The chef aboard the train to Agate could not sate Amie's appetite, despite what he promised. But the attempt was admirable, and the conversation was better.
Despite her months in Equestria, Amie had met so few ponies in total, and her curiosity for their lives was almost as boundless as her physical and magical hunger. They might be alien equines in a magical world, but talking to them wasn't that different from entertaining a group of fresh campers.
Ponies wanted to talk about themselves, and were eager to have someone there asking the questions that would lead them from story to pleasant memory to ambitions for the future and beyond.
It wasn't easy at first. But the more she ate, the more comfortable with her the watching ponies became. She realized why just observing their emotions. Ponies don't have a spell to detect us, but they know we can't eat. Not long ago, Amie never could've emptied plate after plate of vegetables and oats and other things, not without feeling as though she was eating rotten food.
Before Amie and Wes had fled for their lives, Amie was closely connected to Stella Lacus leadership. She'd been there for the meetings where they figured out exactly how much meat it took to make other food edible, and what happened to ponies who ate other things anyway.
The answer was little different from what might happen to humans who ate bad food—explosive and unpleasant trips to the bathroom were soon to follow.
Nothing like that happened to Amie, as she cleaned out her own plate, seconds, and leftovers from the other ponies one at a time. She had to lie when the chef asked if she was full. "Just saved enough for dessert, thanks. That was wonderful."
"Told you my kitchen was different," he responded, radiating his pride and satisfaction. That could've been a little infusion of glamour for Amie, but she held back, letting it wash over her uncollected.
She had made a promise to the orange tribe—the green bugs could not drink of the pride that orange needed to survive. Maybe when we're more secure, we can negotiate paying it to them instead. This seems wasteful.
There were plenty of positive feelings to join her meal, though. All she had to do was entertain the ponies with a little conversation. It helped that the chef brought out wine for the others, but only juice for her. Because she was pregnant, obviously.
I'm pregnant. She couldn't think those words without an accompanying wave of dread. Pregnant before she was out of college, pregnant with a stranger she barely knew. Pregnant with dozens, hundreds, or maybe even thousands of young.
"You'd be better off passing Agate by if you can, ma'am," Sweetie said, pulling her firmly back to reality. "It's not as safe as it used to be."
"Because of the mountain," Amie said, feigning ignorance. "I thought there was a whole base to keep the changelings trapped. Why should I be afraid if the Royal Guard are there?"
The three ponies shared a look. There was no magic telepathy to speak of in the exchange, but they didn't need any. Amie could tell most of what they meant just from their emotions. The other two were subservient to Sweetie Drops, and wanted her permission to say something.
She was the one to say it, in the end. "It does seem like the base is doing its job for the moment," she answered. "In the months leading up to the Canterlot invasion, there were a number of disappearances among the less-fortunate. Ponies ending up in the hospital with mysterious injuries, or just going out one night and not coming back. This hasn't happened in Agate, or the other towns nearby. Motherlode hasn't had a murder since it was founded, only the occasional mining accident."
"But that doesn't mean it will stay that way," Dim added, growing a little braver. Brave enough to reach across the table, and rest one hoof on Amie's. "Please, Silver, the gold isn't worth it. You seem like a sweetheart—take your children somewhere else."
Sweetie Drops shot him a harsh look. Of course, Amie pretended not to notice. "So they're not out now... but you think they might get out?"
"Commander Path is an idiot," Ardent blurted. "He's guarding the mountain like they're an enemy army ready to battle him. But changelings aren't like that—they're stealthy, they're infiltrators. They would never battle an army of ponies. They'd lose every time! Not even dragons can stand against our elites!"
Sweetie Drops shoved a spoon of pudding into his mouth, silencing him. "As I said, it's Powers's first time. He's still learning the rules, and the risks. But I think we all agree about one thing: changelings could get out at any time. Right now Agate and the surrounding townships don't have enough security to protect against an infiltration. The commander has armies flying on patrol when he should have ponies in the constabulary and the morgue. He should be watching for unexplained injuries, and checking up on every disappearance. That's how we'll know when there are changelings among us."
"You should leave before you deliver, miss," Dim said, a little more confidently. "There's no love quite as potent as between a foal and their mother. You'll draw them down on you like flies. They are kinda like flies. Nothing is sacred to them, no food they won't devour. Particularly with winter coming soon. They'll be desperately hungry. They might start eating ponies again."
"Don't tell her that," Sweetie hissed. "Don't terrify the poor mare. Most of that isn't even public."
Amie didn't have to act. Her stomach twisted, and she put down her spoon with dessert still unfinished. "You just said... they..."
Sweetie Drops rested one hoof on her shoulder, turning her gently to meet her eyes. "I know it can be hard to believe—but just because they look a little like us doesn't mean they have anything in common. Make no mistake, there are invaders on that mountain. They're the greatest danger Equestria has ever faced. But please, don't panic. There's no sign of an infiltration yet. Tomorrow or the next day—well, that's why we're coming to Agate. Let's just say ponies all the way at the top are worried about a breach, and they've sent ponies to make sure it doesn't happen."
Amie nodded weakly. Some part of her was still imagining just what Queen Chrysalis was like, that she was willing to allow her swarm to do such terrible things. And there was another part that wondered what Stella Lacus would do if they ran out of food in the winter, and everyone started starving at once.
She wanted to believe her campers were better than all that—but she didn't know for sure. There was a very real danger of exactly what these ponies said happening when winter came and the prey was all gone.
Unless Amie did something about it. "You're all... Royal Guards?" she guessed. "Here to improve security in the city watch?"
Sweetie finally let go of her shoulder, and went back to her dessert. "Something like that. I'm an expert in fighting the changelings. They once hurt a pony very close to me, and I'm determined not to let that happen to anypony else. If we can do our job, you won't have anything to worry about prospecting in Agate. But there's still no way to detect them preemptively—we're stuck waiting until they give themselves away. If you do decide to stay, and you see something strange—don't hesitate to tell a guard. Or one of us. We'll be opening an office of Changeling Activities in the next few days, with experts on duty at all hours. Anything you see, please pass along."
Amie nodded, and went back to her meal. At least if she kept her mouth busy, she didn't have to find something to say.
I'm going to bring in a whole group of bugs who don't know how to change, and barely know anything about ponies. Now there's gonna be a special security force to look for us?
"I don't understand—have we tried talking to them? Maybe if we sent ponies up onto that mountain, we could work something out. They might not want to hurt anypony."
"They don't have a choice," Dim said. "You're not the first pony to think of that, believe me. Princess Celestia herself tried negotiation, during the invasion. They're not interested in conversation. No matter how much they might want to, they can't help but need to eat. Nothing we can say will change the fact that they see us as food."
Amie took another bite of pudding, clearing off her plate. She was actually starting to feel full—on the meal, and an ample portion of real concern for her radiating from this crew of very dangerous creatures.
"Oh," was all she said, without argument. If she wasn't a queen, she might've taken a daring chance with a little more—these ponies thought her kind were evil monsters, but they were also the ones sent to deal with them.
I need to write them a letter. If I can get them to read it, maybe they'll give us a chance. They were setting up an office in town, apparently. She could address it there.
The ponies across from her were obviously running out of energy. One by one they returned to their room, until it was just Amie and Sweetie left at the table. Sweetie nursed another glass of wine, while Amie had juice. It was drinkable, but nowhere near as good as proper glamour.
Every second they spoke, she had to resist the urge to tell the truth. Ponies were so afraid of changelings, but they knew almost nothing about them! If she could fill in the gaps in their understanding, there would be no more need to fight.
She never did. Eventually Sweetie Drops too got up, nodding to her. "Maybe we'll see you in Agate, miss. Keep a close eye on your foals if that's where you stay. Please."
"I will," Amie said, without deception. "They're all I have in the world. I'll do anything to keep them safe."
As Amie closed on the private bedroom, she felt the panic radiating out through the walls. She quickened her pace, as much as she dared. She didn't exactly know where Sweetie Drops and her fellow agents were staying. One of the locked private rooms, probably. Maybe even the one right next to hers.
Amie knocked lightly on the door, then spoke in a low whisper. She didn't need an excuse for that, not when it was well after midnight and most ponies would be asleep. "I'm back. Can someone unlock the door, please?"
Someone did. Pachu’a appeared in the doorway for an instant, then yanked her inside, and shut the door just as quickly.
Instead of resting the night away, she found her car at a state of panic. Everyone was up next to the side. Natane had one of the lamp-fixtures down off the wall, and seemed ready to use it to shatter the window. They were all wearing their saddlebags, as though expecting an imminent evacuation.
"We need to get off this train," Pachu’a whispered, directly into her ear. "I know your brother can't fly. We'll have to carry him. We can't be here. There are SMILE agents aboard."
She kept her voice just as low. Instead of fear, she projected as much confidence and relaxation as she could. "I know. We had an interesting conversation over dinner."
"And they brought you here under arrest?" Pachu’a finished. "Easier than making a scene."
"No." She stepped back, then nudged her brother. She didn't have to say any of the next part nearly as quietly. "Get some real sleep, Wes. You'll need it."
He nodded eagerly, climbing back up into the bunk. He slid out of the saddlebags, levitating them to the floor. "That's what I told them."
"Nobody fools those agents," Pachu’a said, his voice just as harsh and low as before. "I've lost hunters to them before."
It didn't seem that hard. Amie shook her head again, keeping her expression as neutral as possible. "We did talk about some of the dangers of moving into a town so close to the changeling mountain. They tried to talk me out of staying. But I told them the gold is just too good. We couldn't turn down a contract like this, so I wasn't turning around."
She settled into an empty seat, then gestured towards Natane. “Put that back where you found it. And get the book out, I'd like to get some reading in."
The three kleovore changelings all stared, radiating a mix of disbelief and fear. But she didn't budge. There was no explosion of noise from down the train. As the seconds passed, even they were forced to see the truth of what she said. There was no attack coming—Sweetie Drops and the others didn't know she was a changeling.
"This is why creatures like you stay home," Pachu’a muttered, curling up near the wall. "Make my hearts give out if you keep this up.”
That explained quite a lot, actually. I wonder what Lyra would think once she knew Bonbon was out there risking her life for this.
It's honestly kinda infuriating to see that sometimes the ponies get that there are different hives, but then they also don't get it. They don't see the need to talk to the mountain changelings because they've already tried talking to Queen Chrysalis? Stupid. The ponies are acting exactly the bit the destructive monsters they accuse changelings of being.
Amie definitely needs to somehow get word to the top brass that the changelings are interested in peace, too. It's gonna be tricky to do so safely, though. Even then, they might think it's just some sort of ruse.
As far as extracting her campers goes, maybe the best course of action is to abort mission. She's already realized that she's responsible for the entire hive, not just her favorites, and she won't be able to get absolutely everyone out without ponies noticing.
Probably the agents cannot detect the lie because Amie wasn't lying in the first place. Or do queens have some passive magic that deflects suspicion? Like how everyone but Twilight didn't sense anything suspicious when 'Cadance' was being very, very 'not Cadance' during the wedding that even Celestia couldn't connect the dots even if that's her niece that she raised to be a good princess is being rude.
Amie has a lot to teach the other queens. Except Chrysalis. She can take a long walk off a short pier.
Which is why sometimes it's beneficial to have fresh perspective from the outside. Things may be basically the same, but the method and intent has been reset....
Bon Bon's presence is complicating things. Hopefully Amie will be able to get them some information in a way that they are unable to connect to her. It seems that Amie isn't the only one who noticed that commander Path's actions haven't done anything to stop the changleings from moving around the mountain.
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"It's honestly kinda infuriating to see that sometimes the ponies get that there are different hives, but then they also don't get it. They don't see the need to talk to the mountain changelings because they've already tried talking to Queen Chrysalis? Stupid. The ponies are acting exactly the bit the destructive monsters they accuse changelings of being."
Indeed. This is what infuriates me the most in this story. That the Friendship loving, kind hearted, 'Loyal, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Kindness' worshiping ponies, are acting like mass murdering, barbaric, ruthless dictators. They have LITERALLY Isolated a hive, and are KNOWINGLY forcing them to Starve to Death. No Diplomacy. No, relocation to outside the country. No trying to fix their starvation issues. Not even bringing in scientists or mages to try and learn about their culture, biology, or ANYTHING.
No, it's just flat out, "We want them to Starve to Death, and if they try to get food, we will murder and kill all of them!" If this was Gryphons, Dragons, ANY other race, I would understand. But mother fucking PONIES being this RUTHLESS, committing a crime even we HUMANS have ever rarely done. Hitler would be PROUD of the ponies in this story, and the Holocaust they are Emulating.
Amie's really probing whether she can negotiate with the Equestrians. Though there's always the bit about keeping one's enemies closer. She's the person that should be realistic in that regard if the path goes there.
I wonder if pride is Equestria's number one emotion. How close are they to outright hubris?
It could be Amie's way to contact Equestria. If not, it'll be her opportunity to "guide" Equestria into a productive direction for the hive.
It's true. She wishes peace with Equestria but will do anything to keep her people safe.
Amie's legend only grows larger as her to-do list does.
Amie is doing the right thing in keeping calm.
No need to make Sweetie and the agents suspicious because some ponies disappeared.
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Ponies seem more tribal than humans at times. Given how we're now dealing about relationships between actual different sapient species (and not just a Neanderthal/Sapiens type contact) it's rather amazing this hasn't ended in a war of extermination. It may be possible to actually talk sense to the princesses though I'm guessing Amie would also settle for secretly and peacefully integrating her hive into Equestrian society. The most extreme conclusion being the point that neither can really survive without the other. The sort of insanity a pony would fall into if they learned bug people have infiltrated all aspects of pony society but aren't really interested in destroying it. Amie would truly become the greatest queen of all time.
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It's unfortunate if SMILE is starting to close the security gaps left by Path, but this is a golden opportunity for Amie to influence how they go about it. A real chance to either make contact and peace with them or create much larger gaps for campers to sneak in.
So Sweetie you assume every hive is the same with no evodence. You don't even account a mountain magically appeared andnjust assume they are the same. You ponies learned nothing from Hearts warming
A letter is a good idea. If she can get a SMILE agent on her side she's set.
Sweetie, we need to have a little chat about you and your assumptions.
Ah, a game of spy vs spy. Let's see how this goes with Sweetie Drops in town.
Pachu need to relax. but not to much
a awesome chapter. and some good ideas or should i say clues.
They're gonna be checking for ponies going missing. I hope Amie plans to keep using their 'family of miners' disguises every now and then, or at least buys tickets out of town for the fictional family to complete the narrative.
Pfff- poor Pach'ua at the end. But you go Amie!! You fooled the Bon Bon!
I can understand Bon Bob’s reasoning but I fear in her fear and distrust she’ll do more harm than good.
Amie did very well here! So, Queens are good at throwing SMILE off the scent. Interesting. Very interesting... And a glaring flaw in normal changeling biology.
Let's hope Amie dropping them a letter won't backfire, but it will corroborate Luna's experience dreamwalking her. I wonder if the Orange tribe has developed countermeasures to that?
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All changelings appear from mysteriously off-world. If I were an Equestrian i'd be a bit worried that they could be some form of alien invader, maybe intentionally going through - with Stella Lacus just being a technologically advanced force sent to reenforce Chrysalis. There's good reason to be afraid - and the other hives certainly haven't proven them wrong yet.
Lyra was one of Cadence’s original bridesmaids, and the last we saw of her during the wedding, she was diving into the old mines after a bouquet. No indication of how long it took her to come back out…
I doubt Amie has any queen-specific power to fool ponies. She’s just a people person, and she’s known enough ponies to know how to socialize with them. Really, this says more about most infiltrators than her. Likely a case of them othering ponies to the point where it’s hard for them to relate to them as other people.
In any case, the agents’ position is understandable, but you’d think the mountain out of nowhere would get more attention. Still, these aren’t the ponies you send in to handle delicate diplomatic situations or ask complicated questions. I can only hope that Amie can get in touch with Celestia directly at some point. Ideally after proving Luna’s dread predictions wrong.
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I kinda see your point about monstrous behavior from the ponies. However. . . From Bon Bon's words, and based on their previous experience with Chrysalis, they appear to view changelings like. . . the creatures from the Alien movies, or like The Thing From Another World. If either of those landed on Earth, our priority would be to "Nuke them from orbit! It's the only way to be sure." From that standpoint, maybe they're lucky that Celestia hasn't already dropped Mister Sun on their camp.
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be guarded yes but not trying to open a diaolgue or get intel is an error
I find it sad that the idea of just sitting down and talking with your "enemies" over some food is considered like a foreign concept to people in real life.
Multiple hearts, yet nothing to feed on in any of them….
What does kleovore mean? I’ve never seen that word.
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Kleovore comes from the ancient greek “Cleo,” meaning pride or glory, and latin vorare, meaning “to eat” or “to devour.”
Basically it describes a pride-eater