Fool Moon, Part 33 (Shatterpoint.)

>An endless plain, dry, dusty, and full of rocks, stretches out before you.
>Heat, dry and stifling, beats down on your back as you race across the ground.
>Your tongue hangs out of your mouth as you lope across the rocky badland, a wailing changeling still clinging to your back.
>More of the bug-things followed after you, hissing and screeching as they tried to track your movements.
>You are Anonymous. And you are currently racing across a hellish badland on all fours while horrendous insect ponies chase you from the sky.
>It was glorious. To feel the sun again. To feel it's warmth on your face as your claws stabbed into the rocky soil and propelled you forward.
>You feel something tug on your...hair, you guess? Fur? You aren't sure what to call it, and the Dark Half never cared when you were divided beings.
>You glance over your shoulder as you run, only to come face to face with a pair of furious blue eyes.
>"WHERE IN TARTARUS ARE YOU GOING?"
"Away from that hellhole you call home, bug."
>"It's not my home! I haven't lived in the Hive in years! And Canterlot is THAT way, you giant hairy idiot!"
>You feel something tug on your ear, and a black appendage is thrust over your shoulder, pointing towards the east.
>You growl, and she hisses at you.
"How can you be sure?"
>"TIME FOR QUESTIONING COMES WHEN WE'RE NOT BEING CHASED!"
>You snarl and adjust directions, loping away to the east as changelings come down behind you.
>The ground races away under your limbs, and you feel the changeling tighten her hold as the pair of you make your exodus.
>Only one thing is certain.
>This will be the start of a beautiful friendship.


>"WILL YOU PLEASE SLOW THE BUCK DOWN!? THEY STOPPED CHASING US AN HOUR AGO!"
>You snarl and skid to a stop, throwing up a small cloud of dust and grit as you do.
>The changeling on your back coughs and groans in discomfort.
"How do YOU know that? Just because we can't see them doesn't mean we've lost them. I can still SMELL changelin-"
>You break off your sentence as Bon-Bon raps you on the head with her hoof.
>"Those were DRONES, you idiot! They broke off pursuit to guard the Hive! The only thing you're smelling is ME."
>You growl and reach behind yourself, grabbing at the changeling's strange mane-like fin and lifting her off your back.
"Which reminds me. You're one of them. How do I know this isn't another deception? How do I know you're ACTUALLY leading me to Canterlot?"
>Bon-Bon gulps as you push your snout close to her face, but then she tosses you a withering glare.
>"Because it would make so much sense for me to deliver a message from the pony you loved and then help you get out of the Hive just to...do WHAT, exactly?"
>You snort.
"None of this makes sense. You creatures don't make sense."
>She raises one black brow at you.
>"Says the weird biped who just transformed into a giant monster and almost KILLED a changeling queen."
>She snorts, and you snort back at her.
>Without saying anything, you lower her to the ground, where she brushes herself off, buzzing her wings to remove them of residual dust.
>You both look at each other for a moment, then nod, slowly.
"...So how far away is Canterlot?"
>"Flying? A week. As fast as you run, MAYBE five days if you can do that nonstop."



>Your jaw drops in surprise.
>You didn't have a week.
"She doesn't have a week, changeling."
>"I have a name, you know."
>You snarl.
"Fine, Bon-bon. Rarity does NOT have a week. Nor does your friend..."
>"Lyra."
"Lyra, right. Do you really want to leave the pair of them in Blueblood's clutches?"
>"With any luck, Blueblood hasn't found Lyra yet. She might even still be in Manhatten. I've got time."
>You growl at her, and she flinches slightly.
"Well I don't. Rarity doesn't. You saw her, you showed her to me! How could I leave her like that? How can you expect me t-"
>Bon Bon gives an irritated sigh.
>"I don't! I don't, okay! But we don't have many options. With the portal closed, we have to go on hoof. Or...paws...or whatever the hell you have."
>You glance at your hands and legs, frowning.
>Bon Bon notices your glance and chuckles, causing you to grimace.
"On foot. Let's go with foot. Then we need to hurry. I can't leave her like that. I imagine you don't want to see that happen to Lyra, either."
>Bon Bon stops chuckling.
>She hisses from behind her fanged mouth, furious.
>"If he lays a single hoof on her..."
"If we're fast, that won't be an issue."
>Your stomach rumbles, and you glance at Bon-Bon once more.
"...What is there to eat in this desert?"
>Bon Bon gives you a blank look.
>"Are you particularly fond of rocks?"
"No..."
>"Dust?"
"No."
>"Then you're shit out of luck, welcome to the Badlands."
>You come to a stop, sitting back on your haunches and glaring at Bon Bon.
"You're shitting me, right? You have to...there has to be food some-"
>Her sad smile is your only response.


>UNACCEPTABLE.
>You were fucking starving.
>You hadn't noticed it during the chaos, but now...
>It felt like your stomach was trying to rip you apart from the inside out.
>You glance at the changeling next to you, who is eyeing you uneasily.
>"...Anonymous?"
>She was small. Pony sized, of course. And she smelled AWFUL, like they all did, but still.
>She was living, breathing, and plump, like all the pony-like creatures you'd met were. A free me-
>"ANON! You're drooling!"
>You blink twice, working your jaw and glancing away from Bon-Bon.
>"What's wrong now!?"
"Nothing. We just...need to find food. I can't eat love."
>You rise up on your hind legs, intentionally raising yourself above and away from your erstwhile ally.
>If you don't look at her, that should make this journey really, really easy. She stank, but she looked like food.
>It was maddening! Truly ma-
>Wait a second. What if...when you got back, what if Rarity looked like food? What if she smelled like it?
>"Hey."
>You shake your head and look at Bon-Bon, who's hovering next to you, her black snout scrunched up in concern.
>"What's wrong? Are you tired already? THAT hungry?"
>You fall back to all fours, trying to keep your head from being level with hers.
>She narrows one eye, floating back down to you in confusion.
>"You know, there's probably fruit and things on the way to Canterlot..."
>You give her a deadpan stare.
>"...But you aren't hungry for fruit, are ya, big guy?"
"No."
>She gives you a fearful stare, and you sigh.
"One thing at a time. Food, Canterlot. We've got a while to go, right? Let's find something we can both eat."
>Something that isn't changeling.

Rarity's Perspective.

>"This is a disaster."
>The white stallion paces in front of you, his head bowed in thought as his changeling minions flutter about.
>Sparkler and Razor stand to either side of you, silent as their master paces.
>The Changeling Queen lies unconscious on the floor, a small army of changelings fluttering over her and trying to stitch her wound.
>"How could this have happened?"
"Stupidity, perhaps? Arrogance? Perhaps some cosmic force trying to right a grievous wr-"
>A hoof slams into your stomach, turning your sentence into a hiss of pain.
>Sparkler jams her placed hoof, whispering into your ear.
>"Speak only when spoken to, harlot."
>Blueblood continues as if none of this had happened.
>"This is a disaster! How could that foal have let him escape! We're not yet ready for....Anonymous could unravel everything if he talks to the right ponies, if he can reach Celestia..."
>Blueblood pauses, putting a hoof to his mouth, his eyes shifting around.
>"Dates will have to be re-scheduled...the marriage will be moved up...I will have to reveal my cure to the Princesses early..."
>Sparkler pipes up, beaming at the white stallion.
>"We have utmost confidence in your brilliance, Your Majesty."
>Razor says nothing, until Sparkler nudges his hoof.
>"Hmm? Of course. Yes. Confidence."
>You can't help it.
>You ache. You're covered in a coat of bruises, scraps, and the occasional, well-hidden cut, but you can't help it.
>You start laughing.
>It's Razor this time, slamming his hoof into your horn.
>Pain blinds you for a moment, and you gasp in fresh agony.
>White light and harsh pain blot out every one of your senses, and it's all you can do to keep from screaming.



>You return to consciousness with a fresh snap of agony as Sparkler slaps you.
>You gasp, your eyes whirling with the residual pain in your horn and head.
>Blueblood is looking on the three of you with disgust in his blue eyes.
>"Enough of that barbarity. There are more important matters at hand."
>He turns to look at the changelings clustered around their Queen.
>"You there. Changelings. Explain how this is possible."
>The creatures look at each other silently.
>"NOW."
>The green-coated pony grins.
>The changelings look at each other once more, before pushing one of their number towards Blueblood.
>The chosen changeling curses to himself before glancing up at the King.
>"Y-Your Majesty! It was...not the Queen's fault! A traitor, yes...a scout. Returned to the Hive with news from you, Your Majesty."
>Blueblood's eyes grow ice cold.
>"Continue."
>"She-the scout, Your Majesty, she released the prisoner. And he...he changed. He attacked us, attacked the Queen, attacked the Hive. She was forced to flee!"
>Razor laughs, a low, rumbling sound in the back of his throat.
>"Cowardice. And look where it got her. Bleeding on the palace floor."
>The changelings all shoot him a look of hatred, which he promptly ignores.
>"Silence."
>Razor glares at Blueblood, who continues to address the Changelings.
>"You and your Queen have failed me far too many times on this venture. Were I a lesser monarch, I would be inclined to reveal you and leave you to starve in that hellhole you call home."
>He flashes a smile full of white teeth at them.
>"But you still have your uses. I forgive you your failures, and will even allow you to save your Queen. Am I not magnanimous?"


>The Changelings, wisely, only respond with a bow.
>You roll your eyes, ignoring the hateful glance Sparkler shoots your way.
>Blueblood only smirks at your rudeness before addressing the group as a whole.
>"Bon-Bon. That's the name of your 'traitor.' She vanished after asking to see my beloved fiance."
>You stiffen.
>"She must have brought him some charm, some spell, devised by my foolish beloved, to release him."
>He clucks his tongue in disappointment.
>"How unfortunate. You changelings cannot spot a traitor among your own kind, in the heart of your wretched kingdom?"
>His tone is frosty, chilled, and the changelings react by shrinking back, casting glances at Razor and closing ranks around their Queen.
>"Oh, my dear changelings, be calm. Now is not the time for fear. If we panic, we are lost. If we do as I say when I say it, we will survive this little crisis."
>One of the changelings moves forward.
>"Then what do you need of us...your majesty?"
>Blueblood smiles.
>"A unicorn. Green coat, mint-green mane. Lyra, harpsichord cutie mark. Bring her to me. Alive, but beyond that I care not for her physical or mental state."
>The changelings chitter among themselves, and a few of them dart out of the room, assuming disguises to go obtain Blueblood's desired mare.
>He turns to look at you, Razor, and Sparkler, and you offer a small grin at the discomfort on his face.
>"Now...to fix this. Anon has been a thorn in my side for far too long. He must be removed."
>You give out a gasp of disquiet.
>Razor grunts at the noise you make before clearing his throat.
>"Blueblood."
>"KING Blueblood."
>The dragon-pony sneers, ignoring the king's title.
>"Send me. I shall burn him."


>Razor's face contorts in rage.
>"You DENY ME THIS? YOU DARE?"
>Blueblood, to his credit, stands his ground, even as you and Sparkler edge away from the furious Razor.
>"Yes, I deny y-"
>"ON WHAT GROUNDS, YOU MEASLY WORM?"
>"I am your King, Razor! I am the rightful ruler of Eque-"
>"MY KIND HAS BOWED TO NO KING SINCE THE BREAKING OF SMAUG. EVEN ANGALACON THE BLACK, MIGHTY AS HE WAS, WAS NOT LOOKED TO AS KING."
>Razor looms above Blueblood like a furious mountain of muscle, his one eye burning.
>"YOU ARE NO KING OF MINE, BLUEBLOOD. YOU ARE A SHORT-LIVED, FOOLISH, ARROGANT PIECE OF FURRY SCUM."
>He takes a deep breath.
>"We work for a similar goal, but never, NEVER imagine you command me. Have your obsequious slave remove this spell, and I will fix your Queen's mistake."
>Blueblood draws back from the enraged dragon, seeming to wilt under his stare.
>"I...I...no. No! We cannot afford a distraction like that, a full grown dragon, here in Canterlot? As broken as she is, Celestia will not hesitate to stop you! And if she kills you this time? Or worse, interrogates you? The plan will collapse."
>Razor growls.
>"The plan is already collapsing."
>Blueblood seems to regain his backbone.
>"I forbid it, Razor. You will remain here. You will guard Rarity, and Lyra, when she arrives. You will kill them if i-"
>Blueblood shuts up as Razor roars into his face.
>The green pony turns and trots out of the room, trembling with uncontrollable fury.
>You cannot contain this one.
>Mirth bubbles out of you, as you watch this little drama play out.
>You know the pain is coming, and it makes you laugh all the harder as Blueblood's hoof slams into your bruised eye.



>You topple like a felled tree, nearly shocked out of your pointed mirth.
>Sparkler attacked you, tortured you, made you suffer out of spite and envy. Razor did it out of boredom. Blueblood rarely touched you, and when he did, it was to admonish, to punish.
>This was a blow of pure hate.
>You put a hoof to your eye as you stumble and fall, gazing up at Blueblood in shock.
>He seems to be staring at his own hoof, as if disgusted with it's presence.
>You let out a sad little laugh at his expense.
"Well! What a charmer, my future husband is!"
>Blueblood lowers his hoof.
>"Silence."
"It's such a relief to see that he actually possesses the fortitude to strike his wife-to-be!"
>"SILENCE."
"And here I thought I'd only be attended to by the help!"
>"YOU WILL BE SILENT, YOU INSOLENT MARE. YOUR KING COMMANDS IT!"
>Blueblood's horn lights up, dragging you to your hooves by your throat.
>He slaps you again, and you stumble, but hold you ground.
>"DO YOU HEAR ME? I AM YOUR KING! YOU WILL ONLY SPEAK WHEN I ALLOW IT!"
>Blows rain down on you, and you cover your face with your arm.
"A King..."
>"SHUT UP!"
"A King has his reign, Blueblood."
>The blows begin to slow.
"A King has his reign, and then he dies. It's inevitable."
>You look up into his face, a wan, haunted expression.
"And you will be dying very soon."
>Blueblood turns to look at Sparkler.
>"Take her away. Get her out of my sight."
>Wordlessly, the amethyst mare obeys him, roughly grabbing you and dragging you towards the door.
>But not before you hear it.
>A low, wordless cry of frustration from the would-be King.
>You smile as you are led out of the room.

Sparkler's perspective.
>Everything was falling apart.
>You had never seen the King so out of sorts.
>So distressed...
>Chrysalis was on death's door...
>Blueblood only knew how long they would remain loyal.
>The King was shaken. His plan was coming apart at the seams. Anonymous was still alive, the Queen was on death's door, and Razor-
>Razorfang was a powerful ally. He would be an insurmountable enemy. Despite his wounds, he had tangled with the Princess of the Sun twice, and lived.
>He was old, and powerful, and volatile, as dragons tended to be. If he felt that Blueblood was trying to withhold a promised reward...
>You shuddered at the thought.
>It was the harlot's fault.
>You snarl at her as you kick her into her room, slamming the door shut behind her.
>That grin, that shameless smile she wore when she suffered drove you up a wall.
>She was poison.
>She was poisoning everything!
>It was because of her the plan was failing.
>It was because of her that Blueblood didn't love you!
>You wanted to go in there, and rip that smile off her bucking face. You wanted to tear into her skin and make her suffer for her filthy wiles.
>You shudder, staring at the door to her room, resisting the urge to break down the door and just END her.
>But no. That would displease the King. And you'd never displease Blueblood.
>You are so wrapped up in your own thoughts, you do not notice him as he approaches.
>Only when he is on you do you whirl around, your eyes widening as a green limb slams into your neck and pins you to the door.
>One eye glares at you from the dark, and a set of white teeth stretch into a grin.
>"Hello, Sparkler."


>You gasp, struggling to bring your horn to bare as Razor practically crushes your throat.
>He casually flicks your horn with his free hoof, and your focus vanishes in a blaze of pain.
>Even constrained by your spell, his strength was simply unequine.
"Razor...let...me...go."
>"I don't think so."
"...Please...can't breath..."
>He does not relent. Not an inch.
>"Did your master think I was some kind of lapdog? His own personal wyrm, perhaps?"
>You can only offer gasps in reply.
>"I AM OVER ONE THOUSAND YEARS OLD, SPARKLER! Did you and your petty king HONESTLY think I would be content to serve? That I simply enjoyed killing and burning where you directed? That I would enjoy enslaving myself to ponies?"
>You struggle to reply, to reassure him, to calm him, but all you can offer is choked gurgles.
>"Enough. I say enough. I have fought the Princesses for you both. I have burned and flown and terrorized and guarded. I want what was promised. I want my vengeance."
>He lets up on you, ever so slightly, and you struggle to gasp out a reply.
"Not...proper...time...King...said..."
>"I don't give a single scale what he said. I want what is mine by right. Release your spell."
"...No."
>He slams a hoof into your stomach, and you grit your teeth against the pain.
>"RELEASE IT. Or I will kill you. I will kill Blueblood. I will kill the thief's mate. I will tell Celestia of your base plans, of your necklace. I will RUIN you."
>Blueblood's orders...but the plan...If you didn't obey, he'd ruin everything.
"I...I will...just..."
>The hoof leaves your throat, and you fall on your side.
>"Release me, Sparkler."
>Your horn glows, and you obey.

Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE80Ni-ZUr4

>You felt the magic wash over you in a wave, and you smile as you feel it changing you.
>You have been constrained in this small, weak form for far too long.
>You step over the weakling pony mage, ignoring her plaintive cries.
>Your hearing grows sharper, and you ignore the weak sobs of the thief's mate, the muttered curses of the king, the weak heartbeats of the fallen queen.
>You hear the anguished cries of both Princesses beneath the castle, as they try and fail to cure the Night Princess of her ailment.
>All of this means less than nothing to you, now.
>You are Razorfang. And you are free.
>Scales layer over your pony disguise like armor, interlocking green plates of thick calcium.
>Your muscles and bones swell and engorge as you grow.
>A crown of horns springs from your head, and your snout grows long and draconic once more.
>You spread your wings, ignoring the shuddering of the castle walls and the falling plaster as the spell completes it's grim work.
>You roar, and Canterlot Castle trembles to hear it.
>Fire awakens in your heart, spilling out from your jaws in tongues of heat and wrath.
>Your remaining eye burns as you peer at the walls surrounding you, containing you.
>You burst through them like sheets of wet paper, roaring as you blast out of Canterlot Castle like lava from a volcano.
>The city screams to hear your warcry, tiny mammals scrambling to escape your shadow.
>You beat your wings, wheeling around Canterlot mounting, before orienting yourself towards your destination.
>The hellish land of the changelings, marked by an outcropping of rock.
>There you will enact your vengeance.
>There, Anonymous will burn.