoic look, he kep his chest puffed out like he was at attention. "This is Silverstreak's father, Archduke Edgewind."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," said Edgewind with a deep commanding yet respectful voice.
I smiled and bowed my head a bit from my side of the table. "The same to you. It's not everyday I meet royalty."
"And it's not everyday I meet a whole new species, especially one such as yourself."
I smiled with the flattery and allowed Celestia to continue. With a smile Celestia moved to the next griffon. This one was a girl, or maybe a hen if the term was appropriate. She was a lithe griffon with large wings and had white plumage against grey. The tops of her "head" feathers were grey as was her eagle like beak. "This is Captain Javelin of the Grand Knights. She is the daughter to the Kaiser."
"Good evening, Roya," Javelin said dryly.
"The same to you," I said with a smile. Look at Javelin, she didn't really seem happy to see me. I simply ignored the look and looked at the next griffon.
"This is Sir Hawkeye, Silverwing's younger brother." The griffon in question had a similar pallet to Silverwing, a bit younger though with a more jovial attitude going.
"So you're the human Sildeclaw told me about. He didn't mention your eyes, though. Do all of you humans have eyes like that?" the young griffon asked.
I shook my head. "They're prostheses. Think of it like glass eyes, but I'm still able to see you."
"Ah... That's some new magic that I've never seen before."
I smirked a bit. "You could say it's magic..."
Celestia nodded and moved to the last griffon. He was a young griffon, about Silverwing's age. With a more golden brown plumage, he wore a navy blue officer's uniform with a few medals. "Our last guest is Lt. Mustang and a trusted friend of Silverwing."
I smiled at Mustang. "That's a peculiar name."
"I'm an orphan. Don't know why they gave me the name."
"Where I'm from, mustang is also the name of a famous plane, a sort of flying vehicle."
"Really? Huh, I guess even across worlds coincidences still occur."
We both turned back to Celestia, who was happy that the dinner started on a high note. "Well then, with that settled. Let's begin!"
The griffons quickly began to eat while the princesses began setting their plates up with whatever was available to them. I slowly got my plate ready, keeping it vegetarian as I promised. A few minutes of idle conversations passed until Hawkeye began looking at me in curiosity.
"Is there something wrong about the food?" he asked.
I stopped for a moment and shook me head at him. "No, everything's fine."
"But I thought you humans were omnivores. I don't see anything wrong with the food."
"We humans cook our meats and most of the meats here are raw, not to mention, I already promised to stay on a vegetarian diet to be respectful for now."
"Strange... I wouldn't being myself so low for that."
"You may see it that way but I see it as a sign of respect," I retorted.
Hawkeye simply scoffed at the idea and returned to his food. I continued to eat a bit until I noticed that Edgewind wanted to speak to me. "Yes?" I asked Edgewind.
"These "cars" you told Sir Sideclaw about, how does one even work?"
I took a sip of water from my glass before answering. "Simple. Electricity. A large battery system powers motors that, in turn, power the wheels."
"Really? So you humans have harnessed thunder itself for your usage?"
"You could say that."
"I was wondering this because some of us griffons were wondering if we could maybe keep a car or two. Currently, we're keeping the existence of such machines hidden, for safety."
I sighed a bit and thought for a moment. If the swords were any indication, griffons wouldn't even have the technology capable of understanding how to build most of it let alone even begin making materials for larger parts. Give a shrug I gave my answer. "For now, I'll allow a few cars for you to use as you wish. No more. Would that satisfy your government's curiosity?"
Edgewind nodded. "I understand. It would be foolish to allow us to do as we please. I presume Equestria is under the same limitations?"
"Yes, I am not worried as long as only peaceful technologies are gained. My only fear is that I start an arms race. This whole scenario was something I'd never expect, actually."
This time, Hawkeye clamored in. "A few? Are you telling us griffons that we to not be trusted?" He was livid over my decision, enough to pound the table with his talons and make it shake. "This is dishonorable! Your human technology landed in Griffony proper and thus it is under our total ownership! We have the right to do with it as we please!"
"You shall hold your beak, son!" Edgewind shouted. "Roya knows full well what even a simple piece of human technology can be. This is the exact reason why I am with her decision! War is not the goal we are here for. Peace is what our goal is and she is already generous enough to even allow us to see how her people's technology even works, let alone consider it our own property."
"But father!"
"Say one more word and I'll close that beak myself! I may be old but I'm still kicking!"
Hawkeye scowled a bit before returning to his seat, unhappy at his lose. Edgewind quickly turned to Celestia, back with his calm attitude. "I apologize for my son's actions. As you know, some griffons have opinions that they should learn to keep to themselves. As an ally of Equestria, I want no ill harm to come between us."
Celestia nodded. "Your apology is accepted. Roya is the sole human currently known in our world, and as such, she is the current ambassador for her species."
"That I already knew." Edgewind turned to me for a moment. "We griffons are a strong clan of warriors yet we can also be civilized. Without peace, we would still be roosting on the cliffs of mountains. Sadly, even though we are united in name, the providences of Griffony tend to feud from time to time. But, I digress. It is not the proper place to speak of such pointless talks. Let's just enjoy our dinner in peace."
I nodded in agreement and we all continued our dinner. While I ate, I noticed that Hawkeye kept his eyes on me. I wondered why. Maybe he didn't see me, or us humans, as a species capable of such feats like cybernetics or Near Light Speed travel. I decided that ignore him for now would be best.